The Keiser M3iX is one of the top premium indoor bikes on the market.
The fact that you want to purchase the unit or upgrade from the popular Keiser M3i means you have solid fitness goals to be realized right at home!
In our previous review of the Keiser M3i vs Peloton, we looked at reputation of Keiser in the cycling industry.
In this review, we’ll help you judge if the bike is worth it. Welcome to the Keiser Bike M3iX Indoor Cycle Review.
Here’s a breakdown of what we’ll cover:
- About the “Keiser” brand
- Pros of the Keiser M3iX indoor cycle bundle
- Cons of the Keiser M3iX indoor cycle bundle
- A comprehensive buyers guide on indoor bikes
- Benefits of using the Keiser M3iX indoor cycle bundle
- What others are saying about the Keiser M3iX indoor cycle bundle
- 3 alternatives to the Keiser M3iX indoor cycle bundle
Let’s dive in!
Keiser M3iX Review
About the “Keiser” brand
Keiser corporation was founded in 1976 by brothers David and Randy Keiser. The two had many patents on weight stack variable resistance design and hydraulic resistance design. However, it’s their air compression pneumatic resistance unit that really kicked things off. It was an industry first and was well-received.
More than 80% of pro athletes use Keiser products to train. To date, they have pushed more than 225,000 bikes and trainers worldwide. The Keiser M3iX is their latest addition to their indoor bike lineup.
Special Features (Pros) of Keiser M3iX Indoor Cycle
Adjustability
The M3iX series brings significant improvements over its predecessor, the M3i- mostly in the way of customizability. The handlebars are all new with some cool iterations. You now have trixter x-bars which allow you to adjust its lateral position. This ensures that you have access to different riding angles for less stress, boredom, and fatigue.
A manual resistance unit is coupled on the bars. It has 7 resistance levels to manipulate the energy with which you can move the bars sideways. On its own, this supplies a considerable amount of upper body stimulation. In fact, this bike is one of the best ways to get a full-body workout.
The handlebars are only 2-way adjustable-height only. However, this is compensated with the 4 grip positions it offers. Plus, there’s a well-padded aero-style mini-bar right in the middle. With the full scope of adjustability, a rider can get an experience as close to riding a road, mountain, or incline bike- further improving the training dynamics.
The bike comes with relatively clear installation and user manuals. It’s easy to install in about an hour tops. Both the handlebars and seats use a standard pole. This allows you to switch them for either of your choices. Speaking of which, the saddle is competition-style, fully-padded, and 4-way adjustable. It’s comfortable and accommodating to most riders.
Resistance
The importance of progressive overloading in fitness can’t be overstated. That’s why the M3iX has dual-resistance units. The aforementioned handlebar as well as the flywheel resistance mechanisms. The handlebar is meant to adjust the intensity of upper body training by switching through different riding angles.
Combine this with the 24-level manual, magnetic resistance flywheel and you can torture yourself all you want! The flywheel weighs 8lbs and is rear-mounted. This not only improves the bike’s stability but also keeps it off sweat! This helps preserve its sparkling paint job. Most users report adequate training on day-to-day.
This also widens the scope of the dynamics of workout tutorials you can try. All the adjustments are fluid. Thanks to conveniently-located handlebar resistance levers. The transitions are smooth and definitely noticeable.
Drive System
You don’t need to plug in this guy to get it to work. Thanks to its manual resistance system. It runs on a belt drive train. This allows you to use anywhere around the house without producing much, or hardly any noise at all. The flywheel weighs 8lbs and makes it super easy to relocate the bike.
The pedals attach to the bike using the standard 9/16” thread. They are easy to install and feel well-planted on the drive train. You can use either the toe strap or the SPD-compatible side. You can ride the bike at high RPMs without wobbling or instability.
Auxiliaries
It’s clear that the bike checks most boxes. I’m talking about design, proportions, and features. But Keiser doesn’t stop there. Things like the water bottle holder just add that extra touch of quality. I mean, you never have to hop off the bike to grab your favorite drink. This allows you to make better use of your time at the gym.
An LCD is mounted on the handlebars. It’s easy to see and has an automatic backlight for better night vision. From this pane, you can access all your vitals, live- Time, distance, total distance, RPM, calories, watts, and pulse. It has no touchscreen display. This allows you to watch videos directly from your TV or not.
Either way, you still get a tablet holder, for obvious reasons. You can unlock your potential by subscribing to any of the fitness apps compatible with the Keiser M3IX bike.
Material and Design
Of course, we have to talk about the bike’s skeleton. After all, it’s your metallic horse! I’m happy to inform you that the M3IX comes with the same industrial-grade steel frame found in the m3i. The X-design creates more legroom and declutters the front. This ensures that users of most heights can get comfortable on the bike.
It also allows for wider adjustability of the riding area to get different stimulations. The bike measures 49″L x 26″W x 45″H. While it’s not small, it’s portable and can fit in compact spaces. When fully installed, it weighs 96lbs and carries up to 300lbs. This allows more than 1 user to ride the bike.
If you ask me, I’d say this is a great way to split the cost if you have a roommate. The aesthetics of the bike are on point. I’m especially impressed with the chrome accents. It makes the thing look sportier and premium, which it is!
Packaging
The Keiser M3iX is a costly piece of equipment. So it better be worth the money. To this end, I’ll begin with its finish. It’s all black and the paint is corrosion-resistant. This may not be an issue as it’s likely to be used indoors. But now you know that it can work outdoors too. You get a standard handlebar, seat, and pedal poles so that you can customize them.
While the installation takes time, it’s an easy procedure that you can pull alone or with your buddy at worst! Thanks to the useful installation manual. Here you’ll get the complete details of the tools you need, which are included in the box. You’ll also see an outline of the configuration and customizing options for the different parts.
You also get access to the M-series app which has a ton of great training content. The bike supports Bluetooth and can work with most other fitness apps including the Peloton app. All codecs are cross-compatible so you can share your variables for a complete infographic analysis from any platform.
Finally, the bike comes with a 30-day free return policy along with a 3-year warranty on the frame. You also get a 6-month warranty on parts. I think it’s a sweet deal.
Comfort
The bike’s proprietary x-frame lowers the center of gravity. This not only improves stability and comfort but also allows you to perform some “stunts”. Like riding on an incline or while standing up. Thanks to the bottom-mounted stabilizers, the bike is further stable. They are rubber-padded for additional grip.
The handlebars have extra-thick padding. This improves grip and relieves stress from pressure points. The same goes for the saddle, which is also cozy. The use of a belt drive system and magnetic resistance eliminates any squeaking and disturbance in general. Plus, the bike requires no maintenance.
Drawbacks (Cons) of Keiser M3iX Indoor Cycle
In-built Display
For its price, the M3iX has no HD display found in some of its competitors like Peloton bike. This resonates uniquely with different users. Some people get fatigued when starring at a display when riding. Others love it. So it’s subject to personal preferences. Note that you still get a tablet holder if you wish to go third-party.
Keiser M3iX Indoor Cycle Buyers Guide
Indoor bikes are a long-term purchase. That’s why you need to get a good deal. Consider the following factors before investing your hard-earned cash on an indoor bike:
1. Price
For indoor bikes, and anything else for that matter, you get what you pay for. Lower prices will attract mediocre quality, connectivity, longevity, and performance. The contrary is true for higher prices. However, it’s not about paying the most but rather, getting the best value for your budget.
2. Size
An indoor bike should fit within the allocated gym space in your house. It should accommodate the height and weight of all intended users. Finally, it should be heavy enough to stand stable at all speeds.
3. Technology
The presence, type, and number of tech features on an indoor bike is all subject to personal preferences. At a minimum, a bike should support Bluetooth. This unlocks a long list of devices you can use on the bike. An in-built LCD or touchscreen would also be great to have.
I also advocate for magnetic instead of manual resistance. The same goes for a belt in place of chain drive. These technologies make bikes almost maintenance-free, something you really want.
4. Comfort
An ideal indoor bike should have seats large enough to distribute your weight. It should also be fully adjustable( front, back, up, and down) and well-padded. The same goes for handlebars. Of which I would recommend aero-style bars instead of ergonomic ones. They are more comfortable.
The pedals should also be of the right size and possibly supports both clipped-in and clipless riding. Even better, the seat, pedal, and handlebars should be replaceable if possible.
5. Materials
The bike should be made of industrial-grade steel for the longest service life. The flywheel should be chrome-coated for a cleaner look. The paint job should be thorough and damage-resistant. The handlebars and seat should be rubber or gel-padded.
6. Usage
Specify what your goals are for purchasing an indoor bike. There are specific bikes for simple cardio, toning, pro-training( triathlon), or full-body workout. The cost and design are based on such dynamics.
Benefits of Keiser M3iX Indoor Bike
- Easy to maintain
- Can fit in small spaces
- Wide resistance levels keep you challenged
- It’s fully adjustable for custom comfort and efficiency
- Has a high weight limit to accommodate different users
- Allows you to pair your trackers via Bluetooth for smarter training
What Others Are Saying About the Keiser M3iX Indoor Cycle
After scouring the internet for user feedback on the M3iX, I found the general response to be rather positive. Here’s a snip of what some verified buyers had to say about the bike:
One customer said:
Another customer said:
Another customer said:
Keiser M3iX Indoor Cycle Alternatives
1. Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle Bundle
The Keiser M3i was a successful, premium indoor cycling bike when it first came out. This is attributed to its heavy-duty steel construction along with excellent design. The bike features a heavy 45lb, rear-mounted flywheel with 24 resistance levels. This ensures that you get strained as needed.
The bike comes with an LCD that displays all your vitals-speed, time, calories burned, cadence, heart rate, and many more. It’s also compatible with Bluetooth so that you can pair auxiliary devices like heart rate monitors. The handlebars and seat are 4-way adjustable. They are also well-padded for additional comfort.
With support for riders between 4;11” and 7’, the bike is an excellent trainer for both single or multiple users. All orders are backed by a 3-year warranty on the frame and a 6-month warranty on wearable parts.
Key features of the Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle Bundle
Comfortable
M-series app
Fully adjustable
Bluetooth-compatible
Durable steel construction
Notable differences between the Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle Bundle and the Keiser m3ix cycle bundle
Cheaper
Lighter flywheel
2. EX5 Echelon Smart Connect Bike
Echelon’s EX5 Smart Connect bike spots a radically different design from the older EX1 and EX3. It has updated aero-style handlebars that allow for full adjustment- height, fore, and aft. The bike weighs 122lbs due to its steel frame and 28lb flywheel. It offers 32 resistance levels for maximum stimulation.
The bike is Bluetooth-smart and is compatible with most auxiliary devices. The bike weighs 300lbs, making it very stable. You get a dumbbell holder on the rear, plus, a pair of FREE dumbbells. The bike is also fully compatible with the Echelon Fit app which grants you access to thousands of tutorials.
Key features of the EX5 Echelon Smart Connect Bike
- 1-year warranty
- Free dumbbells
- Echelon Fit app
- Fully-adjustable
- Durable steel frame
Notable differences between the EX5 Echelon Smart Connect Bike and the Keiser m3ix cycle bundle
- Cheaper
- Heavier flywheel
3. EX3 Echelon Smart Connect Bike
The Echelon EX3 Smart connect bike is one of the best in its class for its essential design. You get what you need at the right quality. The bike is made of a durable steel frame that supports up to 350lbs. It has an inseam adjustable range of 6 inches between minimum and maxim positions. This makes it comfortable for tall users to ride the bike.
The Echelon Fit app pairs with the bike via Bluetooth. For $39.99 a month, the platform has thousands of training videos to choose from. The bike has a tablet holder to aid with this course. The bike has 32 tension adjustment levels controlled from a front-mounted dial-style knob. You are set to sweat each time you ride!
Key features of the EX3 Echelon Smart Connect Bike
- Excellent design
- High weight limit
- Echelon Fit app
- Fully-adjustable
- Wide tension adjustment levels
Notable differences between the EX3 Echelon Smart Connect Bike and the Keiser m3ix cycle bundle
- Cheaper
- Higher weight limit
- Doesn’t support Bluetooth
Final Thoughts
The Keiser M3IX indoor bike is a terrific, premium piece of equipment. It’s designed to both look great and offer a full-body workout. All parts are durable and well joined. It’s easy to install, move around, and use. With a silent belt drive train, the bike hardly disturbs your ambiance. It’s well-made and I’d recommend it to ANYONE anytime!
Thanks for reading to the end. Be sure to check out more tech and fitness content on the site.
#Cheers!
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