If you’re looking to add one of the best exercise bikes to your home gym, you’ve come to the right place. We carefully test as many bikes as we can get our hands on, including bikes of all styles and budgets, to help our readers make the best choice possible.
In this Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle review, we’ll be breaking down an affordable option from a company that specializes in cardio equipment for home gyms. Our expert product tester took this book through several workouts, looking for the pros and cons, and we’re here to share everything you need to know about this Horizon exercise bike.
Tested by a Fitness Equipment Expert
Every review we publish is based on extensive hands-on testing from our team of experts, and for this review, our tester was Lindsay Scheele, CPT, CNC, the lead reviewer for our Garage Gym Reviews Everything channel.
Lindsay is a home gym owner who’s tested all kinds of cardio equipment for us, and knows the ins and outs of all the best exercise bikes. She took the Horizon 7.0 IC through several workouts to test the various features, and calculated a final rating using our testing methodology.
For this review, Lindsay gave this bike a score for a number of categories, including:
- Footprint and portability
- Durability and construction
- Ergonomics
- Technology benefits and conveniences
Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle
Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle
Product Highlights
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Portable design
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Lightweight
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Includes heart rate monitor
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No subscription required
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Easy to transport
- Includes a Bluetooth heart rate monitor
- 100 resistance levels
Cons
- You have to click through resistance levels one at a time
- Some reviewers report receiving damaged parts
- The seat isn’t the most comfortable
Bottom Line
The Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle is a lightweight, portable, budget-friendly indoor exercise bike. Adjusting the resistance is a bit slow, but if you’d need to regularly change your resistance settings, this is a great bike.
A Quick Look at the Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle
Horizon specializes in cardio equipment for home gyms, including treadmills, ellipticals, different types of stationary bikes, and gym accessories. The 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle is Horizon’s higher-end indoor cycle meant to simulate a road bike, though it’s still more affordable than many competitors like the Peloton bike, or indoor bikes from NordicTrack.
Indoor cycling is a great way to improve your aerobic fitness, burn calories, and reduce your blood pressure1 at home, and this budget-friendly option is meant for those who want a bike that will last, without having to spend a small fortune.
This Horizon stationary bike features 100 levels of digital resistance, an adjustable seat and handlebars, Bluetooth connectivity, and even a heart rate monitor, all for an affordable rate. With so many resistance levels, beginners and advanced exercises alike can benefit from this bike.
There’s no built-in HD screen for streaming classes, which means there’s also no mandatory subscription fee to access streaming workouts, but the bike is compatible with third-party apps that you can stream on a phone or tablet. Of course, you can also use the device holder to stream Netflix from your tablet.
This is certainly one of the more budget-friendly bikes we’ve tested, so rather than cutting-edge features and benefits, this is a simple yet durable bike that can be used for a variety of purposes.
We have one callout with this bike that I’ll cover shortly, but overall, this is a light, portable, and versatile bike that’s great for most home gym users.
Before You Buy
- The Horizon 7.0 IC doesn’t have any built-in programming, so there’s no additional subscription to pay for, but the bike is compatible with third-party apps.
- This bike has a list price of $1,299 but is often on sale for under $1,000.
- While the bike has 100 resistance levels, though it doesn’t have an adjustment knob.
Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle Review
Is the Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle Worth It?
This bike is cheaper than many other options on the market, but with so many options to choose from, it’s not a perfect fit for all home gym owners.
Great for:
- Those shopping on a budget
- People who prefer steady-state cardio over interval training
- Anyone who needs a lightweight, portable bike
Not recommended for:
- People who need fast resistance changes for interval training
- Those who prefer streaming workouts over self-guided training sessions
- Serious cyclists who will be putting plenty of miles on this bike, as the magnetic brake pads may wear out faster than other types of brakes
Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle Specs
| Footprint | 47″ L x 21″ W x 47″ H |
| Weight | 87 lbs |
| Weight capacity | 300 lbs |
| Display | 2.95″ x 1.85″ LCD Window |
| Resistance | 100 levels of magnetic resistance |
| Flywheel | 28.6 lbs |
| Subscription required? | No |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame warranty, 1-year parts and labor warranty |
Experience Using the Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle
Our tester, lead product tester Lindsay Scheele, CPT, CNC, is an expert when it comes to testing cardio equipment, and she took this bike through several workouts to test the various features and film a full video review for Garage Gym Reviews Everything. Overall, she said the bike was solid, especially given the budget-friendly price.
RELATED: 9 Benefits of Indoor Cycling
The Horizon 7.0 indoor cycle has 100 levels of digital resistance, but adjusting the resistance isn’t as convenient as we’d like. You have to push the buttons on the screen, and you can’t just hold the adjustment arrow, you have to push it 100 times to reach the 100th level.
As Lindsay said in her review, “There has GOT to be a better way to do this, because who has time for that?” If you’re doing a HIIT bike workout, adjusting the resistance between intervals isn’t a quick process.
Aside from the resistance, she said the bike felt good to use, and was light and portable. She also pointed out that many customers left positive reviews and seem to be quite happy, so the adjustment feature may not be a big deal, especially if you tend to use the same resistance throughout your entire ride.
Footprint and Portability
The 7.0 IC earns 5 out of 5 stars for portability, with a footprint of 47″ L x 21″ W x 47″ H.
“This is the smallest indoor cycling bike that I’ve tested so far,” says Lindsay. “It weighs 87 pounds and has built-in wheels on the front. This is an incredibly easy bike to move around.”
The bike comes with built-in transport wheels, and it can easily fit through doorways and hallways.
If you plan on regularly storing the bike between uses, this may be the perfect option. Most home bikes are portable, but sometimes they’re a bit heavy and clunky–not the case with the Horizon 7.0 IC.
Durability and Construction
For durability and construction, this bike earns 3 out of 5 stars. It’s fairly standard as far as bikes go, with no major concerns, but no standout features either.
Despite its smaller frame, the bike still has a 300-pound user weight capacity, which is about what we’d expect to see on similar models, even higher-end home bikes.
The bike comes with an ECB magnetic brake system, though Lindsay said, “I typically don’t like that system, because it tends to wear on the bike a lot more. For every 50,000 km you ride, you’ll have to replace the brake pads.”
Yes, that’s still a lot of cycling, but if you regularly go on long rides, you may need to replace the brake pads sooner than you expect, which we thought was worth pointing out.
We do love the dual pedals, however, which include clips on one side for cycling shoes that use SPD clips, and a toe cage on the other side if you prefer to wear your regular training shoes.
Ergonomics
For the overall ergonomics, the Horizon 7.0 IC earns 3.5 out of 5 stars. This model gets the job done nicely, though there aren’t any huge standout features.
It has everything you’d expect, with an adjustable seat, adjustable handlebars, and dual pedals, allowing you to use either bike shoes or regular sneakers. The bike also has dual water bottle holders that sit below the handlebars, and it’s very quiet when in use, which we love to see.
Some users said the seat felt cheap and ended up purchasing an upgraded seat, but Lindsay didn’t have any issues with the seat and said this bike delivers a comfortable ride.
RELATED: Indoor vs. Outdoor Cycling
The magnetic resistance system is smooth and quiet, though some users report that it can be loud when adjusting the resistance levels.
Technology Benefits and Conveniences
This bike earns 3 out of 5 stars for technology benefits and conveniences, with a simple, minimalist approach that we actually love to see in a stationary bike.
There’s no built-in subscription or streaming classes, however, the bike is compatible with third-party fitness apps like Zwift or Peloton, and includes a tablet holder for your device. This means if you want to pair your bike with an existing subscription on a phone or tablet, you can do so, but it’s not mandatory to get the most out of this fitness bike.
Our biggest callout is the lack of an adjustment knob for the resistance settings, which isn’t obvious due to the big red knob below the handlebars that looks suspiciously similar to the sort of resistance adjustment knob you’d find on other spin bikes. However, that’s simply an emergency brake, and you still have to adjust the resistance, one level at a time, using the arrows on the control panel.
RELATED: Peloton vs iFIT
Rather than a large HD touchscreen for streaming classes, the bike features a smaller LCD screen to display your workout stats and metrics in real-time.
“The LCD screen is very small, but very user-friendly,” says Lindsay. “There weren’t any extra features I had to navigate through, and it connects with the included heart rate monitor via Bluetooth.”
Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle vs Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycle
Badge: Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycle Bike
Schwinn IC4
Product Highlights
- Connects to Peloton and Zwift apps
- 100 levels of resistance
- Sturdy and doesn’t shake while exercising
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Connects to Peloton and Zwift apps
- 100 levels of resistance
- Sturdy and doesn’t shake while exercising
Cons
- LCD display is bare bones
- Android users may notice a lag in metrics shown
- Parts note clearly labeled to help with assembly
Bottom Line
For under $1,000, the Schwinn IC4 is a solid purchase and one of the best exercise bikes if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to Peloton.
If you’re shopping for home exercise bikes, the Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycle is another popular option you may want to consider. With similar features and a similar price point, the Schwinn has a lot in common with the Horizon 7.0 IC, and is the main bike Lindsay compared the Horizon to in her video review, along with the Bowflex C6 exercise bike.
Both have similar designs and footprints, including the lack of built-in streaming options, which saves money on mandatory subscription fees and an expensive monitor.
However, Schwinn IC4 includes two small dumbbells, similar to Peloton’s, and the resistance is adjustable by turning a knob. This is a small but significant difference, especially if you’re wanting more versatility in the your machine.
That said, the Schwinn is heavier and has a larger footprint, making it less portable. Overall, we recommend the Schwinn IC4 for those who won’t be moving their bike around too often, and we recommend the Horizon 7.0 IC for those who prioritize a smaller footprint and portability.
For more, check out our full Schwinn IC4 Review.
| Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle | Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycle Bike | |
| Footprint | 47″ L x 21″ W x 47″ H | 54.6″ L x 30.7″ W x 51.8″ H |
| Weight | 87 lbs | 113.6 lbs |
| Weight capacity | 300 lbs | 330 lbs |
| Resistance | 100 levels of magnetic resistance | 100 levels of magnetic resistance |
| Subscription required? | No | No |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame warranty, 1-year parts and labor warranty | 10-year frame warranty, 3-year parts and electronics warranty, 1-year labor warranty |
Customer Experience
The Horizon Fitness customer experience earns 3 out of 5 stars. You can reach support via phone or email, and agents will respond during business hours.
The bike is protected by a lifetime frame warranty, as well as a one-year parts and labor warranty, and you can return the bike within 30 days. However, similar to other fitness manufacturers, returns are subject to a 20% handling fee, unless you paid for the optional white glove delivery service.
Ordering and Assembling the Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle
Ordering and assembling the bike is a breeze, and earns 4 out of 5 stars. Shipping is free, and orders can be financed directly through Horizon.
This bike has an incredibly easy assembly process that only took us 15 minutes to complete, and there’s a detailed setup guide on the Horizon website if you need help.
White-glove delivery service is available, but you can’t see the price until you finish the checkout process. This also results in a slower shipping time, so we recommend setting up the bike yourself.
Customer Reviews
The Horizon Fitness 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle has 36 customer reviews on the company website at the time of writing, with an average score of 4.6 out of 5. However, the bike is also sold on Amazon, where the score is only 2.7 out of 5 based on 19 ratings.
Customers love the footprint and portability, though several reviewers mention quality control issues after receiving damaged parts, and others found the seat and dual-sided pedals felt cheap, so they upgraded them after purchasing the bike.
Final Verdict of Our Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle Review
Overall, this is a decent bike for the price. We like the screen, included heart rate monitor, and lack of a mandatory subscription. It’s very light-weight and portable, but having to scroll through 100 resistance levels one at a time quickly gets old, which is really our only callout with this bike.
If you’re looking for portability and a small footprint, this is a great choice, but there are other options that have better resistance settings if you’re willing to spend just a little bit more.
- This bike is lightweight and portable, making it easy to move around between uses.
- While it has 100 resistance levels, you need to manually adjust them and scroll through one at a time, which is a time-consuming process.
Full Rating
Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle
The Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle is a lightweight, portable, budget-friendly indoor exercise bike. Adjusting the resistance is a bit slow, but if you’d need to regularly change your resistance settings, this is a great bike.
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 1299
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.91
Horizon 7.0 IC Bike: FAQs
Can you lose belly fat by riding a stationary bike?
Yes, stationary bikes help you burn calories. Biking alone won’t burn belly fat, but when paired with a proper nutrition plan that keeps you in a calorie deficit, regular exercise on a stationary bike will result in weight loss.
Is riding a stationary bike for 30 minutes good exercise?
Yes. This provides a low-impact form of exercise that can be tailored to your individual fitness level by adjusting the resistance settings, allowing users to get in a great workout even if they only have 30 minutes per day.
Is a stationary bike better than a treadmill?
It’s hard to say if they’re better or worse, and both are great choices. Treadmills simulate walking or running, but take up more space, and may cause more strain on the lower body. Bikes are smaller, low-impact, and many prefer them over treadmills, but that doesn’t mean they’re better or worse.
References
- Chavarrias, M., Carlos-Vivas, J., Collado-Mateo, D., & Pérez-Gómez, J. (2019). Health Benefits of Indoor Cycling: A Systematic Review. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 55(8), 452. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55080452
