ProGear 225 Folding Upright Bike is perfect for cardiovascular workouts at home, with a dual transmission flywheel for more resistance and challenge and a three-piece cranking system for a smooth and consistent pedaling motion.
The 225 offers eight magnetic tension control system levels that let you vary the workout intensity. You can experience cycling in different terrains by changing the tension levels. In addition, it has a dual transition flywheel that provides higher resistance workouts with consistent pedaling motion.
The fitness monitor LCD shows the distance you have covered, the number of calories you have burned, the speed at cycling, and other relevant information. In addition, the ProGear 225 has integrated heart rate pulse sensors in the handlebars to monitor your heart rate while exercising. Unfortunately, the monitor is not telemetric and won’t work with an HR chest strap.
It has an ergonomically contoured seat cushion that is easily adjustable to accommodate users of different heights. The seat’s ergonomic design makes you feel no back pain, even if you cycle for long hours. The handlebars have a multi-grip plan, and each handle has a rubber foam layer to provide ultimate comfort.
Learn more in my complete review below!
Product: ProGear 225 Folding Upright Bike
Price: For a great deal on this bike, merely go here on Amazon
Warranty: 1 year limited
My rating: is 9/10
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: 32L x 17.5W x 46H inches (81L x 44.5W x 117H cm)
- Assembled weight: 34.8 lbs (15.7 kg)
- Supported weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
- Seat: 2-way adjustable
- Pedals: With straps
- Resistance: Magnetic, eight levels
- Fitness Monitor: Included
- Warranty: 1 year limited
225 Frame Construction
Like many other folding upright bikes, the ProGear 225 is one of the most basic models you can find. But it features a frame made of steel tubing coated with corrosion-resistant white paint. Unfortunately, the only color available for this exercise bike is white.
Even though the ProGear 225 has a folding frame, it has a minimal, fully setup footprint. It only takes 32″L x 17.5″W (81 x 44.5 cm) when in use; therefore, it’s an excellent choice for a small apartment or room.
The frame has an “X” structure, with the two main pieces joined in the middle, and with the frame folded, the bike’s footprint is reduced to 19″L x 17.5″W (48 x 44.5 cm), while its height gains approximately 9″. Regarding the bike’s weight limit, this ProGear 225 can only support riders up to 220 lbs (100 kg).
This exercise bike is far from being heavy when it comes to weight. It weighs only 34.8 lbs (15.7 kg) when fully assembled, which means almost anyone should be able to handle or relocate it without help. Plus, the front base tube comes with rotating caps, which fulfill the role of transport wheels. The rear base caps are polygonal and turn and serve as stabilizers.
Seat and handlebars
The ProGear 225 folding upright bike comes with a 2-way adjustable seat. Its vertical post features several adjustment positions and can accommodate users between 5’1″ and 6’0 ″ (155 – 183 cm). The saddle is a rubber foam material with a contoured surface.
It’s relatively wide, delivering optimal comfort for all vertical workouts. The adjustment bar is a triangular plate to which the saddle is attached. It’s a standard seat, and a replacement is available if needed.
The bike’s handlebars are non-adjustable. They have a multi-grip design, each handle featuring a rubber foam layer to deliver optimal comfort and a secure grip. The handlebars also integrate an EKG HR pulse sensor, and the fitness monitor supplied with this bike can track the pulse.
225 Resistance and drive
The ProGear 225 upright bike has a manual magnetic resistance system. A small magnetic brake is attached to the tension knob under the handlebar through a steel wire. As you turn the knob, you change the magnetic brake position to the flywheel, increasing or decreasing the resistance on the pedals.
This ProGear exercise bike offers eight resistance levels marked on the tension knob. The first levels deliver a light tension, while the top, 7-8, allows you to undergo more intense cardio training. But as a general idea, this exercise bike is not meant for highly challenging cardio workouts.
The ProGear 225 has a balanced, perimeter-weighted flywheel, which delivers a smooth and steady pedaling feel. In addition, the wheel is not extremely heavy. Its weight is not specified, but it should be around 8-10 lbs.
This fact won’t generate consistent momentum as a spin bike or an upright bike with a heavier flywheel. In addition, the flywheel is not bi-directional, so you won’t benefit from any resistance if you pedal in reverse.
Like most bikes with magnetic resistance, this ProGear model features a belt drive system. However, it uses a robust, stretch-resistant belt, generating almost no noise when pedaling. Also, as opposed to a chain drive, it doesn’t require lubrication.
The bike has a 3-piece crank with steel arms. However, standing up while pedaling is not recommended, even though this part is quite robust. In addition, the bike doesn’t offer the stability of a heavy spin bike.
The pedals have standard threads, so you can easily find replacements for them if needed. In addition, they’re weighted (self-leveling), feature a surface with lugs for superior adherence, and come with adjustable straps.
Fitness monitor
The ProGear 225 has a simple fitness monitor. However, it has a pulse reading and an odometer function, which other similar bikes don’t.
Thus, I can say it’s a bit more inclusive. It can track speed, distance, total distance (ODO), time, calories burned, and pulse. In addition, it has a SCAN function that rotates all the fitness metrics keeping each one on-screen for several seconds.
However, you can also select one to view all the time if you want. You will have to hold onto the HR pulse sensors integrated into the handlebars to track your pulse. Unfortunately, the fitness monitor is not telemetric.
The fitness monitor is pretty easy to use. It has only one button. It turns on when you push the button or detect flywheel movement.
The monitor shuts off after several minutes of inactivity on the bike. To completely reset the monitor, remove the batteries from the unit. It uses 2 AAA-type batteries, which come included with the bike.
225 Assembly and Maintenance
Most of the bike comes pre-assembled. The internal parts (flywheel, brake pad, crank, belt) are attached to the frame and encased by the plastic covers. The two main frame parts are pre-connected in the middle, so basically, you will only need to connect the seat, the handlebars, the fitness monitor, and the pedals.
Since it’s a belt-driven bike with magnetic resistance, its internal parts don’t need maintenance. However, maintenance requires you to wipe the dust from the frame and console and, from time to time, check if the bolts still hold tight in place.
Pros
- Reliable and stable frame design, able to hold 220 lbs of user weight;
- Space saver, folding design;
- Small footprint when fully assembled;
- Multi-grip handlebar;
- Pulse sensors integrated into the handlebar;
- Magnetic resistance system, virtually wear-free, supplying eight distinctive levels of tension;
- A fitness monitor included, capable of tracking time, speed, distance, total distance, calories burned, and pulse;
- Batteries for the monitor included;
- Phone/accessory holder included;
- Smooth belt drive;
- Its operation is quiet;
- Easy to assemble;
- Very little maintenance is required.
Cons
- No tablet holder;
- No bottle holder;
- The fitness monitor calorie burned reading is not too accurate;
- The fitness monitor LCD does not have a backlight.
ProGear 225 Folding Upright Bike Summary
The ProGear 225 is a foldable magnetic upright bike featuring a quiet belt drive, eight manual magnetic resistance levels, and a fitness monitor to track time, distance, speed, calories, and pulse.
It’s a bike for light to medium cardio training, muscle toning, and stamina building. It can also help you lose weight if you train with the highest resistance settings for at least 30 minutes daily. In all, this exercise bike offers excellent value for the 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 remember that you should consult your physician to determine if you have any medical or physical conditions that could risk your health and safety 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.
This is what I’ve been needing. I have a one-bedroom apartment, and I already have a bench and some Bowflex dumbbells in the living room. I wanted to get a bike out there, but not something too big and something I could hang in the corner of the room. This looks perfect. I would just point it towards the tv when needed, and away I would go! When I buy it, I will be going through you!
Thanks for your interest in the ProGear 225 Folding Upright Bike.
All the best!
I like the look of this exercise bike. I don’t need accurate pulse readings because I have a FitBit for that. This bike looks sturdy and well-built, and it’s a real bonus that it folds away to take up such a small space. This has been the main thing stopping me from getting an exercise bike – the amount of room they take up – so this could be an ideal solution for me. Thanks for sharing.