XTERRA Exercise Bike Reviews - Built Strong, Yet Affordable

XTERRA Fitness is one of those companies that you don't often hear about, but has a very respectable line of cardio equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, rowing machines, steppers, and of course exercise bikes.

They have a strong commitment to quality, and it shows in the craftsmanship and durability of their machines.  And the best part is they keep everything very affordable...so you don't have to pay an arm and a leg to get a solid exercise bike.

Let's get into our review and take a look at Xterra...

About the Company

XTERRA Fitness is headquartered in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and has been in business for about 30 years.

They are a subsidiary of Dyaco, an international corporation that also sells cardio equipment under the Spirit and Sole Fitness labels.

They are slowly making inroads in the home gym niche, although competition in this price range is steep and dominated by companies like NordicTrack and ProForm.

Time will tell if they will be able to make further progress and become a household name.  But for now things are looking good.

Current XTERRA Exercise Bike Lineup

As of our latest review there are a number of Xterra exercise bikes to choose from, from basic entry level folding bikes all the way up to the more expensive recumbents, indoor cycles and air bikes.

There's something for everyone, which is why Xterra exercise bikes have been gaining in popularity.

Let's take a look at all of their offerings to see how they compare to each other...

Folding Bikes (FB)

The folding bikes are the most basic of all of the models, compact exercisers for very light use and rehab. They're all under $200, so they're definitely affordable.

FB150

The entry level model is the FB150, a very compact model weighing just 32 lbs. It has a max weight capacity of 225 lbs. and a small 1" x 2" LCD display. It comes with a 1 year frame warranty and 90 day parts warranty.

FB160

The step-up FB160 is much longer than the FB150, yet 7 inches shorter in height. It is very similar as far as specs, but can accommodate up to 250 lbs.

FB350

The FB350 is larger than the FB160, and weighs almost 10 pounds more. It also comes with a seat back with handles, which the other two do not have. Otherwise the two models are very similar.

FB360

The FB360 is similar to the FB350, with an adjustable padded seat and a unique display. It's also more compact.

Upright Bikes (UB)

UB120

As of this review the UB120 was the lone upright offering, but that could change in the future. This is a very basic model with 8 manual resistance levels, 250 lb. max weight capacity, adjustable padded seat and oversized adjustable pedals.

Recumbent Bikes (SB)

SB120

The entry level recumbent is the counterpart to the UB120, sharing all of the same features, except it is a seated model instead of an upright.

SB150

The step-up exercise bike has a higher max weight capacity of 265 lbs., 12 built in workout programs, a larger 3.7" LCD display and a longer parts warranty.

SB250

The SB250 can accommodate up to 300 lbs, adds some additional built in workout programs, has a larger 5.5" blue backlit LCD display and a jump to a 5 year frame warranty as opposed to 1 year on the others.

SB2.5r

This advanced recumbent is a more durable version of the SB250, with more programming and a dual color LCD. Otherwise it's very similar spec wise.

SB4500

The newest member of the Xterra exercise bike lineup, with a unique 7" touch screen display, step-through frame and 24 resistance levels to choose from.

SB500

The top of the line SB500 recumbent is the most commercial grade of all, with a large 6.5" LCD display and a lifetime frame/3 year part warranty, the most extensive in the lineup.

Indoor Cycles (MB)

MBX2500

The most affordable model in the series is the MBX2500, a rear wheel indoor cycle. It is a sleek and durable bike with a heavy-duty steel frame, offering up to 8 resistance levels, belt drive, a basic LCD display and a 48.5 lb. flywheel.

You get plenty of adjustability and the bike can accommodate up to 300 lbs.  It comes with a very strong warranty: lifetime frame and 1 year parts, brake and labor.

MB550

Moving up in the lineup you have the MB550.  This one has the more traditional front wheel design. Besides the configuration of the flywheel and the wireless LCD display, the MB550 and the MBX2500 are very similar, with equal adjustability, flywheel weight and warranty.

Interestingly the MB550 has a lower max weight capacity even though it is a heavier bike.

Air Bikes 

The air bikes have a fan wheel in front that blows air at you while you work out, and elliptical style handlebars for an arm workout while you pedal.

AIR350

The AIR350 is the lighter and more compact model at 77 lbs. with a 250 lb. max weight capacity.

AIR650

The more advanced AIR 650 is 115 lbs. with a 350 lb. max weight, as well as built in workout programs, a more advanced display and a stronger warranty.

How Do the XTERRA Bikes Compare to the Competition?

The Xterra bikes range in price from about $129 to $1199 when they are on sale, so they compete with the other sort of low to mid priced brands, including Schwinn Fitness, Nautilus, their sister company Sole, as well as NordicTrack and ProForm.

So there's a lot of competition out there as we mentioned.

Xterra exercise bikes do stand out in some regards though, making them a very good option for the home gym.

For starters, their warranties are rock solid, just Sole Fitness's are.  So right there that separates them from companies that offer less than ideal coverage like Schwinn and Nautilus.

The SB500 has a heavier flywheel than ProForm's 440ES, although it has a lower max weight capacity and less interactive programming.

The full Xterra lineup is more affordable than NordicTrack's for the most part, so if budget is an issue Xterra will be a better option.

Overall, making an apples to apples comparison Xterra has some benefits and drawbacks, so it's a matter of looking closely at the specs and determining which bike makes the most sense for you.

Are XTERRA Bikes Worth Buying?

If you're in the market for an affordable exercise bike for your home, Xterra is certainly worth considering.

They are very well priced and well built, and are backed by very strong warranties as well as a money back guarantee...and no tax in some cases!

Again, they don't have a traditional upright bike option, and they aren't packed with a ton of features like NordicTrack and ProForm, but if you can find what you are looking for you won't be dissatisfied.