XTERRA SB2.5r Recumbent Exercise Bike Review: I think it’s great value!
If you are in the market for a recumbent bike, you want one that is quality. Even those at lower prices, you want to make sure that it provides enough value for the money that you do spend on it. That’s what we’re here to check and make sure of. Today’s topic of discussion and review thorough examination is the XTERRA SB2.5r recumbent exercise bike.
We’re going to look at all the aspects of this stationary exercise bike (like comfort, resistance, electronics, and so on) and then compare it to the price that you can typically find it for. Then we shall give our opinion on whether or not it is worth looking at and if there are better options on the market. So with all of that out of the way, let’s get on with our review of the XTERRA SB2.5r recumbent bike.
We’ve mentioned price a couple of times now, so it only makes sense to start there. You can typically find the XTERRA SB2.5r recumbent bike for a price of around $360, although that can also raise up to nearly $500. These prices are fairly cheap in comparison to other exercise recumbent bikes, but it still is multiple hundreds of dollars.
The warranties that come with it aren’t the worst you’ve ever seen, but it certainly won’t win any prizes either. You get a 5 year warranty on the frame and 1 year warranty on the parts. That’s it. We could complain about this warranty for a while, but that would take up the rest of the review. So let’s move on.
The shipping of the XTERRA SB2.5r recumbent bike should only take a week or two. Once it arrives, you will have to assemble it. Fortunately, the process isn’t that tough. All you have to do is follow the fairly simple instructions and within an hour, you should have a fully assembled bike. Even those who are fairly new to the process shouldn’t find it too hard.
One of the more crucial elements that people seem to want in these exercise bikes at the moment is the electronics that come with it. The same is true for the XTERRA SB2.5r recumbent bike. Unfortunately, you really won’t be finding the most brilliant of monitors attached to this bike. It’s a fairly small console that is more focused on providing workout variety than anything else.
There are 24 different workout applications to choose from. There’s the classic manual mode, 1 watt control mode, 1 for body fat measuring, 5 for heart rate control, 4 custom user programs and 12 other preset programs. These last programs involve hill climbs, intervals, climbing, fat burning and more. The backlit LCD monitor will display your statistics like time, speed, distance, calories burned, RPM and heart rate. But other than these functions, there isn’t really anything else that the monitor actually does. It can connect with a chest strap if you’ve got it. It also has an MP3 sound system, but you won’t find any Bluetooth connections to outside apps or the internet in general. This is unfortunate, as that has sort of become the norm for these exercise bikes, even on some of the cheaper models. Quite frankly, it is not as good a system as you would find on some of the equivalent Nautilus recumbent bikes (the R618 and R616) or Schwinn bikes (230 and 270).
Another of the key parts on these indoor bikes is the resistance system that is used. The XTERRA SB2.5r recumbent bike uses an eddy current brake system for its method of resistance. What this means in English is that it is a motorized magnetic resistance system. This combines nicely with the belt drive to make the entire exercise process quieter, smoother and require less maintenance overall.
It does require to be plugged into an outlet in order to actually access the resistance system, so keep that in mind. There are 16 levels of resistance by default. This isn’t the most that you’ll find at this level, but it should allow for both a good challenge and some customization in the workout routines. You can fine-tune the resistance to some extent, but not extensively.
The flywheel should weigh right around 22 lbs (10 kg), which should do the trick for most people. It’s heavy enough to provide a challenge but light enough that it doesn’t make the bike excessively large, heavy or difficult to move around (although more on that in a moment).
The crank of the SB2.5r is a 3-piece one, which is good. This is always superior to the 1-piece cranks, which are little more than a metal bar welded together to hold the pedals together. One aspect that is FINALLY listed and publicly available is the Q-Factor of the XTERRA SB2.5r recumbent bike. For those who are unaware, the Q-Factor is the distance between the pedals. If this distance is too wide, then you can get uncomfortable quite quickly once the workout starts. If it is too narrow, the same can occur and you even face injuries due to your legs facing inwards. The listed Q-Factor of this bike is 7.83 inches (19.8 cm).
There aren’t any real complaints about the Q-Factor in user reviews or official ones, so it seems like this shouldn’t be too big of an issue and should fit the majority of people well. Overall, the resistance system should be good for many people and is probably the strongest point of the XTERRA SB2.5r recumbent bike.
The size, weight and maneuverability are the elements that we’re going to cover next. The XTERRA SB2.5r recumbent bike measures out to be 53.4 inches (135.6 cm) long, 25.2 inches (64 cm) wide and 43.7 inches (111 cm) tall. Meanwhile, the SB2.5r recumbent bike weighs 108 lbs (49 kg) and can hold a maximum weight of 300 lbs (136 kg). There are transportation wheels on the front of the SB2.5r recumbent bike in order to help with movement around the home, while there are stabilizers on the back to keep you in place during the tougher workouts. A standard steel frame makes up the bike, but otherwise there aren’t any really fascinating elements about the basic build of the SB2.5r.
We’re going to end our examination and review of the XTERRA SB2.5r recumbent exercise bike with the rest of the physical elements, starting with the handlebars. There are 2 pairs of handlebars onboard the SB2.5r, with one being beside the seat and one coming off of the main console. The pair beside the seat has pulse sensors on them in case you don’t wish to track your heart rate via a chest strap. This is a similar setup to many other exercise bikes, such as the Schwinn 270 and Nautilus R616 recumbent bikes.
They are both covered in a rubber material for comfort and they do a good job of providing that. Neither set is adjustable. The seat, on the other hand, is adjustable both forward and backward. It can accommodate users that range between 4’11” (159 cm) and 6’5″ (196 cm) in height thanks to this ability.
The seat is contoured and padded, although this doesn’t make it the most comfortable in the world. There are still some complaints from users about the long-term comfort about the seat, but it should generally be fine for most users during most workouts.
The pedals are absolutely nothing special at all. They are the standard plastic ones that you would expect to find here, with adjustable straps in order to keep your feet in place. That’s it.
As for any bonus features aboard the XTERRA SB2.5r recumbent bike, you really shouldn’t expect to find too much. We mentioned the MP3 and speaker system before on the monitor. There’s also a small slot for a phone on the console, but that’s really about it. Nothing too special to speak of here. Unfortunately, but also not unexpected in regards to the price range of this type of recumbent bike.
Xterra SB2.5R Pros:
- The monitor allows for many varied workout programs
- Monitor can track metrics like time, distance, RPM and more
- The motorized resistance system has 16 levels of challenge
- Magnetic resistance with belt drive makes for a quiet workout
- 3-piece crank, which is always good
- Seat is adjustable, allowing for more people to fit
- MP3 sound system included
- Transport wheels allow for easy transportation around the home
- Stabilizers make for steady workouts
- On the cheaper side of workout bikes
Xterra SB2.5R Cons:
- No water bottle holder included
- No online connectivity or Bluetooth connections
- No tablet holder for entertainment
- Poor warranty package
- Seat can get uncomfortable after a while
- To adjust the seat, you would need to get off the bike
Xterra Recumbent Exercise Bikes Comparison
Xterra is one of the lesser-known brands of fitness equipment, but they do have three reasonably priced recumbent exercise bikes that compare well to other models on the market.
The most basic and cheapest model is the SB250. It has the lightest flywheel, a less durable frame, and the lowest number of preset workout programs.
The mid-level model is the SB2.5r. It has a heavier flywheel than the SB250, more preset programs, and a much sturdier structure that weighs 20 lbs more than the Xterra SB250 recumbent machine.
Lastly, the most advanced Xterra model is the SB4500 recumbent exercise bike, which has a 7-inch touchscreen monitor, speakers, and app/Bluetooth connectivity.
Xterra SB4500 recumbent exercise bike is not sturdier than the Xterra SB2.5r recumbent but it does have a better monitor and a better tablet holder. So, if you want a touchscreen instead of an LED console, go for the latest model because it’s not as expensive as the Xterra SB2.5R recumbent stationary bike.
In general, Xterra’s recumbent exercise bikes are comparable in price to other brands, but their top-of-the-line model is significantly less expensive than similar models from other manufacturers.
In fact, in terms of features and quality, Xterra’s exercise bikes are a great value for the price. For less than $600, you can buy an Xterra recumbent exercise bike that has a 7-inch HD touchscreen.
And more importantly, unlike Nordictrack exercise bikes that only connect with iFit application, Xterra stationary bikes connect with all the major fitness apps including the Zwift.
Amazon.com
| Model | Xterra SB4500 | Xterra SB2.5R | Xterra SB250 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 7″ touch console | 5.2″ Backlit console | 5.5″ Backlit console |
| Applications | Zwift, Kinomap, etc | None | None |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No | No |
| Programs | 11 | 24 | 12 |
| Flywheel | 22 Lbs | 22 Lbs | 13.5 Lbs |
| Resistance | 24 Levels | 16 Levels | 24 Levels |
| Tablet holder | Yes | No | No |
| Speaker | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Xterra SB2.5R Alternative Recumbent Bikes
Xterra’s SB2.5R recumbent exercise bike is an excellent choice for those looking for a quality workout at an affordable price.
However, if the price of the Xterra Fitness recumbent bike goes back up to $500, there are better options available.
The Nautilus R616 and Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4850 are both great alternatives that offer more features and a better overall value.
The Nautilus R616 is our top recommendation for tall and short people, as it includes a highly adjustable seat rail, heart rate monitor, built-in speakers, Bluetooth, dual-screen, and a water bottle holder.
It also has a higher weight capacity and a more comfortable seat. If you’re looking for the best value for your money, the Nautilus R616 is the way to go.
In terms of quality and price, Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RB4850 recumbent exercise bikes are the same. They both cost around $330 and offer enough to justify their price tag.
The main difference is that Sunny recumbent exercise bike has a breathable mesh backrest while Xterra Fitness SB2.r5 has a non-breathable cushioned backrest. Also, Sunny recumbent exerise bike has a handle for seat adjustment which is more convinient than the knob on the Xterra SB2.5r.
If there was one thing about Sunny that would put me off the deal, it is the “one-piece crank system”. It’s outdated and less durable than the “three-piece crank systems” that come with Xterra SB2.5R.
Conclusion
The XTERRA SB2.5r recumbent bike is a cheaper option on the market that focuses heavily on workout functionality over everything else. You won’t find a fancy monitor that connects to apps or any bonus features besides the sound system. But you will find a resistance system that allows for a nice amount of variation in your exercise patterns. The big issue is that there’s a poor warranty and there can be better options out there. While the Schwinn 230 recumbent bike might be slightly more expensive (assuming you don’t get the $500 version of the XTERRA SB2.5r), it has more features and a longer warranty. You would probably be better served looking over at that bike. But if you are determined to use this XTERRA recumbent bike, it won’t be the worst purchase you’ve ever made.
Sayed Hosseiny
Hi there, I'm Sayed Hamed Hosseiny, the founder and one of the authors at yourexercisebike.com (YEB). I am a former indoor cycling instructor and personal trainer with nearly 20 years of experience. With a passion for indoor cycling, I have spent years designing cycling parts, repairing, and importing exercise bikes. All the articles, tips, guides, reviews, and comparisons on YourExerciseBike.com (YEB) reflect my personal opinion and expertise in the field. I'm excited to share my knowledge with fellow exercise bike enthusiasts and help people find reliable indoor cycling information and the best exercise bike for their needs.
Can the pedal style be changed
Yes, as long as you use 9/16 thread-size pedals, the style shouldn’t be a problem.