In this comparison of the Keiser M3 vs Lemond Revmaster Sport, these two big spin bike names go head to head, we answer the big question about whether the price difference is worth it for better performance, functionality and durability.
Both these bikes have an impressive modern look and are made with those who want to take their training seriously in mind, whether that is indoor training for their road bike or spinning and indoor cycling workouts.
Although there are similarities there are also a number of differences in how they approach giving a great cardio workout, that is like riding on a road bike indoors. These differences do give a different riding experience.
I’ve spent time investigating the bikes in detail and comparing them side by side. But before getting into contrasting them, here is a quick overview of the two bikes.
Keiser M3
This is the first of the M3 Indoor Cycle range.
The bike comes dual sided pedals for athletic shoe on one side and cleats for SPDs on the other side.
The bike can fit people between the heights of 4 ft 10 ins and 6ft 5 ins. The handlebars can be moved vertically and the seat can be adjusted horizontally and vertically to get the bike to fit you properly and to adjust it closely to an outdoor bike.
The angle of the handlebar stem is 45 degrees so as you move it upwards it gets further from you and vice versa. This can cause you to stretch or end up being cramped – this issue has been solved in later models .
The flywheel is at the back of the bike which takes it away from the sweat zones, so it doesn’t get damaged by it. The flywheel weight is 8 lbs which doesn’t have the inertia you get with heavy weighted flywheels to bring the pedals round at full pedal stroke.
However, it works with the magnetic resistance to provide an increasing level of resistance like you get on a road bike you just need to concentrate and have better form on your pedaling than with weighted flywheels.
It has a basic console that measures watts, cadence, time, distance (not miles or kilometres but Keiser’s own measurement), resistance level and heart rate if you supply a compatible heart rate strap.
Read more about the Keiser M3 in our full review here.
LeMond RevMaster Sport
The Lemond Revmaster has more of a traditional look than the Keiser M3 with the flywheel at the front of the bike.
The handlebars and seat can be micro-adjusted up/down and forwards/backwards to get the bike to fit people correctly between the heights of 4 ft 10 to 6 ft 6 inches.
The flywheel weighs 41 lbs to provide more inertia to pull pedals around the pedaling cycle which helps with proper form which is good when you are standing on the pedals. Resistance is provided by friction pad on the flywheel that is adjusted using the tension knob on the frame above the flywheel. There aren’t any guard protecting the flywheel or resistance so these will get seat on them that will need wiping off to prevent them being damaged and gumming up.
It doesn’t include a console nor does the company make a console for the bike. You can with a bit of DIY skills attach a bike computer but you do need to make adjustments to them and in particular to the spoke sensor/magnet.
Read the full review here.
How Do They Differ- The Facts
There are a number of features that differ with these bikes and will impact your decision on which one to go for:
Flywheel Weight. The Keiser M3 has an 8 lbs flywheel. This doesn’t pull the pedals through like the 41 lbs flywheel of the Revmaster. The M3 works with magnetic resistance so that you get the feel of increasing resistance the faster you pedal as you experience on the road but you do miss the rolling down the road and you do need to ensure you have a good pedal stroke.
The Revmaster works like a traditional spin bike where your feet get pulled through the pedal stoke and once started you get a fluid and natural stroke which helps to give a better 360 degree pedal stroke which helps you when you are standing out of the saddle on the pedals. The Keiser M3 doesn’t help your pedal stroke but does give you the varying resistance.
Resistance. The bikes have different resistance systems and there are advantages/disadvantages between the two with magnetic resistance having more of them than the friction resistance but it does cost more.
The M3 has magnetic resistance provides you with cleaner, silent and low maintenance resistance. It also works with the console to give you levels of resistance which gives you an objective way to set it as you work through workouts/training rather than remembering to turn know a quarter turn you get with friction resistance.
Friction pad resistance as comes with the LeMond can sometimes feel like you are riding with the brake on when not properly adjusted. You need to keep it properly adjusted and replace the pads when they wear down.
Pedals. The M3 comes with dual pedals with one side fitting athletic shoes and the other comes with cleats for SPD shoes. The Revmaster has just toe cages for athletic shoes however you can buy dual sided pedals.
Q Factor. The Lemond has a narrower Q Factor that keeps your legs more aligned reducing stress on the joints that some people find when they ride the Keiser M3. It can feel particularly uncomfortable if you ride an outdoor bike with some people describing like having a barrel between your legs. It can cause injuries in some people(See more on Q Factor here).
Adjustability. The Lemond Revmaster has fully adjustable seat and handlebars which makes getting the fit just right for efficient workouts and getting set up like a road bike. The Keiser M3 does have more of an issue than most spin bikes that don’t have horizontal moving handlebars because the vertical adjustment is at 45 degrees – this takes handlebars further away from you as you increase the height and vice versa. This problem was resolved with the Keiser M3 Plus (not available – now see M3i)
Console. The Keiser M3 has a basic console that has been certified accurate within 10% plus or minus. It displays data on watts, calories, distance, speed, resistance level and heart rate (if you supply a compatible heart rate strap).
Maintenance. With the magnetic resistance and belt drive the Keiser M3 is a very low maintenance bike as they don’t need adjusting. With LeMond you need to do this with the resistance pads.
Price
The Keiser M3 can be more than the Lemond Revmaster Sport at time of checking. So what does that get you.
You get a basic console, magnetic resistance, dual pedals which are all premium features that explain the increase in price. The dual pedals for the LeMond can be bought for extra, a console for a spin bike, even and magnetic resistance (although there isn’t something to directly compare – I looked at the difference for the Bodycraft SPT & SPT-Mag) to check differentials.
But there are some things that need to be considered as they reduce the benefits of Keiser M3.
The lighter flywheel as well as costing less to manufacture also produces a different riding sensation.
The handlebars don’t move backward/forwards which can make it difficult to get it to fit some people, where as the Lemond Revmaster is fully adjustable making it more likely to fit correctly and set up like an outdoor bike.
Both bikes have excellent ratings with the Keiser M3 being the more popular of the 2 bikes. The Keiser M3i which costs an extra is fully adjustable and makes for a much more efficient and more comfortable fit.
Which Model Should You Buy
There is no doubt the Keiser M3 is a quality bike but there are some provisos. If you want to use it for spinning you need to be prepared for the different feel of the pedaling motion and that you won’t get the aggressive inertia of the flywheel helping with pedal stroke when you stand on the pedals.
Then there is the fit and the Q factor to consider. For some people this bike is going to be uncomfortable and may cause injury due to the stress on the joints because they can’t adjust the bike to fit them and their legs being out of alignment. Having said that many people have no issues with the bike and enjoy their purchase for many years.
The Lemond Revmaster is able to be better set up for people with it being fully adjusted. The narrower Q factor feels more like a bike and your legs are more aligned making it easier on the legs and reducing risk of injury. It doesn’t have a console or SPD pedal as standard.
If you choose the Keiser M3 I’d look at spending the extra for the Keiser M3 plus to be able to better fit the bike to those that are going to use it.
Compare – Side By Side – Features and Dimensions
With this chart you can compare the two bikes side by side with their dimensions, accessories and their features.
| Feature | Keiser M3 | Lemond Revmaster |
|---|---|---|
| Flywheel Weight | 8 lbs | 41 lbs |
| Resistance Type | Magnetic | Friction |
| Pedals | Dual Toe cages/SPD | Toe cages |
| Bike Weight | 85 lbs | 110 lbs |
| Max User Weight | 300 lbs | 300 lbs |
| Max User Height | 4 ft 10 ins | 4 ft 10 ins |
| Min User Height | 6 ft 5 ins | 6 ft 6 ins |
| Handlebars Adjustability | Horizontal | Horizontal/Vertiical |
| Seat Adjustability | Horizontal/Vertiical | Horizontal/Vertiical |
| Dimensions | Height 45 ins Width 26 ins Length 49 ins | Height: 46 ins Width: 23 ins Length: 42 ins |
| Drive Type | Belt | Bely |
| Resistance | Magnetic | Friction |
| Console | Yes | No |
After looking at all the facts and information did one stand out for you. I hope you’ve now be able to buy your new bike. Please let me know what you think in the comments below. Enjoy your workouts
I spinn at a gym as I like the class atmosphere and comradity. The gym was a locally owned gym until LA Fitness bought them out four years ago. First three years LA Fitness used BAC equipments and the spinning bikes flywheel weight was around 30 lbs. LA Fitness built new gym and bought spinning bikes similar to the Keizer M3+. Loved the BAC bikes a lot more and their bikes were always in need of adjustment. Will keep on spinning!
Great to hear you’re enjoying your exercise.