The Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle is definitely one of the best indoor spin cycles 2021 available in the price range of around $2500-$3000. This bike is of commercial quality and has won multiple awards as well. Brand Life Fitness has proved yet another time that they are the best in creating the best indoor fitness equipment.
Though the Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle and the Matrix IC7 are indoor cycles from distinct brands, they are quite similar in terms of their features. This Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle Review 2021 will help you understand if this bike matches your budget and your requirements.
Best Suited to Whom?
If you are looking out for an indoor bike that is safe when you have kids around, or if you wish to own a bike that has the latest technology implemented and the latest features. Then the Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle is the best bike for you.
This exercise bike is good for commercial gyms where people of different weight and height will be using the equipment. If the budget is not an issue for you, the Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle is the best spin bike you can ever get.
Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle Assembly, Design and Build Quality
Assembly
The Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle will need to be assembled. In case you are not quite good with tools and assembling a bike. You might want to spend an additional $900 and get a professional to assemble the cycle for you.
Design and Build Quality
The Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle has a U-Shaped frame that is quite sturdy and durable as it is made of steel. The bike has a very professional appearance and will last you a lifetime. This bike is quite safe for home use where you would have some curious kids as well. The seat and handlebar of the Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle are adjustable.
They come with gas-assisted posts, which means that the user need not get off the cycle to adjust the seat or handlebars. The handlebars have an ergonomic design that provides comfort to the user. The exercise bike comes with magnetic resistance that ensures the user has a smooth ride with very little noise.
The bike has a belt drive that ensures the bike operation is smooth and the bike would require less maintenance. The bike offers many levels of resistance where the knob has to be turned to go to the next level. There are about 100 twists on the knob and each twist is a resistance level.
The bike comes with a self-powered LCD that provides important exercise data and displays exercise intensity levels by way of different colors. It also has ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity.
Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle Features
Frame
The Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle does not have a V-shaped frame or a square frame. Instead, it has a U-shaped one. Stainless steel is used for the construction of the frame that is corrosion-resistant and protects against the sweat.
The black cover on the frame gives it a professional look and also makes the bike have a long life span. The frame, as well as the mechanism of this bike, are totally covered to get rid of any chance of sweat being on the machine.
The mid-frame bar of this bike moves 20 degrees to the bike’s front. This ensures that when the user sweats, the sweat moves towards the bike’s front and stays away from its drive.
Handlebars
The Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle has gas-assisted handlebars and seats that are completely adjustable. The user need not get off the bike to get the seat or handlebar adjusted. The gas pushed the post smoothly when the lever is pulled.
This makes the adjustment process quite easy for cyclists. The turn of the knob is enough to adjust the handlebars and the seat. The design of the handlebars is ergonomic with elbow rests on either side of the handlebars.
Seat
The seat of the Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle is quite professionally designed. It is durable and has been designed to provide comfort. There is ventilation is right in the center of the seat which ensures the rider does not get overheated.
Resistance
Similar to most of the high-end cycles, the Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle features magnetic resistance. What makes it special is the level of resistance. The magnetic resistance of 300-degrees gives the user the adjustment from 0-300.
The knob has about 100 clicks, wherein every click is a resistance level. The LCD indicates the precise resistance level in percentage.
Note: The dial can be pushed to bring the flywheel to a stop. It can be used as an emergency brake.
Drive
The Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle has a belt drive that is similar to a car engine. This ensures that the bike is quiet, very smooth and requires less maintenance. The toothed poly-V belt is quite thick and strong and enables you to workout on this machine for years.
The drive can be adjusted easily. A small Allen bolt is located on the small pulley.
Flywheel
The flywheel weight has not been disclosed and it could be between 8-15 lbs. However, it is not important to the mechanism. It has a safety guard that provides protection.
Pedals
The Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle has pedals that are dual-sided and SPD compatible and you can use cycling shoes with this bike. The frame and parts of the bike are of top-quality and can withstand a user weight of 330 lbs.
The crank arms of this bike are quite wide and ensure durability. The user weight can be supported in all cycling positions.
Console
The console indicates data like the distance, resistance, training zones, calories burned, RPMs maximum as well as average performance values in addition to the feedback pertaining to the user. The LCD of this bike is colored and comes with touch-sensor buttons.
It is self-powered and does not need a change of batteries every single week. The energy of the rider is captured via a compact generator that can be found at the flywheel and this recharges the Lithium Polymer Battery of the bike.
The five distinct training intensities are displayed in different colors. So, based on the level of exercise, the screen color changes.
Networking
The Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle has both Bluetooth 4.0 as well as ANT+ technology. This bike can be connected to your Android as well as an iOs device. It is compatible with the ICG Training App as well.
The Bluetooth feature enables the rider to get connected with other cyclists and compete online.
Heart rate monitor
The bike can also pick the heart rate via a wireless chest strap (analog belts, ANT+, and BLE belts). However, the chest strap is not included and you will have to purchase it separately.
Q-factor
The Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle C7 has a 155mm narrow q-factor that gives you the feeling of riding a real exercise bike. It is one of the best q-factors in the industry. The greater the Q-factor in the bike, there is more pressure on the joints of the lower body since the knees and ankles cannot align with each other.
Extras
(i) The MyRide VX Tablet: In case you wish to make your indoor cycle better and exciting, you could buy the MyRide VX- Tablet. In addition to the three Apps that have been indicated below (these are included with the table, however, the tablet bracket mount will have to be bought separately):
- The World View App
- The Studio Coach App
- The Tour Coach App
(ii) Water bottle holder: The Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle features a pair of water bottle holders that are installed on the handlebars which makes it quite easy to reach out for the bottle when exercising. One of these holders could be used to place your smartphone.
(iii) Foot levelers: It also has foot levelers that are adjustable and ensure the bike does not rock and scratch the surface. You could invest in a cycling mat to avoid the floor from being damaged.
(iv) Transport wheels: The bike also has transport wheels that enable easy relocation.
Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle Warranty
Just like the other exercise bikes offered by Life Fitness, the Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle has a 5-year warranty on the structural frame. 3 years on the mechanical components, 6 years on other parts and one year on labor.
Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle Pros and Cons
Pros
- The bike’s frame and parts are completely covered
- The bike has a very sturdy construction due to the use of steel
- It has about 100 resistance levels
- The handlebars and seat posts are gas-assisted
- The bike is self-powered
- It has a bright LCD display
- The console features the in-built Coach by Colour
- The handlebars and seat are adjustable
- The maximum user weight is 330 lbs
- The bike has an ergonomic design
- The handlebars have elbow rests on both sides
- There are two bottle holders on the handlebars
- It is compatible with the MyRide Tablet and the applications
- It has a Hybrid poly-V belt drive
- It has ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity
- A great warranty is offered
- It has a q-factor of 155mm
- It also comes with SPD pedals and toe-caged
Cons
- It is expensive
- The flywheel is quite light
- The handlebars do not come with race grips
Verdict
The Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle is among the best spin bikes that are available in the high-end price range. And the price is justified by the numerous features, 100 resistance levels, the adjustable seat and handlebar, the q-factor, the level of safety, etc.
This bike is of commercial quality and is a good choice for commercial gyms or even households where multiple users would be using the bike. If you are an elite cyclist and are looking for a bike that offers all the frills and whistles, then the Life Fitness IC7 Indoor Cycle is a good pick.
