I bought this bike as cheaper alternative to the much more expensive retail exercise bikes on the market. The product description and price tag for this particular bike is exactly what I was looking for. However, I am now experiencing some buyer's remorse for going so cheap on price.
To elaborate, this bike when it works is great. It is comfortable, quiet, and the digital monitor is nice. However, I guess I was unlucky and got a factory dud. After just one exercise routine the digital monitor stopped working when you started/stopped pedaling. You could reset it and it still not activate once you started pedaling. At this point I almost decided to send it back, but I decided to open up the case and take a peek inside. What I found was the little magnetic pickup had moved out of position and was too far away from the magnet that's attached to the pulley. It wouldn't trigger. The sensor itself is glued to a flimsy piece of plastic covered in a protective gel and held to the frame by a single screw. I tightened up the screw and it started working again, but only temporarily. The vibration of using the bike moved it out of place again and the monitor stopped working.
This time I decided to tear it down again and fix it myself instead of going through the hassle of sending it back for an exchange. I had to drill and additional hole higher up on the frame to mount it properly and closer to the magnet. I then screwed it down with the original screw and put some CA adhesive on the plastic where it touches the frame. Now it works perfectly. Rock solid, but after my own toil.
It is a less than ideal situation when you purchase a brand new product then have to tear it down and practically rebuild it. That is why I am giving this bike a 2 star rating. Outside of that it works great and is nice and quiet.
The manufacturer of this bike needs to re-engineer the magnetic pick up sensor and how it's mounted on the frame. Everything from it's location and use of better materials needs to be addresses. The flimsy and pliable piece of plastic is deplorable. Spend and extra $5 and add an additional screw for more secure mounting purposes and a much thicker and stiffer piece of plastic that contains the sensor. Because my bike was obviously affected by the vibrations that occurred during shipping. Stamina 1350 Magnetic Resistance Recumbent Bike
Just like a previous post mentioned, I purchased this bike as a cheaper alternative to the majority of recumbent bikes out there. I'm really happy to have one in the house now so that I'm now having to drive to the gym and back just to use their bike. Positives: it's quiet. I can watch TV and not be too distracted. It works fine. Negatives: It was pretty difficult for my husband and I to put together. We had to bend a few pieces to actually make them fit. You get what you pay for, as it's very rudimentary, but the picture doesn't lie to you so you really can't complain. The seat and overall bike is a bit wobbly but pretty unoticeable. Other than that, it serves its purpose and I'm happy I got the bike I've been wanting and I'm not having to feel guilty about spending a ton of money.
This little bike is light enough to move where you want it, or move it out of the way. It's small enough to fit in a space where it isn't noticed. And it works as it should. If that's not enough, it's relatively cheap and putting it together was easy. After using it for two months now, I highly recommend this bike.
I bought this bike to use in my home while watching TV. It's super quiet. It's not a sophisticated model like you use in the gym, but it sure is a great substitute if the gym scene isn't for you. I was overwhelmed when I took it out of the box to put it together...but it went together in a snap (20 min.) I really love it & use it everyday. It suits my needs perfectly for strengthening/toning after having knee surgery. I recommend this bike as the best bang for your buck!
I've had it for over a week now, and I'm loving it. Easy on the joints, but if you push yourself its a real workout. It's also Very quiet, which is handy when you have a baby napping. Was fairly simple and easy to put together, and it takes up very little room. I had no problems w/shipping. Came in perfect condition.
The Stamina 1350 is an excellent buy. The bike was easy to put together and takes up little space. It is quiet and easy to use. I bought it for physical therapy for an injured knee, and it has worked wonders.
I was originally excited to find this bike at such a great price. I took it home to find that the tension adjuster in one of the handlebars was stuck to the packaging and the monitor was completely missing from the box. I received a replacement for both pieces, put together and found that 1. the monitor did not work (it gave heartrate but would not show time/distance etc, would not turn on when pedaling) and
2. the resistance/tension adjustment did not work (at first it was stuck on a higher resistance, I thought for both problems maybe it needed to be warmed up and after only about a minute or so of pedaling, the resistance snapped and had no resistance - still was not adjustable)
I give one star only because the actual frame seemed to be pretty solid, in fact more solid than many of the $200 models (weslo and others I can't remember) that I was able to test out afterward when looking for a replacement. I finally settled on a Schwinn for $250 and it was well worth the additional cost. It is quiet, smooth, quality made, has additional features and the seat adjuster is much nicer/easier than most other models (you don't have to pick up the machine/fight with it to adjust). It was too bad about the stamina bike, and maybe I just got a "dud" but I wouldn't take that chance again.
This is the worst bike ever! Worked for only 2 weeks then belt broke. Called and e-mailed customer service at at Stamina since Jan 2010! Still is broken. It was past the refund for Amazon since I bought it for X-Mas in Nov for a gift for my wife.
They did send parts - yes parts (needed a new belt) with no instructions. Figures it out and got it reinstalled - lasted 2 days! Pulleys were wielded incorrectly! That was the whole issue.
It is now the middle of June. They keep telling me they will call back. Nothing. Keep e-mailing with no response. Asked for a whole new front unit and was told NO.
I hate giving $200 (at the time) for something that does not work!
You have been warned! - Recumbent Bike - Stamina - Exercise Bike - Great Value'
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