The Diamondback 510Ic offers something more than you see in most spin bikes. With most you get a bike that you can get a great cardio workout with and that is it. This one comes with 14 built-in workouts with 8 that take you through various hills, mountains and terrain and 4 that are heart rate based. That brings me to another feature it has you don’t often see is that it comes with a heart rate monitor with readings that you can see right in front of you.
However, with a spin bike it is important that you can get the type of workout you want without having to worry about it rocking or it falling over, especially when you are out of the saddle pushing hard against the resistance. It does do this but there are few things to watch out for.
In this review I’ll take a look at all this including the additional features and just how good a workout you can get using the bike.
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Sturdiness
This bike is made solidly. It weighs 126 lbs and is strongly constructed. The bike is stable whatever intensity you are cycling at – whether that is sitting down or standing up. There is no rocking or side to side movement and the handlebars and seat are held in place firmly so there is no shaking from them. You feel secure at all times even when moving from sitting to standing up so there is no fear of falling off.
If you have an uneven floor surface you can still use the bike as you can use the levelers in the feet to level out the unevenness for a stable ride.
Users report it is durable enough to withstand multiple workouts a week over a number of years using the bike. The only issue reported was with one of the buttons on the console and Diamondback replaced that quickly and without question.
Adjustability
This bike is made solidly. It weighs 126 lbs and is strongly constructed. The bike is stable whatever intensity you are cycling at – whether that is sitting down or standing up. There is no rocking or side to side movement and the handlebars and seat are held in place firmly so there is no shaking from them. You feel secure at all times even when moving from sitting to standing up so there is no fear of falling off.
If you have an uneven floor surface you can still use the bike as you can use the levelers in the feet to level out the unevenness for a stable ride.
Users report it is durable enough to withstand multiple workouts a week over a number of years using the bike. The only issue reported was with one of the buttons on the console and Diamondback replaced that quickly and without question.
Resistance
The Diamondback Fitness 510Ic Indoor Cycle needs to be plugged into a 120V power source to be able to adjust the magnetic resistance. It means you can’t use it during a power outage.
You adjust the levels using buttons on the console. There are 16 levels.
The use of levels is convenient as you can tell how hard you are working and get back to different levels without having to guess like you do with manual resistance adjustments seen on other bikes. This is great for keeping track of your performance and helping you to stay on track and not taking it easier (or harder) than you want to.
The bike can’t be used without being plugged in which is not great. I’m not sure why they could not use batteries like other bikes that use magnetic resistance like the Keiser M3 plus which has a more basic console and you use a knob to adjust the resistance but it shows up on the console. It doesn’t have a built in heart rate monitor but you can pair it with a heart rate strap. You can see my review on this spin bike here. It is unfortunately double the price.
For most people the preset levels of the bike are going to be more than enough for getting a great workout from the bike. However, for those very dedicated and experienced spinners and cyclists they may find the top levels of resistance not hard enough to get a really tough hill climb training workout. Everyone else will find there is plenty of scope for adding resistance to their training.
To stop the bike quickly it does come with a manual brake pad to stop the flywheel. You press the brake pad knob at the top of the frame to apply the brake. It looks like the tension knobs you see on other spin bikes that use friction to apply resistance to the flywheel.
Diamondback Fitness 510Ic Indoor Cycle Drive Type
The bike has a belt drive for turning the flywheel. It is very quiet and does not require maintenance on a day to day basis. It will last for years without needing any adjustment but at some as with all belt drives stage it is going to loosen and require replacement.
Pedals
You slip your feet into the toe clips and tighten the strap to keep your feet on the pedals securely while you are working out sitting down or standing up.
The pedals will not take spinning shoes or cleats. If you want to be able to use these types of shoes with this bike you need to change the pedals which you can do with any pedals that fit a standard bike.
If you do a lot of bike riding and want to use this bike for some indoor cycling training you may notice that your feet are wider apart than you are used to and you may find it a little uncomfortable while you get used to it.
This width is usual for spin bikes but most find it fine for their circumstances and don’t find it causing undue stress on their legs.
You can’t free wheel on the bike. The pedals are always moving when the flywheel is moving. This helps to keep you working and not taking it easy but it can be annoying if you’re not used to it and want to get off. To stop the pedals you need to press the brake knob or wait for the flywheel to come to a rest.
Comfort
Noise. This is a very quiet bike. The magnetic resistance is silent as there is no contact on the flywheel and the belt drive is quiet as it is turns round the flywheel so it is like listening to a whisper. The TV can be watched or you can hold a conversation at normal volume. You won’t be disturbing anyone while you workout even in the middle of the night.
Seat. Like any bike seat not all people are going to like it. Some find it is fine and their sit bones don’t mind it at all. Others find it really uncomfortable which goes to prove that bike seat comfort is an individual thing. If you do find the seat isn’t to your liking you can replace it with another seat as the bike fits any standard bike seat. Alternatively you can try a gel seat cover or padded bike shorts to alleviate the discomfort.
Handlebars. These are designed so you can grip them comfortably or lean on them if you wish. They are coated to make them easier to grip and also you won’t get blisters or your hands won’t slip when they get sweaty. The handlebars do include the heart rate sensors that you grip when using the heart rate monitor for the heart rate workout programs.
Dust And Dirt. Like any spin bike it is going to give off some dust and maybe drop some lubricant but less than the ones that have a chain drive and friction resistance. You may also drip some sweat as you workout. If you want to protect your floor from this you ought to place a rubber exercise mat underneath it.
Flywheel. The bike has a 32 lbs flywheel. This is at the lower end of flywheel weight for spin bikes. It should be enough to ensure a fluid cycling experience but you may notice a little choppiness when you start to turn the pedals due to their being less momentum built up in the flywheel.
Storage
The bike comes with 2 good sized wheels at the front for moving the bike from where you workout to where you want to store it. You tip the bike on to the wheels and then manoeuvre it into place. The bike weighs 126 lbs but the front wheels take most of the weight as you move it around. The wheels make it to possible to move the bike on carpet as well as other floor types with ease.
The footprint of the bike is 42 ins by 26 ins so it is reasonably compact thereby making it easy to store out of the way when you want your living space back to use for day to day living.
Assembly
The bike comes with 2 good sized wheels at the front for moving the bike from where you workout to where you want to store it. You tip the bike on to the wheels and then manoeuvre it into place. The bike weighs 126 lbs but the front wheels take most of the weight as you move it around. The wheels make it to possible to move the bike on carpet as well as other floor types with ease.
The footprint of the bike is 42 ins by 26 ins so it is reasonably compact thereby making it easy to store out of the way when you want your living space back to use for day to day living.
Console
The computer that comes with this model comes with more features than you normally see on spin bikes. As well as measuring distance, speed, RPM (cadence), calories burned, it also measure watts (a measure of your energy output) ,heart rate and pre-set workout programs. Calories burned, speed and distance traveled are estimates only but are fine for comparing performance between workouts and measuring progress.
The LCD display is 2 by 3 inches. So it isn’t the biggest but it fits in with the bike well and the numbers and icons are large and backlit enough to see easily when working out.
The top part of the screen displays the current level of resistance and progress along a workout program. It looks a bit like a bar chart. The height of the bar shows the resistance level and you where you are in the program as the bar you are on flashes to let you know where you are up to.
The rest of the data is displayed in numbers. Underneath the bar chart is speed/RPM, and what type of workout program you are following. The speed/RPM number swaps every 4 seconds between speed and RPM.
Next is the elapsed time and distance traveled shown separately and below this is displayed your pulse and watts/calories burned.
Under the screen are the controls for controlling console – they are – Fit Test, Start/Stop, Enter, Reset and Up/Down arrows for changing resistance, programming workouts and setting target heart rates.
The Fit Test is an interesting feature that helps you to track progress. When you have an elevated heart rate you press this button and put your hands on the heart rate sensors. After a minute it will let you know how well your recover from strenuous activity. It has 6 levels from very poor to excellent.
When you start pedaling and RPM are over 15 the console comes on and you can set the type of workout program you want to follow. You have the choice of 4:
Manual – You can use this to just exercise as you please if you want without any programming. It just shows a straight line and you can change the resistance as you go and you’ll see the line rise to the level you set. It will stay at this level until you make a change. But if you want you can program workout parameters and targets such as workout time, calories, distance, heart rate zones or watt generation.
Heart Rate Control – There are 4 different workout programs to choose from where you specify the heart rate target. While working out the resistance levels are changed automatically based on the heart rate feedback to keep the heart rate at target level. 3 of the programs target a % of maximum heart rate based on the age inputted by the user. The % used are 55%, 70% and 90 %. The 4th program uses a targeted heart rate that the user inputs. There is an issue here, in that there seems to a few seconds lag between heart rate being detected and a change in the program meaning that it is slightly out of sync with what your heart rate actually is. It can be annoying and takes a bit of getting used to.
Program – You have 8 workout profiles to choose from. You can make adjustments to the resistance levels and other settings such as calories, workout time or distance. Once you start the program you can adjust the resistance levels up and down using the up/down arrow key on the console
User Defined – You can set your own program here and save it for future workouts with your own resistance levels and workout targets
You don’t have to use the pre-set programs if you don’t want to and can follow along to your own DVDs or YouTube workouts instead.
The data from your workouts can’t be stored, uploaded or transferred to the internet so there is no automated way to keep track of your progress. To do this you need to record your results in a workout journal or spreadsheet.
This isn’t the latest style of fitness monitoring computer you see on other types of exercise bikes but it gives good basic information and works well. It is better than you see on most other spin bikes.
Dimensions
The weight and dimensions of the bike are
Height = 46″
Width = 23″
Length = 42″
Flywheel weight 32 lbs
Max. user weight 300 lbs
Accessories
The bike comes with a drink bottle holder, optional drink bottle and heart rate monitor. The built in heart rate monitor is unusual to see with spin bikes at this price range. The only ones I’ve seen work with a heart rate strap that you need to supply yourself but they don’t have special workout programs.
If you just want to monitor your heart rate and have a strap you might consider the Schwinn IC2 (and don’t want any workout programs included) as you can see your heart rate on the display screen in front of you.
The drink bottle holder is located at the bottom of the frame near the pedals but is out of the way of them. The positioning of the holder there may lead to your bottle getting a little wet from sweat you drop as a result of your workouts.
The heart rate monitor is fairly accurate when compared with polar heart rate monitor but you do need to keep your hands on the handlebar sensors for it to pick up your pulse. If you like to keep adjusting the computer or ride with your hands in a different position the monitor is not going to work for you.
Pros
- It is suitable for a wide range of heights between 5 ft 2 ins and 6 ft 5 ins
- Comes with a console with 12 different pre-set workout programs plus you can set up your own program or ride it in manual mode
- Console is good for providing feedback to help to keep you motivated
- Gives a good stable ride that doesn’t move around when you are using it standing up or sitting down
- This bike is very quiet with magnetic resistance and bike drive
- 16 resistance levels are great for setting and keeping track of resistance for more certainty in workouts and comparing progress
Cons
- Needs to be plugged in to be able to use the bike which limits where it can be used and can’t be used when there is a power outage
- Adjusting the handlebars horizontally involve undoing 4 bolts and then doing them up again when you have the handlebars in position meaning it can sometimes be too involved for adjusting between users
- Need to have hands on the heart rate sensors to use the heart rate monitor
- The heart rate monitor seems to lag a few seconds in detecting heart rate making it difficult to use the heart rate controlled programs
- Resistance levels may not be enough for you if you are an experienced spinner or cyclist
- You can’t upload data from console to a fitness account online
Diamondback Fitness 510Ic Indoor Cycle Consumer Ratings
After going through the customer reviews online most people like the workout programs that come with the bike, the data you can see and that it gives a good solid ride without any swaying or side to side movement whether you are in the seat or standing.
However, there are some people not happy with this bike. Some of it is to do with customer service and in a few case it seems Diamondback have not acted as they should but most comments about the company’s service are positive.
There is an issue mentioned in a few reviews to do with resistance for the most hardened spinners and cyclists that it is not tough enough at hardest level for them to get the type of workout they want.
But they are the minority and most people using the bike will find the resistance more than adequate for their workout requirements.
Diamondback Fitness 510Ic Indoor Cycle Price
This is a middle of the range bike that gives you more features than you see on some more expensive spin bikes. For the money you get a quiet bike with a belt drive, magnetic resistance and a console with heart rate monitor and workout programs. Many spin bikes do not give this at any price.
Amazon had the bike and when I checked it had free shipping.
Review Summary
This bike will give you a rock solid ride no matter how hard you are working out on it. The magnetic resistance and console mean you can set resistance levels so you know exactly how hard you are working.
The console gives you 12 pre-set programs to get you started working out and testing yourself without having to come up with a program yourself. You get feedback on you are doing in the workout which helps you keep motivated.
It would be good if it would work without needing to be plugged in. But that is minor.
The horizontal adjustment of the handlebars is too involved to be done on a daily basis. Otherwise it can be adjusted easily to fit your size to make for a comfortable and effective workout.
Dedicated cyclists and spinners may find the highest level of resistance is not hard enough for them to get the type of workout they want. For everyone else this spin bike will give a great workout whether you follow along one of the pre-set programs or choose to follow along to a DVD or make up your own.