If you’re looking for a stationary bike that will enable you to train as hard and fast as you want, you’ve found it in the LifeCORE Fitness Assault Air Bike. It is also known as the Assault Air Bike Classic.
While not the cheapest fitness aid of its type, it is less expensive than most commercial-grade bikes and a bargain considering its quality.
It is so robust that the American Military uses it in their training program.
Suitable for people of any fitness level, the bike provides infinite air resistance, so no matter how fit you become, you will never outgrow it.
The bike’s movable arms enable you to work your upper and lower body simultaneously (or just one of these if preferred).
Its small footprint, diverse range of workout programs, adjustable seat, quick and easy assembly, and great warranty are just some noteworthy features that customers love about this sturdy bike.
This Assault Air Bike review looks at its specs, key features, pros, and cons.
Scroll past the pros and cons section of this review to find out how it compares to the newest models in the range, the Assault Air Bike Elite and the Air Bike Pro.
I will also include image links to check them out on Amazon and see more photos.
Table of Contents
Who will the Bike Suit?
The LifeCORE Fitness Assault will suit just about anyone looking to do low-impact cardio and total body sculpting workouts that will enable them to lose weight.
Its generous user weight capacity and seat adjustability mean that individuals of most heights and weights can use the bike.
Its infinite resistance will appeal to everyone, from newbies to people rehabilitating from an injury to seasoned athletes.
It’s an excellent choice for HIIT and CrossFit training.
The Assault Air Bike is one of the few pieces of exercise equipment you will never have to replace due to having outgrown it. That won’t happen with this bike. It’s incredibly durable, too, so you can expect to use it for many years.
The fan is pretty noisy. While not unbearable, this is something to be aware of if you live in a shared household and are concerned about disturbing your roommates.
LifeCORE Fitness Assault Air Bike Trainer Specs
Dimensions – The LifeCORE Fitness Air Bike Trainer measures 50.95″ (L) x 23.34″ (W) x 50″ (H)
Clearance requirement – An extra 2′ all around will be needed to use the bike safely and without restriction
Weight – It weighs 95.64 lbs
User weight – The user weight limit for this bike is 300 pounds
User height – This model best suits users from 5′ to 6′ 6″
Batteries – 2 x AA batteries are included for the monitor
Color – It comes in black
LifeCORE Fitness Assault Air Bike Trainer Overview
Drive –
The Assault Air Bike Classic is user-powered with a chain drive system. It has an incredibly sold 3-piece steel crankset, crank arms, and a 27″ flywheel.
Build and Finish –
The bike’s frame comprises 2mm 14-gauge steel, powder-coated to resist chips, scratches, and corrosion.
The uprights and seat post slider bars have a chrome finish.
Stability, Smoothness, and Noise level –
Twenty-plus sealed cartridge bearings are integrated into the frame, pistons, and moving parts. Their purpose is to enhance stability and provide smooth workouts without the wobbling or annoying squeaking of some cheaper stationary bikes.
While a chain drive is less smooth than a magnetic drive, workouts won’t jar your joints regardless of how fit you are or how much effort you put in.
Adjustable stabilizers built into the base increase the bike’s stability, while urethane “feet” enhance grip and prevent floor damage.
As mentioned above, your workouts won’t be silent. Still, the noise generated isn’t loud enough to prevent you from watching the TV, and it shouldn’t bother anyone else in the room.
Resistance –
The Assault Air Bike has a 27″ diameter steel fan that provides unlimited air resistance. This means that you can cruise at a slow pace, go all out at maximum intensity, or something in between.
You can also vary your speed and effort to do interval training.
The harder you exercise, the stronger the breeze is from the fan. Some people find this cooling, while others don’t like it. A windshield is available, but it will cost you extra if you opt for the Classic.
Programs –
Eight built-in workout programs enable you to diversify your sessions and do interval training. These include preset 20/10 and 10/20 Interval programs.
The former comprises 20 seconds of cycling, followed by a 10-second rest. The 10/20 is the same, with the work and rest periods reversed.
Four goal options are available: Time, Distance, Calories, and Heart Rate, accessible by selecting the relevant key on the console.
The Custom program enables you to devise workouts based on these metrics.
Monitor –
The Assault Air Bike has an 8-section high-contrast LCD monitor that displays training stats, including segment Time, total Time, RPM, Speed, Distance, Calories burned, Watts, and Pulse rate.
These are viewable simultaneously, providing a comprehensive overview, with your distance shown in miles and your speed in MPH.
When you finish a session, an overview is displayed for 2 minutes.
After 5 minutes of inactivity, the monitor enters Sleep Mode to save battery power without erasing your data.
Heart rate monitor –
The screen shows your pulse rate if using a Polar-compatible wireless heart rate monitor.
If you don’t have one, you will need to buy one to use this function.
The Polar T31 Coded Chest Transmitter or the Polar Uncoded T34 Chest Transmitter will work.
Seat –
The Assault Air Bike Classic has a thickly padded, ergonomic contoured saddle-style seat.
The seat is four-way adjustable to accommodate people from short to very tall.
Adjustments are quickly and easily made by turning two knobs. You can also change the angle of the backrest.
This customization will enable you to find the best fit for you.
While the bike has overwhelmingly positive feedback, some buyers said the seat is uncomfortable. This is a common complaint with exercise bikes that most people get used to.
Place a towel or a cushion on the seat for more comfortable workouts immediately.
Alternatively, you can buy a bicycle seat cover. Three that work well with this model are the Sunlite Cloud-9 Bicycle Suspension Cruiser Saddle, the Schwinn No Pressure Bicycle Seat, and the Bikeroo Gel Seat Cover.
Pedals –
The oversized, textured steel pedals are slip-resistant. They do not have safety straps.
Their standard 9/16″ threads can easily be replaced with SPD pedals if preferred.
Standing and backward pedaling are available if you want to target different muscles.
You can exercise only your legs by placing your hands on your upper thighs or against the handlebars as your pedal if desired.
Handlebars –
By utilizing the machine’s movable arms as you pedal, you can tone your arms, back, chest, and shoulders for a total body workout.
Along with improving your physical appearance, this feature will also enable you to burn more calories.
The 2mm steel tubing arms have comfortable-to-hold textured rubber handgrips. The handlebars’ position is fixed in that it does not adjust fore or aft.
Put your feet on the pegs above the pedals to work just your upper body.
Transport wheels –
Transport wheels in the bike’s front base enable it to be moved easily if this is required.
Accessories –
The bike is Bluetooth-compatible.
There’s a slot in front of the console to place your cell phone; however, in doing so, you will cover the LCD screen.
The LifeCORE Assault Air Bike doesn’t come with a water bottle holder, but you can purchase one at extra cost.
Assembly –
If you dislike assembling things, you will be pleased to know that with this bike, most of the work has been done for you.
All you need to do is attach the stabilizer bars, seat, seat bar, arms, pedals, console, and console mast.
You will find easy-to-follow instructions for this in the box and the tools you need. The process takes most people under an hour.
Warranty –
The LifeCORE Fitness Assault Air Bike comes with a 5-year warranty on its frame and 2 years on parts.
Assault Air Bike Elite Infomercial
Pros
- The Assault Air Bike Trainer is incredibly robust and durable
- No matter your fitness level, you will never outgrow it.
- It is relatively compact
- It suits people of most weights and heights
- Workouts are very stable and smooth
- Adjustable stabilizers further enhance stability
- It doesn’t need an external power source, so you can use it anywhere you have the space
- The bike provides upper and lower-body workouts
- It comes with 8 Built-in workout programs
- This model has heart rate monitoring capability
- An LCD screen shows useful training stats
- It features sturdy 2mm steel tubing arms and comfortable-to-hold textured, sweat-resistant rubber handgrips.
- Casters will protect your floor from scuffs and scratches
- The assembly process is quick and easy
- American-based company
- Transport wheels in the base facilitate moving the bike if need be.
- It comes with a good warranty
Cons
- You may need a bike seat cover to enhance comfort
- The bike is noisier than some other models
- Its chain will need lubricating every couple of months or so
- This model is light on accessories, with no water bottle holder or sound system
- The Assault Air Bike is not foldable
- You won’t be able to view your workout metrics while using the device holder
- Intense workouts create a strong breeze, which some people may not like – a windshield is available for an extra cost
The next section of this Assault Air Bike review looks at how the Assault Air Bike Classic and the Assault Air Bike Elite Compare.
Assault Air Bike Classic Vs Elite Vs Pro Differences
The Assault Air Bike Classic, the Assault Air Bike Elite, and the Air Bike Pro are identical in many ways, but there are also some differences.
For a start, the Classic and the Pro are black, while the Elite also comes in gray.
The fan of the Pro is slightly smaller than the other two models at 25.25″.
At 118 lbs and 139 lbs, respectively, the Elite and Pro models are heavier than the Classic. Their sizes differ, with the Pro measuring 50″ (L) x 24″ (W) x 51″ (H) and the larger Elite measuring 55″ (L) x 26.2″ (W) x 55″ (H). At 360 pounds, the user weight limit of the Elite is 50 pounds higher than the other two.
Unlike the Classic, the Pro and the Elite models have adjustable position handlebars with multiple grip positions.
The Pro and Elite models have plastic shroud covers, while the chain drive is exposed on the Classic.
The Elite and Pro have an integrated (removable) windshield to stop a breeze blowing in your face as you pedal.
With the Elite and Pro models, the parts warranty is 1 year longer than that of the Classic, and you get 2 extra years frame warranty with the Pro.
Lastly, the Air Bike Pro and Air Assault Elite have higher price tags, with the Elite being the most expensive.
The link below is for the Pro.
The following link is for the Elite.
LifeCORE Fitness Assault Summary
The LifeCORE Assault Air Bike Trainer was two years in the making, and the American-based manufacturer’s attention to detail has certainly paid off.
With its durable chain-drive system and high user-weight capacity, it is one of the most sturdy and dependable fitness aids of its type.
The bike is solid and durable, and it has a range of preset programs that will allow you to get into shape quickly, burn a lot of calories, and ultimately lose weight.
It provides unlimited resistance and movable arms that will allow you to target your upper body. And it adapts to people of any fitness level.
No matter how fit you become, you will never outgrow it. This makes it excellent value and worth putting on your shortlist if you are in the market for an upright exercise bike.
If the Assault Air Bike isn’t the right model for you, click here to read reviews of other popular upright bikes.