Two things can be true about the Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike NS-40502R; First of all, this is a budget recumbent bike with basic features that allow the user to experience low impact workouts that lose weight and to attain overall physical well-being. Secondly, despite being a budget bike, its construction includes a quality frame and parts.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a heart rate monitoring function, therefore, you must use an external device if you wish to keep an eye on your pulse rate, or better still opt for a budget-friendly recumbent bike that has the function.
Other than that downside, the Marcy NS-40502R could easily pass as one of the best recumbent bikes in the budget category.
Its operation is smooth and near-silent due to the integrated belt drive system. The manual magnetic system with 8 levels provides light to medium intensity workouts. You can exercise while comfortably sitting back and holding the seat handlebars for more aggressive thrust. Or, you may also perform the sit-up riding exercise while holding the front handlebars.
The adjustable seat makes it possible for users between the heights of 5’ to 6’2’’ to exercise on the bike without even compromising their ability to experience full leg extension.
The display tracks workout stats such as time, distance, speed, odometer, and calories burned.
Click right here to have a peek at the price of the Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike NS-40502R on Amazon.
Table of Contents
The Frame and Construction
The Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike NS-40502R has a sturdy and durable frame made of steel. Its construction exudes professionalism. It is coated with anti-corrosive paint that also ensures its durability.
The frame supports 300 pounds/136 kg maximum user weight capacity.
Aside from the steel frame, the bike has an ABS material that is used for protective and cosmetic reasons. For instance, the drive/resistance systems, part of the rear seat base and the console covers are made of ABS material.
The recumbent bike also has a good base framework that features the front and the rear oval-shaped steel stabilizer bars and a rectangular-shaped steel adjoining steel bar that holds them together. The front stabilizer bar has the transport wheels attached to it while the rear stabilizer bar has adjustable levelers that were designed to enable the user to balance the bike on a surface that is not even.
All these translate to great stability. Users won’t feel the wobbling or tilting movement during an intense workout. Moreover, the bike’s weight further boosts its overall stability even though it only weighs about 68 pounds/30.8 kg.
This is not exactly a compact bike since it’s not foldable and it takes a little bit of space. The overall assembled dimensions are 57 inches long by 25 inches wide by 43.5 inches tall. In other words, the workout or storage perimeter should be 4’8’’ long by 2’1’’ wide. Additional extra clearance of 1-2′ might be necessary on each side of the recumbent bike for safety and convenience reasons, especially if it’s going to be used in a confined area.
The bikes’ step-thru design is also something to highlight because that would be useful for elderly users and those with joint pains or an injury.
The Seat
The seat on the Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike NS-40502R is adjustable 2-ways with a sliding mechanism and an adjustment knob underneath it that allows you to easily adjust as it pleases you.
This is mainly the reason users of different heights can be accommodated. The adjustable length range is 36 – 41 inches.
Just as aforementioned, its adjustability allows users to exercise with full leg extension.
The seat and the backrest are large, padded, and covered with vinyl material. It provides full support and comfort to the butt and the back which enable longer workouts.
The backrest and the seat’s handlebars are not adjustable but they adjust along with the seat. In other words, the backrest doesn’t recline nor do the handlebars adjust upward/downward.
No EKG sensors on the handlebar as is the case with other recumbents bikes with the heart rate function.
The Handlebar
The bike also has front handlebars aside from the ones on the seat. These are non-adjustable multi-grip handlebars and are attached to the console mast. They offer different grips for different workout postures and they are well-positioned to avoid the awkwardness that is often felt with some recumbent bikes when held during a workout.
Both the front and the seat handlebars are well coated with a durable soft rubber material. This is intended to provide optimal comfort and safety that prevent slippage and blisters in the palms.
Pedals
The Marcy NS-40502R has a set of standard anti-skid-designed pedals with adjustable safety straps. They are balance-weighted pedals that accommodate barefoot or a pair of standard gym shoes.
They offer bidirectional motion; meaning you can pedal in reverse.
You cannot perform a stand-up pedaling because it’s not designed for that and would be awkward if you try.
The Drive
As aforementioned, the Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike NS-40502R is equipped with a belt drive system that provides a smooth and near-silent ride.
For this reason, you can work out at any time of the day without the fear that the family or the neighbors would feel that they are being disturbed by your activities. Moreover, you can enjoy watching TV or listening to music while exercising with the bike without any noise interference from the bike either.
The drive consists of a durable belt, a lightweight flywheel that is maybe around 15-20 pounds (weight is not stated), a durable crankset, solid crank-arms, and the balance-weighted pedals. Together, these elements produce a vibration-free operation.
Unlike the chain drive system that requires post-lubrication and adjustment, the belt drive system requires none of it.
The Resistance
The resistance on this bike is known as the manual magnetic resistance system. Just as the belt drive system, its operation is also quiet and vibration-free when engaged.
There are 8 resistance levels a user could adjust to. These resistance levels provide light to medium-intensity cardio workouts.
The resistance system comprises a small magnetic brake pad, a flywheel, and a tension knob. Resistance is generated when the magnetic brake pad comes in close proximity to the flywheel and emits a magnetic field around it.
So, the closer the magnetic brake pad is to the flywheel the more intense the resistance will become and vice versa.
The tension knob is resistance control. Turn it clockwise to increase the resistance and anticlockwise to reduce it.
Therefore, the resistance or the bike doesn’t have anything to do with a connection to a power outlet.
The Console
The Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike NS-40502R has a basic colorful console with a display screen and 3 navigational buttons that include the RESET, MODE, and SET. It is not backlit and not telemetry enabled either. The LCD monitor is battery powered (require 2 AA batteries not included).
In order to save battery power, the monitor automatically turns OFF when there is no activity on the bike for a few minutes and also automatically turns ON when the activity (pedaling) resumes.
The monitor can also be turned ON when
The LCD monitor tracks time, speed, distance, odometer, and calories burned. Obviously, it doesn’t track the heart rate.
You will be able to set a goal for time, distance and calories burned. Simply select the stat you want and set the value and watch it countdown to zero as you exercise towards accomplishing it.
By default, the monitor uses the SCAN function to track workout stats. It displays the workouts values rotationally one at a time after a few seconds. This way you can have a glimpse of all the workout stats.
However, you should be able to also set and permanently have a preferred workout value display as long as you want.
The monitor doesn’t have the bells and whistles, such as preset programs, wireless connection, USB port or even a heart rate function. You may use an external pulse device to monitor your heart rate if you wish to track and maintain the target heart rate zone.
Accessory
The Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike NS-40502R at least has a tablet holder that is large enough to hold a tablet device. Although, a tablet device may block the view of the display screen if placed on the holder.
Storage
The recumbent bike is not foldable and it’s not entirely compact either. Therefore, it may require a little bit of space for storage.
Keeping it right on the workout area is probably the best storage option, otherwise, keeping it next to a wall or in the garage will just be fine.
It is lightweight and has transport wheels at the front base that make relocation pretty easy.
Approval Rating
The Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike NS-40502R has an impressive approval rating on Amazon that suggests recommendation.
Pros/Features Overview
- Durable, sturdy, and stable
- It is customizable to accommodate users between 5’ to 6’2’’
- The seat is very comfortable with large backrest and handlebars
- There are front handlebars that offer a different workout posture
- The pedals are counterbalanced, accommodate all foot sizes
- The bike features a step-thru design that will be appealing to the elder users and those with joint pains
- It is affordable
- Low maintenance
- Easy to assemble
- The LCD monitor has good readability and tracks the workout progress and displays time, distance, speed, odometer, and calories burned
- The operation is quiet and smooth
- The resistance system provides light to medium intensity workout
- It doesn’t need to be plugged into a power source in order to be functional
- The rear base bar is adjustable
- Transport wheels included for an easy relocation process
- Tablet holder included for the placement of a smartphone/tablet device
- Goal setting for time, distance and calories burned is possible
Cons
- The monitor’s screen may be blocked when a tablet is placed on the tablet holder
- No heart rate monitoring function
- The batteries for the display are not included
- No water bottle holder
Product Dimensions and Specifications
- Length 57’’
- Width 25’’
- Height 43.5’’
- User weight capacity: 300 pounds/136 kg
- Weight: 68 pounds/30.8 kg
- Drive: Belt
- Resistance: Manual magnetic, 8 levels
- Seat: Large and padded recumbent seat, 2-way adjustable
- Handlebars: 2 sets; seat and front handlebars
- Adjustable levelers: Yes
- Frame: Steel
- Transport wheels: Yes
- Tablet holder: Yes
- Console: LCD monitor, tracks time, distance, speed, odometer, and calories burned
Warranty
- 2 Years Limited
Shipping
Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike NS-40502R is shipped a box that weighs 71 pounds/32 kg. Amazon provides free shipping and makes delivery within a couple of days after order.
Assembly
The assembly of this recumbent bike is pretty straightforward and easy because it is delivered with the complicated parts already preassembled.
You are only required to connect the frame parts together, and then attach the base stabilizer bars, the seat and the backrest, the console mast, the seat’s and the front handlebars, the pedals, and the console to the main core unit.
Also provided are the instruction manual and the tools required for the assembling process.
It takes less than an hour to completely assemble the bike.
Maintenance
Since the recumbent bike is equipped with a belt drive and a manual magnetic resistance system, there is no serious maintenance needed.
Simply keep it clean before and after use and always examine the parts as often as possible for any loose or broken part that may need a re-tight, repair, or replacement.
Conclusion
The Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike NS-40502R is budget-friendly that enables those that do not have a fat bank account to own an indoor exercise bike.
It has basic features that still let users achieve fitness goals such as weight loss, strength, and endurance improvement.
Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike NS-40502R Review
Two things can be true about the Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike NS-40502R; First of all, this is a budget recumbent bike with basic features that allow the
Product Brand: Marcy
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.8
I am a health and fitness enthusiast. I take anything and everything that improves my health seriously. Hence, I try to share my knowledge in helping people that wish to up their health status to one that enables them to live strong with confidence.
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