Anyone who’s stepped foot in a CrossFit gym has likely been intrigued by the roaring fans, clinking chains, and sweat-drenched riders on the best air bikes. The Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0 can whirr with the best of them, but unlike its chain-driven brethren, it opts for a belt-driven resistance system that can provide the same heart-pounding full-body workouts with less noise and required maintenance. Does it succeed?
After trying it out for ourselves, we think the Blitz 2.0 fills a hole in the air bike market for people who love the user-powered feel of these popular bikes, but who value their family members’ and roommates’ eardrums. After cranking out all sorts of workouts on the Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0, we think its belt-drive system helps it stand out in a crowded market. Take a look at our full Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0 Review to find out if it’s a fit for your space, budget, and regimen. For more information on how we test all our products, head over to the BarBend equipment testing methodology page.
Bells of Steel's Blitz Air Bike 2.0 utilizes a belt-driven operation that's quieter and requires less maintenance than chain-driven bikes. It also provides a handful of creature comforts, including rubber hand grips, a removable fan guard, and a seat with 10 different height adjustments.
Main Takeaways
- Its belt-drive system is quieter and requires less maintenance than the chain drivetrains on most air bikes.
- Its steel build makes for a heavy bike — great for stability, but not great for mobility.
- Conveniences like the fan guard, wide seat, and bottle and device holders allow for a more comfortable workout.
Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0 Specs
| Price | $799.99 |
| Weight Capacity | 350lbs |
| Product Dimensions | 51’’ H x 53’’ L x 23’’ W |
| Product Weight | 118lbs |
| Drivetrain | Belt |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Conveniences | Phone and water bottle holder, tech console, rubber hand grips |
As opposed to the electricity powering the resistance systems of the best magnetic exercise bikes, air bikes like the Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0 are driven solely by the user. “The nature of the fan flywheel means that the only limitation in resistance and speed is the exerciser themself,” says BarBend expert reviewer and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto. “Compared to regular bikes and indoor bikes, air bikes engage more of the body’s musculature due to the moving arms.”
If you’re after the full-body workouts offered by air bikes, the Blitz Air Bike 2.0 is an affordable option, landing nicely in the middle of the price range we typically see among similar models. But as our tester notes, there is one quality that separates it from many popular air-powered exercise bikes. “The highlight for this bike is actually what you can’t even see — the belt drivetrain,” they say. The big benefit of swapping the chains and sprockets of a chain-drive system with a belt is less maintenance. “This design simply requires less maintenance, plus they tend to be quieter,” our tester adds.
Don’t get us wrong — the Blitz Air Bike 2.0 isn’t silent. If you’re worried about napping babies or noise-sensitive neighbors, a magnetic resistance system would be the way to go. The user-powered fan is what causes most of the racket, but compared to the metal clanging of a chain-driven air bike, this one at least keeps the noise to a minimum.
As Capritto emphasizes, keep in mind that air bikes tend to be best for HIIT workouts rather than endurance training or the kinds of virtual workouts Peloton apologists rave about. “The harder you pedal, the harder the work becomes,” she says. “You’ll see air bikes upon air bikes if you walk into any CrossFit facility, as this type of bike is programmed into CrossFit WODs and competition.”
But for this type of exercise, our team believes the price point is spot on. “The Blitz Air Bike 2.0 is actually very similar to the Fringe Sport Raptor and that one is about $150 to $200 more expensive,” our tester says. “So if you’re set on an air bike, you’ll save a bit of cash with Bells of Steel.”
Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0
“People looking to build out a CrossFit-style home gym are a good fit for an air bike,” says BarBend expert reviewer and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto. “Additionally, those who are generally interested in functional fitness protocols will probably get a lot of use out of one.” Take a look at who we think may be a good fit for the Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0.
Recommended for:
- CrossFitters or anyone prioritizing interval workouts
- People with dedicated space for their air bike
- Those who are set on an air bike, but need to minimize maintenance and noise
Not Recommended for:
- Athletes wanting a bike integrated with one of the best workout apps
- Someone who needs an extended warranty
- Smaller users who might be uncomfortable with the wider frame
Our Experience Training With the Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0
After testing out over 25 exercise bikes, the BarBend team of triathletes, CrossFit coaches, and fitness junkies know how to spot a good value. “Air bikes are unique in that they feature moving arms, so cycling becomes a full-body workout rather than a lower-body-focused one,” says our expert reviewer and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto. To add some objectivity to our experience, we’ve provided ratings of 1 (ugh) to 5 (yay) across multiple categories, including durability, tech capabilities, adjustability, and more. Read on for more of our thoughts on the Blitz 2.0.
Belt-Drive System
While the legs of the user power the resistance fan, a notable design feature of the Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0 is its belt-drive system. Just like mountain bikes or road bikes, most air bikes use a metal chain to connect the pedals to the fan. As our tester notes, swapping out a clanking chain for the self-tensioning poly groove belt has two huge advantages.
“Compared to a chain-drive system, there is far less maintenance,” our tester says. “I don’t have to lube it up as often and there are no chains and sprockets to line up just right. That’s why I always recommend belt-drive air bikes — they’re simply less work.”
Avoiding extra maintenance will of course require less time spent keeping your bike in top shape, but the belt also cuts down on noise. When you’re trying to work out in a crowded house or would actually like to be able to hear the show or podcast you’re listening to, every decibel is precious. Of course, air bikes are bound to generate more noise than many of the best cardio machines out there. However, the Blitz Air Bike 2.0 avoids all the metallic clanging and rattling a lot of models produce — thanks to that belt-drive system.
Construction
“All the metal components make this thing heavy and I love that,” our tester says. Outside of small components like the rubber handles or plastic in the monitor, this high-quality steel bike gets a 4.5 out of 5 for durability from our team. “Maybe you’ll wheel your air bike out to the driveway or something, but most people are probably parking their air bike in one spot.”
You’ll appreciate that extra heft when you really start cranking up the intensity, so unless you plan on consistently relocating your Blitz Air Bike 2.0, the stability that its construction provides is a big plus.
The 350-pound weight capacity is also at the top of the range we typically see on air bikes (300 to 350 pounds) and another member of our team highlighted its stability when they took it for a spin. “Even as my body sways side to side, this bike is rock-solid,” they say. “During high-intensity sprints, I push the arms and pedals as hard as I can and I have to say — this thing does not budge.”
[Related: Best Exercise Bikes for Heavy People]
That steel build is also reinforced with a powder coat finish to minimize rust and corrosion. Of course, all these premium materials add up to a heavier-than-average 118-pound frame. While we’ve seen air bikes reach up to 130 pounds, this is certainly not the lightest one we’ve used. Because of that, we rate its portability 3 out of 5, but again, unless you’re planning on moving it every time you use it, our tester actually thinks its overall weight is a positive.
“The wheels aren’t bad, but huge turf tires would definitely be ideal for relocating all the time,” they say. “But the Blitz Air Bike 2.0’s heavier weight translates to increased stability, which I’m all for.”
Another specific callout from our team was its oversized wind guard. Until you start pumping the pedals, you may not think much about the wind the 25-inch fan generates, but our tester emphasized how important it can be. “Honestly, if I know I’m going to be blasted with air the whole time I’m riding, I’ll be less likely to ride in the winter when it’s cold.” they note. “Having this big wind guard cut down on the breeze from the fan blades just eliminates an excuse to not workout.”
Conveniences
Air bikes are generally better-suited for pulse-pounding interval workouts rather than the steady-state endurance rides afforded by magnetic exercise bikes. As such, they often lack touchscreens or fitness app integration, but as our tester points out, the Blitz Air Bike 2.0 has plenty of thoughtful design features to enhance your workout. “There isn’t a ton of flash on air bikes, but I do appreciate the little things on this one,” they say, rating its conveniences 3.75 out of 5. “Between the rubber hand grips, bottle and phone holders, and knurled foot posts, Bells of Steel kind of went the extra mile.”
Essentially the only tech onboard is the small monitor, so this bike’s tech capabilities earn a 3 out of 5 from our team. Many of the best heart rate monitors need Bluetooth or ANT+ capability to connect, but this monitor lacks both. It can sync up with any that use analog 5kHz frequency, but that’s about it by way of technology.
“Among air bikes, the display is a tiny bit larger than most,” our tester says. “You can track metrics like time, distance, or calories, but any techies out there will not be impressed. But, preset buttons for intervals like 10/20 or custom intervals, plus target time and heart rate? It’s all there.”
Adjustability
Overall, the Bells of Steel Air Bike 2.0 gets a 4 out of 5 for adjustability because we love the four-way adjustable seat. The seat itself can slide forward and backward five positions, plus the height can adjust vertically by pulling and snapping in the knob on the back of the shaft.
“It’s kind of a small thing, but the seat itself is also a bit wider than most air bikes I’ve used,” our tester notes.
What to Consider Before Buying Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0
As BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, a certified personal trainer, explains, the target audience for air bikes may be a bit smaller than other types. “This isn’t really a downside, but air bikes are pretty niche, mainly serving the CrossFit community.” Here are a few key factors to consider before bringing home the Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0.
- Belt vs. Chain: The best air bike workouts will generate a decent amount of noise regardless of the drivetrain. However, the chain-drive systems on most air bikes require considerably more maintenance and care than the belt system driving the Blitz Air Bike 2.0. They can cost more, though, so weigh how much time and effort you want to put into keeping yours churning smoothly.
- Price: Most air bikes land between $700 and $900, so while the $799.99 price tag on this bike is average, think about how a purchase that large will impact your overall budget.
- Portability: We’ve found that the dual transport wheels are more than capable, but at 118 pounds, the Blitz Air Bike 2.0 can be a pain to move around all the time. Plan out whether you’ll be mostly parking yours in one spot if you’ll be lifting and wheeling it around very often.
- Tech Capabilities: As Capritto notes, tech-averse air bikes like the Blitz Air Bike 2.0 are meant for circuits or HIIT workouts instead of virtual rides. “Those looking for a high-tech bike with a screen to stream workouts should look elsewhere (specifically into magnetic resistance bikes like those from NordicTrack and Peloton),” she says.
Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0 Vs. Competitors
To give you a sense of what else is out there in this category, we lined up another belt-driven air bike, along with two of our top-rated bikes with chain drive systems. No matter which you go with, BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto says powering your new bike is up to. “Air bikes make for a fantastic workout,” she says. “Air bikes utilize fan flywheels to create resistance. They are similar to air rowers in that there are no defined resistance levels and the user is completely in charge of the resistance.”
[Related: Air Bike Vs. Rower]
| Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0 | Fringe Sport Raptor Airbike | Assault Fitness AssaultBike Classic | Concept2 BikeErg | |
| Price | $799.99 | $949 | $699 | $1,100 |
| Weight Capacity | 350lbs | 350lbs | 300lbs | 300lbs |
| Product Dimensions | 51’’ H x 53’’ L x 23’’ W | 51’’ H x 54’’ L x 24’’ W | 50’’ H x 50.95’’ L x 23.34’’ W | 40.5’’ H x 48’’ L x 24’’ W |
| Product Weight | 118lbs | 130lbs | 95.6lbs | 68lbs |
| Drivetrain | Belt | Belt | Chain | Chain |
| Warranty | Two years | Three years | Five years on frame, two years on non-wear parts | Five years on frame, two years on parts |
| Conveniences | LCD monitor, phone and water bottle holders, removable wind guard, rubber hand grips | LCD console, removable wind guard, turf tires | LCD monitor, four adjustable leveling feet, adjustable seat | LCD monitor, device holder, Bluetooth connectivity, app connectivity |
Ordering and Assembling Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0
After adding the bike to your cart, you can calculate the shipping costs by entering your address, but I have good news. At the time of this writing, shipping to the contiguous U.S. is free. You can also check to see if you qualify for financing through Affirm.
There are no options for professional assembly, but our tester says it was straightforward. “I’ve put a lot of these together and this was as easy as they come,” they say. “Just attach the arms, pedals, monitor, and feet to the frame.”
Places to Buy Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0
You can snag the Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0 directly from bellsofsteel.us, Amazon, or select retailers.
Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews
Founded in 2010, Canada-based Bells of Steel makes all sorts of home gym equipment. From the best squat racks and barbells to bikes and treadmills, Bells of Steel strength and cardio fitness equipment consistently earns high marks from our team. The Blitz Air Bike 2.0 has earned 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 250 customers on their site and the customer care team seems to respond quickly to any issues.
Warranties
The 5- to 10-year warranties we typically see on exercise bikes make the two years of coverage from Bells of Steel seem pretty weak. However, most air bikes we’ve tested offer around five years. Given its hefty build, we rated the Blitz Air Bike 2.0’s warranty 3.75 out of 5 as we don’t expect many issues with this rather simple machine.
Final Thoughts on Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0
If you love the heart-pounding interval workouts and circuits you take on at your CrossFit box, you may have thought about adding one to your garage gym. After consulting your housemates’ eardrums, though, you may have changed your mind. A staple in functional fitness training, air bikes are typically powered by noisy chain-drive systems that require a lot of care and maintenance.
By replacing the standard chain with a belt, the Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0 can help mitigate those two concerns. Along with that belt-driven powertrain, we think the stability its steel frame provides makes it a good option for those looking to recreate the intense workouts they get at the gym — as long as you don’t need to move it too often.
Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0 FAQs
What are the disadvantages of the air bike?
Compared to traditional exercise bikes that use magnetic or friction resistance, air bikes tend to be noisier and require more maintenance. That said, since they are user-powered, you may find you have more control over that resistance, making them best suited for interval training.
Are air bikes worth it?
Most air bikes we’ve tested land between $700 and $900. If you’re paying monthly for a CrossFit gym membership just to use the air bike, then yeah, maybe get your own. But even though these bikes provide a full-body workout, it’s up to decide whether the interval and circuit training they offer are worth the cost.
Can you build muscle with an air bike?
Studies suggest that indoor cycling can induce muscle hypertrophy and strength gains. (1) While you’ll clearly be working muscle groups in your legs regardless of resistance type, many fan bikes, like the BOS Blitz Air Bike 2.0, also feature moveable arms that allow you to work your upper body while riding.
References
- Ozaki, H., Loenneke, J. P., Thiebaud, R. S., & Abe, T. (2015). Cycle training induces muscle hypertrophy and strength gain: strategies and mechanisms. Acta physiologica Hungarica, 102(1), 1–22.
