Assaultfitness Assaultbike Classic Review

The original Air-dyne bikes of the 1970s offered a simple full-body workout with its resistance unit offering built-in cooling. Over the years, many refinements have been made to make these style bikes more ergonomic and enjoyable, but the overall design has not changed. The Assaultbike takes the general idea of the Air-dyne and adapts it for intense interval training. This fitness machine can withstand maximum effort, allowing you to reach peak heart rate faster and crush your spirit faster than most machines.

Performance Comparison

Exercise Quality

The Assaultbike Classic from Assaultftiness is a robust and durable exercise machine that provides an intense workout experience. Though it has an upright bicycle position, it doesn't feel like a regular exercise bike at all. The durable construction and large fan can support all-out efforts exceeding 1500 watts. The chain drive system feels heavy-duty and slip-proof but can be somewhat noisy and gritty. The exposed mechanical arms give it an industrial appearance that you'll likely want to stay clear of. The arm levers travel 20" from front to back, and the saddle is supportive, making it possible to exert maximum effort. The machine is suitable for hard-core interval training sessions. There is no magnetic resistance or fancy features here; a large metal fan generates a lot of wind and noise, making it a unique fitness experience. It produces a lot of wind and noise when pushed hard, but it can still provide an incredibly high-output workout that satisfies even the most demanding cross-fitters.

The Assaultbike is a simple yet satisfying way to exercise. If you haven't found regular stationary bicycles to be impressive or exciting, you might want to try the Airdyne. With the Assaultbike, your main focus will be on putting in an effort. You won't need a tablet or book stand and won't have to follow any classes. Despite the lack of modern technology found in the best exercise bikes, the Assaultbike will keep you engaged and interested. The console is basic and shows only basic stats and simple programs, but the intensity of the workout will make you forget about wanting anything else. Adjusting the resistance is as easy as speeding up or slowing down.

The basic LCD console displays an elapsed time that automatically starts when you start moving the machine. Your exertion is the only thing controlling the workout, and having a few different metrics to stare at is a good distraction and helps with goal setting. Your workout will be as easy or hard as you want, but simultaneously moving all of your limbs requires more exertion than most people anticipate. Setting targets allows you to visualize a goal and helps standardize your workout.

Comfort

Extensive testing and comparisons proved the Assaultbike was moderately comfortable. The chain-driven internals feel gritty and mechanically inefficient; you can hear and feel the friction. Friction and resistance are not the same, so while the large fan provides adequate resistance, the lower-quality chain and steel chainrings create a rough, grinding feel. The operating volume of this machine is something to consider; even at lower effort, the amount of noise emanating from the machine makes a conversation difficult. The height of the seat can be adjusted in 1-inch increments. We typically prefer infinite adjustments within the adjustable range, but we were able to find comfortable heights for everyone who tested the machine. The total seat height adjustability is 10 inches; the seat is also adjustable fore and aft, allowing you to find comfort or work with different muscle groups. Our 5'1" tester was able to utilize the bike at its second height increment, so we estimate the bike will work for those 5' to 6' 3", but Assaultfitness makes no claims on the estimated height of users.

The large ergonomically shaped seat is comfortable and supportive; it's larger than most exercise bike saddles but works well for the positioning and movement of the Airdyne. It's large and wide enough to support riders who might opt for a slow-paced workout where more of their weight rests on the saddle yet thin enough not to impede your pedal stroke when you kick up the pace. There are no adjustments for the handlebars, but there aren't any adjustments necessary, provided the 20" fore-aft movement works for you.

User Interface

The 5-inch x 2.5-inch LCD screen shows relevant and helpful information in a simple format. The screen shows elapsed time, distance, calories, power, speed, and rpm. There is a field for heart rate tracking, which requires a Polar heart rate monitor strap, available separately. Speed is measured in miles per hour, and power is measured in watts; both can be useful metrics to gauge your output. The distance and calorie fields are other interesting ways to measure your effort or track goals. Calories tick off quickly as the fan dries your perspiration; the intensity of the workout can't be overstated.

There is no need to plug the Assultbike in as the console operates on 2 AA batteries, and there are no other power requirements aside from your exertion. Assaultfitness offers a windscreen that attaches to the top of the fan and shields you from the fan's direct wind if you don't want the full cooling effect of the Airdyne. There are no apps or programs to follow and no monthly fee to pay for using the bike.

Features

The Assaultbike isn't loaded with features; the ones it has, we found useful. A water bottle cage and bottle are included and attached just below the console. The stabilizer bars at the base of the bike feature adjustable feet, allowing you to level it on uneven surfaces. The front stabilizer has wheels that engage when you tilt the bike, and the rear stabilizer has a handle to facilitate rolling the bike away for storage.

The aluminum pedals are not compatible with toe straps or clips.

Ease of Setup/Portability

Assembling the Assaultbike was fairly straightforward, requiring less than an hour of our time. As with other exercise bikes, it arrives in a large, heavy box that is difficult to move. The directions were clear and concise; pulling the bike out of the box and removing the packaging was half the work. Our lead tester was able to complete the assembly without assistance and found none of the steps to be challenging or unclear.

After assembling the Assaultbike, it's slightly easier to move around due to the wheels on the front stabilizer bar. It still weighs 110 pounds, so you won't want to move it far. The bike is average in size, measuring 51.9" L x 25" W x 50" H, and does not fold or collapse in any way. It has a maximum weight capacity of 350 pounds.

Should You Buy the Assaultfitness Assaultbike?

While the bike can provide a high-intensity workout, its lack of refinement made it less impressive. We appreciated how easy it was to use and the fact that there was nothing to plug in and no apps to connect to made it convenient. The exposed mechanical arms felt like they could be a hazard to children or pets and made us double-check our shoelaces when we were near. The amount of noise this machine creates should also be a consideration; it may disturb those in your proximity. Consider this machine if you can't reach your desired level of intensity on a machine like the Schwinn AD6, but you'll be sacrificing some comfort. If moving your arms at the same time isn't as important, check out these other highly-ranked exercise bikes that still offer a great cardio workout.

What Other Exercise Bikes Should You Consider?