When I first graduated college, I found myself moving from one tiny studio apartment to the next.
I thought I didn’t have the time (or space) to accommodate new exercise equipment.
After all, would it really be worth it to lug heavy, steel equipment up five flights of stairs every time I move?
Of course, my lifestyle did catch up to me at some point: I was packing on the pounds.
That’s why I decided to invest in a foldable, lightweight exercise bike with transport wheels.
Not only are they easy to store and transport, but they also provide a virtually indistinguishable workout from your local gym’s commercial-grade equipment.
Today, I’ll be reviewing the XTERRA Fitness FB360 Folding Bike.
Just how well does it stand the test of time?
Is the XTERRA Fitness FB360 suitable for beginners and advanced cyclists alike?
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Folding Bike
Chances are, if you’re reading this article, you want to make a lifestyle change.
A foldable exercise bike provides an excellent introduction to the world of fitness.
Unlike standard models, foldable exercise bikes feature an X-shaped frame that folds the equipment down to half its unfolded size.
Most foldable bikes mimic the positioning of a standard road bike or upright stationary bike.
When you’re considerable foldable equipment, make sure you invest in one with a high-quality, steel frame and all-metal components.
Many manufacturers skimp on quality, causing bikes with plastic components to crap out after only a year or so.
The best foldable bikes feature upper-body resistance bands, Bluetooth app pairing for workout monitoring, and perhaps some pre-configured training programs.
Essential Questions to Ask
Before you go out and buy a folding bike, you should ask yourself these critical questions first:
- What budget do I have to set aside for a new foldable exercise bike?
- What features can I not live without, like Bluetooth pairing, transport wheels, or upper-body resistance bands? Or would I prefer a more feature-free, paired down bike?
- Do I have any pre-existing conditions that would prevent me from getting the most out of a standard foldable bike?
- What are my goals, expectations, and aspirations? How would a stationary bike help with this?
Of course, you’ll want to consider your own expectations before investing in any new equipment.
The last thing you want is a bulky bike that simply gathers dust in your garage.
Make sure to consider the bike’s maximum weight capacity and the height range that it best suits before your purchase.
The XTERRA Fitness FB360 Folding Bike
The XTERRA Fitness FB360 Folding Bike is feature-rich and ready to serve anyone at any step in their fitness journey.
Built with a convenient foldable design and pre-included nylon transport wheels, the bike is super easy to set up, store, and stow away for later use.
With a small footprint, the bike provides maximum space savings while providing a killer low-impact, lower-body workout.
The bike features a spacious, adjustable padded seat with a supportive back that fits riders between 4’1″ and 5’10”
A built-in accessory rack can hold a phone, tablet, or book for seamless exercise and entertainment.
The LCD monitor clearly displays information like time, distance, calories, heart rate, and speed.
Better yet, the bike doesn’t need to be plugged in – it simply needs two double-AA batteries to power up the console.
With eight levels of resistance, the bike adjusts tension simply to simulate a variety of outdoor cycling conditions.
Pros
- Offers sturdy design that folds and wheels away easily
- Padded, sweat-wicking handle bars feature built-in heart rate sensor
- Differential levels of resistance configure with riders at a variety of fitness levels
- Very budget-friendly price
Cons
- May not be suitable for the tallest riders over 5’10”
- Only accommodates users less than 250 pounds
- Doesn’t include any Bluetooth pairing or pre-set workout options
Features and Benefits of the XTERRA Fitness FB360 Folding Bike
The XTERRA Fitness FB360 Folding Bike is packed with tons of features that I’ve outlined below.
Sturdy Construction
The XTERRA Fitness FB360 Folding Bike features a sturdy, all-metal design that’s made from non-porous steel.
All major moving internal components are made without composite plastics, which ensures the bike is built to stand the test of time.
Moreover, the backlit LCD only needs two (included) double-AA batteries to show you all your favorite exercise metrics.
Information like time, distance, speed, heart rate, and pulse and clearly displayed at all times during the exercise.
The spacious padded seat includes a high backrest that provides even more support during your workout.
Moreover, a set of handlebars placed adjacent to the seat allow you to sit back and take the strain off your upper body.
The multi-grip, adjustable handlebars also feature a built-in heart rate sensor that provides an accurate measurement.
The bike is sturdy enough to support users up to 250 pounds between 4’10” and 5’10”.
Foldable Design
Not only is the XTERRA Fitness FB360 Folding Bike super durable, but it also offers a convenient foldable design and transport wheels.
When folded up, the X-frame style bike measures a mere 50″ x 21.5″ x 22″ (HxWxL). It’s compact enough to fit in any standard-sized storage closet either upright or laid flat.
The built-in transport wheels also make it easy to move the bike. Still, the wheels won’t shift the bike’s position during your high-intensity workout.
What Do Buyers Think?
I scraped the web in search of the most popular reviews concerning the XTERRA Fitness FB360 folding bike.
Review #1
“Listen up – this bike is under $200 and may not be perfect. But, for the price, I am absolutely blown away by how much use I’ve gotten out of it,” one reviewer stated.
Review #2
“The XTERRA FB360 seems to be a good space-saving exercise bike. Assembly wasn’t difficult at all and all the pieces were pre-included. It took me a little under 30 minutes to assemble and, hey, I’m 66 with arthritis.” another stated, “You can go from barely any resistance to quite a lot. It’s easy to work to your fitness capacity. The seat is comfortable, it’s really quiet, and it’s a great value from a non-commercial exercise bike.”
Review #3
“At 53, I suffer from limited mobility and bone fractures throughout my spine. I felt a lot of fear buying it, but now I’m very glad that I did,” another commented. “I’d definitely recommend it, especially from newbies or out-of-shape, middle-aged men like me. At this price? It’s really hard to beat.”
In general, buyers are very pleased with the XTERRA Fitness FB360 Folding Bike.
They state that it’s not only easy to assemble in thirty minutes or less, but that the bike is also perfect for those with pre-existing mobility impairments.
It’s difficult to beat the bike considering its price!
Popular Alternatives to the XTERRA Fitness FB360 Folding Bike
Not sure the XTERRA Fitness FB360 folding bike is the right purchase for you?
I’ve rounded up some of the most popular alternative competitors to the XTERRA brand.
Each product has been chosen for its low price point and near-commercial performance.
MaxKare Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike
Built with a super sturdy steel frame, the MaxKare Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike may be price-friendly yet it doesn’t skimp on quality.
The three-in-one bike is made of thicker, less porous steel that reaches 440 pounds of bending strength.
The bike is suitable for riders between 4’1″ and 6’3″, making it perfect for both teens and adults that want to get fit.
Built with arm tension straps, you can meet your whole body’s needs through increased engagement of the upper body.
The MaxKare folding bike also features high-density sponge padding for the cushion and backrest.
It’s ergonomically designed to support your back and hands during continuous exercise. The bike is recommended for those that suffer from arthritis and back pain.
Moreover, the bike includes a multi-functional LCD monitor that tracks your real-time sports performance.
It measures heart rate, speed, total mileage, time count, and calories burned. The attached tablet rack makes it easy to exercise and enjoy entertainment simultaneously.
The bike can also be folded to approximately half its size for easy storage. Nylon-based transport wheels make it simple to move wherever you need it.
Pros
- Includes tension rope for optional upper body engagement
- Backrest and cushion made of breathable, high-density sponge for extra comfort
- Accommodates for wide range of heights and weights
Cons
- Some buyers complain the bike is difficult to assemble properly
Exerpeutic Bluetooth Smart Foldable Bike
The Exerpeutic Bluetooth Smart Foldable Bike may be compact, but it’s built for both high-performance athletes and beginner cyclists.
The compact design makes it simple to fold for storage while transport wheels allow you to place it wherever you want.
The bike features an easy-to-read 3.3″ by 1.5″ LCD monitor that indicates calories burned, time spent, speed, scan, distance traversed, heart rate, and a 9,999 odometer.
Users can connect their bike to the free Bluetooth smart fitness app that keeps track of all your workouts.
This makes it simple to understand your performance gains at a higher-level view.
With eight levels of resistance, the magnetic tension bike allows users of any fitness level to pump up the difficulty of their workout.
Moreover, resistance bands provide for a dynamic, whole-body workout.
Pros
- Provides extremely quiet and consistent pedaling action through magnetic resistance system
- Can be easily transported and stored
- Pairs with free Bluetooth app for tracking your workout metrics over time
Cons
- Some complain the instruction manual is poorly written and hard to follow
Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise Bike
Offering a fat-blasting workout every time, the Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise Bike targets the quads, glutes, and hamstrings through consistent pedaling action.
With adjustable resistance, the bike allows up to eight preset settings for tension control. Riders can simulate various types of terrain through easily shifting the resistance through a knob.
The bike comes with an LCD monitor relaying metrics like distance traversed, time spent, calories burned, and speed.
The interface is very easy to read and simple to navigate, making it perfect for older adults challenged by overly technical systems.
Moreover, the bike is constructed from a 14-gauge, high-quality steel frame.
It features counterweighted pedals and adjustable foot straps that allow for a consistent, well-positioned down-pedal.
The bike is recommended for users between 5’1″ and 6’3″ and supports a maximum weight of 250 pounds.
It’s also available in many different colors, like lime green, eggshell white, and sky blue.
Pros
- Sleek, stylish design fits any exercise studio or living room
- Advanced X-frame design makes bike easy to fold and transport for storage
- Foam padded seat mimics the design of standard road bikes for training cyclists
Cons
- Will not work for the shortest riders or many teens
- Doesn’t comfortably support riders over 250 pounds
Final Thoughts
Considering the price, the XTERRA Fitness FB360 Folding Bike offers a surprising amount of features and adjustable components.
It’s difficult to beat the bike’s spacious seat, quiet performance, and built-in accessories.
Whether you’re just getting started or well on your way towards a fit lifestyle, the XTERRA folding exercise bike offers something for everyone.
