19 February 2023 , 09:00
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Renpho is an American fitness company that, like some of the household names such as Peloton, has endeavoured to bring the gym experience into the home through the use of smart products.
But unlike some of the other fitness companies Renpho strives to make everything much more affordable without compromising on quality. Smart bikes are amongst some of the gym devices that became hugely popular during lockdown, with gym enthusiasts buying more than ever.
Renpho were also among these fitness companies to join the home gym revolution by releasing a slew of smart devices including their AI Smart Bike.
Renpho's AI Smart Bike is an affordable and accessible gym device (Renpho)Renpho’s AI Smart Bike comes with two distinct features that set it apart from the rest, with the first being its £649.99 price tag, which massively undercuts its competitors, that are usually priced at £1000 and over.
The second is its free app that boasts over seventy workouts, compared to others that are subscription based.
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Out of the box, the first noticeable feature is how compact the AI Smart Bike is, measuring at 125 cm x 51 cm x 102 cm and weighing 35 kg. Even though it's not the biggest Bike, its carbon steel frame can extend to support home gym goers with a height ranging from 4′11″ - 6′5″ and a maximum weight of 120 kg.
It is very easy to set up and its freewheel design is more akin to a traditional bike rather than spin bike, which is what I would opt for as it suits my casual style of cycling.
Its Universal Seat Cushion, which measures 20 cm x 27cm, was very comfortable during long periods of usage. I was also very pleased with the seat's adjustable range which is between 83 cm to 105 cm which is very handy for someone like me who is 5'11 and has long legs.
The bike's customisation extends to its handlebar and crank length, which are also adjustable, allowing me to tailor my riding experience for maximum comfortability during different workouts
Renpho's AI Smart Bike comes with a free companion app (Renpho)The bike has 80 levels of magnetic resistance that grants a wide range of increments for different cycling levels. The pedals were smooth for the most part, but there were some instances where I felt the resistance wasn’t as accurate or that it stuttered a little, but this was a rare occurrence. This mainly occurred on the higher resistance levels, forcing me to go harder on the downstroke.
But that being said the bike uses Renpho’s Smart Motor Damping system, which mostly keeps the resistance accurate to match the selected workout, allowing me to enjoy a smooth ride for the majority of the time I spent with it.
Renpho allows users to control the bike via a circular console under the handlebars and will display different metrics including RPM, Power, Cadence, Resistance, and Calories while also having the ability to adjust the resistance.
The smart bike does not come with a screen of any kind, but Renpho has provided a stand that will fit any tablet or smartphone, with a USB connection located just underneath it.
Renpho has really gone for simplicity here, which is an actual godsend as it just meant I was able to get up and running within 20-30 minutes, without having to faff around with several layers of complexity. This accessibility is fully welcomed, especially for first-time owners of home gym equipment, which can be a daunting task to get working.
Renpho's AI Smart Bike is easy to set up and can be moved around the house effortlessly (Renpho)I was really impressed with how minimalist Renpho’s AI Smart Bike is, as no matter where it was positioned it never felt overbearing. The wheels allowed it to be easily transported around different areas within the house, providing you have a flat surface. The muted grey colour scheme also allowed it to blend in with any set-up, especially if you wanted to put it in your living room for instance.
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One of the main features of Renpho’s AI Smart Bike is its free companion app, which is a game changer as it grants access to a huge range of workouts. I was happy to see how much was on offer and for free, with the app also allowing you to create personalised workouts to match your skill level.
It’s all very easy to set up and there's something for everyone from being able to free cycle or take part in video classes. It all worked really well. The number of classes should suffice most gym goers but Renpho may need to add some extra content to their library to keep it fresh, especially for season riders who want different challenges.
The only downside to the app, and this will really depend on how meticulous you are with data, is the lack of data tracking compared to other apps. But what's on offer will be sufficient for the casual rider.
Other than the companion app the Smart Bike works with several third-party apps through its FTMS Bluetooth connectivity. These include Zwift, Peloton and KinoMap to name a few, they were all fairly easy to set up. Having this compatibility with other apps is great as it elevates the versatility of the bike, but I was happy with the companion app, which did the job well.
Renpho AI Smart Bike Verdict: 4/5
Renpho AI Smart Bike will be a stellar addition to any home gym set-up, with its accessible design, free app and great price point, making it an excellent choice. That being said, seasoned riders may prefer a more complex gym bike, than the AI Smart Bike. But if you are just starting out or want a bike that has that traditional feel to it this is a great choice.