Exercise bikes are ideal for those who want to minimize the stress on their joints during cardio sessions, and the Sole SB700 is one of our favorites. This bike resembles what you’d find in a spin class, and is a great option for both dedicated cyclists and average cardio enthusiasts. It’s also a cheaper alternative to much of its competition with its $700 price tag. The pedals on this bike are pretty basic, and the toe cages will keep your feet secure at all times.
While the 3” x 4” LCD display only tracks basic metrics, we think the built-in tablet holder is an easy and cost-effective way to add streaming capabilities to this machine. What makes the SB700 stand out to us, though, is the beastly 48-pound flywheel, which provides a measure of difficulty as well as stability. The unique Kevlar braking system used for the resistance is another feature that makes it stand out from the competition. The SB700 is not the fanciest bike on the market by any means — but if you’re looking for a straightforward, high-quality, and budget-friendly option for your home gym, you might’ve found your match.
Main Takeaways
- The Sole SB700 features a 48-pound flywheel and uses a Kevlar braking system for resistance.
- The $700 price tag is a solid deal for a bike of this caliber.
- The built-in tablet holder is ideal for those who want to follow along with an online workout program or stream from their favorite apps.
The Sole SB700 was built for riders who like to keep their workouts simple. It sports a 48-pound flywheel with adjustable resistance, adjustable handlebars and seat, and a tablet holder that allows for third-party fitness class streaming while you ride.
Sole SB700 Exercise Bike Highlights
Sole’s cardio equipment is known for its reliability, and that’s especially true with the SB700. This exercise bike is forged from steel and powder-coated to prevent rust, and the heavier flywheel creates more inertia which leads to a smoother workout while increasing the difficulty. Sole opted for a Kevlar braking system rather than magnetic resistance, but don’t worry; it’ll still offer a quiet experience. The downside to adjusting the resistance with the tension knob is that you won’t see any corresponding levels on the display. So you’ll have to find the right resistance based on how it feels.
The LCD display is pretty small, measuring 3” x 4”, but it still provides the means to track your metrics, such as RPM, speed, and heart rate, if you connect a heart rate monitor during your rides. The built-in tablet holder is also perfect for streaming a workout program, your favorite TV shows, or movies. While the SB700 doesn’t have the luxury features you’ll find on some other bikes, we still think the high-quality construction and heavy-duty flywheel make this $700 bike an excellent option for those not wanting to overspend on a new exercise bike.
Who Should Buy the Sole SB700 Exercise Bike
- Folks on a tight budget will appreciate the low price tag of the SB700.
- Those who don’t care for fancy tech on their cardio equipment will enjoy the straightforward approach of this bike.
- Dedicated cyclists seeking a challenge will find the 48-pound flywheel more than enough to meet their requirements.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Sole SB700 Exercise Bike
- Those who want to know exactly what level of resistance they’re riding against will want to target a bike with magnetic resistance.
- Folks who want incline and decline settings on their bike will need to keep searching since this bike doesn’t offer any adjustments.
- Tech-loving individuals may not enjoy the no-frills approach of this bike.
Price
The Sole SB700 is available for around $700 on the Sole Fitness website. This is a really solid value considering the high quality, and it will save you money compared to similar products. That said, those more expensive bikes offer fancier technology (like integrated touchscreen monitors), and some offer automatic adjustments to the magnetic resistance, incline, and decline levels. So if you don’t care for all that and just want a basic exercise bike to burn some calories, we think this bike offers great value.
Overall Build and Quality
The Sole SB700 Exercise Bike consists of a steel framework and a chrome-plated flywheel. It weighs 141 pounds and can support up to 300 pounds. This bike is also more compact than some of its counterparts, measuring 42 inches tall, 40 inches long, and 21 inches wide. With your purchase, you’ll receive a lifetime warranty on the frame, three years on the parts and electronics, and a one-year labor warranty.
Features
The SB700 is about as basic as it gets for an exercise bike. The 3” x 4” LCD display allows for basic stat tracking and offers Bluetooth connectivity for a heart rate monitor. There aren’t any speakers or fans built into the console or an integrated display, but the tablet holder allows you to stream your favorite workout classes, TV shows, or movies while riding.
Stat Tracking and Display
The 3” x 4” display on the SB700 tracks your RPM, time, and heart rate if you connect a heart rate monitor via Bluetooth. But since Sole didn’t include a magnetic resistance system, you won’t find any levels on the display corresponding to your resistance.
Included Workouts
There are no programmed workouts on the SB700.
Workout Apps and Subscription Options
The beauty of the SB700 not having an integrated touchscreen display is that you’re free to follow the online workout program of your choice. The downside is that it’s not compatible with any apps. So you’ll have to pair your heart rate monitor or fitness tracker to your app of choice to track your progression.
Ride Feel and Comfort
Due to the 48-pound flywheel on the SB700, your rides will be smoother than Joey Tribbiani’s classic “How you doin’?” pick-up line in Friends. Flywheels are essential to the performance of a bike as the heavier they are, the more inertia they can create, which allows you to keep your momentum. But the heavier weight also means that it’s harder to start and stop. Since you’re getting a heavier flywheel than most other exercise bikes, you can get a more challenging workout in.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Since there aren’t any integrated pulse sensors on the handlebars of this bike, connecting a heart rate monitor to the LCD display is crucial to achieving an accurate reading of your HRV.
Fans and Speakers
There are no fans or speakers built into this bike. So you’ll need to utilize your Bluetooth earbuds for your tunes and streaming preferences, and you might need an oscillating fan to keep you cool during your body conditioning efforts.
Water Bottle, Cup Holders, Tablet and Phone Holders
The dual water bottle holders under the handlebars are perfect for staying hydrated as you ride, and you have the option of storing some dumbbells. While some may view it as a bummer that the SB700 doesn’t offer an immersive display, the tablet holder makes up for this since it allows you to stream online workout programs on your personal device. It may even be better than having a large monitor bolted into the framework, as no cords are necessary to power the bike, allowing you to move it outdoors on a nice day for your cardio workouts.
Bluetooth Capabilities
The Sole SB700 offers Bluetooth connectivity for a heart rate monitor.
HDMI, USB and Other Inputs
There are no plug-ins on the SB700, so be sure to charge your devices before going for a long ride.
Product Specs
The Sole SB700 is identical to what you’ll find in a spin class. The chrome-plated 48-pound flywheel is paired with a Kevlar braking system and utilizes a tension knob to increase or decrease the resistance. The pedals feature toe cages, and while they aren’t compatible with SPD cleats, they have standard threading, so you can swap them out for a clip-in set of pedals if you prefer riding with your gear on.
Both the seat and handlebars can adjust to your preference. This is a pretty compact bike measuring 42” x 41” x 21”. It also weighs 141 pounds and can support up to 300 pounds.
Bike Type
The SB700 is a classic upright bike you’d find in a spin class. If you are dealing with any back pain, you’ll likely be better off targeting a recumbent bike as they allow you to sit in a more comfortable position.
Resistance
Since the SB700 uses a Kevlar braking system instead of magnetic resistance, you’ll notice some more noise during your rides, but overall, this bike is pretty quiet. To adjust the resistance, simply twist on the tension knob, and it’ll push the pad closer to the flywheel. The more pressure the pad applies to the flywheel, the harder it’ll be to pedal.
However, this resistance style has a couple of downsides, like the lack of a resistance level indicator on the display. Another thing you have you eventually worry about is the brake pad wearing down over time. Kevlar is a tough material (it’s bulletproof, for Pete’s sake), so this won’t happen until you put hundreds of hours of use into it, but the pad will eventually wear down, and you’ll need to replace it at some point.
Pedals
The pedals on the SB700 are basic. They feature standard toe cages to keep your feet secure but aren’t compatible with SPD cleats. So if you’re big on wearing your cycling gear, you might want to consider swapping out these pedals for another pair. The good news is that the threading used here is the industry standard, so it’ll be a simple process.
Seat and Handlebars
The seat on the Sole SB700 is average for an exercise bike and adjusts vertically and horizontally. Sole doesn’t mention the height limitations with this bike, but it should suit most people fine.
The handlebars are also basic, offering vertical grips with a center bar connecting each handlebar. Like the seat, you can adjust the handlebars vertically and horizontally.
Dimensions and Weight
This is one of the more compact exercise bikes we’ve reviewed, making it an ideal option for those dealing with limited workout space in their home gym. It’s 42 inches tall, 40 inches long, and only 21 inches wide. It’s pretty heavy, though, weighing 141 pounds.
Weight Capacity
The Sole SB700 has a 300-pound weight capacity. This is less than some similar exercise bikes but is still a pretty solid number.
Portability
This bike is easily portable due to the wheels located on the front of the frame.
Electrical Requirements
An awesome feature of this bike is that you don’t need a power cord to turn it on. Since the LCD display only requires two AAA batteries, you can easily take your workout outside.
Noise
Since the SB700 uses a Kevlar braking system rather than magnetic resistance, it’s bound to make some noise. But this should only occur after you have worn out the brake pad after several hundred hours of usage.
Warranties
With your purchase, you’ll receive a lifetime warranty on the frame of this bike, three years on parts and electronics, and a one-year labor warranty.
Places to Buy
You can buy this bike directly through the Sole website.
Company Information
Sole has a reputation for their extensive line of high-quality cardio equipment. With your purchase, you’ll receive a 30-day money-back guarantee. So if you find yourself unsatisfied with your equipment, you’re eligible for a full refund. To reach their support team, you can call them at 877-441-8433.
Final Word
While it might not be the fanciest option on the market, the Sole SB700 is a high-quality exercise bike with an affordable price tag. The steel frame creates a sturdy feel, and the 48-pound flywheel offers a smooth and challenging ride. Those who want to stream a workout program, TV show, or movie during their rides will love the built-in tablet holder, and the LCD display provides basic stat tracking.
Instead of magnetic resistance, the SB700 utilizes a Kevlar braking system with a tension knob for adjusting your resistance level. This still leads to a quiet ride; it just might not be as ideal for some athletes since you have to gauge everything on how it feels rather than a precise resistance level. There also aren’t any incline or decline settings, and the lack of programmed workouts might be a bummer for some people. That said, this is still an ideal option for those who want a reliable exercise bike that provides a solid workout at a good price.
FAQs
How much does the Sole SB700 Exercise Bike cost?
This bike will run you around $700. Considering the high-quality steel frame and the heavy-duty flywheel, this is a great deal for those who want a basic exercise bike to burn some extra calories.
How heavy is the flywheel on the Sole SB700 Exercise Bike?
The SB700 features a 48-pound flywheel. This is one of the heaviest flywheels out there and has the means to provide a smooth yet challenging ride.
What type of resistance does the Sole SB700 Exercise Bike have?
This bike uses a Kevlar braking system, which is essentially a brake pad that applies pressure on the flywheel. Most bikes use magnetic resistance, but the SB700 should still offer a quiet experience.
