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The Domyos Challenge Bike is not the first indoor cycling bike from the French discounter, but even at first glance it looks significantly more sophisticated than the 100 model. Four years of development, including the support of professional athletes such as David Hauss, who became European triathlon champion in 2015, should make the new Domyos Challenge Bike a high-performance training partner on winter weather days.
Domyos Challenge Bike: Heavy, but affordable
The new Indoor Cycling Bike from Decathlon offers over 40 specific programmes to adapt training to individual performance levels and gradually increase training progress. 32 load levels with a maximum resistance of 1500 watts at 60 rpm are designed to enable intensive training even for experienced and powerful cyclists. At the same time, the high weight should contribute to smooth running and quiet pedalling even at high power levels.
A special feature of the Domyos Challenge bike is the patented micrometric height adjustability of the saddle, which is characterised by a robust adjustment option that is easy to operate without tools. The height and distance of the handlebars (reach) are also easily adjustable, says Decathlon. To complete the package, the angle of the saddle and handlebars can also be adjusted to take account of the individual's posture.
The electromagnetic bike is made of robust materials, resulting in a total weight of 59 kilos. A brief digression: The Domyos is a complete indoor bike, sometimes also referred to as a spinning bike. In comparison with other smart trainers, such as the Tacx Neo 3M from Garmin Weighing a good 30 kilos, this is a significantly heavier bike, but can be operated without any additional equipment, let alone a complete bike frame. Spinning bikes usually have a large, heavy flywheel, which increases the overall weight. Decathlon does not provide any information on this. However, the price puts the weight into perspective. At 1300 euros, the Domyos Challenge Bike is a favourable alternative compared to other spinning bikes because it already comes with a monitor. The manufacturer does not provide any information on the controls, but unlike spinning bikes, the resistance appears to be controlled electronically, as it is also possible to use training software. An enquiry has already been sent to Decathlon for more information.
Connectivity for more fun at home
Against a possibly emerging Monotony in indoor cycling is provided by the internet with its training platforms. Because just treading water is not the same as treading water.
Apps like Zwift turn an unspectacular training session into a group ride with visual input and the idea of competition. Decathlon itself also offers an app like Zwift or Kinomap. In addition to the platforms mentioned above, the new Domyos Challenge Bike can be connected to the in-house Domyos E-Connected app. This is designed to take the training experience to a new level, including through customisable challenges, and to make indoor training more fun. The app is available free of charge in the App Store and Google Play Store.
Further details on the Domyos Challenge Bike
The home trainer is equipped with a TFT display that shows virtual landscapes as well as data such as distance, speed, duration, cadence (RPM) and calories burned. This not only helps with the current unit, but also with analysing training progress. The robust components of the Challenge Bike are easy to repair. The manufacturer offers a 5-year guarantee on all parts and a 10-year guarantee on the repairability of these parts.
Last but not least, the Challenge Bike has two bottle holders under the handlebars - practical. And pedals with a "basket", i.e. a holder that encloses the foot so that you can also pedal in a circular motion, as with clipless pedals. The traction phase when pedalling is important for both training and muscle strain. We are also trying to find out for you whether the pedals have a device for SPD or Look cleats.
The most important information about the indoor cycling bike
- Product dimensions: 158 cm × 59 cm × 128 cm
- Weight: 59 kg
- Maximum user weight: 130 kg
- Body size user: 1.60 m to 1.95 m
- Performance: up to 1500 watts at 60 rpm (32 resistance levels)
- Guarantee: 5 years on all parts
- Price: 1299,99 Euro >> available here
Lukas Niebuhr
Working student
