Tru Grit Reaper Air Bike Review
Updated June 2026 with my 1-month review · First looked at August 2024 · 3 videos
I came off an old Schwinn Airdyne, and the Reaper was a real upgrade. The magnetic resistance is the whole difference. Crank it halfway and it feels like riding hills, and you can change it without losing a step. It's quiet, and the seat actually holds a big guy. The catch is price, and I've only had it a month, so long-term durability is still a question.
Buy it if
- Buy it if a plain fan bike doesn't push you hard enough anymore.
- Buy it if you're a big guy who hates skinny air bike seats.
- Buy it if you want something a lot quieter than an old Airdyne.
- Buy it if you're tight on space and want one cardio machine that does more than one job.
Skip it if
- Skip it if you just need a basic fan bike and the extra money matters more than resistance levels.
- Skip it if you need proof it lasts years. I'm only a month in.
"This Reaper bike has been one of the best additions to my home gym ever."Me, at the 1-month mark
Photos
Pictures from the videos
Before you buy
What I don't love
It costs more
At $1,200 on preorder it was about $300 more than a Rogue Echo Bike. You're paying for the resistance levels.
Durability is still unknown
I've had it just over a month. I don't know how it holds up over time yet, and I'll say so in the later updates.
A couple of fiddly build steps
I poked my finger on a screw pulling parts out of the box, and there's barely room to get the Allen wrench on the monitor neck bolt. Hand tighten it first.
Not always in stock
It was on sale and sold out when I made my 1-month video.
Watch the videos
Every video I've made on it
Newest on top.
My 6-month update is next. I'll add it here when it's up.
One of my best gym adds ever
A month of riding it pretty much every day: sprints, short rides and resistance work, plus a walk through the specs on Tru Grit's site.
Built it, rode it, wow
Unboxing, the full build in about 30 minutes of real work, and the first ride where the resistance knob about took me out.
Why I wanted this bike
A look at the Reaper on Tru Grit's site before it shipped: the 8 resistance levels, the specs and how the price stacks up against a Rogue Echo.
Questions I get
How hard is it to put together?
Not hard. Most of it comes assembled and the tools are in the box. It would take about 30 minutes max by yourself.
Is it loud?
It's so quiet compared to my old Schwinn. It's still a fan bike, so it winds up when you get going, but it's belt driven and smooth.
Can you change the resistance mid-ride?
Yes. It's a knob, and you don't even lose a step. Low is a normal fan bike. Halfway feels like riding hills.
Will the seat work for a big guy?
Yes. It's wide and cushioned, way better than those narrow air bike seats. I run mine at the very top and it adjusts up, down, forward and back fast.
How much room does it take?
52 inches long, 24 wide and 52 high, about 8.7 square feet. It has big front wheels and a back handle, so it's easy to move into a corner.
Specs
| Resistance | Fan plus 8 magnetic levels |
|---|---|
| Drive | Belt driven |
| Dimensions | 52 in L x 24 in W x 52 in H |
| Footprint | 8.7 sq ft |
| Weight | 156 lb |
| Seat height | 24 to 31 in |
| Seat adjustment | 5 horizontal, 8 vertical positions |
| Monitor | Backlit LCD, Bluetooth, runs on 4 AA batteries |
| Fan | Oversized steel fan |
| Preorder price | $1,200 (August 2024) |
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