Precor RBK 815 Recumbent Bike Review

Quick Summary

Exercise your heart and tone your body with the spa-quality Precor RBK 815.

This comfortable recumbent exercise bike delivers commercial quality to home gyms; it’s the same model selected for fitness clubs worldwide.

Main specs include an optional 15″ entertainment screen; customizable seating with an 11-position seat; six preset workout programs; 25 resistance settings (max 750 watts); and both wireless and touch pulse monitoring.

Learn more from our full Precor 815 recumbent bike review below.

Our Rating

Rating: 90.3/100. Enjoy club-quality cardio workouts with the comfortable Precor RBK 815. This elite recumbent bike smartly distributes your weight for very low-impact exercise. It’s the same Precor exercise bike selected for top fitness clubs worldwide and it carries a long warranty for home use. This bike is easy to mount and dismount with its step-through design, and with 11 seat positions you’re sure to find a good fit. For training you can choose from Quick Start and six preset workout modes. Keep a constant challenge level or alternate among 25 resistance levels from 22 to 750 watts. A SmartRate® heart rate monitoring feature lets you keep aware of your exertion level to make the most of training time. For extra motivation the RBK 815 is available with a 15″ high-def entertainment screen and iPod/iPhone compatibility.

This Precor has a base price of $3,565 including shipping and installation. Here are pros and cons to consider.

Pros:

Commercial quality
Optional 15″ viewing screen for entertainment
Steel frame with powder coating
Step-through frame (Easy on/off)
Ergonomic seat with ventilated back
Smart cycling design for comfort
Dual sided pedals (Straps and no straps)
Accepts standard road pedals
6 workout programs
Detailed exercise data
25 resistance levels up to 750 watts
Wireless and touch pulse receivers
Reading rack
Self-powered
Easy access for maintenance
Transport wheels
Good customer service

Cons:

No exercise fan
High price

Introduction

The Precor RBK 815 is an elite commercial exercise bike with a long warranty for home settings. Priced at about $3,500 it costs more than most other bikes up front, but it pays off in the long run; while other bikes wear out after a year or two, Precors are built to serve for a decade or more without acting up. The RBK 815 is an especially good choice for people interested in avoiding joint stress. Its recumbent frame and pedal setup position your body ideally for cycling that’s easy on your ankles, knees, back and entire body.

Its high-backed seat has different positions to fit you just right, plus it’s ventilated to help you stay cool. Feeling less fatigued from workouts, you’ll be able to train longer! Workout programs are provided for cardio training, weight loss and performance. Here are details about the RBK 815’s programming and other features.

Workout Programs

Six bike workouts are built into the Precor RBK 815: Manual, Heart Rate Control, Hill Climb, Interval, Random and Weight Loss. Also available is Quick Start; just push the Quick Start button to begin a workout without setting up preferences beforehand. The challenge level will stay constant unless you make adjustments as you cycle.

The screen shows the workout profile, calories, distance, pulse, SmartRate® (heart rate zone), speed, watts, resistance, RPM, time and percent complete.

Trainees can choose from metric and US Standard systems. Language options are English, Spanish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Romanized Russian.

Precor RBK 815 Features

On-board music and TV programming are available with optional upgrades at checkout. The RBK 815 is compatible with Precor’s 15″ personal viewing screen and can be set up for iPod/iPhone compatibility.

For advanced heart rate monitoring SmartRate® indicates your cardio exertion level with an easy-to-read display. SmartRate® shows three training zones: cardio, fat burn and peak. Your heart rate can be monitored wirelessly or with contact sensors built into the handlebars.

For comfort the RBK 815 provides excellent lumbar support. Its high-backed seat is ventilated (mesh) and has 11 positions available.

The pedals are expertly designed to minimize the amount of pressure put on your knees. The pedals can be used with or without straps. For a custom ride you can replace them with standard road bike pedals.

For practical home use the Precor RBK 815 measures 66″ long and 23″ wide. If used regularly, this bike doesn’t require a power cord; the console battery will keep charged from users’ energy. The frame has transport wheels for easy repositioning after exercise.

Warranty & Guarantee

The Precor 815 bike warranty package includes:

– Frame: Lifetime
– Parts: 10 years
– Wear items: 10 years
– Labor: 1 year

Conclusion

Priced at $3,565 with installation included, the Precor RBK 815 is a top value among luxury exercise bikes. This bike is built to serve you for many years, and with a max resistance of 750 watts it’s not likely to be outgrown. Rides are especially engaging when this bike is upgraded with iPod compatibility and a 15″ screen. If it fits your budget the RBK 815 is a top recommendation for cardio training and body toning.