Fitness Tech R-18 indoor cycling bike, semi-professional with Bluetooth console

The Fitness Tech R-18, manufacturer reference PFT-28576, is a semi-professional indoor cycling bike with an 18 kg flywheel, belt drive and a Bluetooth console. Resistance is applied by a leather pad pressed against the flywheel and controlled by a micro-tension knob, so the effort can be dialled in finely from free pedalling to a full stop; pressing the same knob downwards acts as an emergency brake. The backlit console shows speed, time, distance, calories and heart rate, and connects over Bluetooth to the FitShow and Kinomap apps. It is dimensioned for small gyms, personal training studios, hotel and residential fitness rooms and corporate wellness spaces.

Technical specification

Siting, operation and maintenance

The R-18 is the entry point of our indoor cycling range. It keeps what makes a bike usable in a commercial setting, a heavy flywheel, a belt drive and a frame rated for a 150 kg user, at a price normally associated with home equipment. Its least expected feature at this level is Bluetooth connectivity: on this segment the console is usually a standalone counter, whereas here members ride with their own phone or tablet through FitShow and Kinomap, so the operator adds virtual cycling without buying screens or carrying a subscription.

Siting is straightforward. The 117 x 54 cm footprint allows close row spacing, and around 2 sq m per station including circulation is a realistic planning figure. The stabiliser bars carry adjustable feet that compensate for an uneven floor. A 15 to 20 mm rubber tile underneath absorbs the vibration a 55 kg bike with a spinning flywheel transmits to the structure, which matters in hotels and in office buildings where the fitness room sits above occupied floors.

Maintenance centres on one part. Because braking is by friction, the leather pad wears and has to be inspected and replaced periodically according to how intensively the bike is used. It is an inexpensive consumable, but it belongs in the maintenance plan, and it is the reason we steer a dedicated cycling studio running back to back classes towards a magnetic bike instead. The belt itself needs no lubrication and no seasonal retensioning. Routine work is limited to checking the saddle and handlebar clamps, wiping the frame after use since sweat is corrosive, and keeping the pedals torqued.

Frequently asked questions

Is the R-18 suitable for a commercial gym?

It suits a small gym, a neighbourhood club, a hotel or corporate fitness room and a personal training studio, that is a few hours of use per day. The manufacturer rates it as semi-professional. For a dedicated cycling studio running classes from morning to night we recommend a magnetic bike, whose resistance does not wear.

What is the difference between pad braking and magnetic braking?

Pad braking, used on the R-18, presses a leather pad against the flywheel: the feel is close to a road bike and the purchase price is contained, but the pad is a wear part. Magnetic braking works by induction with no contact at all, so there is no consumable, operation is near silent and resistance stays constant over time, at a higher purchase price. The deciding factor is hours of use per day.

Do riders need cycling shoes?

No. The pedals are cages with adjustable straps and work with ordinary sports shoes, which is an advantage in hotels and corporate spaces where users have no dedicated kit. They do not accept clipless cleats, so if your members ride in SPD shoes, choose a model fitted with SPD pedals.

What is the maximum user weight?

150 kg, the same user load as indoor cycling bikes two to three times the price in our range. The bike itself weighs 55 kg.