NordicTrack Commercial R35 Bike Review
The new NordicTrack Commercial R35 brings high-tech workouts home.
NordicTrack Commercial R35 Bike Specs
| Rating | 9.0 |
|---|---|
| Type | Recumbent |
| Console display | 14" Smart Touchscreen |
| Compact storage | No |
| Resistance | 26 Digital Resistance Levels |
| Seat type | Oversized, lumbar support |
| Programs | iFit only |
| Flywheel | 25 lbs |
| Weight capacity | 350 lbs |
| Dimensions | 68.22" L x 23.69" W x 53.42" H |
Why You Should Trust Our Reviews
Black Friday 2023 alert! The NordicTrack R35 has a Black Friday Deal!
The latest advancement in NordicTrack’s recumbent bike series, the Commercial R35 brings a top-flight screen and i-Fit packaging to those who want to ride in style. Designed for home use, the series is actually named for the high-grade steel frames. Following up on the VR21 and VR25, the R35 comes in at $1,799 with financing options available.
Relative to its peers in the industry, the R35 brings a solid package in terms of engineering with a 25 lb. inertia-enhanced flywheel, same as the VR25 but up from 20 lbs. on the VR21. One big advance for this unit over the other models is the 14″ HD Smart Touchscreen, double that of the VR25. But whereas the other models bring multiple onboard workout programs, the R35 relies heavily on the iFit Coach program, and comes with a one-year membership.
Here are some pros and cons to consider.
The Great
- Recumbent Frame: For those with back or knee concerns, this could be a big plus. The recumbent bikes like the R35 let users lean back and pedal with the legs extended in front of the body instead of beneath it.
- Great Home Size: At 68.22″ x 23.69″ x 53.42″, the R35 comes with transport wheels and easily fits in, and moves about, a home.
- Oversized Seat with Lumbar Support: NordicTrack recumbent bike seats offer high backs and look similar to comfortable office chairs.
- 14″ HD Smart Touchscreen: A big screen relative to most exercise machines which tend to average between 5″ and 10″ this unit offers users the opportunity to interact with their workout while riding around the world virtually.
- iFit Coach Ready: The R35 comes with a 1-year membership plan which can be renewed at their discretion. iFit Coach memberships bring a wide variety of fitness related benefits: customized fitness plans, simulated outdoor training with Google Maps, automated data logging, help with menu planning and much more.
- 26 Resistance Levels: The R35 offers 26 digital resistance settings powered by a 25 lb. intertia-enhanced flywheel.
- Extra-Wide Pedals: The foot pedals are extra-wide for comfort and have adjustable straps for stability.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: The R35 is compatible with a Bluetooth chest strap (sold separately) for wireless heart-rate monitoring.
- Self-Adjusting Fan: For smart climate control NordicTrack installs AutoBreeze workout fans on its cardio trainers; an AutoBreeze fan can automatically adjust to your workout intensity. You can also keep the fan breeze at a constant setting.
- Water Bottle Holder: A water bottle holder is integrated with the bike frame.
- Transport Wheels: Transport wheels are mounted to the frame so you can easily move the Commercial VR21 after workout time.
- High Capacity: The R35 has a maximum user weight capacity of 350 pounds.
- Good Warranty: The home warranty is good enough for the price point. It includes 10 years of coverage for the frame, 2 years for parts, and 1 year for labor.
The Not-So-Great
- No built-in programs: The R35 comes iFit-ready and equipped with a 1-year subscription, but nothing pre-loaded. The bike can be used without the iFit as it does come with a large screen compatible with other apps.
- Labor Warranty: As part of an industry trend, warranties are trending a little shorter, and 1-year seems a bit light to us.
Who Should Use The NordicTrack Commercial R35 Recumbent Bike?
The Bottom Line
The NordicTrack recumbent bike series is definitely worth a look, and as the R35 is top of that line, it seems like the company is upselling the 14″ HD Smart Touchscreen. At $1,799, the R35 comes atop the VR25 at $1,499, and the VR21 at $999. The only real differences between the R35 and VR25 are the latter has only a 7″ Smart HD Touchscreen, but does come with 35 on-board workouts. Meanwhile, the R35 comes with a much larger 14″ screen but no on-board workouts, which means one can either use the machine independently or another workout app. Both come with a 1-year iFit membership. Given that, we’d recommend customers give both units a solid look and determine how much the screen is worth to them, and rate the R35 a 9.0.
NordicTrack Commercial R35 Bike Specs
| Rating | 9.0 |
|---|---|
| Type | Recumbent |
| Console display | 14" Smart Touchscreen |
| Compact storage | No |
| Resistance | 26 Digital Resistance Levels |
| Seat type | Oversized, lumbar support |
| Programs | iFit only |
| Flywheel | 25 lbs |
| Weight capacity | 350 lbs |
| Dimensions | 68.22" L x 23.69" W x 53.42" H |
