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Merach S38 Heimtrainer vs. Skandika Indoor Kliva 500-S compared
Indoor Cycling Bike
At a glance
The key numbers for both devices side by side.
Overall rating
6565Solide
6666Solide
Value for money
84Excellent
43Okay
Best price
€199.99
€799.00
Price advantage
€599.01 cheaper
—
Offers
2 shops
1 shop
Rank in category
Rank 28 of 45
Rank 27 of 45
Rating
Sub-ratings compared
Merach S38 HeimtrainerOverall rating 65Skandika Indoor Kliva 500-SOverall rating 66
Merach S38 HeimtrainerSkandika Indoor Kliva 500-S
Ride feel & resistance53/10076/100
Ergonomics & adjustability54/10052/100
App & connectivity60/10064/100
Stability & noise66/10064/100
Build quality & ease of use55/10070/100
Ride feel & resistance
53
76
Ergonomics & adjustability
54
52
App & connectivity
60
64
Stability & noise
66
64
Build quality & ease of use
55
70
Specs
Specs compared
Key specs
Brand
Model
S38
Kliva 500-S
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
Electromagnetic (motorized)
Flywheel weightWeight of the flywheel according to the manufacturer, not the “effective flywheel weight”; convert figures in lbs to kg.
6 kg (13 lb)
13 kg (29 lb)
DrivePower transmission to the flywheel according to the manufacturer; a belt runs quieter and needs less maintenance than a chain.
Belt
Max. loadMaximum user weight according to the manufacturer, not the unit’s own weight.
136 kg (300 lb)
150 kg (330 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
Yes
Ergonomics & comfort
Max. user heightMaximum recommended user height according to the manufacturer.
188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Min. user heightMinimum recommended user height according to the manufacturer.
144 cm (4 ft 9 in)
155 cm (5 ft 1 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
18 cm (7.1 in)
20.5 cm (8.1 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.
With cages or straps
With cages or straps
Bottle holderWater bottle holder included according to the manufacturer.
Yes
No
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.
16 levels
32 levels
Flywheel weight (effective)Effective or geared flywheel weight in kg stated by the manufacturer – not the weight of the disc, which is listed under “Flywheel weight”
13 kg (29 lb)
Watt-controlledHolds a set power in watts regardless of cadence – ERG mode in training apps
No
Max. powerMaximum braking power in watts according to the manufacturer
613 W
Power supplyPower supply of the console according to the manufacturer.
Battery
Power adapter
Console & connectivity
DisplayType of built-in monitor according to the manufacturer; a plain tablet holder counts as no display.
LCD
LCD
Displayed metricsValues the console shows directly according to the spec sheet, not just the app.
TimeSpeedDistanceCalories
DistanceSpeedCaloriesTimeCadenceWatts
Watt displayAccording to the manufacturer, the bike shows power in watts, either measured or calculated from resistance and cadence.
No
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
0
3
Compatible appsApps the manufacturer explicitly lists as compatible.
Manufacturer appKinomapZwift
KinomapZwift
Bluetooth FTMSOpen Bluetooth protocol for fitness equipment – lets apps outside our list connect too
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 strapANT+ chest strap
Bluetooth chest strap
SubscriptionWhether workouts and the screen are fully usable without a subscription (Peloton, iFit)
none
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”
97 × 19 × 76 cm (38 × 7.5 × 30 in)
150 × 50.5 × 120 cm (59 × 20 × 47 in)
Unladen weightWeight of the assembled bike without packaging according to the manufacturer.
29.9 kg (66 lb)
37 kg (82 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
Standards & classification
Usage classUsage class under DIN EN ISO 20957 according to the manufacturer.
H – Home use
General
Warranty
2 years
Price segment
Budget
In the box
Heimtrainer, Sattel, Pedale mit Riemen, Lenker, LCD-Monitor, Flaschen- und Tablethalter, Montagematerial, Werkzeug, Anleitung
Prices
Offers
Verdict
Pros & cons
Der Merach S38 ist ein leises Einsteiger-Indoor-Bike mit Magnetbremse, Riemen und offenem Bluetooth FTMS für Zwift und Kinomap. Er taugt für lockeres bis zügiges Ausdauertraining im Sitzen in hellhörigen Wohnungen. Der Haken: Der Widerstand beginnt bei über 100 W und regelt sprunghaft, Watt sind nur geschätzt, und bequem passt das Rad nur bis etwa 185 cm. Für Training nach Watt und viel Wiegetritt halten wir es für zu leicht und zu ungenau.
Pros
- Sehr leiser Betrieb durch Magnetbremse und Riemen, laut Hersteller unter 25 dB
- Offenes Bluetooth FTMS für Zwift, Kinomap und QZ
- Kostenlose Hersteller-App ohne Abo mit Kursen
- Guter Q-Faktor von 18 cm für gerade Kniestellung
- Im Sitzen trotz 6 kg Schwungmasse runder Tritt
- Knapp 30 kg und Transportrollen, leicht zu verschieben
Cons
- Grundwiderstand in Tests schon über etwa 100 W
- Drehknopf regelt nicht linear, Last springt nach einer Umdrehung
- Bequem nur bis etwa 185 cm statt der genannten 188 cm
- Rahmen gibt im Wiegetritt nach, einhändig leicht kippelig
- Unbeleuchtetes LCD ohne Stufen- und Wattanzeige, Watt nur geschätzt
Das Skandika Indoor Kliva 500-S ist ein Speedbike der Mittelklasse, dessen Motor den ganzen Rahmen neigt, zwischen -10,5 und +9,6 %. Mit Kinomap regelt laut Hersteller die App den Widerstand. Für dich passt es, wenn du gern virtuelle Bergstrecken fährst. Der Haken: breiter Q-Faktor, nur Pedalkörbe, und die Watt sind berechnet. Für exaktes Training nach Watt taugt es deshalb kaum.
Pros
- Motor neigt den ganzen Rahmen zwischen -10,5 und +9,6 %
- Elektromagnetische Bremse mit 32 elektrisch verstellten Stufen
- Kinomap steuert den Widerstand laut Hersteller selbst
- Tasten für Widerstand und Neigung direkt am Rennlenker
- Schwungrad hinten, außerhalb der Tropfzone
- Integrierte Tablethalterung über dem Display
Cons
- Q-Faktor von 20,5 cm sorgt für breitbeinige Haltung
- Wattwerte aus Stufe und Trittfrequenz berechnet, nicht gemessen
- Nur Pedalkörbe, keine Pedale für Klickschuhe
- Lenker nur in der Höhe verstellbar, Sattel in 11 Raststufen
- Kinomap-Vollzugang nur 30 Tage, danach Abo
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