Many of the best exercise bikes are suited for long, steady rides perfect for endurance training or zoning out with some Netflix. But on air bikes like the Titan Fan Bike? Not so much. “Air bike sessions wipe me out,” says BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Caprito. “They feature moving arms, so cycling becomes a full-body workout rather than a lower-body-focused one.” The budget-friendly price tag on the Fan Bike makes bringing heart-pounding interval training into your home that much more palatable.
Our team thinks the stability afforded by its steel frame will satisfy CrossFit fiends and HIIT lovers looking to up the intensity of their workouts. We do wish the monitor was a bit more intuitive, plus the chain drive can get noisy. Still, with loads of included accessories, we think it’s hard to beat the value of the Fan Bike. If you’re in the market for an air bike, scroll on to check out our full Titan Fan Bike review. And for more information on how we test our products, head over to the BarBend equipment testing methodology
Black Friday Deals
Titan Fitness Fan Bike
Titan Fitness Fan Bike
Heavy-duty and budget-friendly, the Titan Fan Bike is forged from powder-coated steel with sealed cartridge bearings in every pivot. Solid and stable at 111 pounds, the bike also includes 10-inch turf tires and a knurled steel handle that eases the pain of transport. Right now, get 5% off this bike and shop Titan’s Black Friday sale to get up to 50% off sitewide.
Main Takeaways
- Per our tester, the Fan Bike’s powder-coated steel build offers ample stability during high-intensity workouts.
- The LCD monitor is a bit clunky and lacks the functionality of other air bikes we’ve tested.
- Many accessories — turf tires, fan guard, and phone holder — that cost extra on many air bikes are included.
Titan Fan Bike Specs
There are some common features across the best air bikes — metal construction, moving arms, adjustable seats. And it turns out that big hunks of steel with large fans can be pricey, with costs climbing well above $800. After testing out 12 of these CrossFit staples, though, our tester thinks they’ve found a match for people on a budget.
“This is definitely one of my favorites, simply because it’s such a great value,” they say. “If you aren’t trying to break the bank, the Titan Fan Bike is definitely the way to go.” The deciding factor for our team is the drive chain. “For air bikes, the most important spec in my opinion is the drive,” says BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto. “Is it a belt drive or a chain drive? Belt drives (found on the Rogue Echo Bike) are more durable and don’t require as much or as frequent maintenance as chain drives (found on Assault Bikes).”
So, do you want to pay more for a quieter air bike that’s less work to maintain? Or is saving a few hundred bucks worth the noise and regular maintenance? The Fan Bike, which has a chain drive, can save you about 10 to 20% compared to belt-drive options on the market. So if the mild clanging and grinding of a metal chain drive isn’t a concern and you don’t mind adding a few drops of lubricant every month or so, this affordable model could be your best bet.
Capritto also noted the Rogue Echo and Assault air bikes, and you’ll hear more about these two popular bikes in this review because, as our tester sees it, the Titan Fan Bike combines a bit of both. “I love it for a few reasons, but overall, it’s super similar to the Assault AirBike, just at a lower price,” they say, rating its overall value a 4.5 out of 5. “Then, if you took some of the optional upgrades from the Rogue Echo and smashed everything together, you’d get the Titan — for less than both.”
Some of the “little” things that are often add-ons — fan guard, turf tires, bottle holder — come standard on the Fan Bike. Those niceties can quickly add up if you have to buy them à la carte. One area where this bike falls a bit short, though, is with its basic LCD monitor, which can’t hold a candle to the best exercise bikes with screens. We’ll talk more about that shortly.
Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use the Titan Fan Bike
“People looking to build out a CrossFit-style home gym are a good fit for an air bike,” says BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto. “Additionally, those who are generally interested in functional fitness protocols will probably get a lot of use out of one.” Although it’s easily one of the best exercise bikes under $1,000 we’ve tested, not everyone may be interested in taking on pulse-pounding workouts on the Titan Fan Bike. Here’s a look at who we think might be best-suited to bring one home.
Recommended for:
- Athletes looking to push the intensity of their air bike workouts
- CrossFitters planning on doing their WODs at home
- People working with limited budgets
Not Recommended for:
- Tech-savvy users looking for immersive virtual training
- Those in crowded homes or apartments who need to keep the noise down
- Anyone uninterested in or unwilling to perform routine maintenance on their air bike
Our Experience Training With the Titan Fan Bike
The BarBend roster of fitness pros includes certified personal trainers (including yours truly), CrossFit coaches, and air bike nerds who appreciate both the lower- and upper-body training these heavy-duty machines provide. We’ve climbed aboard and pushed the intensity on top models from brands like Rogue, Assault Fitness, and Titan Fitness. For each air bike we test, we assign ratings of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) for multiple categories, including durability, value, tech capabilities, and more. Check out what our team has to say about how this budget-friendly option holds up against the heavy hitters.
Durability
To support high-intensity air bike workouts, the Titan Fan Bike’s rock-solid build gives our tester confidence that it will hold up to consistent use. “Most of the parts on this bike are made with heavy-duty steel, so it can withstand plenty of workouts,” they say. At 111 pounds, its overall weight falls in line with other quality models. Plus that sturdy build supports athletes who weigh up to 330 pounds.
Fortifying that steel construction is a corrosion-resistant powder coat and sealed cartridge bearings. “There’s a handful of plastic and rubber parts here and there, but even at max effort, there’s no wobble or shaking,” says our tester. Along with the frame, the aluminum water bottle holder, knurled foot pegs, and 10-inch turf tires all contribute to its durability and stability score of 4.5 out of 5. “Especially for a first-generation model, I think the overall build is really impressive,” they add.
Chain-Drive System
As BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto explains, most air bikes on the market fall into one of two categories. “The biggest thing to consider in my opinion is whether an air bike has a belt drive or a chain drive. This is what impacts the exercise experience the most,” she says. “A belt drive, which the Rogue Echo Bike utilizes, produces an overall smoother pedaling experience. Belt drives also require less maintenance than chain drives, and they are quieter. Chain drives are noisier and require more frequent maintenance.”
So, why a chain drive? Models that use a belt-drive system tend to cost around 10% to 20% more than those with chain drives, like the Titan Fan Bike. And for our tester, it’s all about the value when it comes to this bike. “Remember this is a chain-driven air bike. Compared to belt-drive bikes like the Rogue Echo, it’s going to be louder, plus you’ll have to keep up with the maintenance,” they note. “That said, they’re usually more expensive for those reasons.”
Opting for the Fan Bike over something like the Rogue Echo can save you a few hundred dollars. If a bit more noise, periodic tension checks, and regular lubrication don’t sound like a big deal, a chain-drive system might be worth it.
[Related: Best Exercise Bikes with Moving Arms]
Conveniences
For our team, an advantage of testing out so many air bikes is how quickly we can spot the “small” differences between them. “First off, the tires on the Fan Bike are just beasts and make portability so much easier than models with those tiny plastic wheels,” our tester explains. “You can add these on to the Rogue Echo for about $90, but they’re standard on the Titan.”
The wind guard, bottle holder, and phone are also included on the Titan Fitness Fan Bike. If you add all four of those upgrades to the Rogue Echo, you’re looking at another $139 on top of the already higher price point. Given that context, we score the Fan Bike’s conveniences 4.75 out of 5. “I hadn’t really thought about how big a deal a phone holder might be, but being able to pull up YouTube or a podcast makes longer, LISS cardio workouts more enticing,” our tester adds.
“The fan guard is also an underrated accessory on air bikes and, unlike Titan, most companies charge extra,” our tester says. “Just remember that without one, you’ll be getting blasted with air constantly. So at least for me, that’s a lifesaver in the garage during cold months.”
Ultimately, the difference between the Fan Bike and something like the Rogue Echo is the belt-drive system versus the chain. But as our tester says, a little noise and lubricating could be worth it for some. “I absolutely love the Rogue Echo, but for a lot of people, I’d say go with the Titan,” they say. “It’s not an outrageous price difference, but factoring in those extras, I think it’s without a doubt one of the best values out there.”
Tech Capabilities
For many of the best cardio machines, the onboard tech can make or break your experience, but on bikes like the Titan Fan Bike, it’s not typically a selling point. “For the most part, consoles are incredibly similar across air bike brands and models, though some have more functionality in terms of built-in workout programming than others,” Capritto says.
Like most options in the category, you’ll find a relatively simple LCD screen between the handlebars. However, unlike other options, it comes with a grippy phone holder so you can conveniently access your own content.
With a few taps, you also can follow all sorts of training programs — from HIIT and Tabata to steady-state and endurance options. The Bluetooth compatibility connects with Polar heart rate monitors, plus you can keep tabs on key metrics like time, distance, calories, watts, and more.
However, our tester rates its tech capabilities just a bit below other high-quality models — 3 out of 5. “The buttons on the LCD console are really small and worst of all, every time I turned the screen on it would ask me to input my weight,” they say. “It’s just annoying.”
What to Consider Before Buying the Titan Fan Bike
In addition to cost and space concerns, BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto advises making sure this type of exercise bike matches your training goals. “Air bikes are pretty niche, mainly serving the CrossFit community,” she says. “They are great for high-intensity training as well as slow, steady recovery work.” Take a look at a few key factors to consider before buying the Titan Fitness Fan Bike.
- Chain vs. Belt: For air bikes like this, the main consideration is the type of drivechain. Chain-drive systems are louder and require more maintenance, but are generally more affordable. Think about whether saving a few hundred bucks is worth some additional noise and regular upkeep, though you’ll also want to factor some lubricant into your budget.
- Conveniences: Unlike other models, the Fan Bike includes a wind guard, bottle holder, and phone holder. Make sure to consider how important these “small” conveniences might be during your workouts because on other bikes, they usually cost extra.
- Tech Capabilities: “Those looking for a high-tech bike with a screen to stream workouts should look elsewhere (specifically into magnetic resistance bikes like those from NordicTrack and Peloton),” Capritto says. You can track your metrics and follow structured programming on the Fan Bike’s LCD monitor, but if you prefer streaming virtual workouts or entertainment, you may be disappointed.
- Value: Compared to highly-rated belt-drive options like the Rogue Echo Bike, the Titan Fan Bike can save you hundreds of dollars. The Fan Bike also includes accessories like a fan guard and turf tires that often cost extra. For our tester, the main difference is the additional noise and maintenance of the chain-drive system, so take all that into account when comparing models.
Titan Fan Bike Vs. Competitors
In the wide world of air bikes, there are essentially two camps — belt drives and chain drives. We lined up two of each, including the Titan Fitness Air Bike, to give you the fast facts about each. First, you’ll notice the prices of the two belt-driven air bikes exceed the two chain-drive options by $100 and $295, but don’t forget about the included accessories — fan guard, turf tires, phone holder, and water bottle holder — that you’ll need to add on to some other air bikes. Here’s a quick breakdown of the specs for the Fan Bike and three other quality models we’ve tested.
Ordering and Assembling the Titan Fan Bike
Titan Fitness offers free shipping on all orders (way to go, Titan), but at checkout, you can also choose to add an extended warranty or apply for financing through Bread Pay. When your new air bike arrives at your door, our tester says that assembly is a breeze. “First off, it shows up mostly assembled,” they say. “Not many brands do that, plus there were two additional stabilizing metal pieces to prevent shifting during shipping, which I definitely appreciate.”
Places to Buy the Titan Fan Bike
You can order the Titan Fitness Fan Bike straight from their website. While it is also available on Amazon, at the time of this writing, it’s listed for about $50 more.
Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews
Titan Fitness has been manufacturing some of the best squat racks, barbells, and dumbbells for years. More recently, they have dipped the company toe into cardio equipment like the Fan Bike. On both titan.fitness and Amazon, customers highlight its durability and ding the functionality of the monitor.
“Immediately upon unboxing I realized that this was a heavy-duty piece of fitness equipment and that it’s going to last me years,” one 5-star review reads. “Assembly probably took me a little over an hour. The Titan bike doesn’t have the best control panel and screen.”
Warranties
Titan Fitness includes a one-year warranty with the Fan Bike, which falls short of other quality air bikes we’ve tested. You can also choose to extend your warranty by two years ($72.99) or three ($98.99). Titan accepts returns within 30 days, but with some stipulations. “To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused, in the same condition that you received it, and in the original packaging,” their website reads. You’ll also be on the hook for the return shipping costs, as well as a 20% restocking fee.
Final Thoughts on the Titan Fan Bike
As our expert reviewer Amanda Capritto lays out, there’s a reason air bikes like the Titan Fitness Fan Bike are a great fit for high-intensity circuit training. “The user is completely in charge of the resistance,” she says of these CrossFit staples. “The harder you pedal, the harder the work becomes.” The problem is — they can get pricey. The Fan Bike has slithered its way into the air bike market as a budget-friendly option for people who love pushing the limits of their cardio training.
Its steel build creates the stability you’ll need for zone 3 or zone 4 cardio, plus a lot of the “nice-to-haves” like turf tires and fan guard come standard on the Fan Bike. These extras can be sneaky added costs on other models, but Titan Fitness has prioritized fitting them in the already affordable price. We’ve tested some of the best budget home gym equipment and for our money, the Titan Fitness Fan Bike provides a ton of value.
Titan Fan Bike Review FAQs
How much does the Titan Fan Bike cost?
On the Titan Fitness website, you can snag the Fan Bike for $699.99. Most air bikes we’ve tested range from about $800 to $1,100, so considering that accessories like a fan guard and turf tires are included, it’s easily one of the top values on the market.
How long should you ride a fan bike?
Generally speaking, you’d want to limit high-intensity interval training sessions to around 15 to 20 minutes. You can certainly use an air bike for longer periods of time, but I’d recommend hanging around zone 2 — 60% to 70% of your max heart rate. A quick formula to put you in the ballpark is to subtract your age from 220. Example: a 40-year-old person’s estimated max heart rate would be 180.
What are the disadvantages of the air bike?
Air bikes like the Titan Fitness Fan Bike are better suited for high-intensity bursts than long, steady-state cardio. If you’re training for long-distance cycling or prefer to just hop on and zone out with your favorite show, one of the best magnetic exercise bikes might be a better fit.
The post Titan Fan Bike Review (2024): Approved By Our Experts and Your Budget appeared first on BarBend.