U.N.O. Fitness EB4.0 Exercise Bike Review

V-Fit exercise bikes are aimed mainly at the entry-level end of the market, although this doesn’t necessarily mean cheap and nasty. Far from it. In fact, they generally make reliable well-performing bikes with many models starting at very competitive prices. However, their U.N.O Fitness EB4.0 is far from a budget exercise bike. Priced at over the thousand pounds the EB.40 is aimed squarely at the premium end of the domestic bike market. About as far from their normal stomping grounds as it’s possible to get, the EB.40 intrigued us so we took a look to see how this foray into the world of high-end bikes compares with other similarly priced models.

Assembly of the EB.40 is straight-forward and despite the large size of this bike assembly isn’t really any different to most models out there. As you’d expect from a model in this price range the quality of the components and the engineering are good so that all the holes line up properly and everything is square. It’s not the quickest assembly we’ve ever completed but it’s not too bad and if you’re even a little bit handy this shouldn’t present you with any major problems.

Once built there’s no denying that this is an impressive-looking bike. Its looks are based on the sort of bike that’s common to see in gyms and while with a footprint of 105cm x 53cm it’s not as large as other premium bikes it still looks very beefy. It doesn’t just look solid either. A quick shake test and general inspection reveals this bike to be just as solid as it looks. There’s essentially no movement once it’s levelled, though it would be easier to level if there were levellers on all four corners rather than just the rear of the bike. It’s easy to see how the maximum user weight on this bike is stated at a healthy 150kg (330lbs / 23.6 Stone) and judging by the thickness of the steel and the general heavy-duty nature of this model it could probably handle more than that.

First impressions of the EB4.0 are very good. It’s as solid as it looks and appears to be just as well put together. The finish on the paintwork is good, the plastics look and feel quality and the riding position you can get is ergonomically sound. Mounting it for the first time presses all the right buttons and makes it feel as premium as the price would suggest. The saddle is comfortable and adjusts horizontally as well as vertically so it’s a simple matter to get yourself into a decent riding position.

The EB4.0 features an 11.5kg flywheel which is heavy enough to produce a nice smooth, steady action all the way through the cycle and while it’s not as heavy or quite as smooth as some competing models, it’s still plenty good enough to ensure a decent cycling action. The resistance system on the EB.40 is induction based (electromagnetic) so changes in the resistance happen at a rate that standard servo-magnetic can only dream of. Changes are swift to take effect making this bike particularly suitable if you’re into your interval training. Though surprisingly, there are only 20 levels of resistance to choose from and the maximum resistance level isn’t all that high. At just 250 watts it’s as little as half as powerful as some of its competitors and even less than some bikes out there that cost less than half as much but can offer as much as 350 watts. It’s not easy to grasp the reason for this relative lack of resistance, especially given the high-quality nature of the braking system used here. Still, it’s quick to respond and near-silent so feels good despite the low top level.

The console features a large Backlit LCD screen that does a nice job of displaying training data including calories (theoretical burn), distance, RPM, pulse, speed, time and watts. There are 10 programs including manual, hill, fat burn, cardio, interval, x2 user-defined, Watt control and x2 heart rate control. These are easily and quickly accessible via physical buttons on the console so choosing your workout is easy enough. This is a little limited compared with other models and there are no interactive training options at all so this is definitely a bike that requires you to provide your own entertainment and motivation. That said, it does what it does well enough that we’ve got nothing to nit-pick over concerning what functions are there.

Other features including a cooling fan that does a fair job of helping to keep you cool, 3.5mm audio input socket, speakers, water bottle holder, tablet ledge and transport wheels. The warranty, surprisingly and it has to be said disappointingly (potentially worryingly?), is just 12 months. Given the build-quality, this shouldn’t be a problem. But, given the price, it’s not the most confidence-inspiring element of this bike and is well short of what its competitors are offering.


Best Price

The U.N.O Fitness EB4.0 is not currently available from any retailers we're aware of in the UK.
It may be worth looking for a used machine on ebay

Review Summary - In Brief

The UNO Fitness EB.40 from V-Fit is a nice bike. It looks like it belongs in a gym. Its solid construction closely resembles that of a gym bike and with electro-magnetic resistance delivering slick, fast resistance changes it's got the makings of a wonderful bit of kit. No bike is perfect though and the EB4.0 is no exception. If you're spending over a thousand pounds on an exercise bike there are some things that you expect. A decent warranty being amongst them which sadly isn't on the list here. You'd also expect a bike that'll keep up with you as your fitness levels improve and here too the EB.40 falls short thanks to it's relatively low max resistance level. For comparison, the DKN EMB-600 has a heavier 16kg flywheel making it smoother than the EB.40. Capable of delivering up to 500 Watts it's also got double the resistance power. Add to that more levels of resistance, more training options, a 180kg max user weight and a warranty that's double the length, for a price that's less than the EB4.0 and the EMB-600 wins convincingly. The EB4.0 is a nice bike, but it's not the best bike your money can buy you right now.

U.N.O Fitness EB4.0 Specifications

    • 11.5kg Flywheel with the whisper-quiet magnetic belt drive system
    • 20 levels of resistance
    • Multi-functional LCD exercise display
    • Program: 10 workouts including manual, watts controlled, 4 pre-sets, 2 pulses controlled and 2 user profile training
    • Feedback: calorie burn, distance, RMP, pulse, programme, speed and times
    • Heart Rate Measurement via handgrip pulse and chest pulse receiver (belt optional)
    • Extras: compatible with mp3 player, adjustable handlebars and padded saddle, Cooling Fan, build-in bottle holder, transportation wheels
    • Zinc Plated 12-Position twist-lock height adjustment with spindle base plate fitting
    • Dimensions in use (L x W x H): 105cm (41.3″) x 53cm(20.9″) x 140cm (55″)
    • Max. User Weight: 150kg (330.7lbs)
    • Product Weight: 53kg (117lbs)

U.N.O. Fitness EB4.0 Exercise Bike - Console / Display Unit

U.N.O. Fitness EB4.0 Exercise Bike - User Reviews

The Pros

  • Rock-solid build
  • Electro-magnetic braking system
  • Comfortable

The Cons

  • Max resistance level not very high
  • Limited number of training options
  • Short warranty
U.N.O. Fitness EB4.0 Exercise Bike Reviewer Ratings

 

Appearance - 8.5
Smoothness - 9
Comfort - 8.5
Programmes - 7
Ease Of Use - 8.5
Warranty - 4
Value for Money - 6
Best Price

The U.N.O Fitness EB4.0 is not currently available from any retailers we're aware of in the UK.
It may be worth looking for a used machine on ebay

Also see our Exercise Bike Comparison Table

Whilst every effort is made to give you accurate information we cannot guarantee the technical specification. Models change on a regular basis and may differ slightly from the above review. We recommend you contact the retailer if you have a question regarding technical data. Please read our Legal Disclaimer

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