 It can be difficult to find an indoor bike which is perfect for your specific needs. Some have stark differences and with others it is almost impossible to distinguish one form the other. In this review we take a look at the Spinner S1 and S3 to determine which one is a better fit for you.
Spinner is a reputable name in the indoor bike industry. I am looking to buy a Spinner and have looked at some of their products, all of which carry different features, advantages and drawbacks. Are there any significant differences between the S1 and S3 models and will they make a difference for me?
In this Spinner S1 vs S3 review we put the two bikes under a microscope and tell you what is similar about them, where they differ and which one would be a better choice for you.
What Are The Differences Between Spinner S1 And S3?
Spinner Bike Model |
S1 |
S3 |
Weight |
96 lbs. ( 43.5 kg) |
100 lbs. ( 45.3 kg) ( more difficult to move) |
Height range |
4’’ 10’ to 5’’ 10’ |
4’’ 10’to 6’’ 7’ ( accommodates taller users) |
Dimensions |
L 60’’ x W 20’’ x H 57’’  ( larger foot print) |
L 43’’ x W 18’’ x H 37’’ |
Color |
White |
Titanium metallic |
 |
Â
Spinner S1vs S3 – How Do They Compare?
Weight
The S1 is slightly lighter than the S3. The former has an all steel frame and weighs 96 pounds (43.5 kg) while the latter weighs 100 pounds (45.3 kg). The weight of an indoor bike would usually be a crucial factor to consider if you would ordinarily need to move it from one place to another every time you need to use it. If you do, the manufacturer of these 2 bikes has taken that into consideration and incorporated a pair of wheels at the front of the bike.
With these you can easily move the bike by tilting it forward so its weight rests on the wheels and roll it from room to room. That said weight may still be an issue if for instance, you need to lift the bike and put it in the car often.
Height Range
Both bikes can be easily adjusted to make the seat higher or lower or to move it back or forward. These are intended to accommodate users of different heights and body sizes.
Even then, there is a significant difference in the height which can be accommodated by the two bikes. The S1 can accommodate users whose heights range between 4 –foot-10 while the S3 can accommodate taller users. It can accommodate users whose heights range between 4 -foot-10 to 6-foot -7.
The S1 does lock out a good number of potential users.
Dimensions
With space in our living areas becoming increasingly valuable, size considerations have become increasingly important for indoor bike users. The S1 is bigger than the S3 and therefore takes more space. The S1’s dimensions are 60 x 20 x 57 inches while the S3’s dimensions are 43 x 18 x H 37 inches.
Let’s not forget that these Spinner bikes are designed for home use and not commercial use. If they were made for commercial use in gym settings, perhaps space would not be a particularly important factor.
Being that they are made for use in homes, chances arethat many users will be trying to fit them into small apartment living rooms, bedrooms or whatever corners may be available. Other users may opt to store the bike in one room and move it every time they need to use it.
This is why manufacturers make an effort to incorporate as much as possible into a bike as small as possible.
Color
The S1 is typically available in white while the S3 is available in titanium metallic.
Spinner S1 Vs S3 – A Comparison Overview
Spinner S1 Overview
The Spinner S1 is made of square steel tuing which offers a strong base for the seat and handle bar post as well as the weight of the user. The frame is susceptible to corrosion due to sweat which will inevitably be dripping during use.
This is why the frame is double coated with anti-corrosive enamel. There is also a 2-piece fender which serves to protect the flywheel and brake assembly from moisture.
The handlebar and seat post have a chrome finish. The bases have adjustable, rubberized stabilizers which help to enhance stability.
The seat determines how comfortable your ride is. This bike has a contoured highly adjustable seat as it can be adjusted both vertically (up and down) and horizontally (back and forth). This allows you to achieve a perfect position for your specific height and body size. Unlike seats on other indoor bikes, this seat can also be angled to suit you. You can tilt it up or down to your preference.
Handle bars on this bike have rubber foam padding to add for riding comfort as well as reduce friction which is likely to increase when your hands get sweaty. An oval section in the middle of the bars helps to increase the number of grip positions. This gives users more options based on their heights and sizes and also gives you positions to shift to and from n the course of a long ride.
Handle bar adjustment is not as varied as the seat as the bars can only be adjusted vertically but not horizontally.
The maximum weight capacity is 250 pounds which accommodates a good majority of users, but does lock out a few who would appreciate more leeway.
The one feature which seems to be conspicuously missing in this bike is a computer to help you keep track of basic work out statistics like RPMs, speeds, time and calories burned. Many bikes in the market, even those in this price range have some sort of computer to do this, no matter how basic.
Pros
- Strong steel frame
- Padded and rubberized handlebar
- Anti-corrosive enamel coating and
- Protective fender
- Highly adjustable seat
- Transport wheels
Cons
- No computer
- Handlebars only vertically adjustable
- Maximum height and weight limits some users
Spinner S3 Overview
The Spinner S3 is much like the S1. It also has a highly adjustable seat and padded, rubberized handlebars which can only be adjusted vertically.
It also has no computer and its maximum weight capacity is also 250 pounds. Like the S1, the S3 has a pair of wheels which allow users to tilt and roll the bike from place to place rather than lift it.
Some other characteristics common to both are infinite resistance which is adjusted using a knob. There are no resistance settings, you turn it in one direction to reduce resistance and the other to increase it. This knob doubles as a brake because it is what you use when you want to stop the flywheel and pedals from rotating. Simply press it in to stop a rotating flywheel.
The flywheel is not particularly heavy. It weighs 31 pounds but manages to effectively provide smooth, consistent riding motion because it is perimeter weighted.
Reverse pedaling is a unique feature in this bike, it is possible to rotate the pedals backwards though you have to bring the wheel to a complete halt before you start pedaling backwards.
If you are the kind of buyer who loves to hear that a product comes with a bonus, this one will be of interest. It comes with a manual which guides you on how to assemble the bike as well as how to make various adjustments.
Also included as a bonus is 4 DVDs with various spin workouts which you can use to train whether you are a beginner or not. They generate the atmosphere of a real spin class.
One feature users would have appreciated in this bike is ability to fold it and store it away without taking much space. This bike is not foldable so it has to be stored just as it is.
Pros
- Perimeterweighted flywheel
- Infinite resistance
- 4 bonus DVDs
- Comes with a manual
- Highly adjustable seat
- Padded, rubberized handlebars
- Transport wheels
 Cons
- No computer
- Not foldable
- Difficult to measure resistance
Conclusion
After analyzing the Spinner S1 and S3, we find that these are more or less the same bike with different names. A majority of features are common in the two bikes. These are such as a strong steel frame, a perimeter weighted flywheel which weighs 31 pounds in both bikes and a maximum weigh capacity of 250 pounds. Both have infinite resistance which is adjusted using a knob and chain drive mechanisms.
Differences are in a few characteristics which could be considered too small to render one bike better than the other. That said, these variances could make a difference to you.
Verdict: So which is better Spinner S1 or S3?
The key differences in these bikes are their weight and size. The S1 is 4 pounds lighter than the S3 but is slightly bigger. Considering space constraints in just about every part of our homes today, this makes the S3 a better pick. The fact that it is heavier than the S1 could be considered inconsequential since it has wheels which make moving it quite easy.
The S3 also gives you more room to work with where height limitations are concerned. It can accommodate taller users therefore making it friendlier to taller-than average users.
FAQs
What is a perimeter weighted flywheel?
A flywheel is said to be perimeter weighted when the bulk of its weight is loaded along the outside (perimeter) of the wheel rather than the center. It is considered advantageous because it produces more force to keep the pedals and your feet rotating even when it is relatively light.
What kind of maintenance does the Spinner S1 require?
It requires minimal maintenance. The chain does need to be lubricated every couple of months. If you just bought the bike, the chain comes pre-lubricated so you don’t have to worry about it for a while.