Our lives in urban centers are quite busy these days. Some of us may not be able to manage time to hit the gym. Magnetic resistance bikes can be a great solution for these people.
These bikes don’t take up too much space in your home. You can easily do cardio at home by riding one of these magnetic bikes. You can set them up in your home, enjoy a ride, and get on with your daily chores.
Although magnetic resistance bikes are amazing, they can have some issues as well. It is important to know about troubleshooting common exercise bike problems. It will help in the early detection of the magnetic resistance exercise bike problems and then you can solve them accordingly.
This article will briefly talk about magnetic resistance exercise bikes, the problems these bikes can have, and how you can solve them. Read on to know more about it.
Magnetic Resistance Exercise Bike
As the name suggests, these kinds of exercise bikes use magnetic resistance instead of tension belts. One can increase or decrease the resistance with the help of electric currents and switching the distance between magnets installed in the bike. Additionally, motion can create some current as well, so high-intensity paddling can also contribute to the resistance.
As no tension belts are used in magnetic resistance exercise bikes, the resistance is precise. Also, the parts don’t actually come in direct contact, so the impact due to friction is negligible. These low-impact cardio bikes are the best ones you can find in the market and can help you to stay fit and actively lose weight.
Moreover, using a magnetic resistance bike can improve your blood circulation, reduce joint pain, and heal long-term injuries. They really are a bargain when you think of the benefits they provide.
Common Exercise Bike Problems
No matter how much you care about your bike, there will be times when it will malfunction. The common indoor bikes usually show three issues:
Slipping off the Belt
Most indoor bikes face this problem sooner or later. As the belt provides tension while exercising, it is quite a common occurrence. Whenever it happens, you will need to fasten or replace the belt.
If you still have a warranty for the bike, you should call a professional to fix it. Otherwise, start by removing the plug from the bike. Then remove the pedals with an Allen wrench. Be careful while removing the pedals without harming the threads.
Then you will need to remove the side shield. Remove the screws with a flat head screwdriver. Then you will get access to the belt and flywheel. As you reach the tension belt, fasten it or replace it as per the condition. Then reverse the whole process to make your exercise bike whole again.
Squeaking Noise
Magnetic exercise bike making noise or say to say squeaking noise is pretty common. Another common problem with proform exercise bike resistance not working. The more your bike is exposed to friction, the harsher noise it will make. Most of the time, worn-out belts or wheels are responsible for these noises. However, molds or rust deposited in the pedals or motor can also be responsible in some instances.
If noise occurs, find out where it is coming from. You may need to dismantle the parts and clean them to remove any dirt that may have accumulated. Lubricate them well for reducing friction. This way, the problem with noise will go away.
Error Code
Error codes can also be encountered in your exercise bikes. There are 6 error codes from E1 to E6. Also, sometimes your bike may display a “fail to start” notification as well. This problem can range from simple maintenance issues to complex electrical problems.
Check out the manual that comes with the bike. If you cannot resolve it by yourself, call a professional.
Magnetic Resistance Exercise Bike Problems
Compared to other exercise bikes, magnetic resistance bikes can be a bit expensive. These bikes have sophisticated parts as well. So repairing them can be complicated and costly. Most of the time, you may need to get professional help.
However, there are some common problems that are seen in magnetic bikes. You can solve them by yourself with proper tools. Here are some common issues that arise in magnetic resistance exercise bikes:
Loose Bolts and Screws
The magnetic resistance exercise bikes operate without any tension belt. However, it has a flywheel that interferes with two separate magnates. If you paddle the bike at high intensity, the resistance will increase too.
One or two loose bolts here and there can mess up the resistance of the bike. It will cause some placement problems for the magnets that control the resistance.
Resistance Loss
This is another issue that pops up in resistance bikes. Sometimes it is possible to notice your bike is not providing enough resistance despite the screws and bolts being in place. Often, one or both of the magnets can become displaced from their proper place in such cases.
How to Fix Magnetic Resistance on Exercise Bike
If your magnetic resistance bike is having problems and you want to know how to diagnose magnetic resistance problem, follow the following steps:
- Step 1: If your bike is attached to an electric outlet, unplug it. If it’s battery-powered, start by replacing the batteries in the display panel. Then test the bike again. You can use a screwdriver or wrench to remove and secure the bolts.
- Step 2: Expose the flywheel by pulling the cover from each side. Hold the flywheel and spin the paddle cranks counterclockwise to remove them from the internal pulley. Keep aside the crank and the flywheel cover.
- Step 3: Remove the nut on the pulley with a socket and ratchet. Turn the pulley to the side and remove the V-belt from the pulley and the magnetic unit. If the belt is damaged, it may need to be replaced. Withdraw the nut securing the magnetic unit and remove it.
- Step 4: Replace the magnetic unit and reinstall the V-belt. Fasten nuts to secure the pulley. Place the flywheel cover, paddle cranks in their respective areas and secure them.
Maintenance Tips for Magnetic Resistance Exercise Bikes
With good maintenance, most of the problems can be avoided. Proper maintenance lets you detect the problem early before the problem becomes prominent. Here are some standard maintenance tips for indoor bikes:
Tips Number One: Use a soft cloth to clean your bike. Avoid using any liquid that can harm the bike.
Tips Number Two: Check out the sensor accuracy of the bike. You can use multiple sensors to calculate the accuracy.
Tips Number Three: Make sure the pedals are secured and firmly placed while the bike is in stationary mode.
Tips Number Four: Lubricate the flywheel, motor, and pedals. It will ensure the bike stays fit and give you a smooth riding experience.
Tips Number Five: Adjust the tension periodically.
Tips Number Six and Final One: Clean the bike thoroughly.
Magnetic vs. Friction Resistance Exercise Bikes
The exercise bikes are pretty desirable for now. However, people often face dilemmas in selecting the resistance type. So here, we have included a comparison between Magnetic resistance bikes and friction resistance bikes.
- Cost: Friction-resistance bikes are cheaper than magnetic resistance bikes
- Noise: While magnetic resistance bikes are practically silent, friction resistance bikes make a whooshing sound.
- Maintenance: Magnetic resistance bikes are comparatively high-maintenance than the friction resistance ones.
- Resistance levels: Magnetic resistance exercise bikes have a fixed resistance level that can be increased by 100 levels. On the other hand, friction resistance bikes need manual adjusting of the resistance.
- Resistance Markings: friction resistance exercises usually don’t feature resistance markings, while magnetic resistance bikes can show the resistance level on the console
Final Words
Although magnetic resistance bikes have their pros and cons, they are the best product available in the market right now. They can be a bit expensive but can be quite helpful for your exercise routines. Also, you can easily solve the problems if you know what to do. These bikes come with detailed catalogs that can also help with proper use and maintenance.
Hope this was helpful in solving the magnetic resistance exercise bike problems.
If you have any difficulties in fixing your bike, make sure to call a professional immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Do magnetic resistance exercise bikes come in direct contact with the flywheel?
Ans. No. The resistance is regulated through a pair of magnets.
Q. Are indoor bikes worth it?
Ans. It is always better to invest in an indoor bike. It provides you a lower impact yet higher intensity cardio exercise.
Q. Where should I set up my magnetic exercise bike?
Ans. You should place your bike where it is more comfortable for you. You can either set it up on the first floor of your home or in the basement.
