adidas C-21 Exercise Bike Review

Adidas is one of the world’s most famous sports brands. With a reputation for premium-quality products that are used by the world’s best athletes, the famous 3 stripes are generally a stamp of quality on any product. We got our hands on the adidas C-21 upright exercise bike and put it through its paces to find out what it’s like.

The assembly process is straightforward here and only took about 45 minutes which is fairly standard for this type of bike. The assembly guide consists of a set of nice clear and easy to follow diagrams and all the components on our test model fitted together without any problems in seven stages. This is a manageable job for pretty much anyone, regardless of their level of DIY/Flat Pack furniture skills and can be completed without the help of a second person, though having someone help by to holding a few bits does help on a couple of stages.

In terms of colours, adidas has gone for a classic look with predominantly grey/silver but then has spiced things up with a large red LED circle which lights up when the bike is in use. This red LED circle gives this bike a decidedly futuristic feel and while it’s a little bit different and a bit of fun, we really like it.

Anyway, after dwelling on the cosmetics we turned out attention to the important things on this bike and we’ve got to praise the overall design and build. This mid-priced bike delivers a high-quality ride! Hidden away inside the casing is a nice hefty 9kg (20lbs) flywheel; the weight of which, along with other quality components contributes to the smoothness and stability that can be felt with each turn of the pedals. No matter the resistance level chosen (the high end of which really is pretty challenging) the action is smooth and uniform throughout the cycle which results in a quality feel. Another element that adds to the quality feel of this bike is the saddle which is large and soft without being too big to make for a good cycle seat.

The C-21 has a stated maximum user weight of 150kg (331lbs) and in testing proved that it happily accommodates tall riders too. At 6’3” it’s not uncommon for one of our team to find bikes that don’t feel too great but here the seat has plenty of adjustment both vertically and horizontally to enable a good riding position to be found. From the shortest tester to the tallest, all found it easy to get a good riding position so this bike is definitely a good choice if there are multiple regular users in the household. One of the striking things about this bike is just how well it’s put together. A button press feels good, the seat adjustment mechanism is positive and sturdy. All the metal components that you handle during assembly all feel nicely heavy in the hand with thick-gauge steel, including the handlebars and seat post right down to the front and rear stabilisers. All around this is an impressively built piece of kit.

The console features 15 programs (manual, 12 pre-set workouts, target heart rate mode, Watt mode) including all the usual favourites for weight loss and cardio work as well as a recovery test. The workouts themselves are effective and do exactly what they say making it easy to select a workout that will actually deliver in the areas you’re targeting. In addition, this new version of the C-21 has Bluetooth connectivity allowing you to connect a smart device and benefit from access to various fitness apps including KinoMap and Zwift. Our test model performed flawlessy in this regard and the apps worked seamlessly and as expect. This isn’t always the case on Bluetooth enabled models but it’s nice to see here, although we have to say, entirely expected given the brand.

The console display itself also works really well with large, clear characters nicely divided into clear sections for time, speed, distance, calories, pulse and programme indicator making it very simple and easy to use, which is always a big plus. There are 24 levels of resistance, and the top end of that scale should be enough to challenge anyone that’s likely to be using this bike. Indeed, the C-21 has all the tools needed to satisfy the needs of a novice user through to a more seasoned exercise enthusiast.

Other features include a Bluetooth wireless heart rate receiver, tablet holder, stereo speakers with Bluetooth connectivity, 4 user profiles, water bottle holder and leg levellers. It also comes with a 2-year warranty from adidas for peace of mind, not that, based on our testing, it’s unlikely that you’ll need it!