Sole LCB Upright Bike Review
The Sole LCB Light Commercial Bike is a great basic for shared workout spaces and adds a bit of luxury to home gyms. With…
Sole LCB Upright Bike Specs
| Rating | 9 |
|---|---|
| Type | Stationary |
| Console display | 10.1" LCD |
| Resistance | 1 - 40 Levels |
| Seat type | Adjustable |
| Programs | 22 |
| Flywheel | 27 LBS |
| Weight capacity | 350 LBS |
| Dimensions | 48" L x 25" W x 60" H |
Why You Should Trust Our Reviews
Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The Sole LCB Upright Bike Review
At ExerciseBike.net, we bring you comprehensive reviews of exercise bikes so you can decide which one is right for you. Our staff thoroughly test all the exercise bikes we review. We install them, ride them, and try out all of the features. We get to know each and every exercise bike we review extremely well. Our reviewers log miles riding. We listen and record the sound of the motor, try out all aspects of the console and try the bike’s features, such as the Sole+ app.
Every exercise bike we review undergoes the same rigorous process. That way we can compare and contrast them and give you an honest review of what we think.
Our reviewers are exercise bike and fitness experts. Brian, the author of this review, is a competitive bodybuilder, and is a 7-time national qualifier in both men’s bodybuilding and classic physique within the NPC competitions. He has coached and been coached on cardiovascular training, HIIT, and nutrition, particularly as it pertains to weight loss for competitions. He is an expert at exercise bikes, has been on this bike, and you can trust his opinion on all of the bikes he reviews.
In Brief
The 2023 Sole LCB Upright Bike represents one of the brand’s upper-level models, along with the Sole SB1200, both priced at $1,599.99 online. The biggest difference you’ll see between the two off the bat is the screen, but that aside, both represent great values in my mind. I’m a fan of the brand Sole for a number of reasons, but quality engineering is probably the top. With this Sole LCB Upright Bike, I’m liking the 40 levels of magnetic resistance generated by way of a 27-pound flywheel. I feel like I’m riding through the clouds when switching levels on this bike, quite frankly.
The display is a 10.1” touchscreen with a total of 22 built-in workout programs, 10 pre-programed with 12 user defined. The bike comes with a terrific built-in media shelf which holds both my iPad and iPhone with neither a shake, nor a rattle, nor roll. Sole is one of those brands that puts its energy into the machine and less into fancy screens, not that the 10.1” screen is anything less than good, but the point of the media shelf if you can bring your device if you want to watch Netflix.
Add all that to a lifetime frame warranty with three years for parts, one year for labor, and 90 days for cosmetic items, and you’re looking at a sweet ride for $1,599.99
Pros of the Sole LCB
- 10.1” Touchscreen: Equipped with a 10.1” touchscreen, users can either access the Sole+ fitness app, or access their workout metrics. In my experience, most smartphones are about 7-9 inches in length, so you’ll be able to see the screen with equal ease. One thing I like about this size of screen is how easy it is to either see, or ignore in favor of a nearby television. It’s just the right size.
- Compatible With the Sole+ App: Priced at $14.99 per month, the Sole+ app brings more than 3,000 on-demand classes in categories ranging from biking and running to elliptical and more. You can download this onto your phone or tablet and take it with you, storing your workouts as you go. Workouts range from 10 to 60 minutes and incorporate heart rate metrics.
- Quiet Magnetic Resistance: This utilizes magnetic resistance, which is my favorite type as far as exercise bikes and rowers are concerned. With a solid 27-pound flywheel and whopping 40 levels of resistance, it’s impossible to imagine myself outgrowing this model. It’s also hard to imaging waking up my neighbors with the whirring roar of an older style flywheel. It’s silent but deadly for sure in your battle of the buldge.
- Built-In Programs: Another big plug for Sole is the built-in programs, which mean you don’t necessarily need to pay for an app. With 22 pre-programmed programs, you won’t run out of variety here.
- Bluetooth: I just assume exercise equipment has Bluetooth these days, and this bike provides. You can use the Bluetooth speakers for your headphones or transfer data from the Sole+ app to your phone. It’s also great for your phone or tablet if you’re planning to do a little work while riding.
- Weight Capacity: I tend to use the weight maximum as an indicator of overall stability, and with a 350-pound max I have no concerns with this bike. I typically weight between 165 and 200 pounds between competitions and there’s little chance of outgrowing this unit. But more importantly, a 350-pound max tells me this bike is solid as a rock.
- Compact Steel Bike: In my experience, you want a bike that fits your house. This unit measures 48” x 25” 60” and is easy to wheel about when done. At only 112 pounds in machine weight, it’s easy to move.
- Great Pedals: The cushioned pedals of this bike fit my feet easily and were comfortable to use.
- Great Warranty: A lifetime guarantee on the frame, with a three years for parts and wear items, you’ll get one year for labor and 90 days for cosmetics. As far as bikes go, that’s a good deal.
Cons of the Sole LCB
- Slow Customer Service: In fairness, this has become a complaint of mine across all boards. With all things in the world going AI, don’t be surprised if your questions are answered by a robot.
Sole LCB Upright Bike Specs
| Rating | 9 |
|---|---|
| Type | Stationary |
| Console display | 10.1" LCD |
| Resistance | 1 - 40 Levels |
| Seat type | Adjustable |
| Programs | 22 |
| Flywheel | 27 LBS |
| Weight capacity | 350 LBS |
| Dimensions | 48" L x 25" W x 60" H |
Our In-Depth Review Of The Sole LCB
The “LCB” in Sole LCB stands for “light commercial bike,” and it comes at the top of the brand’s 2023 lineup right next to the Sole SB900. As I’m shopping along here, one of the first justifications I see for the LCB’s higher price over the Sole B94 is number of resistance levels, weight of the flywheel and a bit of a warranty boost.
Whether you’re planning to use Bluetooth for headphones or the bike’s speakers, or the Sole+ app, you’re all set here with fast hook up speed. The bike’s 10.1” touchscreen has a clear view and the machine is also equipped with a user-friendly tablet holder. Both my iPad and iPhone fit easily into the media shelf here and this gives me unlimited options in terms of entertainment while training. With a total of 22 programs already in the machine, you won’t run out. Or, for just $14.99, you can unlock thousands of on-demand workouts with the Sole+ app. One of the things I like about this bike is the options.
Priced at $1,599.99 online with an MSRP of $3,999.99, the Sole LCB is a top-flight upright bike with a solid steel frame. Measuring 48” x 25” x 60” at a machine weight of 112 pounds, the unit is easily moved about the house and can hold up to 350 pounds of user weight maximum. All of this supports a 27-pound flywheel and up to 40 levels of magnetic resistance, which is more than enough for anyone training. Given that range, I’d say even advanced athletes will find a well-earned burn here.
One of the big values to the Sole lineup of bikes against other brands is they come with both built-in workouts as was connectivity to the Sole+ app. You get the best of both worlds here and aren’t locked into a large flashy screen that only works with one program, like the NordicTrack S22i, which does bring a 22” screen and automatic trainer controls, incline and decline. But remember, it costs about $1,499 and the iFit app is typically $39 per month on top of that.
Another big plus to the Sole lineup is the warranties. With a lifetime warranty on the frame, three years on parts and wear and tear items, one year for labor, and 90 days for cosmetic items, I can rest assured that the machine has been put together well from the start. Bikes are a lot easier to self-assemble as opposed to say treadmills, and there’s little maintenance required with a bike. Customers don’t need to be as worried about these items.
Who Should Use The Sole LCB?
The Sole LCB is an upper-level bike for serious people. Yes, it’s built for the home, but with 40 levels of resistance I’d say even a hard-core athlete won’t run out of room here. Magnetic resistance is all the rage for good reason, and I can see this bike easily working for people with roommates or multiple family members. Obviously shoppers looking at this model have shied away from the larger screens and want to bring their own device, or are happy with the 10.1” screen, which works well for what you have here.
Bluetooth-enabled, you’ll have your choice of the Sole+ app or any other by way of your own screen and the media shelf. I like the freedom of choice here. With a 350-pound user weight max on a 112-pound bike, there’s few people this won’t support. For those potential users who weigh more than 350 pounds, I’d recommend looking at a recumbent bike.
Bottom Line
For $1,599.99 against an MSRP of $3,199.99, a Sole LCB customer gets a solid bike with lifetime warranty on the frame. I’d recommend this for serious trainers who want the 40 levels of magnetic resistance, and those who like to train with a variety of programs.
