I would be lying if I told you I didn’t occasionally use subscription content to guide my workouts. Of course I do. Not only is it part of my job, but it’s also fun to use. However, I train without guidance more often than not. I also have zero loyalty to any one service and prefer to train with a mixture, so I can’t commit myself to an exercise bike that locks me into one type of training.
The Sole SB900 meets my demands for a bike without a subscription training service. It doesn’t have a touchscreen, but it has all the other features I need for a great workout. Rather than adding features to a bike, I’ve often found touchscreens limiting. Your phone or tablet probably has more features than a built-in display, making the tablet holder on the SB900 more valuable.
Choosing a Sole exercise bike has a few benefits that help the SB900 stand out from the competition. In the following review, learn why we would pick the SB900 and what we wish was improved on it.
Sole SB900 Review: Bottom Line
Sole SB900 vs. Similar Exercise Bikes
When testing the Sole SB900, we were able to draw from our experience using other equipment from Sole and compare the bike directly to bikes like the Sole SB1200, BowFlex C6, and the NordicTrack S22i.
 Sole SB900 |  Bowflex C6 |  NordicTrack S22i |  Peloton Bike |  Sole SB1200 | |
| Price (MSRP) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | The Sole SB900 simplifies the exercise bike to ensure you don't pay for anything superfluous but still have all the features you need for a quality workout. | The Bowflex C6 has a simple, compact, yet sturdy design that you can pair with your phone or just hop on and ride. | FIT and the inclining and declining frame make this an extremely interactive and fun exercise bike. | The Peloton Bike has earned its place as one of the most notorious exercise bikes with premium training content from the best instructors backed by playlists you’ll love. | The SB1200 is a heavy-duty bike that offers streaming from Netflix, has screen mirroring, and includes trainer-led workout videos. |
| Awards Earned | |||||
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
| Product | Sole SB900 | Bowflex C6 | NordicTrack S22i | Peloton Bike | Sole SB1200 |
| Workout Experience | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
| Specs / Features | 7 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Dimensions / Storability | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
| On-Board Workouts & Apps | 7 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Build Quality | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Overall Score | 78 | 84 | 90 | 84 | 83 |
| # of Onboard Workouts | 10 | 1 | 2 | 1 | Hundreds |
| Paid Programming - Cost | N/A | N/A | iFIT - $39/month | $44/month | N/A |
| Netflix / 3rd Party Apps | N/A | N/A | Netflix, Prime Video (Beta Testing) | Netflix, Disney+, Max, YouTube TV, NBA | YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Max, Peacock, Hulu, Spotify, ESPN, CNN, Audible, Kinomap |
| Display | Compact digital display | Backlit LCD | 22” rotating HD touchscreen | 22” touchscreen | 10.1” Android-powered touchscreen |
| Dimensions (In Use) | 54"L x 21"W x 51"H | 54.6" L x 30.7" W x 51.8" H | 61” L x 22” W x 58” H | 59” L x 23” W x 53” H | 57” L x 21” W x 63” H |
| Pedal Type | Hybrid pedals - SPD/toe clip | Hybrid | Hybrid | Delta | Hybrid |
| # of Adjustment Points | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Bike Weight | 123 lbs | 113.6 lbs | 205 lbs (in box) | 135 lbs | 127 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 300 lbs | 330 lbs | 350 lbs | 297 lbs | 330 lbs |
| Flywheel Weight | 35 lbs | 40 lbs | 32 lbs | 30 lbs | 35.27 lbs |
| Max Resistance | 100 resistance levels | 100 levels | 24 levels | 100 resistance levels | 35.27 lbs |
| Resistance Type | Magnetic | Magnetic | Magnetic | Magnetic | Magnetic |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame, 2-year parts, 2-year wear items, 1-year labor, 90-day cosmetic items | 10-year frame, 3-year mechanical parts, 1-year labor | 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor | 5-year frame, 1-year parts and labor | Lifetime frame, 2-year all other components, 1-year labor |
| Additional Features | Bluetooth, Sole+, tablet rack | Included 3 lb dumbbells, included Bluetooth heart rate armband, connects to Peloton and Zwift apps | 20% incline and -10% decline, two 3 lb weights included, storage tray | Leaderboard, live and on-demand classes, Lane Break game | Adjustable device rack, weight cages, adjustable leveling feet |
Dimensions/Storability
The dimensions of the Sole SB900 are 54″ L x 21″ W x 51″ H. It weighs only 123 lbs. Overall, its a relatively compact bike. We’ve tested the updated SB1200 and have been very satisfied with its stability and quality.
Exercise bikes with large touchscreen displays are difficult to move around because there’s the chance of hitting the wall or doorway with the screen. The screen also puts the bike off balance, making it more awkward to move around. Fortunately, you won’t have that problem with the SB900. It is easy to roll on its two front transport wheels.
The Sole SB900 can fit most sized users.
Onboard Workouts & Apps
You don’t need a subscription to train with the Sole SB900—thank goodness! There are nine onboard programs to choose from and the manual workout. It might be a little more difficult to set up these programs because the console is so simple, so hold on to your product manual to learn how to navigate the screen.
You can expand the content options for the Sole SB900 by taking advantage of the free Sole+ app included in your purchase. You just need your equipment serial number to prove you are a Sole customer to create your account. Then, you can train with hundreds of trainer-led videos. The workouts aren’t limited to the bike, so you can build a whole routine.
Console
You don’t get a touchscreen with the SB900—just a digital display. It has three buttons: ‘mode,’ ‘page,’ and a phone button to connect via Bluetooth. The metrics visible on the screen while training include watts, rpm, km/h or mph, bpm (with connected heart rate monitor), time, and resistance level.
Bluetooth
You can pair with third-party apps in addition to the Sole+ app. My favorites are Kinomap or Zwift. These apps are great virtual trainers with more structured workout options. These apps require subscriptions for many of their features, but some users might find it worth it.
You can also use Bluetooth to connect a heart rate monitor to the Sole SB900. A compatible monitor is not included in your purchase. You will have to purchase one separately if you don’t already have one.
Tablet Rack
The Sole SB900 has a removable tablet rack capable of holding your phone or tablet. You can view any training or entertainment content while cycling. Some apps may not directly pair with the SB900 for connected training.
The tablet rack has an adjustable clip at the top. This clip keeps devices of differing sizes secure on the SB900.
Build Quality
Sole’s newest line of studio cycles doesn’t feel as premium as NordicTrack, Peloton, or the CAROL Bike. However, there is a significant price difference between many of these bikes. The SB900 is a great value option for a midrange studio cycle.
Frame
The Sole SB900 has a sturdy steel frame. It can support a maximum user weight of 300 lbs. It is adjustable to the stature of many users. The saddle and handlebars adjust up and down as well as forward and backward.
Saddle
The Sole SB900 has a small sporty saddle with a cutout for improved air and blood flow. The saddle isn’t the most beginner-friendly because it doesn’t have a ton of padding. Experienced cycles may appreciate this design, but others may have to add a padded seat cover.
Handlebars
Both horizontal and vertical grips enable you to ride in different postures. EKG HR sensors are not integrated into the handlebar for heart rate monitoring, but a chest strap can be purchased separately from Sole.
While this is the old SB900, the new one appears to have very similar handlebars.
There is a tablet holder at the top of the handlebars. A tablet is not included with the bike, but you can place any phone or tablet or even a book here. The adjustable clip slides up and down to hold your device securely. The handlebars are plenty long. I had a hard time reaching the end. This should provide plenty of space for riders of all sizes.
Pedals
The SB900 pedals are two-sided. One side is a flat pedal with an adjustable cage and strap that will work with any athletic shoe. The other side of the pedal has an SPD clip, so you can ride clipped in if you prefer. Hybrid pedals are great because serious riders who swear by their cycling shoes can easily clip in, while casual riders can ride in their regular athletic shoes.
Like the handlebars, the pedals haven’t seen much of an upgrade—not that they needed it.
Clipping into the SPD clips is easy with compatible cycling shoes.
Flywheel and Resistance
The Sole SB900 has a 35-lb flywheel and 100 levels of magnetic resistance. I like exercise bikes with 100 levels of resistance because it is easier to use them with Peloton if desired. The difficulty of the levels doesn’t exactly match Peloton, but it is close enough to use the trainer’s resistance range suggestion.
The flywheel is located at the front of the bike. You should wipe down the bike, including the flywheel, to clean sweat off it after use. Rear flywheels stay out of the sweat zone, but not this bike.
This is a standard front flywheel exercise bike.
The magnetic resistance should be fairly quiet if our experience with the previous model of the SB900 and the current SB1200 is anything to go off of. This quiet design is helped by the SB900’s smooth belt drive.
Warranty
One of the most underrated benefits of Sole equipment is its lifetime warranty. The SB900 has a lifetime frame warranty. It also has a two-year warranty on its parts and wear items. Labor is covered by a one-year warranty, and cosmetic items are covered for 90 days. The SB900 is only for residential use and is not covered for light commercial or commercial settings.
Should You Buy the Sole SB900 Exercise Bike?
You should buy the SB900 if you want a reasonably priced bike with Bluetooth connectivity to third-party apps, a simple console, and a lifetime frame warranty. These are my top reasons for purchasing the Sole SB900.
Dodge the subscription format with the Sole SB900. The Sole+ app is included with your purchase of the SB900 if you want trainer-led workouts. If you are already attached to Peloton, the 100 magnetic resistance levels aren’t a terrible match for the Peloton platform.
The Sole SB900 is reasonably priced and has a nice build. With four points of adjustability, most users should be able to use the Sole SB900 without issue. It has a 300-lb weight capacity. We also like the stability and portability of the SB900.
Sole SB900 Exercise Bike Q&A / FAQ
Does the Sole SB900 use magnetic resistance?
Yes, the Sole SB900 has 100 magnetic resistance levels.
What’s the difference between the Sole SB900 and the SB700?
The Sole SB900 and SB700 are very similar, but the SB700 is built for residential and light-commercial use. The SB700 has a very heavy flywheel. The SB900 has the same console and connectivity options.
Does Sole make good spin bikes?
Sole makes good midrange spin bikes. They have great builds and performances for cyclists of all levels. They lack some of the more refined aesthetics and tech options of higher-end bikes, but many indoor cyclists will find they don’t need these features for a good workout.
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