3G Cardio Elite RB X Recumbent Exercise Bike - FreeSync FTMS Bluetooth Smart App Connectivity - Compact 49" (L) - Oversized Soft 4-Way Adj. Seat - 350 lb Cap. - Low Step-Thru Design - Commercial Grade

I am a retired 74-year-old cardiovascular safety pharmacologist and have exercised daily for 35 years. My daily exercise typically incorporated a treadmill, road bike, and weight training. Still, with advancing years and a lower back injury, I had to change my bike routine to a recumbent model. After researching and reading countless reviews, I settled on the 3G Cardio Elite RB. I purchased the bike in October 2023 and put it into service on October 16, 2023. I perform 60-90 min of continuous cardio 5 days per week. As of this writing (January 5, 2024), I have logged 67 hours over 43 sessions on the bike. This amount of usage positions me to write a reasonably authoritative review. I am delighted to report that the 3G Elite bike has performed absolutely flawlessly. Not a single glitch or hint of any problem anywhere. As noted in the other reviews, the bike is exceptionally stable, quiet, and comfortable – rock solid in every respect. Similar to one other reviewer, I am also tall (6'4") and heavy (~125 kg) and am entirely comfortable on the bike, with much adjustment still remaining to accommodate a larger frame than mine.The bike arrives very well-packed, and I strongly encourage any buyer to carefully follow the excellent video instructions for unpacking and assembly available on the distributors' website. The distributor website also has additional videos to guide hardware adjustment of the startup resistance.As others have noted and as documented in the 3G manual, the bike controls allow custom-tailored exercise sessions by varying preset calories, time, watts, heart rate, and distance goals as desired. As these controls are clearly described in the 3G manual and other reviews, I will not repeat them here but use this space to discuss features not presented elsewhere.In an otherwise well-written manual, 3G only briefly and casually mentions the Bluetooth compatibility of the Elite RB. To me, this is a serious omission. In fact, I found the Elite RB to be fully compatible with every Bluetooth device (heart rate monitor) and program I had to use. Most importantly (to me), the Elite RB fully and seamlessly implements every aspect of Zwift®. This online cycling training platform enables users to design custom programs and ride, train, and compete in a virtual world. The features of Zwift® bring the cycling experience to an entirely different level, adding virtually unlimited variation to daily cycling routines. Zwift® is best known for replicating the elevation grades and difficulties of real-world cycling courses. It can also implement an ergometer (ERG) mode, which implements a user-defined series of intervals of varying resistance, regardless of the terrain. Zwift® is primarily designed for road bikes, allowing riders to change gears while navigating hilly terrain. By design, a recumbent bike only has 1 gear, so realistically, navigating a hilly course is not feasible. However, in ERG (ergometer) mode, where the resistance varies over user-designed time intervals, Zwift® creates an ideal environment for the recumbent bike. An ERG program also allows us to look very carefully at the actual performance of the Elite RB.Picture 1 depicts a typical Zwift® ERG program that I created (upper panel), which includes a ramped warmup, 60 minutes of varying resistance, and a ramped cooldown. The lower panel in Picture 1 presents the actual results recorded during one of my daily exercise sessions under the control of the Zwift® ERG program.Without going into too much detail, my results clearly show that the Elite RB precisely followed the ERG program instructions. Most impressive (to me) were the instantaneous transitions in preprogrammed resistance levels, which demonstrated the seamless and precise control of the Elite RB by the Zwift® program. The control evident during the ramped warmup and cooldown further highlights the accurate responses of the Elite RB, where the resistance level changed every few seconds. These results also show that the resistance of the Elite RB remained absolutely constant during each fixed interval, demonstrating very stable performance for the Elite RB over time. Impressive!While the design of the Elite recumbent bike is well thought out, I found that there was inadequate storage for multiple bottles (required for long rides) and an eye-level platform for an iPad or similar display for a control program. This issue is readily addressed by adding a RAD Cycle Products Adjustable Bike Trainer Fitness Desk available through Amazon. This desk is also well-built and very stable. It has adequate height adjustment to readily be positioned over the 3G Elite control panel. The combined equipment arrangement is shown in Picture 2.Incorporating Zwift® or some other companion control program (Rouvy®, etc.) will significantly enhance your experience with the Elite RB or any stationary bike. However, while the 3G Elite fully implements the Zwift® controls, it is not 3G's responsibility to provide operational support for the use of Zwift® or any 3rd party program. The user will always be responsible for gaining expertise in add-on programs. However, extensive online communities support these very popular companion products.After several months of intense use, the Elite RB has proven to be a durable, professional-grade piece of equipment. Typically, we get what we pay for, but in the case of the Elite RB, I feel that the actual value far exceeds the price. The Elite RB is a genuine bargain when you factor in very responsive customer support and exceptional build quality.Regardless of the price, I don't think you will find better (or comparable) performance in a recumbent bike.

This bike is awesome. I bought it on appearance and description. I ordered the delivery with assembly as it was reasonable in cost. It arrived on the date I chose, the delivery guys (2) we friendly and competent. The assembly took the 2 men alittle over an hour and I'm glad I chose inside delivery with assembly as there were quite a few parts and steps in the assembly although the manual apprared straight forward. Basic tools were included and no missing parts. The guys said this was the 2nd one of these they had assembled so they were somewhat familiar but I think after watching them I would have taken somewhat longer to do this and be sure it was all set up and working propperly. So that was yeaterday and my first ride was this morning. Having used treadmills, elipticals and regular outdoor bicycles this bike, recumbent style was of very good quality and easy to use and operate. Very comfortable, adjustable seat and electronics to adjust (I ordered the basic control panel as that is all I need essentially time, distance and pulse rate and resistense. The seat and pedal set up is easy to adjust, solid feel, stable not wobbly and the unit doesn't take up too much space. I actually spoke to the company on the phone before ordering the unit regarding a purhasing question but was connected to a service guy due to a sales person not in the office that day, had a great conversation with the service guy and made me feel comfortable about purchaing oune of thes bikes and he was the guy I'd likely speak ti if I did have questions about the bike or parts. So I got on Amazon and ordered my bike, setup the deluvery date with assembly. I could go on and on but in short I highly reccomend this bike if your looking for a well designed, sturdy, moderatly priced in my opinion considering the quality exercise recument style exercise bike that is easy to use and comfortable. I looked at bikes ranging from $800 to $3000 and this bike at $2000 with free shipping and if you have an Amazon credit card 12 mos no interest this was a good option. I've only had this bike two days but there are no concerns, I'll write further if I encounter any significatant issues.