As I sit down to write this review, I have the old Queen song about bicycles stuck in my head.
It’s a good song, so I don’t mind, and cycling has been one of my favorite cardio exercises going all the way back to the beginning of my fitness journey.
It took me a bit to consider a recumbent stationary bike, and once I found it, I really wish I’d had the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike to make things even better.
Before You Buy a Recumbent Bike
Recumbent bikes are a form of cardio exercise.
Cardio exercise in general improves endurance, strengthens the heart and lungs, and can help your body produce mood-boosting endorphins.
Most people use cardio to slim down and build lean muscle.
Cycling is a form of low-impact cardio, meaning it’s easier on your joints than a high impact workout like a treadmill.
It activates muscles mainly in the legs and abdomen, so it’s ideal for people targeting those areas.
It can be done outside when the weather is nice then easily brought inside on a stationary bike when the weather turns.
Recumbent bikes have the added advantage of supporting your back, thus reducing strain on your upper body during the workout.
This makes them better for people with lower back injuries.
Having a seat where you recline rather than sitting upright on a bike seat can reduce that ‘saddle-sore’ feeling a lot of beginner cyclists complain about.
If you’re looking for a high impact workout, this bike is not really compatible with your goals.
It’s not the first choice for anyone trying to build muscle and ‘bulk up’.
You’re better served by pull up bars and weightlifting machines if being a bodybuilder is what you’re aiming for.
Essential Questions to Ask
There are some other things to consider before getting a recumbent bike as well. Ask yourself questions like:
- Is this the kind of exercise I want to get?
- Will I or the other people in my household use this enough to justify having it in my home?
- Is there space in my home for this equipment?
- Do I prefer recumbent or upright cycling for my work out?
Presenting the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike
The SB250 Recumbent bike is part of XTERRA’s line-up of recumbent bikes where it sits comfortably in the mid-range category.
It promises a smooth lower body workout from a compact machine to save space.
The magnetic resistance keeps the noise level of the bike down so you can enjoy conversations or just the TV while riding.
Interestingly, when you compare it to the SB500 Recumbent Bike from XTERRA, the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike actually has four more levels of magnetic resistance.
However, the XTERRA Fitness SB500 also has some features the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike lacks, such as a cooling fan and included heart rate chest strap.
When compared to the #1 recumbent bike on Amazon, the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike blows it out of the water when it comes to levels of resistance, since the #1 only has eight levels total.
The monitor on the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike is larger and includes an audio cable to play your music with, though both have the same weight capacity.
XTERRA Fitness SB250 Features & Benefits
Frame
The frame on the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike is designed for ease of use, so they use a ‘step-through’ style frame.
This type of frame is great for people with limited mobility and is much easier to mount and dismount.
The frame of this bike also includes a water bottle holder to help you keep hydrated as you ride.
Display & Console
The display and console on the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike splits the difference between wanting something high tech and wanting something simple.
There’s a 5.5″ blue backlit screen that displays speed, distance, time, resistance level, calories burned, RPM and pulse, as well as if you’re using a preset program.
If you are a bit old fashioned and prefer buttons to touch screens, this display will be great for you, and you may enjoy the simplicity of a bike you can just hop on and ride with instead of fussing with settings for five minutes.
Unfortunately, there is no fan on this bike.
Speaker System
I am basically incapable of working out without music, so the built-in speaker on the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike would be such a bonus for me.
It’s one less thing you have to remember before your workout. No need for headphones or a portable speaker.
Simply plug the included cable into your headphone jack and play your music, podcast or tv show with ease.
Handles
Typically, a recumbent bike has its handles on either side of the seat and a second set under or next to the display.
What’s unique about the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike is that the handles are designed to have multiple grip options so you can find the position that works best for you.
The main handles, next to the seat of the bike, also have sensors to take your pulse as you grip them and display the data on the screen.
This is great if you’re doing heart rate or interval training, but it does mean you have to be holding the handles to see your pulse.
Seat
Like any recumbent bike, the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike has a seat with a back to it.
This reduces upper body fatigue and offers support for anyone who has suffered a lower back injury while still providing all the benefits of cycling.
This seat adjusts forward and back to accommodate users of various heights, and is padded for extra comfort as well.
Preset Programs
There is a downside to working out at home – no chance of helpful other gym goers and no personal trainer – though that may be an upside for introverts.
When you’ve already invested in a stationary bike or any other equipment, the expense of at-home training programs or apps looks very unappealing.
The XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike comes with 12 preset programs, 5 heart rate programs, 1 body fat program, and 1 watt program.
Yes, watt, like electricity – some people choose to measure their exercise by how much energy they produce, and this bike accommodates that.
The bike can also store up to 4 of your own custom-made programs.
Magnetic Resistance
The XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike is set up with a 13.5lb flywheel and belt drive with 24 levels of magnetic resistance.
The advantages of magnetic resistance include a quieter machine, smooth ride, and consistent resistance no matter how fast or slow you pedal – meaning it’s great for High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts where you just want to change speed and not resistance.
On the other hand, this does mean you always have to manually set the resistance on the bike and may need to crank it up or down while you ride for certain types of workouts.
The quieter ride, however, makes this bike better for people who like to exercise when other people might be sleeping or play music without blowing out the speakers.
Warranty
The warranty on the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike is fairly standard.
The frame is covered for 5 years, and the parts and brake are both under warranty for 1 year.
Unfortunately, the warranty does not include in home labor at all.
Customer Service
When I review XTERRA products I see glowing praise of their customer service without fail.
They’re known for being helpful, kind, knowledgeable and prompt in sending replacement parts or assisting with set up.
Transport Wheels
The XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike weighs 87.5lbs. I could conceivably pick it up, but I personally wouldn’t get very far after doing so.
The XTERRA Fitness SB250 comes with wheels, fortunately, so if you want to move the bike in front of the TV and then put it away again after you finish it’s a simple, one person job.
What Buyers Are Saying
Especially with online purchases, knowing what people who have bought and used an item have to say is vital before making any big purchase.
I’ve gathered some user reviews for you here so you can see what they have to say.
Review #1
Raper provides a good breakdown, praising the easy of assembly and use, but noting that the heartrate sensors have the problems most grip-type sensors do.
Review #2
Cheng-Wei Cheng had a little more trouble with assembly but still likes the bike enough to recommend to a friend.
Review #3
XTERRA is proud enough to display the review from Joseph Sible as the first one on their webpage for the bike, and the 81-year-old calls the bike perfect for his needs.
Other Recumbent Bike Options
EXERPEUTIC 900XL Recumbent Exercise Bike
The EXERPEUTIC 900XL Recumbent Exercise Bike is almost the definition of simple when it comes to exercise bikes and is at a lower price point than the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike.
Like the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike, it can hold up to 300lbs, has hand pulse sensors to measure heart rate, and has a step through style frame.
However, it only has 8 different levels of magnetic resistance, no speakers, and no preset programs.
The display shows the same information on the EXERPEUTIC 900XL Recumbent Exercise Bike as on the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike, but the screen only displays one at a time on the EXERPEUTIC 900XL.
There’s no water bottle holder on the EXERPEUTIC 900XL, and there are no built in speakers either.
EXERPEUTIC 900XL vs. XTERRA Fitness SB250
- More Basic Display on the 900XL- Only one Measurement at a Time
- Lower Price
- Both Have Hand Pulse Sensors to Measure Heartrate
- Only 8 Levels of Resistance
- No Speakers
- No Preset Programs
Exerpeutic Easy Step Thru Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike
Another bike from Exerpeutic, the Exerpeutic Easy Step Thru Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike can hold up to 310lbs safely, and the seat adjustment is designed to fit someone up to 6’6!
This bike has a few more features than the EXERPEUTIC 900XL, but still only has 16 levels of resistance, losing to the SB250’s 24 levels.
Like the bikes above, it has a step through design for ease of use.
If you’re big on preset programs however, this one blows the XTERRA Fitness SB250 Recumbent Bike out of the water with 24 programs to choose from.
It also has the option to connect to your phone or tablet via Bluetooth and includes a space to rest them on the console.
Unlike many exercise bikes, you do have to plug this one in instead of just running on batteries.
Exerpeutic Easy Step Thru Bike vs. XTERRA Fitness SB250
- Connects to Phone/Tablet via Bluetooth
- 24 Preset Programs
- 16 Levels of Resistance
- Must be Plugged in
- Fits up to 6’6 Rider
- Hand Pulse Sensors
MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike
This is the only bike on the list that does not specifically state that they have a step through frame design, so if that was on your list of requirements, be aware.
The MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike has a spot for your phone or tablet; however a tablet will cover the workout display when the shelf is in use.
A lot of thought seems to have gone into the design of the seat of this bike; the bottom portion is made from high rebound foam and the back is unique for being mesh, allowing air flow while supporting your back.
This bike has hand pulse sensors for heart rate, too.
The MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike has only 8 different levels of resistance, and the lowest maximum weight on this list at 242.5lbs.
MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike vs. XTERRA Fitness SB250
- 8 Levels of Resistance
- Tablet/Phone Holder, Tablet Will Cover Display Screen
- Hand Pulse Sensors
- Mesh Back on Seat
- Lower Maximum Weight- 242.5lbs
Final Thoughts
A recumbent bike is a great choice for a variety of people, from seniors trying to stay active to those with lower back problems to someone who wants to relax and even read while getting in their daily exercise.
The XTERRA Fitness SB250 may be the perfect solution to your low impact cardio needs.
