Concept2 BikeERG Review

This Concept2 BikeERG review is about the Concept2 BikeErg, which is the company’s most recent sport-specific ergometer. This BikeERG is a stationary exercise bike that comes with the same Performance Monitor and flywheel as the SkiErg and Concept2 Indoor Rower.

In the field of air resistance machines, Concept2 has been at the forefront for quite some time, with their rowing and cross-country skiing options leading the pack. I think many users would find the Concept2 BikeErg to be a terrific addition to their home gyms, and we’ll go over all the reasons why in this review.

Our Verdict

The Concept2 BikeErg is an economical solution for high-quality training. Designed for home and commercial use, Concept2’s indoor exercise bike brings diversity to workouts for general conditioning, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), rehabilitation, warm-up, and recovery. It’s simple to use for a variety of workouts.

It has the same flywheel technology as the Concept2 RowErg and Skiergerg, as well as self-tensioning polygroove belts, which provide a wide range of resistance and make the cycling quiet and smooth.

By adjusting the damper and cadence, you can control the difficulty of your ride, ranging from a leisurely stroll to the hardest slopes. The BikeErg is suitable for athletes of all levels of ability. The adjustable handlebars can be adjusted forward and backward, as well as up and down. Three distinct handlebar riding positions offer a range of comfort and efficiency choices.

A tool-free ratcheting mechanism enables quick and easy adjustment of the seat height. Standard bicycle components may be used to personalize the pedals, seat, and handlebars. The frame is black powder-coated, and the posts are gray anodized aluminum.

Concept2 BikeERG Review

The Concept2 BikeErg is the latest product from the company in its collection of sports ergometers. In fact, the BikeERG is an indoor exercise bike that shares the same flywheel and monitor that have identical performance as the flywheel and a monitor in the Concept2 Indoor RowERGs and SkiERGs.

For many years, Concept2 was known to be the market leader in air resistance equipment for rowing and cross-country skiing. So, when you buy BikeERG, you get both the health benefits of cycling and the resistance of the air in your home.

Air resistance works by allowing air to pass through the flywheel and resisting the flywheel blades, resulting in resistance. This system simply allows you to create infinite levels of resistance.

The strength of the resistance will depend on how hard you pedal. The more air is drawn into the flywheel, the greater the resistance produced. So, there is a strong assumption here that more powerful cyclists will naturally produce air resistance because of the extra effort they put into pedaling.

Similar to the Concept2 rower, the BikeERG has a damper that allows you to regulate the allowable amount of air that needs to pass through the flywheel. The dumper works similarly to the outdoor bike transmission system. You can adjust the resistance in two ways: either by using the dumper lever or by giving the pedals more effort while pedaling.

It is also well known that Concept2 is the inventor of the RowERG, which has been used for a long time and is a good sports machine. Next in their successful products comes SkiERG which runs on the same system. However, with the rise in demand for indoor bikes, Concept2 with BikeERG has one of the most competitive indoor bikes that are both high-quality and durable.

Performance

Concept2 ERG ensures comfortable cycling. Although the belt drive mechanism significantly reduces noise, as this is still an air-resistant flywheel, it is obvious that there will be some turning sounds while driving. The BikeERG, on the other hand, provides a steady cadence, and the fan’s repetitive nature is very calming when cycling. As always, I like the PM5 monitor because it’s easy to use and has a lot of training options.

The positive thing is that you do not have to plug the bike into the power supply. It allows you to set it up wherever you want. Before you can begin riding, you must turn on the bike, wait for the app to start, select your program, and wait for it to load. Simply mount the BikeERG and begin pedaling. The PM5 will start immediately and you’re ready to go.

There is no waiting period, no buffering period, and no lag period while getting started. Additionally, the BikeERG’s four adjustment points make it an extremely pleasant bike to ride. Almost any user of any size should be able to find the perfect fit on the BikeERG.

While I like the extra accessories, I’d love to see the pedals equipped with a toe clip for even more safety. This is a highly recommended upgrade. However, you may ride the BikeERG in any sports shoe, but cleated cycling shoes are not necessary.

The BikeERG, like other products from Concept2, is a high-quality machine that delivers a comfortable, intense workout for cyclists of all fitness levels.

Lightweight and Durable Frame

When you compare the dimensions, which are 48 inches in length, 24 inches in width, and 40.5 inches in height (LxWxH), you will realize that the BikeErg is noticeably longer than the average spin bike. This gives the BikeERG a shape that looks more like a road bike. This is not always a positive or negative thing, but it is worth considering if your workout area is restricted.

Although BikeErg uses a fan flywheel, it still differs from real fan bikes in design. Specifically, it does not have upper body training handles like the Schwinn AD6 Airdyne exercise bike, which is a true example of a fan exercise bike that offers full-body training. That’s why the BikeErg looks more like an exercise bike. This is a great thing for those looking for this type of exercise bike.

Otherwise, the BikeERG’s frame is primarily made of aluminum, which makes it far lighter than it seems. A fully assembled BikeERG weighs about 68 lb (31 kg). That is less than half the weight of most exercise bikes. This makes it quite easy to transport the bike around your home gym.

The fact that the bike is lightweight does not indicate its frame is not durable. The BikeErg is capable of securely supporting people weighing up to 300 lbs (136 Kg). This is about average for indoor exercise bikes, but most cyclists will be happy with it.

Also, I want to mention that the frame has a black powder coating, which not only complements its look but also serves as a protective layer against scratches. In general, the BikeERG’s frame is lightweight and durable, which makes it easy to move if necessary.

Portability

For better portability, the BikeERG under the front stabilizer has wheels that assist you in relocating the bike everywhere you want. Fortunately, the BikeERG is a lot lighter than other exercise bikes, so you won’t have any trouble moving it.

All you have to do is tilt the bike and slowly roll it to a specific location. But, before you do that, make sure things such as the Smartphone and water bottle are removed from the bike.

Battery Powered

To operate, the BikeERG console does not need to be plugged into a power outlet in your home, as is the case with a number of indoor exercise bikes. Batteries are required instead. This means that you do not have to place the bike near a power outlet. This gives you a lot of freedom in where to put your exercise bike. You can simply exercise anywhere in your home where there is room for its dimensions.

Flywheel and Resistance

At first glance, you might think that the Concept2 BikeERG is one of the many traditional spinning bikes on the market. However, this model differs from them in several ways. One of the main differences is the concept of the flywheel, which is responsible for creating resistance.

Namely, on the classic spinning bikes, to create resistance when cycling, they have a weighted flywheel. The difference with the Concept2 BikeERG is that instead of a weighted flywheel, it uses a fan system. In this type of system, the flywheel has blades similar to those of a fan that resist the wind and create resistance.

So the faster you pedal, the greater the resistance you feel. You just get the feeling of riding a real bike on the road. This is one of the main reasons why serious cyclists prefer a fan-type exercise bike.

Another positive thing is that you do not have a limit on the amount of resistance you can get from a fan bike. So once again, the harder you pedal the more resistance you get. But like many concepts, this concept of creating resistance has its drawbacks. Specifically, when cycling, the flywheel blades create a certain level of noise. I personally think this should not be a big deal.

However, fan flywheels, like the one featured on the BikeErg, are noisier than other resistance systems, which is something to consider if you plan to exercise while other family members sleep. But the good thing is that this bike doesn’t feature chain drive; actually, it is a belt-driven exercise bike. This means that exercise bikes with a belt-driven mechanism create less noise than those that feature chain drive systems.

The fan mechanism utilized on the BikeErg is the same as the one used on the RowERG and SkiErg. This indicates that it has been thoroughly tested and proved to be efficient. In addition to creating resistance when pedaling, you can also influence the resistance by using the flywheel dumper. The damper regulates the amount of air that passes through the fan, so more air means more resistance.

The idea of Concept2 is that the settings on the flywheel damper should simulate the gears of a real road bike. So changing the settings of the damper on the BikeERG is like shifting into a harder gear on the road bike. Therefore, if you desire greater resistance, either cycle faster (raising the cadence) or change the damper setting. Combining the two considerably increases the level of difficulty.

You can adjust the damper by using the lever that is located on the flywheel. The lever is easily accessible while riding. But it would be great if you could control the damper via a gear shift directly on the handlebars. I think this is one thing that Concept2 should improve on their BikeERGin the future.

In general, the flywheel on the BikeErg is of high quality and has been proven to be efficient over time. It can give you any amount of resistance you want, and the damper settings let you change the way you ride.

Standard Road Bike Seat

Comfort and Design

Now let’s say something about the BikeERG seat. First of all, the BikeERG is designed to use standard road seats to get the same feeling as riding a real bike. When it comes to the comfort and design of the BikeERG seat compared to its competitors’ seats, comfort is not its main feature. This type of seat can be uncomfortable for most beginners. But this is until they get used to them.

But the good thing is that you can easily replace it with any other more comfortable racing seat. As a general rule, the seats on most bikes for riding on the road, racing, or exercising indoors are thin and not very cushioned.

But the reason for this narrow and slightly cushioned design is justified by practical reasons: if you ride long distances or practice intense and strenuous cycling, you want to have as few contact points of friction as possible between the saddle and the back part of your body.

Another reason is that overfilling can increase the risk of pain in the seats and create favorable conditions for the accumulation of bacteria. Because the BikeERG is a racing bike, the saddle isn’t very padded, and it has a surface material that is easy to sanitize and sweat-resistant compared to other racing saddles.

Vertical Adjustment of the Seat

Otherwise, you can adjust the BikeErg seat up and down, but the big disadvantage is that there is no option for front and rear adjustment. This can be a problem for people of different sizes.

But, it can also be noticed that the seat post is slightly tilted at a certain angle backwards. So when you adjust the seat upward, it moves away, i.e., it increases the distance between the handlebars and the seat. Or when lowering the seat, the distance between the handlebars and the seat is reduced.

It is crucial to find the most suitable fit for the bike. If the seat is too low, you will have knee pain. If the seat is too high, then the chances of getting groin pain are high. So, with the adjustment of the seat horizontally and vertically, both of these and other unwanted side effects will be avoided.

However, more cyclists can find the right seat position. But still, it would be nice if the seat was fully adjustable in all directions. So, from a positive point of view, it is good that BikeERG uses a standard bicycle seat that allows you to replace it with a seat that suits you or your favorite.

Fully Adjustable Handlebars

If the seat adjustment was a negative feature of the BikeERG then this is not the case with the handlebars. Namely, the handles are fully adjustable. This means you can easily adjust both the horizontal and vertical positions of the handlebars. This, in some ways, improves the lack of seat adjustability.

You are allowed 10 inches of height adjustment and 7 inches of horizontal adjustment, which provides plenty of customizing choices. Moreover, the handlebars are multi-grip. Actually, they provide you with 3 different grip choices for cycling.

Pedals

The BikeERG pedals are basic and flat. These are compatible with virtually any athletic shoe. There is no adjustable strap to keep your foot firmly on the pedal when cycling.

The majority of cyclists switch out their pedals for the ones they normally use. The pedal crank threads are standard and are compatible with the majority of indoor and road bike pedals. Additionally, the seat may be replaced as needed. In general, there is nothing really unique to say about pedals.

Performance Monitor 5 (PM5)

Wireless Connectivity

To ensure the success of their new product, Concept2 made an excellent decision to integrate into their exercise bike their popular Performance Monitor 5, or so-called PM5. It is one of the most advanced rowing machine monitors on the market, and it makes its rowers stand out from the rest. The PM5 console is large enough to allow you to easily view all the information. It can show all of the important cycling data, like cadence, pace, watts, and calories.

The great thing about the Performance Monitor 5 (PM5) is that it can support Bluetooth and ANT+. This lets the Concept2 BikeERG work with the majority of heart rate monitors or chest straps and fitness applications. Also, from Concept2, you can download the ErgData app straight to your Smartphone and sync it with PM5. This allows you to save all your workout statistics.

Also, it enables you to track and share your fitness statistics. When comparing the PM5 with the consoles of most air bikes, it is obvious that it is more advanced and, most importantly, has a larger screen.

Several Pre-Programmed Workouts

The PM5 comes with a variety of pre-programmed workouts. Actually, it features both basic cycling workouts and exciting cycling challenges.

Online Logbook for Concept2 BikeERG

If you are one of those cyclists who needs more responsibility and challenges, Concept2 has a solution for you too. In fact, you can download the Concept2 BikeERG online logbook where you can record all your workouts. There are also various challenging workouts available throughout the year, such as the Million Meter Club.

Using the Performance Monitor 5

In order to use the PM5 features more efficiently, Concept2 offers detailed tutorials, which you can read on their Concept2 PM5 features page here.

The Level of Noise

As previously stated, because the Concept2 BikeERG is an air bike that has a flywheel with blades, it is normal for it to make some noise when you use it. Anyway, the BikeERG is quieter than most air bikes that have open flywheels with thick blades. However, it is noisier than any magnetic indoor exercise bike.

Although there are many quieter indoor exercise bikes on the market, one of the main reasons why the Concept2 BikeERG is a popular choice for cyclists is its air resistance feature.

Warranty

When it comes to the warranty, the BikeERG comes with the following warranty:

For the frame, you will get 5 years, for the parts only 2 years, and Concept2 offers 30 days of money back. I don’t know about you, but I think that the warranty for the BikeERG is one of the biggest downsides. It is obvious that for an air bike of this caliber, everyone would expect a lifetime warranty.

Two years on components is acceptable, but not exceptional. Because the majority of high-quality exercise bikes come with a two-to-five-year warranty for the components, the BikeErg comes with a shorter warranty.

A 30-day money-back guarantee, on the other hand, is quite appealing. If you don’t like your product for any reason, you can get a refund in the first 30 days. You are only charged for shipping.

I think it would be great if they extended the warranty. This is the same warranty they give on their famous Concept2 RowErg, which never breaks down.

Final Thoughts

I think the BikeERG, like other products from Concept2, is an excellent bike for training. It is a lightweight bike that can handle cyclists that weigh up to 300 pounds (136 kg).

In addition, the bike does not need to be plugged in to run. It comes with a PM5 monitor that allows you to do lengthy and strenuous workouts. Thanks to the air resistance, you will have a wonderful and truly challenging experience while cycling.

There are no special buttons or settings for adjusting the air resistance. Simply, it can be controlled by the damper and your pedal cadence. The advantages of this approach are that it provides a very natural-feeling cycling that reacts instantaneously to your power and cadence.

The damper allows you to modify the resistance when pedaling to a certain level, so it’s not only cadence. This provides you with more control over the training and the resistance. Otherwise, the Concept2 BikeERG features a powder-coated black frame, and its dimensions allow you to place it anywhere in your home gym.

If from this Concept2 BikeERG review you realized that this is not the exercise bike you are looking for, you can as well check my list of the best indoor exercise bikes here where I hope that you can find the type of exercise bike you like.