Genuine Magnetrainer ER (Extended Range) Mini Exercise Bike

I wanted a recumbent exercise bike but dreaded the gigantic and heavy box, the assembly, having to move the behemoth in the case of relocating, and just the room it would take up in my home. Then I was sitting in my favorite floor chair Multi Angle Floor Cushion - (Natural) and it hit me that maybe this type of compact portable exercise bike might work well with it. I choose the Magnetrainer based on its features and positive reviews. Happily the combination of the two items has proved to be a perfect match. The Magnetrainer is of high quality and comes (in my case via FedEx) in a super sturdy carton that provides complete protection. Easy as pie to assemble, all you need do is to attach the pedals, insert the front support and tighten a thumb screw, install (included) batteries in the monitor, plug in its cable, and slide it on to its support. I love that the monitor does not re-set itself until you press and hold the red function button. This way I can get on and off the bike throughout the day and reach my goal of at least one hour without having to remember how many minutes I have already put in on it. The cranks are quality three-piece type and they have a soft closed-cell foam sleeve on them to protect your ankles. Cranks are about six inches in length. The bike is very quiet, almost silent. Because I use it from such a low and reclining position I have placed the bike against a wall so that it does not slide forward. I'm sure if I were to use it from a normal chair height, pressing down instead of forward on the pedals, it would stay put. I am so pleased to have found such success using these two great products together. I saved a bunch of money and space too!

i was originally going to get one of those $20 models, but reading the reviews cured me of that. after that it was between getting a cheaper version or this one. i am so very glad i spent the extra money.

you can barely hear the unit as you pedal along. all you need is enough clearance for your knees and you will start pedaling throughout the day. i even like it better than my gazelle walker and that is saying alot.

i was worried about the amount of tension that i could get from the magnetrainer but it appears to give me exactly the amount of tension i want. i am sure for people who are cyclists full time find it to have less tension than they want, but for a couch potato like me, i get quite a workout. i expect that this unit will help me get back into some shape other than "round".

for those that pedal hard enough to make it slide away even on carpet, the manufaturer offers to send you a free set of straps that you can attach to the legs of your chair. i opted for the straps and find them VERY effective in keeping the bike right where i want it.

Update:
i've started using my unit on a regular basis, 3 times a week, and already my blood pressure is back to normal, and my heart has stopped threatening to go AWOL.

This is the best purchase that I have made in a long time.

I have done my research before I decided to try this bike, and I am glad that I did. The size is perfect to leave out and not to big to be a clothes tree. I love that I can leave it out to be a great reminder.

A+A+A+A+ customer service, fast, friendly and answers all of my 900 questions.

I highly recommend this to everyone!!

My family loves this little bike so much I had to order another one! You can use them with any chair under any table or desk with no problems. It is light enough that you can easily haul it from room to room yet sturdy enough I let my son carry it around.

My grandparents came to visit over the holidays and they liked using it on the table for their arms. My grandfather recently lost a leg due to illness and he is having to work very hard to maintain his upper body strength. He used it at my house over the holidays and has now purchased one for himself. It is really helping him.

My son sits on the edge of his bed and pedals it while he plays his video games. No more yelling for him to go outside and get some exercise.

I am getting everyone I know one for Christmas next year.

I wanted to like this product, I really did. The thing did have solid build quality and didn't feel chintzy, but it just doesn't work very well. First of all, the only way I could get it not to slide around was by having it directly adjacent to my subwoofer on a carpeted floor; even then with each pedal motion it rocked back and forth a little.

Second, the site claims that it's great to use while at your computer desk. Here's the thing, unless you are 3' tall or have a 6 feet tall desk, I don't understand how in the world you would accomplish this. I had the thing under my desk but with the range of motion of the pedaling motion I would have been hitting the desk every time; instead I had to sit way back from the computer in order to not bump my knees.

So do not plan on using a computer while you use this product; I was, however, able to play xbox 360 (with wireless controllers no less) and watch a movie with no problem.

The main issue is that the resistance doesn't go nearly strong enough. Even at the max, it felt like riding a bike in one of the lowest gears. I take that back, it doesn't feel at all like riding a bike; I can't imagine what sort of chair you would have to have (stool maybe?) that would allow you to sit with a normal biking position. In most normal chairs, you're going to keep being pushed backwards.

Pros: It is relatively quiet. Solid construction quality
Cons: Restocking fee + shipping means if you buy this and don't like it, you're out 25% off the bat, plus the shipping you paid to get it to you (probably 15 bucks) plus whatever it costs you to ship it back. I ended up not even bothering returning it and giving it to my younger siblings. Hopefully they get more use out of it.

The resistance might be acceptable to either the elderly or young kids, but for a person with moderate leg strength, it just won't do much for you.