Name: Sole SB900
Brand: Sole

Quick Summary

The SB900 Light Commercial leads an indoor cycle series that also includes the SB700. It’s reasonably priced (often selling for a mere $999 during frequent online sales) and has the essentials that serious cyclists demand (SPD pedals, a heavy drive, and an ergonomic design). The SB900 is also a smooth operator with quiet magnetic resistance. The only possible drawback is the bike’s simplicity. Some shoppers would prefer a cycle trainer with preset workouts. Here are the details.

Specifications

Model	Sole SB900
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the bike's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	93.25%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$1,499
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.	$999
Resistance The flywheel in an exercise bike is what creates resistance. You can choose the level of resistance to increase your workout intensity.	1-100 variable
Resistance Type The type of resistance shows what kind of flywheel is being used (if any), and its weight if the manufacturer provides it.	Eddy Current Magnetic
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.	48 lb. 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.	Standard
Seat The most important part for comfortability during your workout, the seat should be adjustable and have ample cushioning.	Adjustable
Pedals Pedals are the driving force for an exercise bike, and should be comfortable, adjustable, and easy to control without slipping.	Toe Clips SPD Pedals
Programs Bike Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	None
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.	3" x 4" LCD
Max. Weight Max. User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that the bike can safely support, which can represent durability.	300 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).	42" x 21" x 40" Weight: 160 lbs
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: Lifetime Parts: 3 Years Electronics: 3 Years Labor: 1 Year (In-Home)

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Commercial steel frame.
Looks pretty.
Comfortable adjustable saddle.
Adjustable handlebars.
High quality 48-pound drive.
SPD pedals.
Data monitor (Basic LCD).
Chest strap compatible.
Water bottle holder.
Generous warranty package.
Impressive customer service.

Cons:

No cooling fan.
No preset workouts.
No digital entertainment (iPod compatibility, wifi, etc.).

If you prefer a high quality Sole exercise bike with preset works, consider the Sole LCB with 30-pound drive.

Full Review

The SB900 Light Commercial is a high quality upright cycle that’s sized and priced for home use. This sturdy trainer packs great basics into a tight unit. Highlights include a 48-pound drive, SPD pedals, and a data monitor that’s compatible with wireless heart rate transmitters. The aluminum-shrouded steel frame weighs 160 pounds yet has a conveniently compact 40” x 21” footprint.

How does the SB900 compare with the SB700 (which is $200 cheaper)? The SB900 weighs 20 pounds more and is better suited for home use because it uses magnetic resistance.

Transitions between eddy current tension levels are virtually silent. With the SB700’s Kevlar braking on the other hand, changes are more audible. Another difference between the SB700 and SB900 is that while both have oversized pedals, only the SB900 pedals have toe clips.

The SB900 has a competitive warranty package (see below). It lacks bells and whistles, but it’s one of the highest quality indoor bikes under $1000 and is backed by excellent customer service. Its online sale price is $999.

Workout Programs

The Sole SB900 Light Commercial does not have workout programs. It has a 3” x 4” data monitor with fields for RPM, time, KCal, distance, speed and pulse. It is chest strap compatible.
The top Sole exercise bike with preset workouts is called the LCB.

Features

The SB900 has one of the best indoor bike drives on the market. It weighs 48 pounds, is chrome plated, and boasts a silky smooth operation.

To help you track performance, a small LCD monitor is included. It has an RPM graphic and simultaneously shows the elapsed time, calorie estimate, distance, speed. and pulse. The console is compatible with wireless heart rate monitors, but isn’t sold with a chest strap.

If you’re motivated by music, you’ll appreciate that this exercise bike lets you ditch the ear buds. It has an iPod-compatible port and 2” speakers.

Other specs include SPD pedals, an adjustable saddle, adjustable handlebars (vertically and horizontally), and a bottle holder.

Warranty & Guarantee

The Sole SB900 warranty includes:

– Frame: Lifetime
– Parts: 3 Years
– Electronics: 3 Years
– Labor: 1 year

All service is performed in-home.

Conclusion

The Sole SB900 Light Commercial is among the best exercise bikes under $1000. It’s a fantastic option for shoppers who seek durability and aren’t interested in using preset workouts or paying for on-board digital entertainment. This bike is all about the basics and delivers those beautifully. Entertainment, workouts, and stats tracking can all be done elsewhere. It is the bike that gets you in shape after all, not the bells and whistles.

Rating: 93.25/100

Check Price

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6 Comments

Dawnmarie Fehr January 3, 2021 at 2:52 am

Can I buy this bike and use it with subscriptions like peloton classes?
- Reply
  FitRated January 28, 2021 at 10:39 am
  
  Hi Dawnmarie, this bike does not automatically sync to the Peloton app. You would have to manually change your resistance settings if you wanted to follow along with workout classes on your own tablet or phone.
Mary B DeNoble October 24, 2020 at 10:52 am from Ohio

How difficult or easy is assembly for someone who is not handy? Can I get in home assembly ?
- Reply
  FitRated October 30, 2020 at 12:12 pm
  
  Hi Mary, it is a fairly easy assembly process that can be done by 1 or 2 people. Sole does offer an assembly service at an additional cost. You can see this option at their checkout page.
Ken Teague June 24, 2020 at 8:39 am from Massachusetts

What is min height for a user? One member of my family is 5.1. None of specs I reviewed address that.
- Reply
  FitRated June 25, 2020 at 12:32 pm
  
  Hi Ken, the bike can be used comfortably by users who are 5ft - 6"2. The seat and pedals are adjustable to accommodate users of varying heights.

Sole SB900 Review

Rating: 93.25%