Diamondback 510ic Indoor Cycle Trainer Review
The Diamondback 510ic combines a rather heavy 32-pound flywheel with ample preset programs and 16 resistance levels.
Diamondback 510ic Indoor Cycle Trainer Specs
| Rating | 8 |
|---|---|
| Type | Indoor Cycle |
| Console display | Blue LCD |
| Resistance | 16 Resistance Levels |
| Seat type | Adjustable |
| Programs | 12 |
| Flywheel | 32 LBS |
| Weight capacity | 300 LBS |
| Dimensions | 42" L x 23" W x 46" H |
Why You Should Trust Our Reviews
Updated Jan 2020
The Diamondback 510ic indoor cycle is designed to suit a wide range of cycling enthusiasts, from spin-bike gurus to road-bike riders. Unlike many other indoor cycles and spin bikes on the market at its price point, it has a rather heavy drive and ample preset programs. This combination supports experienced spinners as well as beginners seeking intense workouts.
The Diamondback 510ic indoor cycle boasts a heavy-duty 32-pound flywheel, 16 levels of computer-controlled magnetic resistance, and 12 onboard workout programs. Mix up your workouts with the help of the 510ic’s 8 preset programs, 4 heart-rate-controlled programs, and manual and custom user settings.
The 510ic’s retail price is $999.99 with free curbside shipping (within the 48 contiguous United States), but you can often find the bike on sale for a couple of hundred dollars less on Diamondback’s site.
Check out the main pros and cons of the Diamondback 510ic indoor cycle below.
The Great
The Diamondback 510ic indoor cycle generally receives positive customer reviews. This is partly due to its easy assembly, which only takes about an hour. It’s also down to the bike’s overall durability; the 510ic typically runs well for years.
Here are some of the 510ic’s best features.
- Quiet Operation: The 510ic’s magnetic drive ensures a whisper-quiet ride. In fact, when compared to other Diamondback bikes, the 510ic is a particularly silent spinner.
- Sturdy Frame: The 510ic’s heavy-duty steel frame is anti-flex, and can officially support up to 300 pounds. It can basically handle any workout you throw at it.
- Exercise Data: The user-friendly, high contrast LCD screen provides a range of rider data including distance, speed, cadence, watts, heart rate and elapsed time.
- Heart-Rate Monitoring: Integrated contact heart-rate sensors allow you to keep tabs on your heart rate conveniently. However, keep in mind that contact grips aren’t known for their accuracy.
- Preset Fitness Programs: The 510ic console offers 12 workout programs. These include 8 preset workout programs and 4 heart-rate-controlled programs, as well as manual and custom user settings.
- Water Bottle Holder: A water bottle holder is attached to the bike frame allowing you to reach your water with ease.
- Adjustable: The handlebars and seat can be adjusted for different body types. You can amend the seat height and fore/aft positioning, as well as the handlebar height and fore/aft positioning.
- Multi-position Handlebars: The 510ic’s handlebars offer you a variety of hand positions so you can target different muscle groups each time you work out.
- Wheels: For easy transport, the Diamondback 510ic indoor cycle trainer has wheels fixed to its frame.
- Warranty: The 510ic is sold with a good enough home-use warranty for its price point. It includes limited lifetime coverage on the frame and brake (5 years), three years for parts and electronics, and a year of labor. That’s a pretty good deal for this price bracket. However, wear parts are only covered for 90 days. A variety of extended warranties are available.
The Not-So-Great
Here are some potential drawbacks of buying the Diamondback 510ic.
- Getting Repairs: Looking at the customer reviews, Diamondback customer service seems to be inconsistent. Some customers say they received stellar customer service, but others have a few complaints.
- Console: The console is rather small and basic. It requires some scrolling instead of having QuickSet one-touch program keys like some of the other Diamondback bikes. A wider LCD giving quicker access to programs would be nice. Granted, many cycle trainers don’t even have consoles, and for a bike at this price point, it isn’t a surprise.
- Contact Heart-Rate Monitor: The 510ic’s heart-rate-controlled workouts rely on the bike’s integrated contact sensors. Some customers have reported that these sensors are significantly less accurate than wireless systems are. The upgrade to this unit — the Diamondback 910ic indoor cycle — has a Polar compatible wireless heart-rate receiver for wireless heart-rate-controlled resistance.
- Uncomfortable Seat: This bike’s seat is adjustable in terms of height and angle, but it’s not especially well cushioned. Adding a gel cover is recommended.
- Computer-Controlled Resistance: On one hand, computer-controlled resistance is convenient. On the other hand, it means that if the computer breaks down, the bike will be much less useful. Also, it seems a bit odd that Diamondback didn’t break the resistance down into 32 levels instead of 16.
Who Should Ride the Diamondback 510ic Indoor Cycle Trainer?
The Diamondback 510ic indoor cycle will offer a vigorous workout to a wide range of trainees. This spin bike closely replicates the feel of riding a regular road bike, which outdoor cyclists appreciate, and it has enough power and programming to take beginners and intermediate athletes further.
Elite athletes can also get excellent cardio workouts, but perhaps would prefer the heavier drive of the Diamondback 910ic. The 910ic also offers double the amount of resistance levels than the 510ic.
The Bottom Line
The Diamondback 510ic indoor cycle is a good buy for everyday weight loss, strength training and intense cardiovascular exercise at home. With a rather heavy drive and motivating workout programming, it’s also a top choice for many outdoor biking enthusiasts on rainy days.
Keep in mind that when this product isn’t made perfectly, getting help with repairs can sometimes be quite difficult. Also, since the bike offers heart-rate-controlled workout programs, it’s a shame that it doesn’t use top-notch wireless heart-rate monitoring to complement this.
Ready to browse some other Diamondback exercise bikes? Check out the reviews on our site to compare the latest Diamondback models.
Diamondback 510ic Indoor Cycle Trainer Specs
| Rating | 8 |
|---|---|
| Type | Indoor Cycle |
| Console display | Blue LCD |
| Resistance | 16 Resistance Levels |
| Seat type | Adjustable |
| Programs | 12 |
| Flywheel | 32 LBS |
| Weight capacity | 300 LBS |
| Dimensions | 42" L x 23" W x 46" H |
