Virtual Reality Exercise Bike

Product Description

Top Reviews

It's exactly what they say it is, with a few quirks
by Matt (4 out of 5 stars)
January 5, 2017

I'm breaking this review into sections because there's a lot going on with this product.

Physical Product:

The packaging is more than adequate and product is fine and it makes a handy fold-up exercise bike on it's own. It was easy to assemble and came with the tools needed. I wouldn't say it feels industrial grade, but it's light, portable and takes up little space when folded. The seat post wobbles a bit if you're really grinding away but I ran it pretty hard and it held up ok. I'm average height for an american male and pretty lean so I'm not sure what somebody 6" taller and carrying 100lbs more weight would do to it at a full gallop. The seat is comfy enough for the short durations I've used it. There is a height adjustable post on it (which is great) that is a bit of pain to change because the pin is threaded and has to be unscrewed (many I've seen have a spring/pin system). So it's not ideal to change if you have two users of varying heights, but it's no deal breaker. There are no noticeable adjustments for handlebar position and the intended posture is more up-right than a serious rider might enjoy (Accessory idea: drop handle bars guys?). The handlebars themselves are probably the least durable feeling part of the unit. They are kind of a cheap feeling plastic that houses an array of buttons (which apparently can be used as a controllers in other games). They also house heart rate monitor sensors like many decent bikes. Tension/resistance is adjusted by a dial on the post that is easy to access even "in game."

Setup and configuration:

So the bike takes some AA batteries (included). and in that compartment is a small Wireless USB dongle (more of a nub really). I had to read the directions because I did expect the bike to pair when I turned it on with the USB plugged into my PC. It didn't. You've gotta run the VirZoom Arcade (I'm using the Vive so I down;loaded it via Steam). From there it walks you through some steps, clicking the trigger buttons and such. Nothing complicated. Wisely, they suggest you get on the unit and then get into the VR. My PC rig is pretty intense (Win10, 1TB SSD, dual Geforce 1080s in SLI, and 24GB of RAM) and I've had the Vive working well for a while already. I had no issues with the software setup, other than the first calibration I did had me listing left a bit which makes the menus hard to use because left and right in the games are based on leaning/tilting (Options setting to use the direction buttons for menu selections would be cool). That takes a little learning, but as long as you calibrate it right not a problem. It calibrates each time you start which is easy and takes about 5 seconds. There's no wires on the thing to plug in anywhere (except to connect the handles bars during assembly) that's a really good design feature in my present VR space where I have a half dozen trip hazards dangling off me and I'm wearing a $700 blindfold most of the time. Make sure to point the Bike at your monitor so you can see the non-headset instructions (it also makes a handy TV if you don't want to do the whole VR thing for a while). You might also want a small table in arms reach for the Vive controllers and a water bottle. (VirZoom doesn't use the hand controllers, but I think it'd be cool to tie them into some of the games - maybe just use 1 hand for safety, but as a cowboy on horseback a six-gun would be mighty handy)

Games/VR Experience:

Things are a bit wonkier here, the games I've played have some variety and have a simple but solid look and feel. You can ride Pegasus, rope cowboys on horseback, paddle around in a kayak chasing ducks, practice aerial assaults in a helicopter, race cars around a track, drive a tank through a war-torn countryside exchanging volleys with other tanks. You can also just ride a bike in a road race (As if you'd be so easily amused), and I believe you can ride against real online opponents and some AI. So, the graphics aren't going to blow you away, but they achieve a reasonable immersion level. The games are easy to figure out and use the same control patterns so going between them is easy enough. They have some "leveling up" gear and experiences you can earn along the way too. You'll probably want to cycle through the games a bit as they can be monotonous. Not nearly as monotonous as grinding away on a bike trainer staring at the walls of your dank basement. So the games prove a good distraction and had me pumping my heart out trying to evade enemy fire or herd the ducks over to grandma. Nice thing about software is that new experiences are easy to roll out so if the platform does well, we'll have more options. The menu system is a bit frustrating and it makes switching games a bit clumsy when you're rolling along and just looking to have a change of pace without slowing down much. They offer some options that appear to cycle you through the games automatically, but I haven't tried that much. The only other thing I wish is that the resistance could change via software, this would make climbs and hills seem more daunting, since in some environments (like flying) you can sort of coast down, going back up should take more output.

Motion Sickness/VR locomotion problems:

Full disclosure, I get motion sickness. I'm actually pretty bad. I get it on boats in almost calm water, reading in cars, even when flying. I know that about me already. Everything I've used in room scale in the Vive has been no problem - until now. So, the UpChuck Factor (Oculus has a Comfort Factor) is pretty high on these for me. I stopped using it about an hour ago and still feel wonky. My girlfriend is less susceptible and she had a bit of discomfort after about 15 minutes on the Pegasus. I think this will vary for people and the designers seem to be trying to keep the games from being totally barf inducing on their own (Hint: For extra chunky vomit try dipping your head into the coy pond so you're inverted - or going backwards at high speed in a tank). I'm not sure if I'm getting 90FPS which is kinda required if you are like me and aren't inclined to reenact any Linda Blair performances (That's why I have dual 1080s, they're cheaper than new carpeting). So, in short, it'll make you woozy after a while if you're that sort of human. On the other hand, it's not all that bad. It's not like real seasickness or anything, and I think a few of the games probably wouldn't be much of an issue if you don't go too intensely into dives or turns.

Other bodily functions (Ewww):

So, if you have the cardiovascular condition of a tub of margarine (read: me) or perhaps you haven't been able to see your feet since the 5th grade, then you might huff and puff a bit whirling away on this thing. Especially being distracted by not get blasted out of the sky by a rocket or chasing that damn dog who passed you driving his Formula 1 car. This will lead to panting and sweating (trust me, it will). This gets kinda steamy, for the Vive anyway and the sweat isn't exactly prevented from rolling into your eyes or the lenses. It's not a show stopper, but it's been a minor inconvenience. I might try a sweat band (the Vive has a foam pad that is removable) Also, if you're rolling hard and moving around make sure the headset is on well, it could shift around more than you'd expect even though you are seated.

The Part Impatient People Skipped To:

If you absolutely hate motion rides it's gonna be barf-o-rama, if you're a strong RL rider it'll be a bit of posture transition and may not get you what a good spinning class would, if you're much bigger than average it may not be super comfortable/durable. For the rest of the pack, if you have the VR setup already and you were already considering buying a bike or treadmill, this is a real alternative with potential to be very cool. In month 3 we'll see if I'm hanging dirty laundry off it (that's really an indictment on my fitness commitment, not the VirZoom).

To VirZoom, maybe there's a trainer version of this for folks who like their real frame/setup. Winters around here can be long for the riders who still want to be able to circulate blood when spring arrives and that basement wall isn't getting any prettier.
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This is the greatest thing ever invented
by gumby757 (5 out of 5 stars)
April 18, 2018

This is the greatest thing ever invented. The bike is designed well and the different degrees of tension great. On psvr at least it comes with Virzoom arcade that you download from the PS Store. On psvr there is a game called special delivery that is like Nintendo's Paperboy, but in VR. It is an amazing game. This is worth the money I swear to it I have lost so much weight and feel so much healthier and I have fun using it. Resume arcade comes with several different games that are all very good I don't really play the cowboy one but all the other ones are freaking amazing. They updated all the time and in fact as of April 2018 they updated it this month and added a really cool new cycling game called Cali rally in which you ride around on the California coast and it is boss. If you like video games you would like this if you like cycling you would like this if you like being healthy you would like this if you like tanks, helicopters, and or giant mech robots that fire rockets, you'll love this. Cross play between PC and psvr. You can buy a dev kit from them and it comes with free objects and a beginner's guide and is really easy to get started and making your own games. It is recommended that you find a programmer or learn to program but you could even do it as a novice team. If you have the money to buy this Buy It Now. If you don't have the money to buy this go out and Panhandle change all week and you'll have enough money to buy this and then buy it. Unless you have no interest in this then why would you have been reading this anyways I have no idea just by the amazing.
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Exercising made fun!
by Sugarcube101 (5 out of 5 stars)
February 15, 2018

Have had this for about a month now. Using it with a PS4 Pro and PSVR headset.

This feels like it was the missing piece in my weekly exercise routine! I try to work out at least four times a week, but it can be hard to stick to it when exercising is a repetitive affair. I use a treadmill and a DDR mat as alternative exercises, but adding VR put a whole new spin on the exercise experience to help keep things fresh. 30 minutes to an hour passes in no time when using this bike!

After putting everything together, playing with it was as simple as plugging in the USB dongle, booting up the VirZoom Arcade, turning on the bike and pedaling. My favorite games in the VirZoom Arcade are the tank driving games and the lake paddleboat; other games include a western bandit chase, a race car, a pegasus ride, and a helicopter flight simulation (the most technical of all the games offered); most of the games have multiple variations of goals. I like how there is in-game read-outs of session time and tension levels (be sure to do the in-game calibration of the tension levels), so you can keep the PSVR on while tracking progress. Turning is registered by leaning left and right on the bike, and it feels pretty natural. None of the VirZoom Arcade games currently make use of the face buttons, only the handlebar triggers, so I don't know how those perform; using the handlebar triggers works well with the grip and pedaling. Supposedly the development team has plans to add more games to the VirZoom Arcade, so maybe those face buttons will eventually see some use. I'm around 6'1", and riding the bike is comfortable to me.

My only complaint with this bike would be how the account system works for saving progress and statistics with the VirZoom Arcade, and the online multiplayer. To remember settings or statistics, an account needs to be registered through their site, which also enables the online play. While I've never had any issues with the games when playing solo, people joining/leaving game sessions has caused several glitches in games for me, such as AI bikers on the bike trail flickering and remaining permanently in the distance, or the camera suddenly drifting around for a few seconds when someone joins in playing the tank games. I also like to aim for personal high scores against AI targets, so some kind of option to turn off the online play when using a registered account would be very much appreciated. I will, however, give the VirZoom team kudos for having PC cross-play options with PS4 users, and not locking the online play behind the Playstation Plus subscription.
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This is ultimately the best exercise bike I've used to date
by T00nZ (5 out of 5 stars)
November 23, 2016

This is ultimately the best exercise bike I've used to date, I even quit cycling classes after two days of this, now don't get me wrong, a VR headset is an absolute must have to get the most out of it, but combined with PSVR, and you can bid your personal trainer a fairwell, after 30 minutes of cardio with this I am sweating like crazy, buy it, you will not regret it, trust me this is an amazing experience.... looking for ward to some mortocyke type arcadish fun in the future with this, since you can use your body to maneuver left and right this is simply amazing folks. I'd give it 10 stars if I could
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You need to do this!!!
by R. Gabriel (5 out of 5 stars)
January 13, 2018

Simple to set up. Wow, is this thing fun! Be careful, if you're out of shape, you're going to wear yourself out in the beginning. It's a lot easier to become VR woozy/seasick when you have over exerted your body. But the way these games are set up they are actually fairly good about preventing VR motion sickness. My daughter is prone to motion sickness and she had no problems playing any of the games.

With concepts like this perhaps this new generation of juvenile obesity's have some hope. I know this pudgy old man is easily going to get into shape using his virzoom. As other reviews have indicated (which prompted me to pull the trigger on this), you are too busy competing to realize you are working out. I'd pay double for this product for the health benefits alone!
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love the concept... can't wait to see what the future holds for software upgrades
by Blake C (5 out of 5 stars)
November 27, 2017

Unboxed it and was playing in 1 hour on an Oculus Rift / PC. Reminds me of when I fell in love with Dance Dance Revolution. I Could go for 1 hour hard til I was dripping sweat, and lost 20 pounds in 3 months, then the high impact on my knees put an end to the fun.

The VirZoom Bike gives me the same feeling. After 30 minutes, I had quite a sweat worked up, and I barely felt like any time had passed. The games are fun and serve to distract you from the boredom and pain of exercise, plus trick you into sprinting due to the game play. I had little to no motion sickness. This is what the WII Fit should have been...

At some point I may attempt a retrofit their bike electronics onto a better recumbent bike, but for now the standard VirZoom bike is good enough for the purpose. For what it is, the hardware quality is decent to good, and the software exceeded expectations (but I am sure it will get better). I'm 6'4 240 and it is a hair on the small side for me (short stroke on the pedals, and the seat adjustment could be an inch longer). While the seat is good, I am getting a Bike Seat Pad off Amazon to raise me up an inch and add some extra padding.

I talked to their director of sales trying to beg one of their 'sold out' bike retrofit sensors (to no avail), but he did mention they are teamed up with LifeFitness for professional Gym's using pro-grade bikes. I think they really could be amazing in a fitness club environment.

Anyway - I see great weight loss in my future. I have proven in past weight loss efforts, that the cardio bike is the key to me dropping weight, and this little jewel will distract me long enough to shed the pounds.
240 lbs - 11/28/17
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I'm impressed.
by Craig H. Nisbet (5 out of 5 stars)
February 6, 2017

I honestly wasn't sure what I was going think of this. Turns out I'm really loving it! They really went the extra mile to make sure that it wasn't just a gimmicky toy. Super easy to set up, and great online support for tracking information like a fitbit.

I had absolutely no problem hooking in up to my PC. The bike is extremely sturdy and the controls on the handle bars work out great. yes the games are little lack luster at times, but the more I play them the more things I find that I like about them.

Plus the system supports making games in the Unity game engine! You can download the free version of Unity, get the free plugin from VirZoom from the Unity Asset Store and make your own games! I put together a working little demo in 1 night with no coding! How fun is that?
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A Fun & Stress Free Way to Exercise
by terriercat1 (5 out of 5 stars)
March 2, 2018

I'm loving this bike. I'm having more fun with this than I've ever had riding a real bike. I've been looking for a fun way to stay active in winter and to improve some health conditions I have. I was looking for something fun that would be good cardio for me, I do get motion sickness, usually weather caused, so I have a regular excercise bike as well, but this one is definitely more fun. I currently have very low stamina and a weakened heart so I can't yet make it through the easier games yet so this really gives me something to progress with and motivation to keep making progress. My VR has been a good anxiety and depression escape for me so this also further helps me with that as well. I love how playing this I sweat more than I ever did going to a gym, which proves having fun is a much better workout plan than anything else ever could be. It's also less stressful for me than biking at a gym since I can just be alone in a VR world doing whatever I want whenever I want to and not ruin the health benefits by having anxiety attacks.
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This thing is incredible
by Frank Herb (5 out of 5 stars)
September 13, 2017

It took me about 30 minutes to assemble and was easy. Required no tools besides what came in the box. The frame is very sturdy and the operation is smooth and quiet. I just finished the most amazing 30 minute test workout I've ever had. Ran out of time. Tomorrow I'll do an hour at least. You don't even know your working out.
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This is the future of exercise equipment. You will want to exercise.
by GPK (5 out of 5 stars)
April 9, 2018

This is a wonderful way to exercise. You are having so much fun playing the games you do not realize how much exercising you put in until you stop and feel the workout. For us elderly types that don't want to leave the house you can not do better then this. The product is sturdy so you feel safe using it with the VR headset. The bike monitors your heart rate and other statistics and you can monitor that in game. You can even see how you rank with other folks playing the same games. I was surprised when they sent me my first weekly summary of how I did for the week. I know I will continue to exercise with this product when I haven't with the other exercise equipment. Well worth the money.

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