Sunny Health and Fitness Exercise Bike Review (2024): High-Quality, Low-Cost Cardio Machines Fit for Any Space

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Indoor cycling can be an effective, low-impact way to get your daily dose of cardio, but, despite their relatively compact footprints, the best exercise bikes can get pricey, with some models costing upwards of $2,600. Sunny Health and Fitness exercise bikes offer an affordable solution, as few brands can match the quality, performance, and, perhaps most importantly, savings...
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Indoor cycling can be an effective, low-impact way to get your daily dose of cardio, but, despite their relatively compact footprints, the best exercise bikes can get pricey, with some models costing upwards of $2,600. Sunny Health and Fitness exercise bikes offer an affordable solution, as few brands can match the quality, performance, and, perhaps most importantly, savings they provide.





To give you a head start in your purchasing process, we wrangled up our favorite silhouettes from the brand’s roster to help you determine whether a Sunny Health and Fitness exercise bike is right for your space, and which model best fits your training needs. While these machines are more utilitarian than high-tech, we think everyone from beginners to seasoned cyclists will find them a reliable (and budget-friendly) option for at-home cardio.






About Our Expert



This article has been reviewed by Amanda Capritto, CPT, CF-L1, CES, CSNC a certified personal trainer, certified nutrition coach, and CrossFit Level-1 Trainer. She reviewed the research we cite to help ensure we’re providing helpful, accurate descriptions and recommendations.






Why Should I Buy a Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Bike?



Exercise bikes tend to have a smaller footprint than other cardio machines, making them a great tool for athletes tight on space. The best exercise bikes on the market, though, often cost well over $1,000, and also rely on integrated fitness apps that cost an additional subscription fee that needs to be paid monthly or annually.





[Related: The 8 Best Fitness Apps]





Sunny Health and Fitness exercise bikes, on the other hand, pair a space-saving profile with price tags that rarely creep over $1,000 (only one model eclipses the $1,500 mark). For reference, the four bikes we picked for this review — the SF-B1002, SF-B1879, SF-B901, and SF-B1995 — all fall below $620.





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Our tester adjusting the resistance on the SF-B1002 exercise bike from Sunny Health and Fitness



A big reason that Sunny Health and Fitness exercise bikes can keep costs so low is their emphasis on sturdy, well-built silhouettes over more intricate, tech-heavy profiles. Like the brand’s other fitness equipment — including some of the best treadmills and other home gym essentials — these bikes utilize heavy flywheels, comfortable saddles, and stable handlebars to prove their worth rather than a laundry list of live and on-demand courses.





Resistance mechanisms are often friction-based — a louder yet cheaper option for indoor cyclists — but Sunny Health and Fitness does feature some (more expensive) magnetic resistance machines for a smooth ride that’s less likely to wake any fellow housemates during sessions.





Additionally, all the bikes chosen for this review have a weight capacity of 275 pounds. This supporting capability isn’t the highest we’ve experienced in our time testing over 20 indoor cycles over the years, but it should be suitable enough for most.





[Related: The 6 Benefits of Exercise Bikes (Plus Workouts From a Personal Trainer)]





We’ll be honest — most of our trial rides and cycling workouts were spent on the SF-B1002 model. However, we’ve ridden enough stationary bikes and tested enough of Sunny Health and Fitness’ exercise equipment, to understand how these four bikes separate themselves from one another (and which athletes they’d be best for). Ready to dive in? Let’s hop in the saddle and get up to speed on our findings.





Main Takeaways



  • Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1002 Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike: This exercise bike can be a great option for athletes needing a quiet training setup. The belt drive can move smoothly through each pedal cadence, and the heavy 49-pound flywheel is prime for maintaining momentum throughout your revolutions.


  • Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1879 Synergy Exercise Bike: The SF-B1879 is the lone exercise bike in this review with magnetic resistance, a preferred component for those wanting smooth intensity changes throughout their training. However, the beefier feature does raise the price slightly to $619.99, making it the most expensive bike in this guide.


  • Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B901 Chain Drive Pro Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike: This indoor cycle employs a chain drive system that can better mimic the experience you’d feel with an on-road bike. However, this tech will require more upkeep than a belt-drive model.


  • Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1995 Pro II Stationary Indoor Cycling Bike: With felt pad resistance, a 40-pound flywheel, and a convenient device holder, this SF-B1995 can be an ideal pick for beginner athletes just getting used to indoor cycling. We do recommend, though, that you take proper care of the felt pads to help prevent any fraying or loss of friction.



Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1002 Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike















Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Cycling Bike









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Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Cycling Bike









This bike's 49-pound flywheel is one of the largest we've seen on a consumer indoor cycle and will help you build momentum while keeping your ride smooth. The transport wheels are also large and durable, so you can move tip this bike and move it out of the way when your workout is over.

















Shop Sunny Health & Fitness


























Specs



  • Price: $399.99


  • Resistance Type: Friction


  • Driveline: Belt drive


  • Flywheel Weight: 49lbs


  • Product Weight: 110.8lbs


  • Weight Capacity: 275lbs


  • Product Dimensions: 53.94” L X 19.1” W X 44.49” H







Pros



  • This indoor cycling bike features a heavy 49-pound flywheel that can help generate smooth momentum and easier speed maintenance mid-workout.


  • The SF-B1002 Has multiple grip points along the handlebars for comfortable hand placement during your rides.


  • Front transportation wheels can assist with maneuvering the roughly 111-pound frame.







Cons



  • According to the brand, this bike can only support athletes up to 6 feet 1 inch.


  • There’s no display module at the front of the bike for tracking metrics like calories burned, time, speed, heart rate, and other key training data.


  • In comparison to the other Sunny Health and Fitness bikes in this guide, the SF-B1002 is heavier than the 100.1-pound bike weight average.






If you’re looking for a no-frills spin bike to give your cardio sessions some movement, the Sunny SF-B1002 is a solid pick. Available for less than $400, this compact exercise bike takes up just 7.15 square feet of space — less than that of your standard coffee table. (2) Additionally, the front transport wheels can allow you to easily move and maneuver this bike into place, which is useful when trying to make the most of your floor plan outside of workout sessions.





The SF-B1002 is one of our favorite bikes from Sunny Health and Fitness thanks to its heavy 49-pound flywheel and belt-driven drivetrain. A heavier flywheel works to maintain momentum throughout your workouts, leading to less stops and starts. (3) The belt-drive system, on the other hand, can allow for a quieter riding experience overall, and will require less maintenance than a bike running off of a chain-driven drivetrain.





[Related: The 7 Best Exercise Bikes for Small Spaces of 2024, Expert-Tested and Reviewed]





However, while we are fans of this effective system, the audio feedback of the leather friction resistance system is louder than you’ll find on a bike with magnetic resistance. As the flywheel rubs across the leather strap — which can be micro-adjusted via the resistance knob — I have experienced some loud feedback. While I’ll give the adjustability across this system a 4 out of 5, I would say that this may be a better bike for those that don’t need to worry about sleeping children nearby or interrupting a housemate as they try to talk on the phone or answer Zoom calls during work hours.





sunny-health-and-fitness-exercise-bike-riding-bike-with-hands-on-middle-side-handle-bars.jpg
Our tester working out atop the SF-B1002 exercise bike from Sunny Health and Fitness



The portability of this SF-B1002 is beneficial since you’ll need to set up this exercise bike in front of a television or monitor if you want to view any workouts or intra-workout entertainment during your rides.





There is no centralized LED or LCD monitor across the handlebars, meaning you’ll need to set up your phone (paired to a handy heart rate monitor) or tablet if you want to view your stats. Sure, the multi-grip, non-slip handlebars are comfy, but this lack of a screen may be a turnoff for data hounds.





Lastly, the Sunny SF-B1002 is a pretty stable ride that can support athletes up to 275 pounds. However, the brand states that the adjustable seat can only be toggled enough to accommodate athletes up to 6 feet 1 inch in height. Taller athletes may struggle to find a comfortable setup to fit their longer frames.





[Related: Are Exercise Bikes Good For Weight Loss? (+ Workout From a Personal Trainer)]





Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1879 Synergy Exercise Bike















Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1879 Synergy Exercise Bike









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Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1879 Synergy Exercise Bike









The SF-B1879 from Sunny Health and Fitness can be a great solution for budget-minded athletes wanting the performance of a magnetic resistance system along with a lightweight frame. A built-in LCD monitor can also be helpful in monitoring key training data like calories, speed, time, distance, and others.

















Shop Sunny Health & Fitness


























Specs



  • Price: $619.99


  • Resistance Type: Magnetic


  • Driveline: Belt drive


  • Flywheel Weight: 30lbs


  • Product Weight: 88.2lbs


  • Weight Capacity: 275lbs


  • Product Dimensions: 49” L X 22” W X 50.5” H







Pros



  • The SF-B1879 features a magnetic resistance system that’s quieter and requires less maintenance than friction-based systems.


  • It features storage conveniences like a water bottle holder and dumbbell holders.


  • The built-in LCD monitor can help you track your speed, distance, time, calories, RPM, and pulse.







Cons



  • The flywheel is listed at 30 pounds — Sunny Health and Fitness bikes often feature a 40-pound flywheel or heavier.


  • Despite the integrated console, our tester did state that there are no preset training programs built into the device.


  • This is the most expensive bike in this guide — other spin bikes often come in below $400, whereas this SF-B1879 costs $619.99.






For those wanting a quiet workout experience to go along with their wallet-friendly fitness gear, the SF-B1879 can be an ideal pick. Along with its belt-drive system, this spin bike also utilizes magnetic resistance across its 30-pound flywheel, which can keep revolutions more feedback-free than friction-based resistances.





Our tester, a certified personal trainer, rated the bike’s durability a 5 out of 5, and also noted a few of the key conveniences it provides. “I like that Sunny Health included a rugged water bottle holder for mid-workout refreshments,” our tester said, rating its conveniences a 4 out of 5.





“Plus, the small dumbbell holders at the side can help me keep lighter weights at the ready, which can be great for HIIT workouts that give me some movement versatility over just pounding the pedals to different resistances,” they added.





There’s also an integrated LCD monitor with this Sunny Health and Fitness offering. While it isn’t the most tech-heavy unit — our tester rated the programming at 0 out of 5 because, well, there aren’t any training programs available — it can still be helpful when trying to monitor your heart rate, speed, distance, RPM, calories burned, and more.





[Related: The 8 Best Exercise Bikes for Beginners, Tried and Tested]





Additionally, we should point out that the flywheel used in the SF-B1879 is lighter than other Sunny Health and Fitness bikes we’ve tested. The 30-pound flywheel can be great for startups, as it doesn’t take as much effort to get the wheel rolling, but maintaining your pace can be more difficult than other bikes featuring a 40-pound flywheel or heavier.





If you’re okay with the occasional stop and start, you’ll likely be fine with this setup, but if you want to get moving and stay moving, it may be best to opt for a heavier flywheel.





Lastly, we’d be remiss to not point out the price of this exercise bike. The SF-B1879 retails for roughly $620. While, yes, this is far cheaper than other high-quality exercise bikes from the likes of NordicTrack, Peloton, Echelon, and other brands, it’s one of the more expensive Sunny Health and Fitness bikes. For reference, all of the bikes included in this guide come in below $400, albeit without the quieter, smoother magnetic resistance system.





[Related: The 8 Best Magnetic Exercise Bikes, Tested by Experts]





Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B901 Chain Drive Pro Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike















Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B901 Chain Drive Pro Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike









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Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B901 Chain Drive Pro Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike









This chain-driven exercise bike boasts a compact 5.81-square-foot footprint, making it an excellent option for athletes tight on space. A convenient emergency brake can also help improve your in-training safety in case you need to immediately halt your progress and regain your balance or hop off the bike to tend to another issue.

















Shop Sunny Health & Fitness


























Specs



  • Price: $399.99


  • Resistance Type: Friction


  • Driveline: Chain drive


  • Flywheel Weight: 40lbs


  • Product Weight: 102lbs


  • Weight Capacity: 275lbs


  • Product Dimensions: 46.5” L X 18” W X 46” H







Pros



  • Compared to other Sunny Health and Fitness exercise bikes, the SF-B901 boasts the smallest footprint at 5.81 square feet.


  • It features a unique emergency brake stop that can help you immediately pause your progress for added safety.


  • The tension knob is easy to toggle, allowing you to increase or decrease your training intensity with a simple turn of the wrist.







Cons



  • The felt pads will require more lubrication and maintenance than other friction resistance systems. (4)


  • Chain-drive bikes can be noisier than belt-drive systems, and a regular maintenance plan will be required to preserve optimal performance.


  • Unlike other Sunny Health and Fitness bikes, there is no water bottle holder.






Granted, most indoor cycling bikes can help home gym enthusiasts save a few square feet, but the SF-B901 is one of our favorites for making the most of a compact floor plan. The footprint of this no-frills exercise bike measures 5.81 square feet, which is nearly half the flooring you’d need for a standard coffee table. (2)





I scored the footprint at 4.5 out of 5, too, because of the larger transport wheels located at the front base of this machine. This can be ideal when trying to transport or maneuver the 102-pound frame for your dedicated spin classes.





This SF-B901 also features an impressive emergency brake system that allows you to quickly halt your training with a simple twist of a lever. This added safety measure may be overlooked by some, but having the ability to completely stop your progress can be helpful when looking to keep setups as safe as possible. That’s especially true with caged pedals — getting out of them can be easier said than done at times. As such, I rated the safety features at 4 out of 5.





[Related: The Best Compact Exercise Equipment for Any Small Space]





In terms of resistance, this Sunny Health and Fitness bike utilizes a felt pad friction-style setup. This can be helpful when trying to keep costs low, but I have found that felt pads tend to require a little more upkeep when compared to other friction systems like leather or synthetic rubber.





Over time, these pads can begin to fray, which will require some lubrication. While I do appreciate how easy the tension knob is to set across the micro-adjustable resistance levels, I did have to dock the resistance down to 3.5 out of 5 given the required maintenance.





Another key component of this SF-B901 is the chain-driven drivetrain. Like your favorite road bike, this mechanism uses a chain to connect your pedals to the flywheel. I actually prefer this drivetrain style as it can easily mimic your on-road experience, but like the felt pads, it will require some maintenance every now and again.





Additionally, Sunny Health and Fitness does claim that chain drive systems can be louder than belt-drive bikes. If you’re really focused on keeping workouts as quiet as possible, it may be best to opt for a different silhouette.





[Related: The Best Exercise Bikes Under $500 of 2024 — Expert Tested and Reviewed]





Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1995 Pro II Stationary Indoor Cycling Bike















Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1995 Pro II Stationary Indoor Cycling Bike









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Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1995 Pro II Stationary Indoor Cycling Bike









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