Horizon 5.0 IC Cycle Review | A Budget Bike Ride Inside

Dimensions/Storability

The Horizon 5.0 IC bike is pretty lightweight, at only 85 lbs. Comparable bikes typically weigh over 100 lbs. This should make it easy to move the bike. The front transportation wheels engage when the back end of the bike is tilted up. It is 47″ x 21″ x 45″, so finding enough room shouldn’t be too hard.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

In our experience testing and using exercise bikes, budget exercise bikes under $1000 tend not to include touch screens. The Horizon 5.0 falls at this price point and doesn’t include an attached touch screen. This is a good thing if you don’t want to be tied into a subscription or want the option of which fitness platform you can stream classes from.

The 5.0 IC has Bluetooth connectivity, so it can pair with apps like Peloton and Zwift to show your cadence in the app. You can also sync your workout metrics to Google Fit, Apple Health, Strava, and Fitbit.

The device rack above the console should hold your phone/tablet in place to view while you ride. You don’t have to follow along with a workout instructor or use an app for tracking, but by having the option to use your device while you ride, you can stream anything. You could even place the Horizon 5.0 IC in front of your television to watch something from a larger screen.

However, if you enjoy riding an indoor cycling bike, you have all kinds of options and aren’t tied into a monthly fee if you don’t want to be on the 5.0 IC Indoor Cycle.

Console

The console appears to be small and simple. The console displays your cadence, estimated calories, distance, heart rate, resistance level, speed, time, and watt output. The LCD window display is smaller than comparable bikes like the Bowflex C6. Most metrics should be visible, but the screen is tiny. We’re also unsure whether it is backlit, so it might not be best to use this bike in a dark room unless you don’t care about tracking your resistance level and other metrics.

While you can track your heart rate on the console, you will need to purchase a heart rate monitor separately.

The navigation buttons on the display—the start/stop, change display, and up and down arrow buttons—seem self-explanatory. We don’t expect this console to be difficult to use.

Something to note is that the console does not include onboard workouts. It is used for tracking metrics and connecting to third-party apps. It also appears to be how you adjust the magnetic resistance.

The Horizon 5.0 IC does have a red knob, but it is a brake to stop the flywheel when you’re pedaling. You must use the up/down arrows on the console to adjust the magnetic resistance. Since there are 100 resistance levels, the buttons make getting to a specific resistance level easier. The downside is that changing the bike’s resistance might take longer.

In addition to the device rack for your phone, there is a holder for your water bottle. It’s located below the brake. It appears plastic and reminds me of the one on the NordicTrack S27i. It might be flimsy, but it should work fine with most standard water bottles. I like its placement. However, you should use caution when getting on and off the Horizon 5.0 IC so you don’t kick your bottle.

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Build Quality

The Horizon 5.0 IC Indoor Cycle is a nicely designed budget option. At well under $1000, this bike is priced to appeal to a wider range of users. However, it is only said to handle up to 250 lbs. If you’re looking for an affordable bike with a higher limit, we recommend looking into the Bowflex C6.

We anticipate that this is a great bike for beginners and intermediate indoor cyclists.

Frame

The frame is pretty standard, with two stabilizers to support the bike. Under each stabilizer, there seem to be adjustable leveling feet to help prevent the bike from rocking. Just from looking at spec photos, though, it is unclear exactly how stable and hearty the 5.0 IC Indoor Cycle will be.

With the frame as light as it is, we are unsure how durable it will feel when riding. Since this is a new model from Horizon, it is also unclear how it will hold up over time. However, durability and stability shouldn’t be an issue if it is anything like their treadmills. Plus, we love the confidence Horizon gives with the lifetime warranty backing the frame.

Flywheel

The flywheel is front-mounted and weighted, which should make it smooth and consistent when riding. We like to see flywheels of at least 20-30 lbs on exercise bikes at this price point. The 5.0 IC has a 28.6 lb flywheel. This weight should make the pedal stroke feel smooth and contribute to the bike’s overall stability.

The Horizon 5.0 IC uses magnetic resistance, which is less damaging to the flywheel over time. Friction resistance uses felt pads that can wear down and generate sound, requiring more maintenance than bikes that use magnetic resistance. This type of resistance is a good indication that the 5.0 IC is probably pretty quiet to use.

Drive System

On the inside of the 5.0 IC is the drive system that connects the flywheel to the pedals. This is how you feel the resistance generated by the magnets on the flywheel. The 5.0 IC has a belt drive system, which should make the bike quiet.

Chain drive systems are commonly found on indoor cycling bikes. The chain requires regular maintenance and can make a grinding sound when pedaling. Belts require little to no maintenance and are practically silent (if not silent) to use.

I love that the Horizon 5.0 IC has hybrid pedals. One side of the pedals has toe cages for athletic shoes. Your foot fits into the toe cage, and the adjustable strap holds your foot in place. On the other side of the pedal is an SPD-compatible clip for cycling shoes. SPD clips are common on indoor and outdoor bikes, so most cycling shoes should work.

Handlebars And Saddle

The handlebars appear to be nice and offer many grip options. For riding in the first, second, and third position, you should have many options for hanging onto the handles. The coating on the handles looks smooth, but it is hard to see from the 5.0 IC Indoor Cycle pictures. The handles seem to have a nice amount of width for larger users.

When it comes to saddle comfort, this can be subjective. We also don’t know how comfortable the saddle is since we haven’t sat in it. Typically, on exercise bikes, though, they aren’t known for being the most comfortable. From experience, they can take some getting used to, especially if you’re new to indoor cycling.

The 5.0 IC saddle looks narrow and lightly padded, so we expect users to be able to ride for long periods without worrying about saddle sores.

The saddle moves up and down and forward and back for adjustability. Unfortunately, the handles only adjust vertically, not horizontally. In a future model, we would like to see 4-way adjustability. With four adjustment points, users can get better bike fits. Most people should be able to fit on the 5.0 IC, but adjusting the handles horizontally would be nice to see in an update.

Warranty

You can’t get much better than the warranty that Horizon offers with the purchase of the Horizon 5.0 IC Indoor Cycle. The lifetime warranty for the frame instills confidence in the build, and the 1-year parts and labor warranty is pretty standard compared to what other brands offer.

You can choose curbside shipping, in-room delivery, or white glove delivery. This way, you can decide whether to assemble the 5.0 IC yourself or have it put together by someone from Horizon.

Should You Buy the Horizon 5.0 IC Indoor Cycle

The Horizon 5.0 IC Indoor Cycle is a new exercise bike to hit the market. It is affordable, and we anticipate it will be quiet and appropriate for beginners, intermediates, and those looking for a budget bike. Although we haven’t tested it yet, the 5.0 IC looks like a well-made bike with thoughtful features like hybrid pedals, multi-grip handlebars, and a heavy flywheel.

We love that the frame is backed with a lifetime warranty and that the console connects to third-party apps through Bluetooth. If you’re looking for a budget indoor cycling bike that checks all these boxes, we recommend considering the Horizon 5.0 IC.

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Horizon 5.0 IC Indoor Cycle Q&A / FAQ

What is the best exercise bike for losing weight?

Any exercise bike that is durable enough for your routine and capable of providing adequate resistance can help you lose weight. Even a budget-friendly bike, like the Horizon 5.0 IC Indoor Cycle, could be a good option.

How long should you indoor cycle?

Beginners can start with indoor cycling routines as short as 5 to 15 minutes. More experienced cyclists can cycle anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes or even 90+ minutes. It depends on your goals. HIIT workouts yield great results in a very short time!

How do you turn on an indoor bike?

Most exercise bikes can be turned on by plugging in their electrical cords and switching a power button near the cord’s connection to the bike.

How do smart exercise bikes work?

A smart exercise bike typically refers to an exercise bike with a connected app. Most have touchscreen displays that require a subscription to access trainer-led content, structured workouts, games, and entertainment. A smart exercise bike may also have a simple display with Bluetooth connectivity to pair with third-party apps on your phone, tablet, or computer.

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