Endurance B2U Upright Exercise Bike Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Amazon price for the Endurance B2U Exercise Bike, with free shipping, was the best I could find anywhere. The bike arrived on the day expected and was in excellent condition (Very well packaged in box). Unfortunately, that is where the good news ends.
The assembly instructions were about the worst I have ever seen. Most of the instructions were small-scall images. There were very few written instructions and what ones there were were written by people who have never spoken English. They made no sense at all. I had a terrible time figuring out how to connect the magnetic resistance knob to the cable. Finally, at the bottom of the box was a second set of instructions that actually showed how to do this.
The bike has a heavy duty feel to it, or at least heavy as it weighs well over 100 lbs. The seat height is adjustable and the seat itself is quite comfortable. The bike is extremely quiet even when peddled at high speeds. About the only sound I hear with the bike is my heavy breathing and my 51-year old knees popping. Its easy to listen to television while exercising without turning the volume up above normal levels.
The absolute worst part of the bike is the "friendly console" that is very cheaply designed for such an expensive bike. The calorie counter does not adjust to the resistance level so, the bright guy that I am, I think I will always set the resistance at Level 1 since Level 15 doesn't burn any more calories per hour. Another annoyance is that there seems to be very little difference between resistance levels 1 through 8 and you have to get up to level 11 to 15 for it to be challenging. I have to say that the heart rate monitor seems to be accurate.
If I had known what I was getting for my money I would never have bought the silly thing. However, now that I have it put together I'll probably use it the rest of my life as it does provide a way to get good exercise without leaving the house.

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Magnetic Cardio Dual Trainer Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been using this machine just about every day for the past two weeks and I found it very easy to put together (very clear step by step instructions and all the nuts and bolts were clearly labeled and packaged). As it is stated in the instruction manual, this is strictly for home use and the bolts require inspection and tightening monthly. However, now that I have been using it for a couple of months, the machine now makes a terrible sqeaking noise that I have not been able to rectify (unless I pedal backwards!!!!) I haven't taken the wheel base apart yet, as I'm not that mechanical. My next step is to call the manufacturer. I really can't afford a more expensive machine right now, but will seriously contemplate that for the future.

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Bladez H914 Jet Indoor Cycling Bike Review

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(More customer reviews)This bike has several significant advantages over other spin bikes, but they're subtle and aren't well publicized. They give the bike unusual flexibility and customization ability and are definitely worth considering.
-- Handlebars, seat, and pedals are all standard bike components
Most spin bikes have standard pedals and seat, but NOT handlebars. On the Jet Bike, they can all be swapped out for standard bike components to customize the feel of the bike. For example, replace the pedals with clip-in ones and the handlebars with road bike drop bars.
-- Resistance control and brake are movable
Unlike almost every other spin bike, the resistance control is a paddle style like regular bicycle gear shifts. The brake is a standard grip brake. Both resistance and brake controls are linked to the friction pads via cables and clip on to the handle bars - just like regular bikes. This means you can detach them from their standard placement and put them wherever you like - in my case on one end of the handlebars within easy reach of where my hands rest. Almost all other bikes have a fixed resistance knob located on the frame of the bike.
-- Resistance control has 13 steps, continuous in between
Almost every other spin bike has a continuous knob with no steps or markings. This means that between sessions, you have no reference point for what resistance(s) you used last time. But with the Jet Bike's 13 steps, you'll know, for example, that last week you were between 4 and 8 resistance range, but this week you increased to a range of 5 to 9. This allows you to track your improvement with quantifiable data. You can even set the paddle anywhere between the 13 steps, and the paddle makes a clicking sound when it snaps into the next step. On the down side, the dial isn't marked with numbers, so you'll either have to add your own markings or remember what step you're on.
-- Handlebars are adjustable up/down AND pitch
The ability to adjust the angle of the bars is unusual among spin bikes and allows you to achieve a more comfortable position.
-- Handlebars have arm pads and a unique shape
The handlebars have arm rests attached to the straight section which make leaning with your arms out parallel in front of you much more comfortable. Also, the handlebars have an unusual shape that more closely mimics a road bike position.
-- Lifetime frame warranty, 1 year parts
One of the best warranties on a spin bike.
This bike isn't perfect. The flywheel is 31 lbs, which is a little lighter than I would prefer, but you can always make it heavier by adding self-adhesive weights (but make sure it stays balanced). Also, the seat (like many spin bikes) is relatively hard and uncomfortable if you're not used to that style -- but the good news is you can swap it out with a more comfortable one. Like most spin bikes, there is no computer, but you can pick one up for less than $30.
Overall, the bike is very well built and sturdy. I'll update this review when I've had more time to use it, but so far I'm very impressed and think its unique features will give it great longevity. Hope this helps.
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UPDATE:
While I'm still very much enjoying this bike, I must make a note about the drivetrain. When applying a lot of force to the pedals (for example, when standing up), I get a slight shuddering sensation on the downstroke. It's not major but it is a bit disconcerting. I tried adjusting the tension of the chain to no avail. Also, one of the pedals makes a popping sound when it reaches the top of its rotation. Again, it doesn't affect performance but is a little disconcerting. I noticed these issues from the very beginning, and they haven't changed after 9 months. I plan to contact Bladez and see what they say. Otherwise, I can say that after 9 months of riding, the bike is holding up well. Only other complain is that the tension control is too sensitive and that only about the bottom 1/3 of its range is useful (above that it gets impossibly hard to pedal). However, this might be intentional so that as the brake padding wears, there is room for compensation.

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Schwinn A10 Upright Bike Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Schwinn A10 is a relatively new product, and is the new iteration of the much more reviewed Schwinn Active 10. It has improvements over the former, but also commands a higher price as of now. Whether or not Schwinn will eventually phase out the Active 10 for the A10 is unknown to me.
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PACKAGING:
The bike was in a large box which had a shipping weight of 65 pounds. All of the components are placed into two foam molds, which were very secure. The condition it will arrive in will most likely vary depending on the carrier and how they treat it.
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ASSEMBLY:
Each component is wrapped in a plastic bag, and the console comes in its own box inside the package. Assembly instructions are provided, along with two User's Manuals, in both English and Spanish. All necessary tools and fasteners are supplied***. If one did not have trouble taking the components out of the package, it should be easy to assemble alone, otherwise additional help may be required. The heaviest individual part would be the mechanical component housing which needs to be angled slightly upwards in order for the stabilizing bars to be attached on the bottom. Remember to connect the console to the base before attaching the support.
***During assembly, it became clear that the supplied hex key did not fit several of the bolts. A standard 5/16 hex key works fine.
***One of the four capped nuts for the stabilizers was unthreaded. A trip to the hardware store was required to obtain a metric M8x1.25 nut.
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USAGE REVIEW:
The bike is powered by 4 D-cell batteries (unsupplied) which had cost around $6 locally. An optional AC adapter can be purchased from Schwinn for $15 + Tax, S&H. As of current usage, it is unclear how long a set of batteries will last. The electronics shut off after 5 minutes of non usage, with no manual way to turn off.
The final assembled dimensions of the bike at the base are:
--27.5" from front to back
--16.5" at the front stabilizer
--14" at the rear stabilizer
--47.5" high at the handlebars
***Note that the bike is trapezoidal in shape, with a narrow base and wide top.
The bike seat post has a wide range of adjustable heights, done so by a twist knob that is inserted along a series of holes on the post. At 6' (184cm), I can comfortable ride the bike, and there are 2 higher positions and 5 or 6 more lower ones.
The bike seat itself is adequate. Having not rode a bike in over 7 years, I was fine at the end of a 20 minute ride with just minor soreness as expected.
***IMPORTANT NOTE: This bike seat attachment is nonstandard. If you plan to change it, you will need to buy an adapter, which will cost around $20 + Tax, S&H. Look for a 3-bolt bike seat adapter on the internet.
A bottle holder comes standard, it is plastic and works fine with my 28oz Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottle. The top of the console also doubles as a book holder, but depending on your handlebar setup, it may limit the width of the book or magazine you wish to read.
The pedals come with straps and feel very solid. Shoes are recommended when using the machine.
The fan that is in the center console is an asthmatic 60mm PC case fan. It does spin but provides no measurable airflow.
There are a total of 8 resistance levels which vary gradually. The console has 6 setups and 1 free/manual mode for user controlled resistance, which is the Quick Start button. The predefined modes work by displaying a set of 10 columns with the variances in resistance, and with each column representing 1 minute. After the user selects the amount of time and the starting resistance level, the program will adjust according to the setup. The manual mode lets the user change how long the machine stays at a particular resistance level.
The console also has a contact heart rate monitor. Just place your hands on the contact areas and it will display the measured heart rate. I cannot vouch for the accuracy, but it does at least work.
During operation, there is a noticeable but unobtrusive hum from the mechanical movement. However, changing resistance levels on my machine has a a very minor ticking noise. This seems to be coming from the small motor in the front of the housing. Whether or not this is a problem or is part of the normal use is unknown to me.
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PERSONAL OPINION:
I am an adult male in my early 20's. I am 6' tall and weigh roughly 175 lbs. I purchased this machine to help improve my health and allow me to exercise at my leisure and in the comfort of my own home. So far I have been happy, as a 20 minute session feels like a nice workout. Even though there were some assembly issues, I am overall very happy with this piece of equipment. If there are any drastic changes to that opinion, I'll be sure to update this review.

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Get fit on your own schedule and in your own home with the A10 upright exercise bike from Schwinn Fitness. Boasting a computer-controlled, eddy current resistance system, the A10 runs smoothly and quietly, with eight resistance levels to keep you on your toes. The battery-powered bike also supports several different workout programs, so you can customize your workout and keep things fresh. And thanks to the informative LCD console, you can easily monitor your workout progress, with readouts for speed, rpm, time, distance, watts, calories, and pulse.
Other details include a grip heart rate monitor; adjustable T-knob handlebars suitable to different riding positions; integrated leveling feet for better stability; a padded saddle; and regular platform pedals. The A10, which also includes transport wheels for enhanced mobility, supports up to 275 pounds.
Features and Specifications:
Ergonomic pedal design for efficient and comfortable pedaling
Unique console design with integrated fan and control buttons
Adjustable seat and handlebars for the perfect fit
Perimeter weighted flywheel for a true road feel, and smooth, consistent workouts
Fast and reliable electromagnetic resistance system
Oversized stabilizers and levelers for a solid workout platform
Integrated grip heart rate system for easy fitness monitoring
Resistance Levels: 8
Resistance System: Quiet magnetic ECB (Eddy Current Brake) resistance
Number of Programs: 6
Workout Programs: 1 Manual/Quickstart, 6 profile
Heart Rate Monitor: Contact heart rate sensors built into console
Display Type: Multi-function LCD
Display Readout: Time, RPM, Distance, Pulse, Speed, Calories, Resistance Level, Course Profile
Reading Rack: Yes
Water Bottle Holder: Yes
Fan: Yes
Rear Stabilizers/Frame Levelers: Yes
Transport Wheels: Yes
Adjustable Handlebars: Yes
Switchable From Miles To KM: Yes
Fore/Aft Seat Adjustment: Yes
Oversized Deluxe Pedals: No
Oversized Saddle: No
Product Dimensions: 27.5 by 16.5 by 47.5 (L x W x H) / 67 by 42 by 121 cm
Product Weight: 54.7 pounds / 24.8 kg
Maximum User Weight: 275 pounds / 125 kg
Power Requirements: Battery operated, optional AC adapter accessory

Manufacturer's Warranty Frame -- 2 years, parts and electronics -- 6 months, wear parts -- 30 days

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