If I had written the manual, the steps would have been in different order. I did install the stabilizers right after connecting the forward and rear frames because it seemed unstable without them. However, I wish I had installed the seat before doing so or connecting the two parts, by turning the unit upside down onto the seat. I am past the age of enjoying curling myself upside down, staring upward, trying to focus eyes at such short distance while fitting machine screws into the frame. After trying to force the wires up through the console mast, I fed a light chain with a hook on the end through the mast, then used it to pull the wires. I had a great fear of dropping a washer or two down into the guts of the machine when I fastened the console mast to the frame, so used a wrench to keep them forced up toward the heads of the bolts.

The manual shows a single connector between the console and the mast. However, there are three. One is obvious, the other two are identical, with no indication which goes to which. A call to the company, with the requisite long hold, and I was informed it didn't matter.

Sockets with ratchet would have been a great help. The nyloc nuts are really skookum (strong, for those who don't live in the fourth corner).

I haven't used the unit enough to pass judgement on how well it works. I will update if and when I have more to say.

Later: I bought this bike a couple of years back and used it at a moderate level until a heart attack and surgery this spring. I now ride it 40 minutes, about 10.5 miles, 5 times a week.

The plus's are that it is reasonably priced and has worked well - at least the important part, the bike, has worked well. I don't use the programs, so can't comment on them (I warm up on level 3, then go to four, varying intensity using speed).

Drawbacks, well, sort of; I strongly advise using lock washers when installing the seat. It is disconcerting to have it fall from under one in the middle of a workout. By the way, I find the seat so uncomfortable that I use two cushions to pad it.

The heart monitor is a joke. It works when it wants to and when it does, cycles up and down apparently at random, sometimes reaching numbers I only wish I could achieve (as high as 130), and then dropping a minute or two later to the 90's. Fortunately I don't really care.

Reviewers mentioned the annoying squeak that can't be fixed by any means I tried. Fortunately, it tired of torturing me after about a year.

I looked at buying a fan bike like I used in cardio rehab but decided to save bucks. This one does the job.

UPDATE MARCH 12, 2023:. After calling support, a very kind person answered the phone. I asked her abouty ticket number, and she placed me on hold for several minutes and then returned and said she wasn't sure why my ticket had not been resolved. She said that her manager would personally go to the warehouse to figure out why a new computer was not being sent. Sure enough, on the same day, I received a shipment notification, and today, the new computer unit arrived. I learned from this that support over the web is not necessarily as effective as communicating over the phone. I would certainly consider buying new Xterra exercise equipment after the support was given for a faulty computer unit. Hooray!!

Old review:
Within a week of putting my new bike together, a crackling sound was emitting from the speaker, even when the bike was not on! I learned to unplug the bike after using it and even hooked an Alexa plug to it to make it easy to turn off. After about 3 weeks, the crackling speaker sound returned while using the bike, and tapping the control panel would make it stop for a few minutes at a time. Now, with the moment I start using the bike, the crackling noises continue to pop out and makes a very loud sound, is if I'm sitting next to a Tesla coil. Technical taps on the computer screen make it go away for about 2 seconds and then it returns.

I contacted support for a solution via Xterra's website. 2 days later, I was pleased to receive a response from Ashley, who asked for the serial number and suggested that I plug headphones into the bike to squelch the crackling clicking static. I responded that the bike lacks a headphone jack, and asked for further guidance to deal with the crackling that scares my dog and kids.

A week later and one follow up asking if there is a guide or ability to replace the defective speaker, or even how to snip the wires, and no reply. As I'm not getting any updates, I thought I'd post and share the experience and hope someone at Xterra can redesign the circuit. I'm tired of technical taps (suggesting bad soldering) and not being able to use the features that made this bike desirable.

I wish I'd read other reviews reporting the same glitch. On the other hand, it has nice resistance options and works great for being over 6 feet tall. Just supply ear plugs!

Tech support promised to send a replacement computer unit and told me to wait 10 business days and closed the ticket. A month later, my email asking for an update remains unanswered. I'll update if I get a new computer. Otherwise, I hope your experience if goes better than mine. (Update: support came through after a phone call!!)

Have put together 2 of these. Product seems well made and strong enough. Wheel is very quiet. The equipment is easy to work with, except the electronics. Love the product itself, but several challenges made things more difficult then they needed to be.

1. Instruction book talks of 3 packages of hardware, but only one was included. Seems they took the stuff from 2 bags and installed it all in the holes BUT did not include any announcement or change the manual:

a. As you look at a box of parts and missing hardware, you may notice that some bolts are already screwed in but that raises other issues - are they all there? - then you have to unscrew them to get the pieces together - some hardware fell into the main assembly as they are removed to re-install so the assembly had to be shaken to get them out [one washer is still wedged somewhere!] - you can call the manufacturer for help, but not on Saturday and Sunday as they are closed and no one told Amazon about the missing bags of parts; all this is happening while you wonder how far you should go before you do something wrong and now it's your fault;

b. The order of assembly is questionable - for example, there are front and rear stabilizers, but you are not told to install them early so the assembly can be stabilized; several other steps go easier if the order of assembly is changed;

c. The instructions and info about the electrical connections are in 2 places and not in logical order;

d. The manual's discussion of the electronics is insufficient "“ several friends can't figure out the programming either; We still can't get it all figured out.

e. There are no on line videos explaining the programming;

f. Factory customer service is frustrating: the people who answer the phone are apparently not given sufficient information so they can pass it to customers; when I asked one gentleman about the programming, his reply was "Read that section 3 times and it will sink in." I did not spend over $300 to be told to 'just read it again."

g. One CSR deserves a big Thank You "“ Kurtis was extremely helpful, exhibited great patience and supplied clear and helpful instructions.

So, a customer's experience with the product can be enhanced with corrections in the manual, better assembly order, and better explanation of the programming.

So glad I bought this. It's a very good work out for the price. Very quiet, and comfortable. I can hear the TV its so quiet. No excessive pressure on my injured foot. The console could be much more user friendly. It's very difficult to understand and navigate through.

Like so many, the delivery of this bike was very bad. It was three days late and this was due to being re-routed all over the Pacific Northwest. Like so many, the packaging was very badly damaged, but because it has happened to so many without any actual damage to the bike we accepted the package after having the delivery person note the damage. We opened the box immediately to inspect all components and could not find any damage. After assembly, I wanted to check the electronics to make sure they worked. Initially, the bike worked great, however as soon I increased the tension, it made a terrible grinding sound. I could not figure out what it was until I removed the side covers for the flywheel assembly. The impact that damaged the shipping container was so hard that even though it did not apparent damage to the outside of the bike, it knocked the magnets that create tension completely loose from their mount and one had wedged up against the flywheel as soon as I increased the tension. Now we have to wait another week+ to get a replacement, but at least I do not have to disassemble the bike as Amazon agreed to have it shipped back fully assembled. The only thing I find as a weak point on this bike is the point where the two parts of the main frame join. It flexes and on the new one we will get, I am going to put a reinforcement under that joint.