Aviron Fit Bike Review | Work Hard, Play Hard

Dimensions/Storability

The Aviron Fit Bike isn’t too hard to move around, though it is easier to move on hard flooring than carpets.

Exercise bikes are much easier to move around than treadmills or ellipticals—take it from me; I have plenty of firsthand experience. As far as exercise bikes are concerned, the Aviron Fit Bike is fairly simple to move. It doesn’t weigh too much at 139 lbs, and it is easy to lift by one stabilizer and wheel around.

When assembling the bike, you can place the stabilizer with wheels in the front or the back. I prefer to have it in the front so that I don’t accidentally hit my head on the screen when lifting the bike. If you choose this orientation, just be careful not to hit the bike screen into a wall or anything.

The stabilizers are interchangeable, allowing you to put the wheels where they are most convenient for you.

Aviron lists the Fit Bike’s dimensions at 62.5” L x 22” W x 60.5” H, but I expanded the bike to its maximum limit and got about 55” L x 22” W x 60.5” H. I don’t know if this extra length is intended to give you more space around the bike, but in that case, I would expect more room to be added around the width of the bike, too. Regardless, it’s not too hard to find a place for the Fit Bike.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

If you are motivated by fun and games, the Aviron Fit Bike is the perfect exercise incentive.

There are two things you ought to know about the Aviron Fit Bike right away, and they may seem a little conflicting. First, the Fit Bike is made for the Aviron training platform with its games, competitions, and trainer-led workouts. Second, the bike is functional without a subscription—train in manual mode, add friends, and earn achievements.

The Aviron subscription costs $29/month when you pay monthly or $24/month when you pay yearly. If you already have a rower or treadmill with an Aviron subscription, you have to pay $10/month to add on the bike. So, Aviron is more affordable than services like iFIT and Peloton, but only if you have a single Aviron machine.

Aviron Games

My first ride on the Fit Bike was with Sky Quest, and I was pleasantly surprised by how fun it was.

Look, the Aviron won’t have you throwing out your Xbox or PlayStation any time soon. It’s more on par with mobile games in terms of quality, but it got me grinning and spinning. The Aviron approach is a really clever strategy that uses the addictive nature of games to get you on your exercise bike time after time.

The games are third-person shooter games, brick breakers, racing games, and infinite runner games. They are really fun and great for bringing out my competitive side. You can tackle these games on your own or allow other Aviron users to join your workout. I think the team-based games are really fun, especially if you have friends who also train with Aviron.

The Aviron games remind me of mobile games with their bubbly characters and bright colors.

Many of the Aviron games run for an infinite amount of time. I struggled with these games because I’m a very goal-oriented person. I had a hard time scaling my effort level and sticking with the games for a long time. If you have a workout in mind or a training plan, these games could be a good fit for you.

I did really well with the timed games. I wish you could set a time goal for the other games. I get that some exercisers may be so immersed in the game that the minutes just fly by, but that wasn’t the case for me. Fortunately, Aviron has such a wide variety of classes that every gamer should be able to find a style they like.

Sky Quest was my favorite game and the one that got me smiling like I mentioned earlier. You play as a car (or other vehicle) flying through the air along a set course. You can’t steer side to side, but your training intensity steers you up and down. Your objective is to fly through hoops to earn points and avoid thunderclouds. It isn’t timed either, but there is a set course distance, allowing you to complete as many laps as you want.

One of the most interesting features of the games is the ability to jump into an ongoing workout with your friends or other Aviron subscribers. I enjoyed dropping in and competing against other users or working together, depending on the game objective.

You can also compete against bots instead of other Aviron users. And yes, I’m there in last.

One of the other games I played was a great dupe of the Peloton Lane Break game. I don’t think Peloton was the first to come up with a game where you stay in a specific lane to accrue points, but that is what it reminded me of.

Power Play provides a nice blend of an interval workout and a fun game. I forget I’m doing a workout.

Unfortunately, in this game, on the Fit Bike, I realized that the miles per hour didn’t seem accurate. No matter how hard I tried to pedal consistently, I was zooming back and forth all over the track, changing lanes. While I’m sure I’m not the best at hitting a set cycling output, I noticed when I joined other Aviron users that they were having the same issue. I hope this issue will be resolved with a future update.

While I could go on and on about the games available on Aviron, this review would get ridiculously long. I’ll have to leave it at: new games are added all the time, and if you like a gamified training experience, this is a great option.

Training Classes and Structured Workouts

Watch out, Peloton and NordicTrack; Aviron has trainer-led classes, too!

Aviron has studio classes and simpler preset workouts. These add great variety to the platform. They are also great if you like a more structured workout with a limited time and guidance for training intensity.

I wouldn’t put the classes on par with Peloton or NordicTrack, but I still think they are worth taking. I liken them more to Echelon or Bowflex’s trainer-led classes. Aviron should keep producing these classes, but I don’t think the main draw to the Fit Bike is this type of content.

Apps

The Aviron Fit Bike has Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, YouTube, Paramount, Max, and more.

Aviron outdoes the competition with its entertainment app offerings. You can train while watching Netflix, listening to Spotify, and more. The Avriron platform receives frequent updates, so it’s very likely that more apps will be added. Yet, I think it is one of the best on the market, considering what it has now. The only downside is that you can’t access them without a paid membership to Aviron.

You can connect the Aviron Fit Bike with outside training apps, too. I connected the bike with Zwift, though you can’t view it on the screen, and there is nowhere to rest your phone or tablet for viewing on the bike. You can also connect your accounts on Strava, Apple Health, and more.

Console

You can tilt the screen up and down and rotate it side to side.

The focus of the console is the 22” touchscreen. It rotates side to side, so you can view Aviron’s strength classes, too. The screen quality is nice. I had no trouble viewing or interacting with the screen while I was cycling.

Though there are few console buttons, you really don’t need any more.

The console has buttons for exiting out of a screen and for adjusting the resistance. There are also buttons on the right side of the screen to adjust the volume. The minimal offscreen buttons were fine because many of the Aviron classes automatically set your resistance level.

The speakers are located on either side of the touchscreen, so you can hear the audio clearly.

Front-facing speakers allow you to hear all of the audio clearly. However, you can pair Bluetooth headphones if you prefer. The Fit Bike is noisier than other studio bikes, but I had no trouble hearing the audio over the bike itself.

Bluetooth also lets you pair a compatible heart rate monitor with the bike. My Garmin watch connected just fine, and you can also connect Apple watches, Whoops, Polar heart rate monitors, and more.

The Fit Bike has some storage. There are two water bottle holders. They can also hold your phone, though you can’t easily see anything on your phone screen. You have the option to buy a Fit Bike package that comes with a pair of 3-lb dumbbells, and there are holders for this set.

Two 3-lb dumbbells can be stored on the rack behind the saddle.

Additional upgrades available for the Fit Bike include a bike mat, SPD pedals, a comfort saddle, and a Quick Adjust resistance remote.

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Build Quality

Aviron had a lot to live up to, considering how much we at TRG liked the Aviron rowing machines. The Fit Bike’s quality allowed me to tackle workouts without worries.

Frame

Aviron’s unique aesthetic makes the Fit Bike pleasing to look at, and I like that it’s just as functional.

The steel frame is very sturdy. It supports up to 350 lbs, which is well above the industry standard. The stabilizers have adjustable feet to keep the bike from rocking if you have an uneven floor, which I appreciate.

My one qualm is with the plastic pieces on the adjustment knobs and the plastic in the seat and handlebar posts. These plastic pieces had a tendency to move around or, in the case of the plastic covers on the knobs, fall out. Nothing broke, and all I had to do was pop it back in place. Still, it was a little disappointing, even if the issue only arose when I made adjustments to the saddle or handlebar positioning.

For example, this orange piece moved around some when I made adjustments to the saddle, but it took me about 0.2 seconds to fix.

Drive Train

I had to combine the flywheel, pedals, and drive in this section because I don’t think I can do it justice otherwise. The drive train is very different from competitors like NordicTrack, Peloton, and Bowflex. The freewheeling mechanism and the chain drive are responsible for this different feel. It feels grittier and more difficult to ride out of the saddle.

This bike has more grit than most exercise bikes, thanks to its chain drive, but do you have the grit to match?

The chain drive makes the Aviron Fit Bike louder than belt-drive bikes. It’s not as loud as an air bike, like the Concept2 BikeERg, but I think the two feel similar in their performance. It’s also a bit like the CAROL Bike, which is a more traditional studio bike that allows freewheeling.

Because the Fit Bike allows freewheeling, it does not have a brake on the frame. You can stop pedaling whenever you want, and the pedals will disengage so that the flywheel can keep spinning on its own. It won’t drag your legs along if you want to stop suddenly.

The flywheel keeps spinning even when I stop pedaling.

The Fit Bike feels and sounds different, but I think it delivers a workout on par with other studio bikes. I think it also reaches a broader audience by appealing to cyclists looking for a bike trainer. The Fit Bike feels more like riding a road bike with a chain drive.

As for the pedals themselves, you have the option to get flat pedals with toe cages, or you can upgrade to SPD pedals. I don’t have cycling-specific shoes, so I just went with the standard. I really like the quality of them, and they kept my feet well secured.

I used the default pedals with toe cages, but you can upgrade to SPD clipless pedals.

Resistance

We typically differentiate between only two types of resistance: friction and magnetic. However, the Aviron Fit Bike has another option that separates them from the competition. Electromagnetic resistance provides 16 individual levels of resistance on the Aviron Bike. It adjusts faster than magnetic resistance because there are no magnets to move.

Note: Aviron states that there are 160 resistance levels, but the levels count by ten. There are only 16 levels that you can actually adjust between.

Handlebars & Saddle

Aviron came through with multiple points of adjustment on the Fit Bike. You can adjust the saddle up and down and horizontally. The handlebar post adjusts up and down and horizontally, too. You can also angle the handlebars up or down with the help of an Allen wrench.

These adjustments make the bike suitable for cyclists 5’1” to 6’8”.

It’s not the best option for shorter cyclists. I’m 5’4”, and I was almost at the lowest saddle height, for reference.

This saddle is the upgraded cloud seat—a comfort saddle available with an upgraded Fit Bike package.

As for comfort, I used the cloud seat, which is the upgraded seat option. It feels very comfortable. If you are a new cyclist, I recommend getting this upgrade. It will help reduce saddle soreness, but experienced cyclists should be fine with the standard saddle.

These handlebars are more adjustable than most because they can angle up and down.

The handlebars have a few different grip options. They also have a nice texture to keep your hands from slipping around while you are training. I missed having a center grip, but not having it makes the handlebars more adjustable, so I will accept it.

Warranty

Aviron offers an interesting warranty with the Fit Bike. With the bike, you get a 10-year frame warranty and a 1-year parts warranty. However, you can pay $9/month to get a lifetime warranty (or a warranty for as long as you subscribe). This offer is untraditional for fitness equipment—at least from what I have reviewed. You’ll have to decide for yourself if it is worth it.

Should You Buy the Aviron Fit Bike

If scrolling through social media or playing mobile games distracts you from exercising, the Aviron Fit Bike is an excellent solution. It has tons of relaxed and competitive games. If your vice is Netflix, you are also in luck because the Fit Bike has it and several other streaming apps. The only downside is that these features require a monthly subscription to Aviron, but it’s cheaper than top competitors.

What sets the Aviron Fit Bike apart from competitors is the drive train and resistance. It uses a chain drive and allows freewheeling, so it feels more like a road bike. The Fit Bike uses electromagnetic resistance, allowing the intensity to adjust quicker than traditional magnetic resistance.

I recommend the Aviron Fit Bike for anyone who loves fun and is up for a truly innovative experience. This indoor cycle is for you!

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Aviron Fit Bike Q&A / FAQ

Does Aviron require a subscription?

The Aviron Fit Bike and Aviron’s rowing machines can be used without a subscription, but they are designed for use with one. Without a subscription, you can train in manual mode, viewing the metrics screen. You can keep your workout history, earn achievements, and add friends on Aviron. You cannot access games or entertainment apps.

How much is Aviron per month?

Aviron is $29 per month when you subscribe monthly. When you pay for an annual membership, it comes out to $24 per month. If you already have an Aviron subscription for an Aviron rower, you can add on the bike for an additional $10 per month.

Can you watch Netflix on the Aviron Fit Bike?

Yes, with an active Aviron membership, you can watch Netflix. You can also watch Max, Paramount Plus, YouTube, Disney+, and Prime Video.

Did Aviron pay you for this review?

No, Aviron does not pay us to review their equipment. They sent us the Aviron Fit Bike for free to review, but we received no additional compensation for the review. If you choose to purchase an Aviron Fit Bike using our link, we will earn a commission for your purchase. However, this does not increase the cost for you.

You can trust our reviews because we work with many other brands in addition to Aviron. We strive to keep our reviews as unbiased as possible to ensure you are paired with the right exercise equipment.

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