Best Fitness BFRB1 Recumbent Bike | Easily Mount and Dismount

Suitable for users of any ability level, the Best Fitness BFRB1 Recumbent Bike from Body-Solid delivers a comfortable and effective workout at home. An adjustable lumbar-supported back pad and front handle accommodate users of all sizes. At the same time, an easy-to-approach walkthrough design makes it easy to get on and off the exercise bike.

The BFRB1 features a compact and stable frame that delivers a quality cardio workout and is easy to move from room to room thanks to integrated wheels. In addition, the exercise bike measures 52 by 26 by 38 inches (L x W x H) and has a maximum user weight limit of 220 pounds. The BFRB1 offers comfort and is affordable; the BFRB1 is a great way to get a quality cardio workout.

The Best Fitness BFRB1 recumbent bike has a fitness monitor featuring a 5-Window LCD  that offers a convenient readout of valuable information about the workout and allows the user to control workout resistance levels. In addition, the monitor provides real-time information on Speed, Time, Distance, Calories Burned, and Pulse.

The ergonomic design of the BFRB1 bike distributes your weight evenly, letting you recline slightly without putting pressure on your lower back. In addition, a two-way adjustable seat pad ensures maximum comfort through even the most strenuous cardio workouts.

Learn more in my complete review below!

Product: Best Fitness BFRB1 Recumbent Bike from Body-Solid

Price: For a great deal on this bike, merely go here to Amazon.com

Warranty: Frame 5 years / Parts 1 year / Electronics 1 year / Wear parts 90 days / Labor 90 days

My rating: 7.75/10

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate Program participant, I earn commissions on purchases made through links in this post. Full disclosure

Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 52L x 26W x 39H inches (132L x 66W x 99H cm)
• Assembled weight: 73 lbs (33 kg)
• Weight capacity: 220 lbs (100 kg)
• Seat: 2-way adjustable
• Drive: Belt
• Resistance: Manual magnetic, eight levels
• Fitness Monitor: Time, speed, distance, calories, pulse, BMI, recovery, goal function
• Warranty: Frame 5 years / Parts 1 year / Electronics 1 year / Wear parts 90 days / Labor 90 days

BFRB1 Frame Construction

The Best Fitness BFRB1 recumbent bike features a two-piece rectangular, cylindrical steel tubing frame. The larger front piece supports the drive and resistance elements, while the minor rear part holds the seat. Furthermore, the two pieces connect at the bottom via several bolts.

All the steel frame parts come double-coated with a corrosion-resistant red paint finish. The drive and resistance guards and the fitness monitor casing are made of durable thermoplastic material.

The bike is not super extensive. However, with all the parts assembled, it is approximately 52″ (132 cm) long and 26″ (66 cm) wide. Therefore, it is advisable to allow at least two feet of clearance all around it for easy access and safe usage.

The bike has a step-through design. For example, there is a gap between the drive unit and the seat for easy entry and exit. In addition, the bike is not too heavy either, weighing approx—73 lbs (33 kg). Therefore, one person can carry and assemble the bike. Once completed, it’s easy to move as its front base features a set of transport wheels.

Seat and handlebars

The Best Fitness BFRB1 recumbent bike comes equipped with a comfortable seat. The bottom pad is approx. 14″ (35 cm) wide, providing plenty of contact surface. In addition, the seat and backrest also have padding and contours featuring an ergonomic design.

The seat is two-way adjustable (front, back). For instance, its bottom slider has a few adjustment holes, and you can secure it in the desired position with a large knob. Although the slider is not very long, the bike should comfortably accommodate users between 5’2″ and 6’4″ (157 – 193 cm) with no problem.

Unfortunately, the backrest does not adjust independently from the seat; it does not have a reclining function or a vertical slider. Furthermore, the bike has a maximum user weight limit of 220 lbs (100 kg).

The bike comes with two sets of handlebars. One attaches to the seat frame and the other to the front mast of the bike. The seat handlebars integrate stainless steel HR pulse sensors. They adhere to the base frame of the seat via two screws each. In addition, they also have PVC foam sleeves for improved comfort.

The front handlebars also have PVC foam covers but do not have integrated HR pulse sensors. However, they are adjustable. For instance, they attach to the front upright bar of the bike via a small knob which allows you to loosen them up, adjust their angle, and retighten them in the desired position.

Resistance system

The Best Fitness BFRB1 recumbent bike features a manual magnetic resistance system. Therefore, you don’t need to connect it to a power source, and you don’t need a power adapter for it. Unfortunately, on the other hand, the included fitness monitor does not have pre-set programs and does not adjust the resistance automatically.

The bike’s resistance system features a magnetic brake that connects to the tension knob on the front upright bar of the bike through a steel cable.

Therefore, when you turn the knob clockwise, the magnets move closer to the internal flywheel creating magnetic drag, and the cycle provides a more incredible pedaling difficulty. Conversely, when you turn the knob to the left, the gap between the brake’s magnets increases, resulting in less resistance.

The main advantage of the magnetic brake is that the magnets do not touch the flywheel. Therefore, there is no internal friction, and the pedaling motion is smooth and quiet. In addition, you don’t have to worry about brake pad replacements, maintenance, or lubrication.

Like most other magnetic recumbent bikes, the BFRB1 offers eight resistance levels. The first few levels deliver a relatively light pedaling difficulty, which is great for recovery training, or a quick warm-up. Conversely, the 7-8 tension levels provide more resistance, simulating a hill climb.

BFRB1 Drive system

The Best Fitness BFRB1 recumbent bike comes equipped with a belt drive system. It uses a poly-v belt designed for superior traction. The belt does not require lubrication, unlike a standard chain drive, which is a plus. Furthermore, it contributes to the overall smoothness of the ride as it generates slightly less vibration than a chain.

The internal flywheel is perimeter-weighted. Thus, this flywheel construction improves inertia and stability to provide a smooth and consistent pedaling motion. However, its exact weight is not specified, but since the whole bike weighs only 73 lbs (33 kg), the flywheel probably doesn’t weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg).

The flywheel is bi-directional. Thus, the bike allows you to pedal in reverse. Therefore, you can alternate reverse pedaling sessions with forwarding pedaling sessions to add diversity to your workouts. However, coasting is not possible on the bike. The flywheel will also stop spinning if you stop pedaling while your feet are still on the pedals.

The bike has a solid crankset featuring stainless steel crank arms similar to road bikes. The pedals are durable thermoplastic material with a metallic core and have weight elements for self-leveling. In addition, they also have adjustable straps, so you can perfectly secure your feet on them.

Fitness monitor

The Best Fitness BFRB1 recumbent bike has the same fitness monitor as its BFUB1 upright counterpart. In addition, it features an LCD divided into five sub-sections to show up to 5 workout metrics at once. It tracks time, speed, distance, calories burned, and pulse.

The speed and distance are in Imperial units (MPH and miles), and there is no option for changing them to metric units. In addition, the pulse reading is grip-only; the monitor can only read your pulse if you hold on to the HR pulse sensors integrated into the seat handlebars. Unfortunately, it cannot read pulse from a wireless HR chest strap or armband.

Furthermore, the bike does not have pre-set workout programs. However, it does offer the possibility to set workout goals for time, distance, and calories. For instance, after choosing a workout goal, the monitor will count down from the selected value until it reaches zero.

A Body Mass Index (BMI) and Recovery functions are available on the fitness monitor. In addition, they both have pre-set controls. The BMI function will prompt you to input your data, such as age, sex, weight, and height, and based on your input; it will calculate your body fat percentage.

The Pulse Recovery function requires you to hold on to the integrated HR pulse sensors. It will count your pulse at the end of the workout and determine how fast your heart rate takes to return to normal. The result will give you a score between F1 (excellent) and F6 (poor).

The monitor is battery-powered, and it requires two AA batteries. It starts up when you begin pedaling or press one of the buttons. In addition, it also has a sleep mode; it will enter sleep mode if it does not detect any activity on the bike for more than 8 minutes. Furthermore, when in sleep mode, it indicates room temperature.

BFRB1 Assembly and Maintenance

The front unit of the bike, with all the drive and resistance elements, comes pre-assembled. You only need to connect the rear frame section, the two base bars, the console mast, the fitness monitor, the seat, the backrest, and the pedals.

Consequently, this may take more than one hour, but the task is pretty simple. The manual provides clear assembly instructions, and all the assembly tools come with the bike.

For maintenance, you only need to keep the bike clean, wipe the sweat that might fall on the frame at the end of the workout, and periodically check for loose bolts or parts and retighten or replace them. The internal mechanism does not need lubrication or other maintenance.

Pros

• Sturdy construction, elegant design;
• Small footprint;
• Ergonomic seat with a sturdy and large backrest;

  

• Frictionless and whisper-quiet magnetic resistance (8 levels);
• Handlebars with pulse sensors;
• Maintenance-free belt drive;
• Oversized weighted pedals with straps;
• 5-panel feedback fitness monitor – it tracks time, speed, distance, calories, and pulse;
• Workout goal function for a time, distance, and calories burned;
• BMI function;
• Recovery function;
• The monitor shows room temperature when in sleep mode;
• Easy to assemble;
• Little maintenance is required;
• The tools for the assembly included;
• Excellent warranty.

Cons

• There is no bottle or device holder;
• The fitness monitor does not have a backlight;
• The fitness monitor does not have online connectivity.

Best Fitness BFRB1 Recumbent Bike Summary

The Best Fitness BFRB1 is a recumbent bike made for home use. It features an 8-level manual magnetic resistance system, a comfortable seat, and a fitness monitor that tracks time, speed, distance, calories, and pulse. In addition, the monitor also has a pulse recovery function and a body mass index function.

Furthermore, it’s a sturdy bike, great for light to medium-intensity cardio workouts. Moreover, it’s not exactly the most affordable recumbent bike in this feature range, but it has an excellent warranty and a reasonably reasonable price.

I hope you found this article helpful and informative. Would you please speak up if you have anything you’d like to share on the topic or any opinions about my website? I look forward to your comments, questions, and the sharing of ideas.

Please note that you should consult your physician before starting any exercise program to determine if you have any medical or physical conditions that could put your health and safety at risk or prevent you from using the equipment properly. In addition, your physician’s advice is essential if you are taking medication that affects your heart rate, blood pressure, or cholesterol level.