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[BluRayHiDef]

The belt of my exercise bike - the equivalent of a chain on a regular bike - has come off the front wheel, and I can't get it back onto the wheel. I need to loosen the front wheel in order to move it backward so that I can place the belt back onto it; however, I can't get the bolts of the front wheel off with my pliers because the bolts are super-duper tight. This issue has prevented me from doing cardio for the past week, and I typically do 45 minutes of cardio per day. I want to resume my regimen, but I can't do so until I fix this problem. I'm thinking of just getting a new exercise bike. Here is the model that I have: Link

Here are two pictures of my exercise bike; the first one shows the belt positioned off the wheel and one of the bolts that I can't loosen, and the second one provides a full view of the bike.

Spoiler

Here is an exercise bike that I'm considering buying as a replacement: Link

What do you think I should do, NeoGAFites?

EDIT:

I found a wrench and removed the bolts. However, after puting the belt back on the wheel and tightening the wheel back in place, the belt kept coming off whenever I pedaled. I gave up and simply ordered a new exercise bike.

 

[EviLore]

This one's a tank:

Rogue Echo Bike V3.0

This belt-driven, overbuilt unit provides a rock solid foundation producing a smooth, consistent ride, while a high-contrast, battery-powered LCD console allows athletes to track intervals, distance, calories burned, heart rate, and more. Get yours today!

www.roguefitness.com

 

[triplestation]

yeah im a big fan of.. fan bikes where the wheel is a fan

but theyre loud as shit

if you have the right space for one where it wont bother anyone with the noise its a real joy to use

 

[BluRayHiDef]

This one's a tank:

Rogue Echo Bike V3.0

This belt-driven, overbuilt unit provides a rock solid foundation producing a smooth, consistent ride, while a high-contrast, battery-powered LCD console allows athletes to track intervals, distance, calories burned, heart rate, and more. Get yours today!

www.roguefitness.com

It looks great, but I'm looking for something no more than $200.

 

[EviLore]

It looks great, but I'm looking for something no more than $200.

Ah, well at that price point you’re mostly stuck with those Chinese label-swapped brands at Amazon.

 

[BluRayHiDef]

yeah im a big fan of.. fan bikes where the wheel is a fan

but theyre loud as shit

if you have the right space for one where it wont bother anyone with the noise its a real joy to use

What purpose does the fan serve? It's not as if the air is blown toward the cyclist. Is it meant to dissipate the heat that's generated by the cyclist?

 

[BluRayHiDef]

Ah, well at that price point you’re mostly stuck with those Chinese label-swapped brands at Amazon.

Well, the one that I have isn't too bad; it's lasted three years. Also, technically it isn't irreparable; I just can't loosen the darn bolts.

 

[triplestation]

What purpose does the fan serve? It's not as if the air is blown toward the cyclist. Is it meant to dissipate the heat that's generated by the cyclist?

its meant to create resistance, and its a really nice, unique feeling resistance because its so connected to your effort

the faster you pedal the harder the resistance

the fans provide a LOVELY cooling effect too

amazing machines for HIIT training especially

 

[BluRayHiDef]

its meant to create resistance, and its a really nice, unique feeling resistance because its so connected to your effort

she faster you pedal the harder the resistance

the fans provide a LOVELY cooling effect too

amazing machines for HIIT training especially

How does it cool the cyclist if the air is blown sideways rather than upwards?

 

[triplestation]

How does it cool the cyclist if the air is blown sideways rather than upwards?

the fans have a width to them that is parallel to the ground, its because of this they can create resistance with air in front of it and thats what will send the cool air upwards

 

[BluRayHiDef]

the fans have a width to them that is parallel to the ground, its because of this they can create resistance with air in front of it and thats what will send the cool air upwards

Ah, yes, now it make sense. So, the thickness of the fan's blades enables them to "scoop" up air toward the cyclist. Got it.

 

[triplestation]

Ah, yes, now it make sense. So, the thickness of the fan's blades enables them to "scoop" up air toward the cyclist. Got it.

hundreds of scoops of cool air per minute

 

[BluRayHiDef]

hundreds of scoops of cool air per minute

However, I'm pretty sure that the fan passively cools itself and the rest of the bike; the wheel of my exercise bike and the surrounding parts are always hot to the touch after I'm done using it.

 

[-Arcadia-]

Hmm. If you can't get the bolts off, you can't get them off. Is there any kind of repair thing that could handle it for you at a decent price?

Seems a shame to have to buy something completely new and pricey, when the issue is so simple. Unless you see it as a chance to get something a lot cooler.

 

[BluRayHiDef]

Hmm. If you can't get the bolts off, you can't get them off. Is there any kind of repair thing that could handle it for you at a decent price?

Seems a shame to have to buy something completely new and pricey, when the issue is so simple. Unless you see it as a chance to get something a lot cooler.

I'm going to try using a wrench.

 

[triplestation]

However, I'm pretty sure that the fan passively cools itself and the rest of the bike; the wheel of my exercise bike and the surrounding parts are always hot to the touch after I'm done using it.

it might since it creates such a shit ton of wind but i cant be 100% sure about it

having a separate fan pointed at your current bike during use might create a similar cooling effect to the wheel bearing area

 

[triplestation]

I'm going to try using a wrench.

id try a long combination wrench

 

[BluRayHiDef]

id try a long combination wrench

I found a wrench in the drawer where miscellaneous items are kept and managed to get the bolts off. However, now I'm having trouble getting the wheel back in place with the belt on it; the resistance of the belt is strong.

 

[triplestation]

I found a wrench in the drawer where miscellaneous items are kept and managed to get the bolts off. However, now I'm having trouble getting the wheel back in place with the belt on it; the resistance of the belt is strong.

it sounds like a job that should take a good deal of focus

you'll have to take your time here and you may have to even use the pedals to help ease the chain over the wheel

a second person for assistance might help

 

[eot]

Hit the gym and get strong enough to fix the wheel back in place

 

[BluRayHiDef]

it sounds like a job that should take a good deal of focus

you'll have to take your time here and you may have to even use the pedals to help ease the chain over the wheel

a second person for assistance might help

I think I'm just going to throw in the towel. I managed to get the wheel back in place...somewhat, but the belt slips off the pedals when I cycle.

 

[BluRayHiDef]

Hit the gym and get strong enough to fix the wheel back in place

Argh!

 

[cormack12]

I got a sportstech esx500 for light cardio which has been great, also synchs with MyHomeFIT and Kino. Motor adjustable via app and it's silent. At your price range though, might be better trying to get second hand spin bike or something?

 

[BluRayHiDef]

I got a sportstech esx500 for light cardio which has been great, also synchs with MyHomeFIT and Kino. Motor adjustable via app and it's silent. At your price range though, might be better trying to get second hand spin bike or something?

It looks like a woman's exercise bike. There's no way I'd buy this.

 

[cormack12]

It looks like a woman's exercise bike. There's no way I'd buy this.

lol, you don't have it set up like that. You down the bars and higher the seat so it's like a 'racer'. Most cardio machines are targeted at women to be honest. Spin bikes, ellipticals, bikes, recumbents, ascents because they are easily the bigger users. I don't really care what they look like. Features and calories burned is all I'm interested in for cardio. I did almost get a rower instead but the space/benefit wasn't worth it.

Have you considered just a normal bike with a boot? Like these:

Sportneer Turbo Trainer, Bike Trainer Stand Steel Bicycle Exercise Magnetic Stand with Noise Reduction Wheel for Indoor Trainer (Red): Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Shop Sportneer Turbo Trainer, Bike Trainer Stand Steel Bicycle Exercise Magnetic Stand with Noise Reduction Wheel for Indoor Trainer (Red). Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[jufonuk]

WD40. Try that on the Bike if that don’t work. New bike. Besides lockdown 2 might be coming get shit while you can.

 

[BluRayHiDef]

it sounds like a job that should take a good deal of focus

you'll have to take your time here and you may have to even use the pedals to help ease the chain over the wheel

a second person for assistance might help

lol, you don't have it set up like that. You down the bars and higher the seat so it's like a 'racer'. Most cardio machines are targeted at women to be honest. Spin bikes, ellipticals, bikes, recumbents, ascents because they are easily the bigger users. I don't really care what they look like. Features and calories burned is all I'm interested in for cardio. I did almost get a rower instead but the space/benefit wasn't worth it.

Have you considered just a normal bike with a boot? Like these:

Sportneer Turbo Trainer, Bike Trainer Stand Steel Bicycle Exercise Magnetic Stand with Noise Reduction Wheel for Indoor Trainer (Red): Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Shop Sportneer Turbo Trainer, Bike Trainer Stand Steel Bicycle Exercise Magnetic Stand with Noise Reduction Wheel for Indoor Trainer (Red). Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

I gave up and ordered this.

 

[LoV]

Look into Zwift, it's a lot of fun especially in the winter when you can't go out to bike.

 

[V4skunk]

Well, the one that I have isn't too bad; it's lasted three years. Also, technically it isn't irreparable; I just can't loosen the darn bolts.

You are supposed to use a socket wrench or spanner to remove bolts. The correct size of course...

 

[BluRayHiDef]

You are supposed to use a socket wrench or spanner to remove bolts. The correct size of course...

I found a wrench and removed the bolts. However, after puting the belt back on the wheel and tightening the wheel back in place, the belt kept coming off whenever I pedaled. I gave up and simply ordered a new exercise bike.

 

[V4skunk]

I found a wrench and removed the bolts. However, after puting the belt back on the wheel and tightening the wheel back in place, the belt kept coming off whenever I pedaled. I gave up and simply ordered a new exercise bike.

You only needed to push the wheel in to put tension on the belt and tightened the screws up.

 

[BluRayHiDef]

You only needed to push the wheel in to put tension on the belt and tightened the screws up.

I did the best that I could. I've gotten the belt to become taught, but I can't get the front wheel perfectly aligned. The side of the wheel on which the belt is positioned gets pulled backwards by the belt and causes the wheel to turn to the right a bit.

 

[DOW]

If you have a local bike shop call them to see if they offer repair. I have 4 Rogue Echo Bikes and 4 Assault Bikes and have them serviced periodically by the local shop.

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

Why not just use a real bike on your local park?

 

[Grinchy]

Why not just use a real bike on your local park?

Go out in public? You get arrested for that these days.

 

[BluRayHiDef]

Why not just use a real bike on your local park?

I'm a homebody.

 

[YodaBB]

I think the real problem here is trying to remove bolts with pliers, get a proper socket set ffs

 

[BluRayHiDef]

I think the real problem here is trying to remove bolts with pliers, get a proper socket set ffs

Did you read the edit that I appended to the OP?

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

Go out in public? You get arrested for that these days.

Where?

I'm a hikikomori.

oh

 

[squallheart]

Ugh just checked out rogue fitness and all their weights are out of stock, guess ill fill up gallons of water xD

 

[John Mullins]

Exercise bikes are excruciating to operate. If you can get a real mountain bike for cheap, you work more muscles and is much easier to do HIIT, you go balls out till you are knackered, then coast with cold fresh air blasting your in the face - blissful! Less convenient but isn't a major drawn out drag other than motivating yourself to venture outside, especially in bad weather. But I'd wager real bike runs are at least twice as effective than pedaling indoors listening too some shitty podcast, breathing in stale air, so you don't need to do them as often.

I got a mtn bike but it is rotting away so don't listen to me

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

Please update the thread in a few weeks when you get the bike and try it out.

 

[BluRayHiDef]

Exercise bikes are excruciating to operate. If you can get a real mountain bike for cheap, you work more muscles and is much easier to do HIIT, you go balls out till you are knackered, then coast with cold fresh air blasting your in the face. Less convenient but isn't a major drag other than motivating yourself to venture outside, especially in bad weather. But I'd wager real bike runs are at least twice as effective than pedaling indoors listening too some shitty podcast, so you don;t need to do them as often.

I got a mtn bike but it is rotting away so don't listen to me

I live in New York City, which isn't pedestrian friendly. There are bike paths, but due to traffic I'd have to continually stop riding in order to accommodate other vehicles and obey traffic laws. It's just not practical, in my opinion, to ride a bike in New York City for the sake of exercising. As for bike parks, I'm not traveling to another part of my borough or to another borough entirely just to exercise.

 

[John Mullins]

I saw a reality docuseries once about delivery drivers on bikes in NYC, they didn't even have any brakes on their bikes, you had to jam the pedals to stop (the bikes didn't freewheel)

Shit was nuts, getting "doored" was an occupational hazard but these dudes were insane anyway. Gordon Levitt did the film, but the TV show was much better!

 

[BluRayHiDef]

I saw a reality docuseries once about delivery drivers on bikes in NYC, they didn't even have any brakes on their bikes, you had to jam the pedals to stop (the bikes didn't freewheel)

Shit was nuts, getting "doored" was an occupational hazard but these dudes were insane anyway. Gordon Levitt did the film, but the TV show was much better!

I remember watching that movie; it also starred Michael Shannon as a crooked NYPD detective. It's not fresh in my memory, so I'll watch it again soon now that you've reminded me about it.

 

[LisaMariaMartin]

Buy a mountain bike.

nothing better than riding on trails to forget daily troubles

 

[BluRayHiDef]

Buy a mountain bike.

nothing better than riding on trails to forget daily troubles

I live in a city. There are no mountain trails around here.

 

[Night.Ninja]

Why don't you run?

 

[triplestation]

Why don't you run?

 

[BluRayHiDef]

Why don't you run?

Because I don't want to jog; I'm not an outside person, and people don't jog in my neighborhood.