XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Bike Review

When you think of exercise bikes, you might picture people in spandex at a spin class.

Spin classes are great, but you don’t have to join one (or wear spandex) to reap the benefits of an exercise bike.

There are plenty of great bikes you can buy for home use, like the XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Bike.

Before you dive into buying one, here are some things to consider before investing your hard-earned cash.

Things to Consider Before Buying an Exercise Bike

Type

There are different types of exercise bikes and you should know the differences before choosing one.

There are three types of exercise bikes: upright, recumbent, and dual action. Each one has its own set of benefits.

Upright Exercise Bikes

Upright bikes are probably the most popular type of exercise bike. They are similar to a regular bike because the pedals are under your feet.

This type of bike is great for working out your legs as well as your core.

However, it can put a lot of pressure on your wrists and back if you use it for an extended amount of time.

The seats on these types of bikes can also be small (even if the manufacturer says they’re over-sized) so it’s not great for people with a larger back side.

Recumbent Exercise Bikes

Think of this as a reclined exercise bike.

These types of bikes have large seats with a back that provide you with more support. Your legs are extended in front of you instead of under you.

This takes pressure off your upper body and legs. These types of bikes are great for people with mobility issues.

They give you a great leg/cardio workout.

Dual-Action Exercise Bikes

A dual-action bike is essentially an upright bike that allows you to work your upper and lower body.

While your pedaling, the handlebars can also move back and forth so you’re working both areas at once.

These types of bikes aren’t as popular as others and you won’t find as many models on the market.

Resistance Levels and Programs

You want to get something that’s going to challenge you so you can progress in your fitness goals.

That’s where resistance levels and programs come in.

These options widely vary from model to model, so you need to make sure the bike has what you need specifically.

You should also decide if you want a manual-change resistance or an automatic-change resistance (meaning computer-based).

Lower end, inexpensive bikes will have a manual change choice. There is nothing wrong with this, you’ll just have to stop your workout to ramp up your workout.

Display/LCD Screen

Some bikes have a tiny, monochrome LCD display that only shows numbers.

Others may have a full-color, high-definition, adjustable LCD display that shows you biking paths all over the world.

While the screen doesn’t affect the quality of your workout, it does affect the enjoyment of your workout.

If you don’t plan to use the display very much, you can save money with a lower-end model that has a two- or three-inch screen with only numbers.

However, if you like a fully immersive and interactive experience, make sure you have a bike with a high-quality screen.

The XTERRA Fitness FB350 Exercise Folding Bike

Now that you know some of the important things you should look for in an exercise bike, I can introduce you to the XTERRA Fitness FB350 Exercise Folding Bike.

This is a lower-priced, upright exercise bike with the main advantage of being compact and versatile.

This bike is perfect for people who are short on space or short on budget.

The best part about it is that it doesn’t sacrifice quality for price.

Pros

• Has a larger, more comfortable seat than a typical upright bike.
• It folds so it’s easy to store out of the way.
• It has eight manual-set resistance levels.
• Resistance knob can be conveniently accessed without you having to get off the bike.
• Very affordable.

Cons

• The smallest seat height is a little tall for shorter people (5’3″ and under)
• Not suitable for standing and pedaling.
• The LCD display is incredibly small (1″ x 2″).

Features and Benefits of the XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Bike

The XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Bike has quite a few features and benefits that can be attractive depending on what you’re looking for in an exercise bike.

As you go through the features, keep in mind that this is a lower priced bike so it’s not going to have all the bells and whistles of a commercial-grade bike.

However, it’s far from basic. The XTERRA FB350 Folding Bike is still a solid quality product that can give non-athletes an excellent workout.

Adjustable Seat and Handlebars

The seat is impressive because it’s different from typical upright bikes. It’s wide and has a supportive back.

Most upright bikes don’t have a back on the seat. It’s also thickly padded for comfort and has handles on either side.

This makes it easy on your back since you don’t have to lean forward as you pedal.

Because of the seat and handlebars, this is a great bike for people who have mobility issues, back issues, or stability issues.

The front handlebars are designed in a rectangle shape. They’re large and padded and allow you to grip them at many angles so people of different heights can find a comfortable position.

A heart rate sensor is in the middle of the left and ride side of the handlebars. They are in an ideal position for someone who wants to track their heart rate.

Space-Saving Design

The XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Bike is already compact, even before you add the fact that it folds.

Unfolded, it measures 40.5″ L x 21″ W x 48″ H. It’s not hard to find enough room for an object that has a footprint of less than 3 1/2 feet by 2 feet, even in a studio apartment.

For storage purposes, the bike folds down to 20.5” x 20”. It even has wheels built in to one of the legs so you can easily roll it to its destination.

To make it even more compact, the back of the seat also folds down so it’s compact from top to bottom.

Frame and Material

The frame of the XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Bike is made from a high-quality grade of steel.

The frame is designed in an X-format which helps to support weight even better.

This is because an X-shape helps to distribute weight evenly to both legs rather than the weight being centered in the middle.

The bike can support up to 225 pounds safely. When you consider other bikes, this weight limit is a bit low.

However, you must keep in mind that it’s a compact, budget bike so it’s not meant to be heavy-duty.

Other Notable Features

The XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Bike is lightweight so it’s easy to move around. It only weighs 42.3 lbs. (19.2 kg), a weight that most people can handle easily.

Despite the display being small, it still shows seven bits of critical information for your workout.

These seven items are scan, time, speed, distance, odometer, calories, and pulse. There is only one button so scrolling through the options is as easy as it can get.

The bike comes with a small phone holder mounted to one of the legs. Keep in mind that it will only hold small phones.

There is a hole on the bottom of the holder that makes it easy to run a charging cord through to your phone.

What Others Are Saying About the XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Bike

Review #1 – Brittany F.

Fb350

“I want to start by saying I wasn’t even thinking about assembly when I bought the bike, and the assembly was very easy and straightforward! I am a very active person myself but wanted something small and convenient to add to my home gym! This bike has been outstanding and worth every penny specifically during this COVID-19.! Great quality, outstanding price! I Highly recommend it!!”

Review #2 – C. Gumm

Get Husband Moving

“We are both avid golfers and like to walk the golf course. With all the wet weather this winter he got a little out of shape. I went to the gym. This bike is compact but comfortable. I like that I can jump on it when I have a few extra minutes. The only little complaint is adjusting the seat back and forth. It’s a little tricky. It was easy to put together. It rides nicely and the seat with the backrest is comfortable. We are in our 60’s. It’s perfect for all ages.”

Review #3 – Tammy

Great Value

“Love this little exercise bike. was easy to assemble and sturdy. has been easy to use with no problems. tremendous value. I removed the handles on the side of the seat to make it easier to get on and off. That has been the only difficulty since there is a small space between seat and handles.”

Folding Bike Alternatives

Lanos Folding Exercise Bike

The Lanos Folding Exercise Bike is similar in build to the Xterra bike with one big exception – it can be an upright bike or a recumbent bike.

A quick adjustment of the seat lets you choose between the two. It has a higher weight limit and comes in three colors, but it costs a little more and the phone holder is in an awkward position.

MaxKare Exercise Bike

The MaxKare Exercise Bike is a real “budget bike”. It has a little less features than the Xterra, but nothing that is a deal breaker.

For example, it doesn’t have a back on the seat, but most upright bikes don’t. It also doesn’t have a phone holder.

However, it does have plenty of resistance levels and an adjustable seat, so you’ll still get a good workout with this bike.

ECHANFIT Folding Exercise Bike

The ECHANFIT Folding Exercise Bike is also similar in build to the XTERRA but does not have a back on the seat.

This bike is unique from the others because it has built in resistance arm bands so you can work out your upper body simultaneously with your lower body workout.

The bike also has a media holder on the front of the display, although if you use it your device will cover the small display window.

Overall, it’s a great, sturdy bike that will give you a good workout.

Final Thoughts on the XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Bike

The main purpose of folding bikes is to be compact, lightweight, and easy to use.

The XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding bike fits all three of those requirements easily.

It’s a great, high-quality bike that is manufactured with precision. You’ll get a great workout while being comfortable with thick padding and back support.