AssaultBike Elite Review (2024): Worth the Elite Price?

Few brands have the reputation of Assault Fitness when it comes to the best air bikes. There was a time when Assault air bikes filled CrossFit gyms, offering athletes a full-body workout through intense cardio training.

Although many gyms have now opted for the Rogue Echo Bike, the AssaultBike Classic remains a top brand in the home gym community and has been proven to be a durable air bike that’ll last (with proper maintenance and care). Assault Fitness has specialized in three options for their exercise bikes: the Classic, the Pro X, and the Elite.

In this AssaultBike Elite review, I’ll take you through the bigger, bulkier brother of the Classic that claims to have a smoother, more comfortable ride. While it is a solid piece of equipment, does the Elite have enough improvements on the original design to warrant its higher price? Let’s talk about it.

We’re Big Fans of Air Bikes

Get it? Because air bikes have giant fans? Sigh.

Well, even though our puns may not always land, our expertise certainly does. Our team has experts in fitness and nutrition, ranging from certified personal trainers and nutrition coaches to globe-trotting athletes (I myself competed at the Tokyo Olympics). We have the experience to know what to look for in the best cardio machines: rowers, ellipticals, treadmills, and bikes.

We had Amanda Capritto, a certified personal trainer and triathlete, test out the AssaultBike Elite. She’s also had experience with the other bike models through her time as a CrossFit trainer. In her testing of the Elite bike, she tested different features of the exercise bike according to our fitness equipment testing methodology. She rated a score between 1 and 5 for aspects such as:

• Delivery and assembly
• Footprint and portability
• Durability
• Customizations, adjustments, and ergonomics
• Technological capabilities
• Conveniences
• Value

Assault Bike Elite

Assault AirBike Elite

GGR Score: 3.73

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Product Highlights

• Solid steel frame
• Upper and lower body engagement
• Large supportive seat
• Maximum user weight of 350 lbs
• Performance tracking via integrated LCD screen
• HIIT interval programs

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comes with built-in HIIT programs
• High weight capacity of 350 lbs
• Corrosion-resistant powder coating
• 12 seat height adjustments available
• 10-year frame warranty

Cons

• Weighs 140 pounds and can be difficult to move
• LCD screen only tracks basic metrics

Bottom Line

The AssaultBike Elite is the bigger, bulkier brother of the Classic that claims to have a smoother, more comfortable ride. While it is a solid piece of equipment, it doesn't have enough improvements on the original design to warrant its higher price.

A Quick Look at the AssaultBike Elite

Assault Fitness focuses on conditioning equipment that is driven by human power—think manual treadmills, air bikes, and rowing machines. In general, these manual-driven cardio machines mean that the harder you push yourself, the more resistance you’ll be met with.

RELATED: AssaultRunner Pro Review

Assault Fitness currently sells three air bike models: the Classic, the Pro X, and the Elite. Each model is a bit more durable and heavier than the previous model, with the Elite being the largest.

Of the three models, the AssaultBike Classic and the AssaultBike Elite are chain-driven bikes (like outdoor bicycles). However, the original Pro model was replaced with the AssaultBike Pro X, which is their first belt-driven bike. Both are viable options for a home gym space, but belt-driven bikes are gaining popularity, as they are quieter than chain-driven bikes and require less maintenance.

The AssaultBike Elite, also known as the Assault AirBike Elite, has a heavy-duty steel frame and comes in at nearly 140 pounds, certain to limit wobbling during your biking session. To increase durability, the Elite has industrial powder coating. The fan bike is also made with a larger bicycle seat and a larger weight capacity of 350 pounds—well over the industry standard of 275 pounds. This bike is built to last.

RELATED: Assault Fitness Discount Code

There are a couple of other points that separate the Elite from the classic model, like Bluetooth and ANT connectivity (a low-strength frequency of connectivity that can preserve battery life), as well as a more robust warranty and high-contrast LCD screen. Beyond that, these chain-drive bikes operate very similarly to each other.

Before You Buy

• If you feel the AssaultBike Elite is overpriced, but you like the idea of a wider seat on the Classic or Pro X, rest assured: Assault Fitness does sell a wide bike saddle separately.
• Assault Fitness offers different financing options and free shipping on the AssaultBike Elite.
• The AssaultBike Elite can connect to the Assault Fitness app and Fiit for interactive training programs centered around the bike.

Is the AssaultBike Elite Worth It?

In our AssaultBike review of the entire line of bikes, we rate the AssaultBike Classic highly for its value, costing $749, about $100 less than the Rogue Echo Bike.

However, we’re here to talk about the AssaultBike Elite. With a price that’s double the Classic, it doesn’t have enough add-ons and improvements from the AssaultBike Classic to warrant the price hike. 

Amanda rates the value a 3 out of 5, saying, “Most of the upgrades from the Classic and Pro to the Elite bike don’t change a lot in terms of the bike’s functionality. Even with the angled handles and aluminum seat post, I didn’t notice any major differences in the smoothness of the ride or comfort while testing…definitely not enough of a difference to double the price of the Classic.”

Other features, like the wider seat and windscreen, can be purchased individually for the other bikes, making this beefier model mostly just overpriced—especially considering that the Pro X is now a belt-driven bike that requires less maintenance and is $600 cheaper, too.

That said, the 10-year frame warranty is substantially more than the other Assault Fitness bikes. And with a max user weight of 350 pounds, this can be a great air bike for larger, taller athletes. There may be some people who would get good value out of this, but for most users, we’d recommend the belt-driven AssaultBike Pro X if you want to stick with Assault Fitness.

AssaultBike Elite Specs

Using the AssaultBike Elite

Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC, tested out the AssaultBike Elite through several cardio workouts. For some sessions, she focused on her lower body by not pushing the moving handlebars. For other workouts, she focused on a full-body workout, performing high-intensity interval training.

RELATED: Best Air Bike Workouts

The bike performed well, although about as well as the less expensive Assault bikes—the AssaultBike Classic and Pro X. Amanda was hard-pressed to recommend this bike over the others, due to its hefty price increase. She says, “For most people, I’d go with the Classic or Pro X, as it’ll have a similar feel without spending so much money.”

Let’s take a look at the Elite and its different features.

Footprint and Portability

At about 55 inches long and 26 inches wide, the AssaultBike Elite will take up a bit more space than the Classic or Pro X, but not much more, earning it a 4 out of 5 for its footprint and portability. 

What keeps it from earning a better score is the weight of the machine. At nearly 140 pounds, it’s a pretty heavy bike. Amanda was able to move it around by lifting one side up and rolling the other side with the transport wheels attached, but the heft of the bike was still substantial. “You’ll have to really tip the Elite high on the wheels for it to smoothly roll around anywhere on the floor,” Amanda warns.

Durability

“An Assault bike should last years with proper maintenance,” Amanda says of her experience with the Assault bikes in general. “Even without it, Assault bikes have lasted years in CrossFit gyms that don’t properly clean the bike chains and endure high-volume usage.”

RELATED: Best Exercise Bike with Moving Arms

The AssaultBike Elite is made to last like the AssaultBike Classic, but even more so, with its bigger steel frame, solid steel cranks, corrosion-resistant powder coating, and an aluminum seat post and slider. Amanda rates the durability of the Elite bike a 4.5 out of 5, adding, “This kind of bike, with proper chain maintenance, should be able to last years, if not decades, in a garage gym.”

Customizations, Adjustability, and Ergonomics

Truth be told, there’s not a lot of customization with the AssaultBike Elite, or with other Assault bikes in general. There is no damper setting. Instead, the bike uses air resistance; the amount of resistance is entirely dependent on how hard you pedal. Pedal harder, and you’re met with greater resistance.

The adjustability is nice, as you have 12 seat height adjustments available, and a sliding-length seat adjustment that will allow micro-adjustments. As far as ergonomics go, the only major change between the Classic and the Elite is the wider seat saddle. Larger athletes may enjoy this feature, but it also may deter smaller people from this bulkier bike.

That said, the bike is fairly simple, earning a 3.5 out of 5 for its adjustments and ergonomics.

Tech Capabilities and Conveniences

As I said before, the AssaultBike Elite is a fairly simplistic bike, and the same goes for its technological capabilities—for which it gets a 3 out of 5. Amanda says herself, “Assault Fitness specializes in manual equipment, so it honestly feels unfair to knock the bikes for not having similar big touchscreen displays and interactive programming other exercise bikes have.”

RELATED: Schwinn Airdyne Pro Review

The Elite has a simple LCD display that tracks basic metrics, such as heart rate, time, distance, and more. However, the Elite has Bluetooth and ANT connectivity. ANT is a lower-strength frequency that some smart devices and fitness trackers use for connectivity, which also allows multiple devices to connect at once—as well as saving battery life on the LCD screen.

After connecting to your device, you can get training programs from the Assault Fitness app or Fiit, where you’ll get a variety of HIIT or cardio workouts.

As far as conveniences go, the Elite bike is pretty bare bones. Newer models of the Classic and Pro X now have water bottle holders; the AssaultBike Elite still lacks this feature. It does come with a windscreen to shield the bike’s fan, but overall, it’s a bit lacking on major features, earning it a 2 out of 5 for conveniences.

AssaultBike Elite vs Rogue Echo Bike

Rogue Echo Bike

Rogue Echo Bike

GGR Score: 4.6

Check Price Sae $70 for Black Friday

Product Highlights

• Heavy duty steel
• Overbuilt for smooth ride 
• 350 lb weight limit 
• Solid foundation for max outs 
• Easily portable

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Extremely durable, beefy construction
• Very little rocking or side-to-side movement
• Black powder-coated metal on almost everything
• Belt-driven fan for much less maintenance.
• Easy-to-read LCD console screen
• Legs feature adjustable leveling feet
• Somewhat compact
• Oversized, heavy-duty front wheels
• Sleek, attractive look

Cons

• Larger than other stationary bikes
• Belt drive is overall harder to push than a chain drive
• Not the cheapest air bike on the market

Bottom Line

We’ve tested just about every air bike on the market, and the Echo combines many of our favorite features into one. The belt drive is much more durable and requires less maintenance than a chain drive. The size and weight make it extremely stable, and the price is much less than we’d expect for such a quality piece of equipment.

The Rogue Echo Bike has overtaken the AssaultBike Classic (and Elite) as the most popular air bike for CrossFit. It’s overbuilt; as Coop says, “Rogue basically took apart one of their Monster racks and reassembled it as a piece of cardio equipment.”

However, the bulkiness isn’t as obvious when comparing it to the Elite, as both are built heavy-duty. The AssaultBike Elite is actually a heavier bike by more than 15 pounds, and has a heavier weight limit.

Still, when I compare the two bikes, there’s not much that allows me to justify the significant price difference between them. The Echo Bike is built well just like the Elite, and both allow for Bluetooth and ANT connectivity. The LCD displays are basic for both. The major difference is that the Echo Bike is belt-driven, meaning it requires less maintenance and is a quieter bike (albeit not silent). The Elite does have a beefier warranty, though.

The Rogue Echo Bike would be my pick out of these two bikes, just because of its higher value with a lower price point. Plus, the belt drive is much easier to maintain. Check out our Rogue Echo Bike review for more information on this fan bike.

Customer Experience 

Assault Fitness provides a substantial warranty on the AssaultBike Elite: 10 years on the frame, 3 years on non-wear parts, and 1 year on labor. Along with the sizable warranty, you’re allowed 30 days to return the bike, although the item must be unused, in its original packaging, and on a pallet. If it doesn’t meet these requirements, Assault Fitness will take a 20% restocking fee from your refund.

There are many ways to contact the company through the website—email, phone, or through a contact form. Because of the warranty policy and ease of contacting the business, we rate the customer service a 5 out of 5.

Ordering and Assembling the AssaultBike Elite

The AssaultBike Elite can be ordered directly from the Assault Fitness website, as well as from Amazon (although it’s an older model). Financing is available for the AssaultBike Elite, either through Shop Pay or Affirm. You’ll have to qualify for both options, however.

None of Assault Fitness’ air bikes are delivered fully assembled, although Amanda adds that it’s a fairly painless process. “The frame and flywheel come assembled already, so you just attach the pedals, monitor, handles, seat post, and the seat,” she says. “You’re done in about 10 steps or so.” Amanda rates the delivery and setup a 4 out of 5.

Customer Reviews

As of this writing, there are 62 reviews for the AssaultBike Elite on Assault’s website, averaging a respectable 4.6 out of 5 stars. Positive reviews mostly praise the durability and construction of the exercise bike (one of our favorite things about the bike), as well as its easy and straightforward assembly process.

Negative reviews range across multiple complaints. One specific complaint was from a gym owner who had four out of eight bike seats break within a short period of time. This was an older customer review, though, so I hope that Assault Fitness has solved this issue if it was due to its construction. I think they have, since this isn’t a common complaint.

Other lackluster reviews mostly weren’t excited over the LCD screen, saying it was too simple and the connectivity features didn’t translate over to all devices. One particular customer said they had trouble connecting their Apple Watch to the bike, although both devices said it was connected.

Final Verdict of Our AssaultBike Elite Review

There’s a lot to love with the AssaultBike Elite. The wider ergonomic seat and higher user weight limit are nice perks, especially for larger athletes. The warranty is nice compared to the other bikes in the Assault Fitness lineup. Plus, the Elite is built to last with quality materials.

However, the main thing that I can’t get over is the price. At $1,500, the bike is simply overpriced in our opinion. If you’re looking for a chain-driven bike, you’ll get a nearly similar experience with the AssaultBike Classic. You can also go with the AssaultBike Pro X for a belt-driven bike and still save money.

With its beefed-up warranty and heavier build, there are a few instances where the bike might be worth your money. For most home gym users, we think you’d be getting more out of your money with another air bike in Assault Fitness’ lineup—or from another brand.

Full Rating

AssaultBike Elite

The AssaultBike Elite is the bigger, bulkier brother of the Classic that claims to have a smoother, more comfortable ride. While it is a solid piece of equipment, does the Elite have enough improvements on the original design to warrant its higher price?

Product Brand: Assault Fitness

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 1499.00

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
3.73

AssaultBike Elite: FAQs

Caine Wilkes, OLY, CNC, USAW-L1

Caine Wilkes is an Olympian, placing 9th in weightlifting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. A former gym owner, he also has more than 15 years of experience coaching other athletes in weightlifting, CrossFit, and functional fitness.

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