Our verdict is that while it competes with competitor products serving this purpose, it falls short of top notch status in a few basic ways. As I’ve said several times already, this is a small treadmill- the running surface is quite small and the motor is definitely on the weaker side. It comes with a small running surface and a pretty weak motor, making it best suited for walking. But the ability to reach a 12% incline is impressive for such an affordable model.
Known for its competitive pricing, this e-commerce brand sells a wide variety of workout machines, including bikes, ellipticals, treadmills, rowers, and more. I’ve been taking group indoor cycling classes at my gym for nearly 15 years and Costway Folding Treadmill I was missing that group cycling experience and those harder workouts during the pandemic. Now that my gym was opening up, I was hesitant to go back to group cycling classes indoors while wearing a mask — especially since I’m pregnant.
That’s the secret behind a 49-pound flywheel—the heavier the flywheel, the quieter and smoother the ride should be. That being said, a heavy wheel doesn’t supply more momentum, so you’re still the one doing the work. In comparison, Peloton uses a magnetic wheel and MYX has a 41-pound flywheel with friction resistance. The belt-drive system on this bike helps make for a quiet, solid ride and is supposed to make it “virtually maintenance free” according to the site. The site says the seat to handlebar distance is 18 inches to 23 inches but from where my hands would be placed on the handlebars to the seat tip at the closest setting, I measured 23 inches. This no frills exercise bike is a great entry-level machine that newbies and spinning fans will love.
After trying the Sunny workouts we did some freestyle rides on the bike, and it performed well throughout and provided a smooth experience. During a 20-minute active recovery workout at low speed the pedals moved fluidly and the resistance shifts went without issue. Next we did a more intense interval style session, incorporating standing rides with high resistance sprints, which also felt fluid.
Diana is a trained journalist and experienced editor in the health and wellbeing and lifestyle sectors. Diana has created content for a range of leading brands including Real Simple, Bloomberg, Headspace, and WebMD. For Tom’s Guide Diana currently focuses on sleep, mattresses, and fitness equipment.