The S08 Recumbent Exercise Bike from MERACH proves you don’t need all the bells and whistles to start and stay riding. A recumbent bike allows you to sit in a laid-back position with the pedals in front of you. It’s different from an upright bike, where you’re higher up on the seat with the pedals below you.
If you’ve been wanting to get on a bike but haven’t felt comfortable with upright options, this one from MERACH will get you riding safely and comfortably.
MERACH S08 Recumbent Exercise Bike
Specifications
- Price: $179.
- Weight: 57 pounds.
- Color: Black.
- Dimensions (when assembled): Approximately 44" long x 25" wide x 39" high.
Pros
- Affordable and good value for the money.
- Quiet workout.
- Large, firm seat.
- Front wheels allow easy transport.
Cons
- Tedious assembly.
- No LCD backlight.
- Unreliable app and heart rate tracking.
The Unboxing and Setup
For this review, I received the S08 recumbent bike as a sample from MERACH. I wasn’t confident I could build this alone, so I read off directions while my husband handled assembly.
The setup is my biggest gripe with the bike. MERACH claims most people complete the setup in 30 minutes or less. It took my husband and me about an hour, from unboxing to being fully assembled. Most of it came from assembling the tension cable, which took much longer than any other part. Some buyers also had the same annoying setup as I did with the tension, so keep this in mind as you go through assembly.
The Experience
Aside from the tedious unboxing, the MERACH S08 is exceptionally easy to use and continually reuse. I appreciate the large seat and bars on each side to hold onto. I tend to stay away from traditional stationary bikes because the seat is so small and uncomfortable, it doesn’t make for a pleasant workout. So this bike stood out for comfort right off the bat. Some reviewers said this bike seat was too hard for them and made it uncomfortable to continue the workout after a few minutes, but its firmness was great for me.
To start, I began pedaling. I adjusted the tension with the knob below the screen as necessary. The seat easily adjusts based on height, and the seat back moves up and down without any issues.
The LCD screen is basic and isn’t backlit, so it’s not great to use in low-lit areas, but it gets the job done. The display rotates between speed, time, distance, calories burned, odometer, and pulse. If your hands aren’t on the pulse detector, your heart rate won’t record, so keep that in mind during your workout.
The heart rate sensors are helpful, and while expected on most stationary equipment, some buyers mentioned the bike sensors read a higher heart rate than their fitness tracking wearables. I didn’t have this issue during testing, but this might be important if you plan to track your heart rate.
You can download the MERACH app to connect the bike to sync workouts and progress, but it’s unnecessary if you have other fitness tracking wearables or apps, like an Apple Watch, Garmin, or something similar. Many MERACH app users felt it wasn’t working well enough with their workouts or machines, and most of the time, it didn’t sync or work at all. I felt like the bike worked well enough on its own without the app.
While I did the bulk of testing for this bike, I asked family and friends to try it out when visiting. Older relatives who don’t use stationary bikes found it comfortable and easy to use, which showed me that the bike is excellent for any age and ability. MERACH caps weight at 300 pounds and says it’s best for users 5’3” to 6’2”.
The Maintenance
I’ve moved the bike around my house a few times with ease by lifting the back end and rolling it away. Throughout multiple workouts after relocating it, the bike felt stable and comfortable. Unless you plan on moving it, no maintenance is required.
MERACH S08 Recumbent Exercise Bike
The Takeaway
Aside from the laborious setup, the bike has been great to use. I live in South Florida, where hurricane season lasts six whole months, full of unbearable heat and nonstop rain. An indoor bike keeps me active even when I can’t always get outside. Its simple user interface, easy adjustments for different riders, and stable riding, I’d recommend this for most folks.
Whether you can’t get outside to ride, don’t have space to store a regular bike, or work irregular or long hours, this recumbent bike gets the job done at an affordable price point.
