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#1 Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike review

Chris L.
January 12, 2021

The Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike comes equipped with everything you need for a solid workout. You have plenty of variety with 29 built-in programs and 25 resistance settings. With a comfortable, padded seat, you aren't going to mind extended exercise sessions with this bike.

Is the Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike best for you?

The Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike is great for people from all walks of life. You can really feel like you're riding a bike through various terrains as workouts simulate rides through the park, going through rolling hills, and other challenging experiences. Plus, you can take your workouts to the next level by connecting the bike wirelessly to apps on your phone, like MyFitnessPal or Nautilus Connect.

That's not even getting into all of the other features to help make your workouts enjoyable. There's a media shelf, built-in speakers, a water bottle holder, and so much more for you to take advantage of. It's an incredibly advanced bike, and considering the price point, it's a genuine deal.

Consider Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike if...

  • You need lumbar support. The padded seat on this bike comes with a ventilated back to give you the support you need to stay comfortable as you cycle.
  • You want app compatibility. This recumbent bike boasts Bluetooth connectivity. That means you can sync the bike with your smartphone to keep track of your progress via a variety of fitness apps.
  • You like a variety of workout programs. The bike feature 29 preset programs. From heart rate programs to fitness tests, there are numerous ways to test your rigor.

Avoid Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike if...

  • You don't want to pay for extras. The recumbent bike is compatible with a Nautilus wireless chest strap to monitor your heart rate. But you have to pay for it separately.
  • You don't want a weak fan. Some reviewers have wrote about how the built-in fan is a bit weak. It may not give you the breeze you're looking for to stay cool.
  • You like having an HD screen. This bike comes with a backlit LCD screen. If you want something a bit more high-tech, then you may want to opt for a bike featuring an HD screen.

Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike pros & cons

Pros

  • 25 resistance levels
  • Quiet operation
  • MP3 input port
  • Quick start capability

Cons

  • Weak fan
  • Other features cost extra

Construction and design

  • Seat: The padded seat features ventilation on the back to give your back some air as you pedal.
  • Pedals: The pedals are standard and come with straps to hold your feet into place.
  • Handlebars: There are 2 sets of handlebars. One's by the seat while the other's next to the console. Both sets come with heart rate monitoring grips.
  • Console: The console features a backlit LCD display that shows all vital stats. There's also built-in speakers as well as an MP3 port located there.
  • Built-in Programs: This bike comes with 29 preset programs as well as 25 resistance levels.

Key Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike Specs

Reasons to buy Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike?

  1. You like using your tablet as you exercise. This bike comes with a media shelf to hold your tablet or book. You can read or watch TV as you cycle and multi-task as you work up a sweat.
  2. You live with other people. The Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike is noteworthy for how quiet it operates. You can exercise without making a bunch of noise.
  3. You value low-impact workouts. This bike is highly recommended for people with knee or joint issues. The flywheel offers smooth motions, so you drastically reduce your recovery time.

Reasons to avoid Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike?

  1. You don't have anyone to help you put it together. While you can assemble this bike solo, it does get a bit cumbersome. It's recommended to have some help.
  2. You're limited on space. The Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike has a fairly large footprint. It comes with plenty of features that warrant such a size, but it may not fit in smaller spaces.

What real Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike reviews say

We spent 18 hours scouring the web (reading over 253 customer reviews). Our conclusion? Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike receives high praise! Our average consolidated user rating sits around a 4.6 - 4.74 (across several hundred reviews). Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike scored higher, on average, compared to their closest competitors.

What reviewers like

  1. "The operation is very smooth and quiet. I have heard no noise at all from the flywheel area."
  2. "I’m used to gym bikes that are very expensive, but this one, at an attractive price point, is well-built and has a smooth and well controlled feel."
  3. "The stability is excellent -- it does not rock laterally unless you are pedaling violently."
  4. "The seat is able to be moved to any position you want which makes it easy to change when others want to use it."
  5. "I looked around a bit for a good quality bike to use at home. I couldn't spend a fortune though. This has met all of my expectations."

What reviewers dislike

  1. "This bike is great except for the [adjusting] for shorter people."
  2. "The heart rate sensors built into the hand holds are flakey."
  3. "The fan is not enough so I still have a regular fan blowing on me."
  4. "The speakers are not the best but they are a little louder than my iPod's speaker."
  5. "The console is crooked and the fan makes a lot of noise and is therefore not usable."

Our verdict

The Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike has everything you need to get in a solid workout. The operation is smooth, quiet, and easy to learn. With numerous workout programs and resistance settings, combined with Bluetooth connectivity, this is a bike you aren't going to get tired of.

Some of the parts aren't as high-quality as you may find elsewhere. However, it's important to consider this bike costs a lot less than comparable bikes. If you want ample features without spending an arm and a leg, this bike gets the job done.

Where to buy Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike

The Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike is available for sale on Amazon. It's available from several sellers, and many of them offer free shipping with your purchase.