Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

After my husband helped me pull the bike out of the box, I wanted to see if I could put this together by myself; and, if so, how long it would take. So, I set a timer, chased my husband out of the room and began. In 15 minutes I had removed the packaging and checked for missing parts. All the parts were there. It took me just under an hour to put the bike together, and I did it all by myself! It was really easy! The parts were packaged in an organized manner and clearly identified so I had no trouble with parts. All the tools needed to put it together were included, so I only had to find a pair of scissors to remove packaging and four D batteries to operate the console. And the picture instructions were accurate and easy to follow. That was amazing in itself! Now, I had it together, and it was time to try it out. After playing with the controls a bit, I figured out how to select a program and gave it a whirl. Here's what I like and don't like about operating the machine: Pros: The machine is QUIET! This is perfect for anyone who lives in an apartment or who is concerned with waking up a family member while exercising. I can't imagine this waking anyone up. A definite plus! It will give you a good bicycle workout. The program automatically increases and decreases resistance so you have to push yourself to finish. If it's too hard, though, you can adjust the program. There are eight resistance levels and six preset programs to choose from and a Quick Start button so you can set your own speed, distance, etc. During your workout, the console monitors time, RPMs, distance, speed, calories burned, resistance level, and heart rate. The heart rate monitor seemed to work pretty well and I was able to get it up into my ideal range within a few minutes on a higher resistance. I've done quite a bit of biking (rode in the MS 150) and use the local gym equipment, so I know what it takes to get a good workout. No, this is not the quality of a gym exercise bike, but for the price, it's a pretty good substitute. (Note: there is a limit of 275 pounds for this bike.) The bike doesn't take up a lot of space (61 inches long) and it's easy to move (60 pounds). My husband and I carried it upstairs without much trouble (we're in our 60s) and I can move it around myself, when needed. In spite of it being easy to move, it's extremely stable. I don't worry that it's going to fall over or tilt while using it. Cons: I don't like is the fan, the display, and the seat. The fan is useless. Don't even bother turning it on. There is not enough wind to blow a feather! The display panel uses a very thin, light font that makes it extremely hard to read, especially with older eyes. I have to stop to read the display. Not happy with that. The handlebar sits right below the seat cushion and as I pedal, I can feel it press on my butt! Not very comfortable! I put a small cushion back there to pad it. Bottom line: The bottom line is this: if you can't join a gym, this is a great addition for a lower-budget home gym. It's quiet, easy to use, convenient, doesn't take a lot of space, and you'll get a good bicycle workout for the money.