Precor RBK Recumbent Exercise Bike Collection

This site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. Read Our Disclosures

About the Precor RBK Recumbent Bikes

As the recumbent version of Precor’s UBK upright bike collection, the RBK 835, 815, and 615 models have each been designed with the same attention to detail and ergonomic features, but with a reduced impact on your joints.

The Knee Over Pedal Spindle (K.O.P.S.) geometry that we saw on the UBK bikes has been brought across into their recumbent range. This helps reduce the risk of injury and increase your workout performance, due to the efficient pedalling motion.

Although the seat isn’t interchangeable in the same way as on their UBK 835 and 815 models, you still have the option to remove the pedals, replacing them with a set that you’re more familiar with. This can be particularly useful if you’re supplementing your recumbent cycling with the use of an upright or outdoor road bike, as it reduces the time it takes to get accustomed to a new foot position or cycling style.

Unlike with the UBK range of upright bikes, both touch and telemetry heart rate monitoring are available on every bike in the RBK collection. This is in addition to SmartRate – an intuitive visual indicator of your current heart rate and the results you can expect from your workout.

We cover each of the recumbent exercise bikes in more detail with our reviews. But we also wanted to mention that the warranty offered on the RBK recumbent bikes is amongst the best in its class, with lifetime coverage on the frame, 10 years on parts and wear items, and 1 year’s Labor.

RBK recumbent exercise bikes

Although recumbent bikes are widely regarded as being an excellent piece of equipment for non-weight bearing cardio workouts, subtle differences in frame, console, and seat designs can result in experiences varying significantly between models.

Fortunately Precor have put their 30+ years of experience in the fitness equipment industry to produce their top recumbent bike to date, and is actually classified as one of their commercial machines that you can find in gyms across the country.

The step-through frame and low step-over height makes it incredibly easy to get on and off the bike, regardless of your age and whether or not you have reduced mobility, such as during a rehab program after an injury.

Adjusting the air flex ventilated seat also couldn’t be easier with its underlying suspension system and glide rail design. Thanks to the 11 different adjustment levels, it’s a bike that’s well suited to a broad range of user heights.

Similar to another of their commercial grade recumbent bikes in the RBK collection, the 835 features dual sided pedals, allowing you to switch between having your feet strapped in and allowing a little more freedom of movement. You can even switch the stock pedals for a custom set of your own for a more personalized workout.

Being self-powered also means that you aren’t restricted with where you position the bike, and the integrated transport wheels make it incredibly easy to move if needed.

You can find more information on the assembly process, workout programs, display console functions, warranty coverage, and much more by reading our in-depth review.

Sample floor plan: RBK 835 Exercise Bike

The lowest priced recumbent in Precor’s RBK collection to offer dual-sided foot pedals, it’s this option to strap in your feet that allows you to activate a greater range of muscles as you pull up on the pedals during your workout.

Featuring the same P10 streamlined LED display console as the RBK 835 model above enables you to keep track of various important feedback metrics, such as distance, SmartRate heart rate zone, and calories burned.

Although the floating suspension system under the seat doesn’t necessarily have an impact on comfort, it does mean you can quickly change between any of the 11 preset positions, even when seated.

However, comfort and efficient cycling biomechanics have still played a major role in how Precor’s commercial grade 815 recumbent bike has been designed. This includes optimizing the angle between the seat and the pedal crank to reduce shear force on the knees, and polypropylene covered seat cushioning for enhanced comfort during longer workouts.

To find out more about the quiet belt-driven resistance system, what to expect from the workout programs, a guide to the assembly process and a more detailed explanation of the display console functions, we recommend having a read of our comprehensive review.

Sample floor plan: RBK 815 Exercise Bike

As the entry level recumbent bike in Precor’s RBK collection, the RBK 615 is the only one of the three to provide single-sided rather than double-sided pedals.

But with a list price that’s $1300 lower than that of their top-of-the-line RBH 835 model, this may not be a deal-breaker when it comes to deciding which bike best suits your workout and budget requirements.

You can still benefit from the same 25 levels of resistance, quiet belt drive system, and integrated transport wheels as the models listed above, but you do only have access to half of the preset workouts that are programmed into the console of the 835.

In keeping with the low-impact nature of the exercise, Precor have also developed a seat that’s ergonomically shaped and angled to maximise lower back support and maintain a comfortable seated position even during extended workout sessions. Read the full review..

Sample floor plan: RBK 615 Exercise Bike