As a prelude, I'm 6'4 and 310, and a mechanical engineer. The bike frame and assembly points are built like a tank. Assembly wasn't bad, but getting the cable for the resistance adjuster attached when putting on the handlebars wasn't well described nor easy. The seat is flat and hard, which I like, but others might prefer something else. The attachment for the seat isn't easily modifiable for any other cushion you might choose. The one thing I don't like is the information display. You can choose from distance, time, speed, odometer (cumulative, not reset), heart rate monitor, and scan (where it skips through all of these sequentially). I know this is a bare-bones system, but it would be nice to be able to display more than one metric at a time, and switching between them requires punching a large, loud, clunky button that is virtually guaranteed to wear out long before the rest of the bike if you want to look at more than one data stream. For now, I'm using the pulse monitor and have my phone show me a timer. It's also nice that, if the electronics all eventually die, the bike keeps working - the magnetic clutch system is all mechanical. It would also have been infinitely preferable if the resistance levels on the adjusting knob were not dark blue on a black background - even in good light they are very hard to read.

I have used this bike for a month and so far I am very pleased with it. I already have a commercial-like elliptical, so I wanted an affordable yet sturdy bike. I am 5 foot 4 inches and 225 lbs. I have had no issues getting on the bike or riding it. The weight capacity label on my bike did indicate up to 400 lbs and it does seem heavy duty and durable. The large seat cushion is also comfortable and easy to adjust. [See note at bottom regarding seat cushion] The oversized pedals are towards the front and can be used with regular shoes (unlike spinning bikes). It hardly makes any noise at all; I ride it while watching TV and it doesn't bother others in the same room.

I wanted a sturdy bike with options to adjust the ease of the cycling. The levels of tension are basic but still functional. The change in resistance is smooth. The LCD display is also basic and easy to use. It does not keep a record of your individual workouts. It does not have any pre-programmed workouts. Unless you reset the console, it will pause and continue workout stats. [Note: Once the machine timer reaches 100 minutes, the timer restarts at zero because it only allows 2 digit hour and 2 digit minute counter.] I like that it uses 2 AA batteries (included). No need to plug it into an outlet (nor is there the ability to do so). [Disregard the nearby cords in my photos, those are from other electronics near the bike.] It turns on when you start to pedal and it powers down after 5 minutes of no use.

I keep my bike open, but it is easy to unfold or fold and move. I like that the stabilizer bars are wide. I have had no issues with wobbling. I did place an exercise equipment mat underneath it to protect my hardwood floors from any wear & tear--still no wobbling even at the highest resistance or tension.

The bike arrived well packaged. Even though the box appeared dinged from shipping, all the pieces were in tact. It didn't take long to assemble. Users have to attach the stabilizer bars, handlebars, pedals, seat post, seat, console and tension knob. I tried to heed the past reviews concerning the resistance cable for the tension control, but still had issues with that step. Installing the cable for the magnetic tension knob is the trickiest part for sure! The instructions and photos in the user guide, at that step are, not helpful [unless you've assembled similar items in the past]. I couldn't find any videos for this specific bike model. Even though I tried to be extra cautious, I still made the mistake of removing the black plastic spacer too early. I found other similar bike assembly videos to figure out what I did wrong. Once I saw what I should have done, I carefully used a flat screw driver to extend the area where the black spacer was and put it back. It was tight, but doable with care. As soon as the spacer was reinstalled I was able to quickly hook up the magnetic tension cable correctly, pop out the spacer (again) and complete the assembly.

NOTE: The seat doesn't fit to the bike with a standard bike fitting but with three screws. So there are only two options. The instructions does provide guidance on what option to use based on your height. But if you're on the shorter side and want more custom positioning you may have to take additional steps to make it more comfortable. If you're handy, perhaps drill other holes or replace the fitting. I also read that there are Exercise Bike Seat adaptors that allows people to attach the bike seat of their choice in perhaps a better position.

We bought this bike, for the affordability , quietness and ability to store it. We loved it UNTIL the gears started slipping about 5 months after we purchased it. I called Exerpeutic company (seller), and wrote an email as the website suggested, with NO response. I then had to call customer service and leave another message. After calling a third time, I got a woman with customer service, who basically told me that the bike was only good for 90 day purchase, but she thought it was the belt, and was willing to send me a belt at NO COST...really? I don't fix bikes for a living, and let her know this, she basically told me that was my only option. They DO NOT stand behind their product, and their customer service stinks. My husband decided to try and change the belt, so I helped him take the cover off, and basically what we found was the belt was torn up, and it would take an act of God to fix it. I would NOT buy this bike or from this company EVER again...

This bike is a thing of beauty. The steel frame construction is thicker than I had imagined. When you sit on the extra wide, comfortable seat, you know you are astride a sturdy, dependable bike. I bought another folding bike for less than half the cost of this bike. The difference is is well worth the extra money, and a bargain at its price. I looks, feels, and rides like commercial quality.

The set up was reasonable easy compared to other pieces of exercise equipment I have set up. There weren't many parts to assemble. Most of the assembly had been done. The instruction are clear and easy to follow.

Moving it is a breeze. My other less expensive fold-up bike has no wheels. Though it is light, it's a pain to carry it around unlike the Exerpeutic Gold 500, which is heavier and larger but glides across the floor on wheels.

I have always felt a magnetic tension bike could be manufactured that would be as good as, or better than, the more costly exercise bikes with all the electronics that I never wanted or needed. I'm talking about bikes costing $400 and more. Many which you see on here with less stellar reviews than this bike. I had one. After using it for only a few months, the electronics connected with the resistance levels went bad. It wouldn't go beyond the 1st of 22 tension levels.

I love that this bike easily accommodates my height, 6'1". In the instructions for attaching the seat to the frame, you have two choices for connecting the bolts: Users between 5'1" - 5' 6" use the holes to the rear. Users between 5'7" - 6'3" use the holes to the front. After I screwed the bolts into the front holes, I adjusted the seat to the highest height and discovered it was too high for me. I had to take it down two levels to get the proper leg extension. In my less expensive fold up bike, the highest adjustment wasn't enough for my height. It was more suitable for a shorter person.

From that and the less than stellar reviews of many of the more expensive bikes, I deduced that no matter how much you spend on these exercise bikes -- it's a crap shoot. Rather than pay a lot for any exercise bikes in the future, I'm rolling my dice on less expensive, high quality bikes like this one. And honestly I enjoy riding this bike more than I did the costly one I got rid of. And the seat is way more comfortable. Quite frankly, I am amazed at how well this bike is made and how enjoyable it is to ride.

My only con is a small cosmetic defect; the plastic in front is cracked(as pictured).

Other than that, this bike is excellent for the price. The sticker on the frame I received does say it caters to up to 400lbs unlike other reviews have stated. The bike is very simple to put together, I assembled it by myself in less than 30 minutes; no special tools required, everything comes in the box. It rides very smoothly and very quietly. It is also very sturdy. The seat is nice and big and well cushioned for support. As a heavier person I am pleased with this product and it's made working out at home comfortable and easy!