Space is a typical concern when it comes to home exercise equipment.
Thankfully, home-friendly machines like the XTERRA Fitness FB160 Folding Bike save on space without sacrificing quality.
Our review should teach you more about the bike, but first, check our buying guide to learn some features to look out for in folding bikes.
Things to Consider before Buying a Folding Exercise Bike
Bike riding is a popular and effective workout, and exercise bikes are wonderful when you can’t (or simply don’t want to) make it outdoors.
But with so many on the market, how do you choose the right one for your home fitness needs?
We aim to simplify your search process by tackling some common features to consider when shopping for a folding exercise bike.
Frame Design
The frame may be one of the most important aspects to consider when shopping for a folding exercise bike.
A well-built one should last you a good deal of time throughout frequent use so you’re not replacing the bike anytime soon.
With that said, it’s important to respect the noted user weight capacity on any given bike.
Many of them are supportive anywhere from 200lbs to beyond 300lbs, so keep that in mind when deciding on machines.
Another good thing to note is just how well the bike folds up.
This should be a straightforward process so you’re not struggling to put your bike away when you’re done exercising.
Also, it should fold compact enough so that it truly saves on space.
Monitor Display
Most modern exercise bikes feature an LCD display of sorts so that you can monitor your progress.
A quality bike offers a well-made monitor that you can read while on-the-go, so to speak.
Whether the screen itself is large or the numbers on it are, it should stand out so that you’re not pausing in the middle of your workout just to check on your time or your calories.
Comfort and Adjustability
Without comfort, there’s a chance you may not exercise as long as you can with the bike or even opt to use it ever again.
So, it’s helpful to find a folding exercise bike that offers a comfortable seat with enough padding (or enough room to add padding) to keep you feeling content while you pedal.
Some seats have backs while others don’t. If you know you have back complications, then it might be better to go for bikes with the back cushion for added support and security.
Take a look at the pedals as well. Are they wide enough and do they have adjustable straps to accommodate different people of different sizes?
On the topic of adjusting, it goes hand-in-hand with comfort. Can you adapt the height as well as the foot pedal straps?
Being able to do so goes a long way in making the equipment more versatile for different users, especially if you know more than one person in the household is going to use the bike.
Most fitness bikes put the height range in the description so that you’re aware before you purchase it whether or not you can actually use it.
Resistance
Some bikes feature numerous resistance levels to go through, while others feature around eight or so.
Deciding what’s best comes down to what you require in your fitness routine.
Some people want simple low impact workouts, so a handful of resistance levels are more than enough.
Others may want to go more intense, so they might want to consider bikes that go beyond 10 or so levels.
Additional Accessories
There are some folding bikes that have additional features like built-in media trays, bottle holders, and even audio jacks to plug in devices and listen through speakers.
These aren’t necessary features, but some people may enjoy that extra bit of convenience.
Introducing the XTERRA Fitness FB160 Folding Bike
The XTERRA Fitness FB160 Folding Bike is a suitable exercise bike for home-use when space is limited.
While in use, it offers a smooth, quiet exercise experience with multiple resistance levels so you can change pace and intensity anytime you wish.
It has a wide adjustable height range, making it versatile concerning who can use the machine.
The LCD display allows you to keep track of your progress. When you’re done, you can simply fold up the sturdy frame and roll it out of the way.
Pros
- Able to use quietly
- Smooth performance with quality resistance levels
- Folds up compact and moves around with ease
Cons
- Seat doesn’t seem comfortable for long use
- May take some time to put together
- Might be too lightweight as there’s a chance it may tilt
Features & Benefits of the FB160 Folding Bike
To help you learn more about the FB160 Folding Bike from XTERRA Fitness, we combed over the major features and how they may benefit you.
Reliable Frame
The XTERRA Fitness FB160 Folding Bike is made with a durable steel frame that can support users who weigh a max of 250lbs.
Despite its robust design, the bike still manages to fold easily into a compact stance.
With the transportation wheels, and the fact that it only weighs 33lbs, you can simply slide it out of the way or store it into a closet.
Also, you can set the bike up anywhere you need to without worrying about an outlet since it runs off two AA batteries that power the console.
Large Seat and Oversized Pedals
A noticeable feature on the XTERRA Fitness FB160 Folding Bike is the large seat.
It has a slight contoured design with some padding in an effort to keep you comfortable.
However, you may need to add additional padding if you’re going for longer workout sessions. Thankfully, the seat is wide enough to accommodate more cushioning.
As for the pedals, they are oversized as well so different users can fit.
At the same time, you can adjust them so that they better secure your feet. The pedals also have a textured, non-slip surface for more reliability.
Adjustable Design and Smooth Performance
Besides being able to adjust the foot pedals, you can also change the height of the XTERRA Fitness FB160 Folding Bike.
It’s a simple process, so no struggling is needed. Simply move the seat up or down, and the bike is able to adjust from 4ft.10in. to 5ft.10in.
This gives a wide height range that many different users can take advantage of.
When it comes to the performance, the flywheel and the 3-piece crank system helps provide a smoother, quieter performance so you can exercise stress-free without bothering anyone else in the house or your neighbors for apartment living.
Handlebar Pulse Grips
Not all bikes have a way to track your heart rate, but that isn’t the case with the XTERRA FB160 Folding Bike. It has built-in pulse grips on the handles that are effective at monitoring those key metrics throughout your cycling.
The multi-grip handlebars also have some padding on them, giving the bike another layer of comfort.
Quality LCD Monitor
Designed with a simple, medium-sized screen, the XTERRA Fitness FB160 Folding Bike features a good LCD monitor that provides you with all the information needed.
It tells you the distance you’ve “traveled”, your speed, time, calories, and your pulse rate if you use the pulse grips.
This isn’t backlit, but even so, the numbers are apparent and read well so you glance at it, note your progress, and keep going with no disruption to your exercise.
Also, there are only three buttons to use on the console so it isn’t difficult to work.
You can even make use of the built-in accessory tray to hold a book or a tablet for reading and watching your favorite shows as you cycle.
Various Resistance Levels
The XTERRA Fitness FB160 Folding Bike is ideal when it comes to low impact workouts.
You can only adjust it through eight different resistance levels, so it doesn’t get too intense at any point.
Instead, you get a steady cardio exercise that gradually increases in difficulty when you turn the tension knob.
It offers a good level of customization so you can switch up your routine as needed.
Warranty
As per usual with many XTERRA Fitness equipment, the XTERRA FB160 Folding Bike comes with a good warranty. It separates the frame from the parts though.
For the frame, you get a 1-year warranty, and with the parts, you receive a 90-day warranty.
What Others are Saying about the XTERRA Fitness FB160
Quite a few people have shared their thoughts and experiences with the XTERRA Fitness FB160 Folding Bike, and since we want to give you a well-rounded review, we pulled some of these comments and address them below:
Review #1
This reviewer had high praise for the bike, especially for the price point. They claimed it was quiet, but they did mention that they felt the seat became uncomfortable after a while.
Review #2
From this reviewer, they like how well the FB160 folds up for storage, and they claim they fit it easily into a closet. They also enjoyed how quiet the bike was considering they had family in the household they didn’t want to disturb.
Review #3
This user enjoyed the bike for small-space use. They also praised how well it keeps track of your progress like your heart rate and distance. However, they did say it may be a touch too lightweight as they experienced it tilting when they got off.
Folding Bike Alternatives
We may stand behind our review of the XTERRA Fitness FB160 Folding Bike, but we understand that it might not be for everyone.
If you have concerns about it and want to view some other similar options, check out our chosen alternatives.
BCAN Folding Exercise Bike
The BCAN Folding Exercise Bike is an upright folding bike that features a unique arc construction that gives the steel frame great durability that’s supportive of users up to 330lbs.
It has a large LCD display, pulse grips, and a precision balanced flywheel for quiet operation.
Unlike some other stationary upright bikes, this one features a backrest on the seat as well as an additional foam handle on either side of the seat.
BCAN Folding Exercise Bike vs. XTERRA Fitness FB160
- Height adjustable from 4ft.8in. to 6ft.2in.
- Cushioned seat with a supportive backrest
- Padded seat handlebars
- Unlimited tension adjustments
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B2721 Comfort XL Folding Bike
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B2721 Comfort XL Folding Bike is touted as a semi-recumbent bike in a foldable design.
It has an extra-wide padded seat with a backrest as well as handlebars near the seat and pulse grip handles near the console.
This features a simple digital monitor, and you can adjust the resistance through 10 different levels.
The frame seems sturdy enough, and it readily folds in half and wheels away for storage. It can support users that weigh up to 300lbs.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B2721 vs. XTERRA Fitness FB160 Folding Bike
- Adjustable inseam height (min. 25in. and max 30in.)
- 10-level resistance
- Extra-large cushioned seat and backrest
- Easy-to-read digital display
PEXMOR 3-in-1 Adjustable Folding Exercise Bike
The PEXMOR 3-in-1 Adjustable Folding Exercise Bike is a quality folding exercise bike that’s designed with a foam backrest and ergonomic padded seat.
There are multiple levels of magnetic resistance, and you can adjust the height through various levels too.
For a well-rounded exercise experience, this bike has built-in arm resistance and leg resistance bands.
It’s a 3-in-1 as well considering it can function as an upright bike, a recumbent bike, or a semi-recumbent bike.
The frame is solid enough for frequent use, and it’s supportive up to 250lbs.
PEXMOR 3-in-1 Bike vs. XTERRA Fitness FB160
- 5-level height adjustable
- 8 resistance levels
- Cushioned backrest and ergonomic seat
- Built-in leg and arm resistance bands
Final Thoughts
As a cost-effective and space-saving option, the XTERRA Fitness FB160 Folding Bike is a quality piece of equipment that can benefit your home exercise routines.
The frame is sturdy and it still folds compact so you can store it out of the way. There’s a wide height adjustment range too so multiple people can use it.
This folding bike also offers both a smooth and quiet indoor cycling workout experience.
It adjusts through different resistance levels that all offer a quality low impact cardio workout. If you want to learn more details about the bike, feel free to check it out.
