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There are many differences between the Nautilus R618 and Sole R92. Find out what these are and what recumbent bike the best choice is.
The main differences between the Nautilus R618 and Sole R92 are that the Nautilus R618 has a higher weight limit, a bigger user height range, more resistance levels, more built-in workout programs, seat handle resistance adjustment buttons, a gel seat with ventilated back, better screen mobility, and a more budget-friendly price.
On the other hand, the Sole R92 has a heavier flywheel and a longer frame warranty.
Something to note is that sources sometimes mention different flywheel weights for the Nautilus R618. Product descriptions seem to say 30 pounds (13.6 kg) but my customer support rep said 13.1 Pounds (5.9 kg).
If the flywheel of the Nautilus R618 is indeed heavier, you likely want to choose this recumbent bike. It is better in most of the areas people find important.
Additionally, you may just value the other helpful features and more budget-friendly price.
On the other side, it looks like you could consider investing more in the Sole R92 for (hopefully) smoother workouts.
Important differences Nautilus R618 vs Sole R92
The differences may not be entirely clear at first but the Nautilus R618 and Sole R92 vary in a good amount of areas. This will influence what recumbent bike the best choice is for you.
At the same time, some differences are more important than others. You can find the ones most likely to influence your choice in the first table below.
| Feature | Nautilus R618 | Sole R92 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 325 Pounds (147.4 kg) | 300 Pounds (136 kg) |
| User Height Range | 54 to 78 Inches (137.2 cm to 198 cm) | 60 to 76 Inches (152.4 cm to 193 cm) |
| Flywheel Weight | 13.1 Pounds (5.9 kg) (According To Customer Support Rep) | 20 Pounds (9.1 kg) |
| Resistance Levels | 25 Levels | 20 Levels |
| Workout Programs | 29 Workout Programs | 10 Workout Programs (Including 2 Custom) And Free 30-Day Studio Trial |
| Seat Handle Resistance Control | Yes | No |
| Seat Type | Nautilus Gel Seat With Ventilated Back | Padded Seat |
| Screen Mobility | Can Tilt | Static |
| Warranties* | 15 Years Frame Warranty, 3 Years Mechanical Parts & Electronics Warranty, 1 Year Labor Warranty | Lifetime Frame Warranty, 3 Years Parts & Electronics Warranty, And 1 Year Labor Warranty |
| Price Category** | $$$ | $$$$ |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Warranties can vary from seller to seller
**Price category at the time of writing
Other features Nautilus R618 and Sole R92
Before choosing either the Nautilus R618 or Sole R92 you may also want to know about their smaller differences and common features.
| Feature | Nautilus R618 | Sole R92 |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance Type | Magnetic | Magnetic |
| Dimensions | 67.3″ L x 26.4″ W x 48.8″ H | 57″ L x 30″ W x 50″ H |
| Weight | 107.1 lbs (48.6 kg) | 134 lbs (60.8 kg) |
| Adjustable Seat | Yes | Yes |
| Transport Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Transport Handle | Yes | Yes |
| Seat Handles | Yes | Yes |
| Screen | Backlit LCD console | 9″ LCD |
| Number Of Screen Users | 4 Users | 2 Users |
| Device Holder | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Contact & Telemetry Enabled (Heart Rate Chest Strap Included) | Contact & Telemetry Enabled (Heart Rate Chest Strap Included) |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | With Explore the World App | Yes |
| Speakers | Yes | Yes |
| Cooling Fans | Yes | Yes |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
Differences Nautilus R618 vs Sole R92 in-depth
Most people can decide between the Nautilus R618 and Sole R92 by looking at their price and feature differences.
At the same time, you may also want to know a bit more about what certain features mean, why they matter, and to what extent the difference should influence your choice.
You can find some of the most confusing areas explained a bit more in-depth below.
Flywheel weight
Exercise bikes often have a flywheel. This is a big rotating disk that turns when you push the pedals. While these can be hidden in recumbent bikes they are typically still there.
Differences between flywheels in terms of details like weight have an impact on your workouts for a few reasons.
Before going into these, the Sole R92 has a flywheel weight of 20 pounds (9.1 kg).
In the case of the Nautilus R618, it is not 100% clear what the flywheel weight is. There are product descriptions that mention 30 pounds (13.6 kg). Legally, these should be correct.
However, my customer support rep told me the flywheel weight of the Nautilus R618 is 13.1 pounds (5.9 kg). This article will assume this number is correct.
Most people will prefer heavier flywheels on their recumbent bikes. These build up more momentum. In turn, the risk of jerking movements when/if you don’t pedal perfectly is reduced.
Additionally, heavier flywheels are slightly harder to get and keep in motion. Keep in mind that this effect will be very small due to the extra momentum.
So if the assumed flywheel weights are correct, most people will prefer the Sole R92 in this area because it offers slightly smoother workouts.
Winner: Sole R92
Resistance levels
The main principle behind cardio machines like stationary bikes is challenging your body enough. By doing this, you start a variety of internal processes that can make you happier and healthier in the long term.
At the same time, you don’t want to challenge your body too much. This reduces the quality of your workouts and can potentially lead to injuries.
To help you train at the right intensities, recumbent bikes typically come with the option to use different resistance levels. These can also add some variety to your workouts.
The Nautilus R618 has 25 resistance levels. The Sole R92 has fewer options at 20 levels.
This difference can mean a few things including that the Nautilus R618 could offer more challenging workouts, less challenging workouts, and/or simply offer more precise resistance adjustment.
It is hard to find customer reviews of the Sole R92 that mention negative things about the resistance range. That being said, most people will prefer the 25 resistance levels of the Nautilus R618.
Winner: Nautilus R618
Seat handle resistance control
As their name implies, recumbent exercise bikes stand out for their more laid-back seat. This seat also typically comes with two handles right next to it to keep yourself in position.
Both the Nautilus R618 and Sole R92 have these handles. However, a nice addition to the Nautilus R618 is that there are additional resistance control buttons on these handles.
To adjust the resistance on the Sole R92, you have to get out of your recumbent position, lean forward, and reach toward the control panel.
This is not the end of the world but the resistance control situation of the Nautilus R618 will be slightly more convenient. Additionally, there are still resistance adjustment buttons on the control panel too.
Some people will not care too much about this difference. However, most people will like this detail of the Nautilus R618. This especially applies to seniors and people with limited mobility.
Winner: Nautilus R618
Price
So far, the Nautilus R618 has the upper hand over the Sole R92 in the most important areas. However, often stationary bikes with better features also come at a higher price.
Exactly how much of an investment each machine requires depends on where you get them and can change over time.
That being said, at the time of writing, the Nautilus R618 is more budget-friendly than the Sole R92 even though it is already better in many areas.
Winner: Nautilus R618
User reviews
When choosing between two recumbent bikes like the Nautilus R618 and Sole R92, the price and feature differences often give a good idea about what the best model is for your personal situation.
Even so, customer reviews sometimes uncover downsides that are not in the product description or trends in quality issues.
While this can change over time, customers are currently a bit more positive about the Nautilus R618 than the Sole R92 overall.
Both recumbent bikes have a few cases of faulty parts and early wear and tear. There are also customers that don’t like the relatively basic screens.
In the case of the Nautilus R618, the Bluetooth function does not always work. Additionally, some individuals have trouble connecting to the compatible app.
On the other side, the screen of the Sole R92 does not always work as desired.
While you want to keep the things above in mind, customers are still positive about the Nautilus R618 and Sole R92 overall. At the time of writing, the Nautilus R618 does slightly better in this area.
Is the Nautilus R618 or Sole R92 better for you?
In short, the Nautilus R618 has a higher weight limit, a bigger user height range, more resistance levels, more built-in workout programs, seat handle resistance adjustment buttons, a gel seat with ventilated back, better screen mobility, and a more budget-friendly price.
On the flip side, the Sole R92 has a longer frame warranty and likely a heavier flywheel weight although sources vary.
If the flywheel of the Nautilus R618 is indeed heavier, it is hard to argue against choosing this recumbent bike. It is better in the areas that most people will find important.
However, even if the flywheel is lighter, you could consider the Nautilus R618 for its other helpful features and more budget-friendly price.
At the same time, it could also be worth investing more in the Sole R92 to (hopefully) get smoother workouts.
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