Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle Review (formerly M3 Plus)

Editor’s note: this review originally covered the Keiser M3 Plus, which is discontinued (confirmed live: no restock date given for the original listing). The verified current model is the Keiser M3i, sold directly by Keiser Corporation as an Indoor Cycle Bundle. Real differences worth knowing: the bundle now includes the M Connect Display, a Media Tray, and Stretch Pads standard — the original M3 Plus’s computer system was described as optional, this one isn’t. The M3i uses Keiser’s V-shape frame, letting the seat and handlebars adjust to fit riders from 4’10” to 7′ tall. Maximum weight recommendation is 350 lbs.

Keiser M3i Indoor Stationary Cycle Trainer

What happens when you take a decade of research, trainer feedback, and collaboration with some of the largest fitness clubs worldwide? You get the Keiser M3i Indoor Stationary Cycle Trainer.

I experienced riding an M3i in spin class. It’s really smooth riding and feels more realistic when riding a real bike. Some spin bikes just feel like you are grinding away with the resistance pad rubbing and you can even hear it. The M3i is not like that and is why your spin bike studios favor to have this on their floor and trust it. People love the authenticity of the ride like I did.

Highlights:

• Easy install and transport
• Adjustable pedals, seat, and handlebars
• Comfort handles and saddle
• Magnetic resistance
• Smooth resistance shifter
• Infinite resistance adjustment
• Water bottle holder
• Anti-slip cages
• Virtually maintenance free
• Computer system (M Connect Display, included standard in this bundle)

Jump to a section

Features of The M3i

Easy

The Keiser M3i is a very simple design and, likewise, it is simple to assemble. Most buyers are able to put the entire bike together in under two hours with only a few common tools.

Adjustable

The pedals, seat, and handlebars are all adjustable so that any rider can become comfortable using the Keiser M3i. The seat arm does not have notches, so you can adjust the height of the seat to an exact point instead of needed to click into a predetermined spot.

Comfort

The seat has a foam, medium-firm covering and is very wide making it a stable foundation for long rides. The handlebars also have a foam covering that make it more comfortable for gripping.

Magnetic Resistance

Bringing the magnets closer to the flywheel increases the resistance and moving the magnets away from the flywheel decreases the resistance.

The most noticeable pro to the magnetic resistance system is that the M3i feels like you’re actually riding an outdoor bike. Where most indoor cycle trainers use friction to accomplish resistance, the magnetic resistance doesn’t make you feel like you’re riding with the brakes on. It has a much more accurate simulation of ascending a hill instead of just pulling your brake lever in halfway.

Smooth Resistance Shifter

Many indoor cycles have a resistance tension knob that you turn to increase or decrease resistance. The Keiser M3i, on the other hand, recognizes that the guesswork involved with a tension knob is less than ideal. A knob can’t tell you exactly what resistance level you’re at, but the Keiser M3i can manually input and shift between resistance levels and have the exact level of resistance displayed on screen.

Infinite Resistance Adjustment

This bike has 24 gears so you can adjust from no resistance at all to a nearly impossible incline simulation that equals scaling a 90-degree cliff face with your bicycle.

Anti-Slip Cages

Like any good cycle trainer, there are cages on the pedals to secure your feet and keep them from slipping off. You can also flip the pedals around and choose not to use the cages if that is your preference.

Apparently you don’t want your feet all the way in the cages because it tends to make your feet fall asleep. You just want the ball of your foot on the pedal and halfway inside the cage.

Virtually Maintenance Free

Keiser has build this cycle from the ground up to combine strength with simplicity, so, other than regular wipe downs after workouts, there is virtually no maintenance required. The magnetic resistance helps with this because the parts are not actually touching each other. Points of friction are the places that need to be oiled and maintained, but this bike has virtually none.

Computer System (M Connect Display)

• Cadence (RPM)
• Power Output (watts/Kcal)
• Heart Rate
• Elapsed Time
• Current Gear (Resistance Level)
• Odometer / Trip Distance

A lot of cycle bikes don’t have any monitor at all, so the fact that the M3i comes with one is a step in the right direction.

For those bikes that do have a monitor, few track both cadence and resistance. For athletes focusing on training leg speed, cadence is a very useful measurement to have right in front of your eyes. And like I mentioned previously, you can clearly see what gear or resistance level you’re at instead of needing to guess with a tension knob.

Pros and Cons

The biggest difference I noticed when I rode this in class is how close it feels to real outdoor riding. The tension was real and smooth not interrupting my pedal stroke making it choppy. For those competitive or recreational riders that just want something to ride on in the winter, this is a great bike to make it feel like you never left the road.

You will also find that you will like how quiet this rides. In a spin class full of people riding them it was easy to hear the instructor and music the whole time. If you have kids and like to workout at night, you don’t have to worry about waking anyone up with this cycle trainer.

The bike also does not come with tools to put it together, so you’ll have to use your own.

The last con is much more of a subjective item, and that’s price. A downside of the M3i will be the cost of the bike. This is not meant for a casual workout person at home who does not bike a lot. You can find cheaper but the quality of the ride will not be the same.

The person who buys this bike are gym owners or serious cyclist or have the cash to buy it or want that realistic ride which ultimately gets you in better shape for real outdoor riding.

In Short

If you’re not in the market to spend a ton of money and just want a machine that will work for now, check out some other options. But if you want a professional, sturdy, durable, smooth-riding, low maintenance, super quiet cycle trainer with all the tracking capabilities you could ask for, get the Keiser M3i Spin Bike with the computer. It truly is a top-of-the-line, best-on-the-market type of investment. If you want an option where you can work and bike, check out under the desk bike reviews article.