Sole Johnny G Indoor Bike

Quick Summary

Sole’s newest addition to its indoor cycle roster is the Johnny G Bike. The first thing you will probably notice is the unique, futuristic design; but there’s also substance behind the style. Electronically-controlled magnetic resistance and a heavy drive paired with a high-visibility LED display and a range of tech-savvy extras will satisfy even the most serious of road cyclists. The only possible drawback is the price. At just under $3K, it’s not a cheap indoor cycle. It’s the most expensive cycle on Sole’s books by quite a stretch, so it will probably only appeal to seasoned spinners who want the best of the best. Dig into the details of the Johnny G bike below to see if it’s worth forking out the cash.

Specifications

Model	Sole Johnny G Bike
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the bike's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	91%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the current best price. Note: MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.	$2,899
Resistance The flywheel in an exercise bike is what creates resistance. You can choose the level of resistance to increase your workout intensity.	20 Levels
Resistance Type The type of resistance shows what kind of flywheel is being used (if any), and its weight if the manufacturer provides it.	Electronically controlled magnetic resistance with multi-touch point adjustments
Type Type refers to the style of the ride: Recumbent bikes allow you to lay back, while Upright bikes are more like road bikes (lean forward).	Indoor Cycle
Drive System The bike's drive system is how your pedaling interacts with the rest of the bike (flywheel) to give you a good workout.	46-pound flywheel
Frame It's important to choose an exercise bike that will last, and the material of the frame determines how durable the bike is.	Solid steel (plated, powder-coated, clear coat)
Seat The most important part for comfortability during your workout, the seat should be adjustable and have ample cushioning.	Adjustable Vertical/Horizontal
Pedals Pedals are the driving force for an exercise bike, and should be comfortable, adjustable, and easy to control without slipping.	Dual sided with SPD and straps
Programs Bike Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	4
Heart Rate Heart Rate programs allow you to track how many times your heart is beating per minute (bpm), and some control the workout for you.	Chest Strap Compatible
Display Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	6 data metrics, multi-color HR & power zone indicator LEDs
Max. Weight Max. User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that the bike can safely support, which can represent durability.	350 lbs.
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this treadmill will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	43" L x 20" W x 49" H
Accessory Tray Some bikes include an accessory tray for holding items such as water bottles, wallets, keys, or MP3 players like iPods.
Speakers
Cooling Fans
Portable? Some exercise bikes can fold up and/or have wheels that make it easy to roll them around for convenience and to save space.
Warranty The warranty is a very important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs by the manufacturer.	Frame: 10 Years Electronics: 2 Years Parts: 2 Years Labor: 2 Years Wear Items: 1 Year

Our Rating

Rating: 91%

You may have already heard of Johnny Goldberg–better known as Johnny G–as the founder of Spinning. The Johnny G bike allows you to bring the energy and intensity of a pumping Spin class home. Heavy-duty components will satisfy even the most seasoned of spinners. It’s a sturdy cycle that will be able to handle any workout you throw at it, thanks to the solid steel frame which itself has 3 layers of protection (plated, powder-coated and clear coat). It can hold up to 350 pounds so it will suit most trainees. The bike features 20 levels of electronically-controlled magnetic resistance and a heavy-duty 46-pound flywheel. Advanced trainees will be satisfied with the smooth and near-silent cycling experience the Johnny G bike delivers, reminiscent of riding on the road.

There are a range of features designed to keep you comfortable through intense rides too. It’s a very adjustable cycle, featuring an adjustable seat and handlebars (vertical and horizontal) which allow you to find the perfect fit. The pedals are dual-sided too. As well as being SPD compatible, they have straps so you can clip in or just ride in normal sneakers depending on your preference. This is a handy feature, as there isn’t a barrier to entry for new Spinners. You don’t need to have special shoes in this case, but we would recommend investing in the long term. If you’re getting a cycle of this caliber, we assume you’ll have all the gear anyway.

Although there isn’t a flashy screen in sight, the Johnny G bike still wins big points when it comes to connectivity. It features Bluetooth FTMS channels and ANT+™ for wireless heart-rate monitoring. Compatible with Myzone™, Garmin® and leaderboards, the Johnny G bike brings the spin-class experience to your living room. There are 4 preset programs built into the console too to help you diversify your training. You can access these programs and view all your essential rider stats on the bright LED display. Explore the pros and cons of the Johnny G cycle below.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Sturdy: The triple powder-coated solid steel frame is designed for durability.
Sleek: The bike has a unique, futuristic design.
Comfort Features: There’s a range of comfort features to support endurance, including an adjustable seat and handlebars.
Heavy Drive: The 46-pound drive provides a real road cycling experience.
Pedals: The dual-sided pedals are SPD compatible, or allow you to ride without clipping in (with the help of the straps).
Console Connectivity: Smart, Bluetooth and ANT+™ enabled electronics allow you to connect your own wireless chest strap for pulse tracking as well as to connect to Myzone™, Garmin® and leaderboards.
Workout Feedback: The bright LED screen displays a wide range of advanced workout data from watt peak to % time in a heart-rate zone.
Programs: There are a handful of built-in programs including lap and a Functional Threshold Power (FTP) test.
Quick Controls: There are resistance buttons on the handlebars so you can make adjustments without breaking the flow of your workout.

Cons:

Price: At $3K, this isn’t a cheap indoor cycle. It will probably only appeal to serious cyclists.
Warranty: The warranty is OK, but considering that this bike only offers 10 years of coverage for the frame but Sole’s cheapest bike offers lifetime coverage, it perhaps isn’t the best deal. We would have liked to have seen lifetime coverage on the frame for a bike at this price point.
No Screen: Although there is a basic display, there isn’t a touchscreen or tablet holder for you to dock your device for interactive training.
Limited Programs: Although the programs are high in quality, there are only 4 to choose from.

Introduction

The Johnny G bike is a top quality indoor cycle with a range of features designed for high-intensity Spin routines at home. The quality foundations include a sturdy frame, heavy drive, and smooth resistance system. If you want a reliable indoor cycle that delivers a road-bike feel, this is a solid choice. It’s very connected too, allowing you to enjoy wireless heart-rate monitoring and connections to apps such as Myzone™, Garmin® and leaderboards. The only thing we are wary of is the price. At $3K, it won’t appeal to beginner cyclists. Check out the workout programs, features, and buyer protections below.

Workout Programs

The Sole Johnny G bike has 4 workout programs built into its cockpit-style console. The menu of programs include: heart-rate zone; power zone; lap; and Functional Threshold Power (FTP) test. Although there isn’t a massive list, the programs that are included are diverse enough for you to diversify your training. You can view your workout stats on the LED display. It has 23 characters with 6 data metrics, and multi-color heart-rate and power zone indicator LEDs. Although it’s not flashy, the clear and bright screen displays a range of workout data including: distance, watt avg, watt peak, speed avg, speed peak, heart rate avg, heart rate peak, RPM avg, RPM peak, lap, % time in heart rate zone, and % time in power zone.

Features

The Johnny G bike boasts a silky smooth operation, with a heavy 46-pound drive and quiet electro-magnetic resistance with multi-touch point adjustments. There are 20 challenge levels for you to choose from, and you can conveniently adjust these on the handlebars so you don’t break the flow of your routine. The smooth belt drive system helps the Johnny G bike replicate the feeling of riding on the road, with a Conti Synchroforce® HTD and Hutchinson® FleXonic® Poly V® belt Drivetrain. You will hold steady even during your most intense routines thanks to the solid steel frame which is triple powder-coated for durability. It can hold up to 350 pounds so it will be a good match for most trainees.

As mentioned, although the LED display isn’t flashy, it’s still packed with features. As well as having a handful of programs and a wide range of advanced workout feedback, it’s also very connected. It features Smart, Bluetooth and ANT+™-enabled electronics so you can connect your own chest strap for wireless heart-rate monitoring and use this data in programs such as Myzone™, Garmin® and leaderboards. Comfort specs include: adjustable seating and handlebars; dual-sided pedals with SPD and straps so you can clip in or just hop on with normal sneakers; and two water bottle holders. Another feature to mention is the generator drive system which has a power-save function allowing you to store your workout stats for 10 minutes after pedaling.

Warranty & Guarantee

The Sole Johnny G bike warranty includes:

– Frame: 10 Years
– Parts: 2 Years
– Electronics: 2 Years
– Labor: 2 Years
– Wear Items: 1 Year

Sole also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Conclusion

The Sole Johnny G bike is an advanced, high-quality indoor cycle that will satisfy advanced cyclists and newbies alike. It’s a good option for shoppers seeking durability and for those that aren’t as fussed on having a flashy screen and immersive interactive training. The focus is on solid foundations that are built to last and are able handle intense routines time and time again. The price point may be a barrier to entry for beginner cyclists. We think this model will appeal to more advanced trainees who want a high-quality model with heavy-duty components. If this is a bit out of your budget, or instead you’d like an indoor cycle that focuses on immersive interactive training, check out our other indoor bikes.

Recent Updates

November 4, 2022: Updated price and specifications to most current model. Added FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sole Johnny G bike heavy?

The Johnny G indoor bike weighs 151 lbs, which is a little heavier than many bikes sold by Sole Fitness.

What is the maximum weight capacity for the Sole Johnny G bike?

350 lbs.

What is the warranty on the Sole Johnny G bike?

Since this bike is currently only available on Amazon, the standard 30-day money back guarantee applies.

Does the Sole Johnny G bike offer Bluetooth compatibility?

Yes, this bike incorporates both Bluetooth and ANT+™ enabled electronics, so you can monitor your heart rate by connecting your own chest strap, and also keep track of more workout stats.

Who is the Sole Johnny G bike most suitable for?

Given the high price point, this spin bike is best suited to serious cyclists.