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Boutique fitness studios like CycleBar and SoulCycle put spin bikes in the spotlight. Now, many of us are trying to create that high-energy, sweat-inducing workout at home. While home-use spin bikes used to be few and far between, now we have plenty of options. One of those options is the Sole SB700, an entry-level model that gets high praise for a fully adjustable setup and a smooth ride, thanks to its heavy flywheel and solid, steel frame.
In this Sole SB700 review, we'll go through the design and features of this exercise bike, highlight its pros and cons, and help you see if this is the best fit for you.
The Sole SB700
SPECS
- Design Steel frame, 48-pound flywheel, fully adjustable seat and handlebars
- Features: Tablet holder
- Display: Basic performance monitor
- Dimensions: 40"L x 21"W x 42"H
- Warranty: Lifetime motor and frame, 3-year electronics and parts, 1-year labor
What We Like
- Heavy flywheel
- Smooth, comfortable ride
- Fully adjustable seat and handlebars
- Solid warranty
What We Don't Like
- Not very feature-rich
- No Bluetooth capability
- Weight limit of 300 lbs.
A Quick Look at the Sole SB700
Sole Fitness started out manufacturing fitness equipment for hotel use and has transitioned into the home use category without sacrificing that original quality. Sole's goal is to keep prices affordable while providing solid machines that will stand up to years of use. As such, you won't find a lot of fancy technology on most of Sole's fitness equipment, including the SB700. They keep their focus on a long-lasting and comfortable design.
The SB700 gets high praise for its comfortable ride, smooth resistance, and fully adjustable seat and handlebars. Users often comment that the bike can withstand heavy use at high speeds without any shaking or jerkiness. The trade-off is a lack of smart features—the bike doesn't have a large touchscreen or come with Bluetooth or WiFi, but it does have a tablet holder that allows you to create your own setup.
Who Should Buy the Sole SB700?
The Sole SB700 is best suited for those looking for a solid spin bike with minimal features. You'll be happy with this bike if you value a smooth, comfortable ride above smart capabilities and large screens.
Workout Programs
The SB700 doesn't come with any pre-programmed workouts, but you can purchase Sole's fitness subscription, called Studio, and follow along with instructor-led workouts via your tablet. If you already subscribe to another fitness program, like iFit or JRNY, you can use that instead.
Price
The Sole SB700 retails for $1,399, but you can often find it on sale for closer to $700 to $800. If you buy the bike directly from Sole's website, it comes with a 90-day free trial for Studio, the brand's smart fitness app that gives you access to more than 3,000 instructor-led workouts. After the free trial, the membership costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 annually. The SB700 doesn't have a large screen though, so if you want to use it with the app you'll have to use your own tablet.
Design
Design is where the Sole SB700 really shines. It has toe cage pedals, a solid, steel frame and a 48-pound, chrome-plated flywheel that ensures a smooth, stable ride even at higher speeds. There's adjustable resistance that's controlled by a Kevlar breaking system. The felt pads clamp onto the flywheel to create your desired level of resistance without damaging the machine.
The exercise bike is fully adjustable, too. You can move the seat forward and back, as well as up and down. The cushioned handlebars also move forward and back or up and down. There are no preset “notches” for these adjustments either; you can adjust them to whichever position feels most comfortable to you. Riders up to 300 pounds can comfortably use the bike.
Features
As far as features go, the SB700 is pretty bare-bones. While it does have a performance display that tracks metrics in real-time, it doesn't have any additional features. The technology is basic, with no Bluetooth or WiFi capabilities, and there are no pre-programmed workouts. The bike does have a tablet holder so you can turn it into a smart bike if you have a favorite fitness subscription that you want to follow along with.
Display
The SB700 comes with a basic performance monitor that shows time, distance, RPM, calories burned, and speed. The console will also display heart rate if you hook up a monitor. The upside is that it's uncluttered and easy to read, even at high speeds. It measures 3 by 4 inches and has a backlit LCD screen.
Dimensions
The Sole SB700 is fairly compact as far as cardio exercise equipment goes. It measures 40 inches long by 21 inches wide and stands 42 inches tall. It doesn't fold for storage and is fairly heavy at 141 pounds, so you'll need to make sure you have this amount of space to dedicate to it.
Warranty
Sole has one of the most generous warranties in the fitness industry, offering lifetime coverage on motors and frames. Electronics and parts are covered for three years and labor is covered if you need any repairs done in the first year. Sole also covers normal wear and tear within the initial warranty period. If you have a problem with your bike, Sole will send out one of its own technicians to repair the bike.
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure that the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated. More importantly, each member of our team is a fitness enthusiast. Fitness may be our job, but it is also our passion. Therefore, we strive to bring you products that we trust and would personally use.
FAQs About the Sole EB700
Are Sole spin bikes good?
Sole spin bikes are some of the best basic models around. While they can't compete with other brands in the technology department, they're not meant to. If you're looking for a smooth, comfortable ride for a fair price, you'll be happy with a Sole spin bike.
Does the Sole SB700 work with Zwift?
Yes, the Sole SB700 will work with Zwift, but you'll have to purchase a power meter separately to fully integrate it. Zwift recommends several brands, but the bike will work with any model that can connect via ANT+ or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
Where are Sole exercise bikes made?
Sole exercise bikes are manufactured by Dyaco, a company that's based in Taipei, Taiwan.
Is Sole Fitness a good company?
Sole Fitness is a highly rated exercise equipment company that sells some of the most popular bikes, treadmills, and ellipticals. Sole has an extensive line of equipment at various price points and is one of the most generous warranties in the industry.
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