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Matrix ICR50 vs. Merach S26 Heimtrainer compared
Indoor Cycling Bike
At a glance
The key numbers for both devices side by side.
Overall rating
7171Solide
6969Solide
Value for money
60Fair
90Excellent
Best price
€699.00
€189.99€209.99−10 %
Price advantage
—
€509.01 cheaper
Offers
3 shops
3 shops
Rank in category
Rank 20 of 45
Rank 24 of 45
Rating
Sub-ratings compared
Matrix ICR50Overall rating 71Merach S26 HeimtrainerOverall rating 69
Matrix ICR50Merach S26 Heimtrainer
Ride feel & resistance68/10062/100
Ergonomics & adjustability78/10060/100
App & connectivity60/10062/100
Stability & noise78/10084/100
Build quality & ease of use76/10072/100
Ride feel & resistance
68
62
Ergonomics & adjustability
78
60
App & connectivity
60
62
Stability & noise
78
84
Build quality & ease of use
76
72
Specs
Specs compared
Key specs
Brand
Model
ICR50
S26
Resistance systemBraking principle according to the manufacturer: magnetic (contactless, quiet), friction (felt or leather brake on the flywheel) or electromagnetic with motorized adjustment. Manufacturers also call the electromagnetic brake ECB or eddy current brake. If a motor adjusts the resistance – it adapts itself during a workout (auto resistance, auto-follow, control via app) –, this counts as “Electromagnetic (motorized)”, even if the manufacturer only speaks of a magnetic brake; “Magnetic brake” means adjustment via knob or lever.
Magnetic brake
Magnetic brake
Flywheel weightWeight of the flywheel according to the manufacturer, not the “effective flywheel weight”; convert figures in lbs to kg.
6 kg (13 lb)
DrivePower transmission to the flywheel according to the manufacturer; a belt runs quieter and needs less maintenance than a chain.
Belt
Belt
Max. loadMaximum user weight according to the manufacturer, not the unit’s own weight.
136 kg (300 lb)
136 kg (300 lb)
App connectivityAccording to the manufacturer, the bike can be paired with at least one training app (e.g. Zwift, Kinomap, manufacturer app).
Yes
Yes
Grade simulationThe app adjusts resistance automatically to match the route profile, e.g. in Zwift or Kinomap – requires motorized resistance adjustment
No
No
Ergonomics & comfort
Max. user heightMaximum recommended user height according to the manufacturer.
195 cm (6 ft 5 in)
188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Min. user heightMinimum recommended user height according to the manufacturer.
155 cm (5 ft 1 in)
142 cm (4 ft 8 in)
Saddle adjustmentSaddle adjustment directions according to the manufacturer.
Height and fore-aft
Height and fore-aft
Handlebar adjustmentHandlebar adjustment directions according to the manufacturer.
Height only
Height only
Q-factorDistance between the pedals in cm according to the manufacturer – smaller is easier on the joints
15.9 cm (6.3 in)
20 cm (7.9 in)
PedalsPedal system included according to the manufacturer; combo pedals have a clipless side and a cage side. Look Delta is a separate clipless standard and not SPD-compatible.
Combo pedals (SPD and cage)
With cages or straps
Bottle holderWater bottle holder included according to the manufacturer.
Yes
Yes
Drive & resistance
Resistance adjustmentType of resistance adjustment according to the manufacturer: stepless via a knob or in fixed levels.
Stepped
Stepped
Resistance levelsNumber of resistance levels according to the manufacturer; leave blank for stepless adjustment.
11 levels
100 levels
Watt-controlledHolds a set power in watts regardless of cadence – ERG mode in training apps
No
No
Power supplyPower supply of the console according to the manufacturer.
Battery
Battery
Console & connectivity
DisplayType of built-in monitor according to the manufacturer; a plain tablet holder counts as no display.
No display
LED
Display sizeScreen diagonal according to the manufacturer; leave blank for simple LCD displays
22 inches
Displayed metricsValues the console shows directly according to the spec sheet, not just the app.
TimeDistanceCaloriesHeart rateCadenceSpeed
TimeDistanceSpeedCaloriesCadence
Watt displayAccording to the manufacturer, the bike shows power in watts, either measured or calculated from resistance and cadence.
Yes
Yes
Power measurementHow the wattage is obtained: measured by a power meter or calculated from resistance and cadence – measured is more accurate
Calculated
Workout programsNumber of preinstalled workout programs
4
0
Compatible appsApps the manufacturer explicitly lists as compatible.
ZwiftKinomapPeloton
Manufacturer appZwiftKinomap
Bluetooth FTMSOpen Bluetooth protocol for fitness equipment – lets apps outside our list connect too
Yes
Yes
Wireless interfacesWireless connections of the bike according to the manufacturer.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Heart rate monitoringHow heart rate is measured; empty = no heart rate monitoring
Bluetooth chest strap
SubscriptionWhether workouts and the screen are fully usable without a subscription (Peloton, iFit)
none
optional
Tablet holderHolder for a tablet or smartphone according to the manufacturer; mark optional accessories separately
Integrated
Integrated
Dimensions & installation
Dimensions (L × W × H)Assembled, in cm, length × width × height at the lowest handlebar position – e.g. “150 × 68 × 117 cm”
135 × 57 × 109 cm (53 × 22 × 43 in)
101.6 × 55.9 × 114.3 cm (40 × 22 × 45 in)
Unladen weightWeight of the assembled bike without packaging according to the manufacturer.
52 kg (115 lb)
26.8 kg (59 lb)
Transport wheelsAccording to the manufacturer, the bike has wheels for moving it around.
Yes
Yes
Floor levelingHeight-adjustable feet to compensate for uneven floors according to the manufacturer.
Yes
Yes
General
Warranty
5 years
Price segment
Premium
Budget
Model year
2021
In the box
Indoor Cycle, Kombipedale (SPD/Pedalkörbe), Flaschenhalter, Tablethalterung; Konsole optional
Hauptrahmen (vormontiert), Sattel, Lenker, Standfüße, Pedale mit Korb/Riemen, Kleinteile, Werkzeug, Anleitung
Prices
Offers
Verdict
Pros & cons
Das Matrix ICR50 ist ein solides Kursrad ohne Abo-Zwang für Training nach Gefühl, Puls oder Ansage. Für Spinning-Kurse per Video eignen sich der leise Riemenantrieb, die 11 gut wiederholbaren Stufen und der schmale Q-Faktor von 15,9 cm. Der Haken: Apps können den Widerstand nicht steuern, einen ERG-Modus gibt es nicht. Eine Anzeige fehlt beim Grundgerät, Konsole und Display kosten extra.
Pros
- Magnetbremse mit 11 klar gerasterten, wiederholbaren Stufen, Hebel bremst als Notstopp
- Leiser, wartungsarmer Riemenantrieb mit hinten liegender, vor Schweiß geschützter Schwungscheibe
- Schmaler Q-Faktor von 15,9 cm, Sattel in Höhe und Länge verstellbar
- 52 kg Eigengewicht für einen ruhigen Wiegetritt
- Bluetooth FTMS für Zwift, Kinomap und Peloton ohne Hersteller-Abo
- Kombipedale für SPD und Turnschuhe, 5 Jahre Garantie auf den Rahmen
Cons
- Kein von Apps gesteuerter Widerstand, kein ERG-Modus
- Wattwerte nur geschätzt, laut Hersteller ungenau
- Grundgerät ohne Anzeige, Konsole und 22-Zoll-Display kosten extra
- Lenker nur in der Höhe verstellbar
- Bluetooth-Modul läuft mit Batterien, eine Ladestandsanzeige wird nicht genannt
Der Merach S26 ist ein leises Budget-Rad für Ausdauertraining mit offenem Bluetooth FTMS für Kinomap, Zwift und die Merach-App. Für ruhige Einheiten vor Tablet oder Fernseher taugt er gut, auch abends in der Mietwohnung. Der Haken: Den Widerstand verstellst du nur langsam am Drehknopf, und die Wattanzeige lag in einem Test über 25 % daneben.
Pros
- Sehr leiser Lauf durch Magnetbremse und Riemen, auch abends im Mietshaus
- Offenes Bluetooth FTMS für Merach-App, Kinomap und Zwift
- Stand in Tests auch bei hoher Trittfrequenz fest und wackelte kaum
- Zu etwa 80 % vormontiert, Aufbau in 30 bis 45 Minuten
- Tablethalterung und Flaschenhalter integriert
- Leichte Scheibe spricht schnell auf Tempowechsel an
Cons
- Widerstand am Drehknopf braucht viele Umdrehungen, ungeeignet für schnelle Intervalle
- Watt nur berechnet, in einem Test über 25 % Abweichung
- Display startete bei Schweiß neu, laufende Einheit ging verloren
- Sattelstütze ab etwa 190 cm in Tests zu kurz
- Nur 6 kg Schwungmasse, Tritt weniger rund als bei schwereren Rädern
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