XTERRA Fitness MBX2500 Indoor Cycle Review

Now that people are staying home more, working out at home has gained popularity.

People are on the hunt for great home gym equipment and indoor bikes are one of the most popular machines.

They’re affordable, they’re compact, and they’re easy to use. I came across the Xterra Fitness MBX2500 Indoor Cycle machine and I was thoroughly impressed.

Here is what I found out about this great indoor bike.

Things to Consider Before Buying an Indoor Bike

Before diving into specifics about the Xterra Fitness MBX2500 bike, it helps if you know what makes an indoor bike great.

The decision to buy an indoor bike is more than just picking one that’s in your price range. If you don’t pay attention to certain features, you might end up with a bike that doesn’t meet all your needs.

Quality

You’ve heard the saying, “you get what you pay for.”

This can be applied to indoor bikes as well. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good one, but you don’t want to go bottom of the barrel either.

A low-quality bike might work for a little while, but eventually you’ll notice that little things start to break down.

Your seat fabric might start ripping. The bike may rock back and forth as you use it. You’ll hear joints creak and pop. Eventually that cheap bike is going to fall apart.

You can avoid this by getting a bike that’s manufactured with care and uses top quality products. Try to get one that has more metal than plastic parts and one that has a great warranty.

Size

When I mention the size of the bike, I don’t just mean the footprint that it will take up in your home.

Of course, you need to make sure you have space for whichever bike you choose, but more than that you need to make sure that you can fit the bike.

The best choice you can make when it comes to size is to get an indoor bike that’s adjustable.

This is especially important if more than one person will be using the bike. The seat should be able to adjust to several different heights.

This will allow for many different leg lengths. Manufacturers often give the measurement from the seat to the pedals so you can make sure your legs will fit.

LCD Display/Console

The console is basically the operating center of your bike. Most consoles are powered by batteries, and only while you’re pedaling.

This is great because you won’t have to plug the bike into an outlet, so it gives you the freedom to place the bike wherever you want to.

Consoles and LCD displays come in a variety of sizes.

They can be small and basic, only showing numbers and a few letters, or they can be large, full color displays complete with instructions, programs, charts and more.

This size and features won’t have much of an effect on your workout. It’s more of a matter of personal preference of how advanced you want your console to be.

You should pay attention to how many programs the bike has.

You might be a person that just likes to jump on the bike and go, but more than likely you’ll benefit from using some type of program and resistance levels.

The console can also have spaces for holding media such as tablets or phones.

There may be a cup holder or two as well as a fan. All of this makes your workout a lot more comfortable so you can focus on what’s important.

The Xterra Fitness MBX2500 Indoor Cycle

The Xterra Fitness MBX2500 indoor bike is one of the best choices you can make for an indoor bike.

It has everything that was discussed in the previous section that you should look for in an indoor bike.

It’s high-quality, compact machine that is adjustable and has great options.

The bike measures 56.3” L x 20.5″ W x 53.2″ H and weighs 110 pounds.

It’s made with a heavy-duty steel frame that can support up to 300 pounds, making this a great machine for heavier people.

The best part is that Xterra offers it at a price that can fit into most budgets.

Pros

• Has a lifetime warranty on the frame.
• The bike is fully adjustable.
• It has a precision-balanced flyweight system.
• Wide support legs keep it sturdy – no rocking.

Cons

• The LCD display is small.
• Only has a one-year warranty on parts.

Features and Benefits of the MBX2500 Indoor Cycle

Excellent Construction

You don’t have to worry about quality when it comes to the XTERRA Fitness MBX2500 Indoor Cycle.

This bike is expertly designed, manufactured with precision, and built to last a lifetime. The bike is made with a heavy-duty steel frame that can easily support up to 300 pounds.

This frame is bolted onto two extra wide feet that keeps the bike sturdy as you use it.

Everything on the bike that moves (such as the pull knobs, movable seat, and pedals) does so with ease.

This means there’s no friction to increase wear and tear. It’s a great indoor bike that you can feel safe and comfortable riding.

Adjustability

As one of the most important features of an indoor bike, the seat on the XTERRA Fitness MBX2500 Indoor Cycle is fully adjustable.

It has eight different height levels and the seat can also be shifted backward and forward so you can get the perfect amount of space between the seat and handlebars.

The seat even tilts forward so you can get the most comfortable angle possible.

The handlebars are also fully adjustable. Just like the seat, they slide up and down as well as backward and forward.

Between the seat and the handlebars, you should be able to find the perfect position to make your workout comfortable.

Flyweight System

The flyweight system is like the central hub of the bike. For starters, it weighs 48.5 pounds. This is significant because this weight is what keeps the bike balanced as you use it.

The flyweight has been precision-balanced, and it acts almost like an anchor so you can lean forward and pedal without the bike tilting over.

It’s a high-quality, chrome-plated flyweight system that will provide a consistent, top-notch performance for years to come.

Keep in mind that the flyweight system is not a freewheel system. This means that when the flywheel is in motion, the pedals will be in motion.

You can’t back pedal or just stop on a dime. This could cause an injury. You must bring the flyweight to a gradual stop or use the brake pedal if you need to stop faster.

LCD Display/Console

I must admit that I was not impressed with the console of the XTERRA Fitness MBX2500 Indoor Cycle. It’s small – so small in fact that I can’t even confidently call it a console.

It’s really just a small LCD display that gives you six bits of information in a monochromatic layout. The information it gives is:

• average speed
• max speed
• time
• distance
• calories
• heart rate

It’s true that you don’t really need a fancy console for a workout.

However, in a world where screens are a regular part of our daily lives, it can be a little disappointing to have to stare at that tiny console.

I was also disappointed by the fact that there is no media holder or even a cup holder.

The console leaves a lot to be desired. However, the good news is that none of this affects the quality of the workout you’ll get or the quality of the bike.

The display, no matter how small, gives you six important bits of information that you’ll need during your workout and that’s the most important part.

Other Mentionable Features

The XTERRA Fitness MBX2500 Indoor Cycle has eight different resistance levels.

You can easily and quickly choose between these levels using a lever. Simply put the lever on a number from one to eight, with eight being the most resistance, and pedal away.

The seat and handlebar are fully padded for comfort. The handlebar is ergonomically shaped and provides you with support as you lean forward. The seat is contoured for comfort.

What Others Are Saying About the MBX2500 Indoor Cycle

Review #1 – Brian S.

Super awesome

“If I had to go back and buy another bike, I’d make the same decision time after time after time. I simply love the look, performance, and value of this bike. It’s a winner from every angle. I’m sure there are other bikes that rival this, but I can guarantee you that there is no bike out there better. Even if you willing to pay more, you’re not going to exceed this bad boy.”

Review #2 – Verified Purchaser

A good product for the price.

“Received in a timely matter. Very easy to put together. The seat was a bit hard for me but I bought a seat cushion and that solved the problem. The bike is heavy and if you set it up make sure its where you want it.”

Review #3 – Courtney

Great bike

Great beginner fitness bike!!

Alternatives to the Xterra Fitness MBX2500 Indoor Cycle

Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike

The Yosuda bike can save you a little bit of money. It has a steel frame and padding for comfort. It’s also highly adjustable like the Xterra.

Even the pedals are adjustable. However, the weight capacity is a little lower and it’s lightweight, meaning that it could be a little less sturdy for heavier people.

Joroto Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike

The Joroto Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike is another good, sturdy upright bike with a heavy-duty steel frame.

It’s slightly different from the other bikes because the flywheel is in the front, but it’s still balanced really well.

The downside to this one is that the seat is a little narrower than the Xterra, but it’s still padded and adjustable.

PYHIGH Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike

The PYHIGH Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike is a great budget choice. It’s a sturdy bike that can give you a great workout. It has horizontal adjusters that compensate for uneven floors.

Unlike the Xterra, it even has a media holder to hold your smart devices or a book.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have multiple resistance levels, so this is better for someone who needs a basic bike workout.

Final Thoughts on the Xterra Fitness MBX2500 Indoor Cycle

The Xterra Fitness MBX2500 Indoor Cycle is a perfect example of what a home upright bike should be. It’s sturdy, durable, and effective.

Plus, it’s affordable. I wish the display was a little bigger, but this is a universal issue that plagues most indoor bikes in this price range.

However, you probably won’t spend a whole lot of time looking at the display anyway so it should be easy to overlook this one flaw.