Advanced Search

XTERRA MBX2500 Review

Quick Summary

The XTERRA MBX2500 Indoor Spin Cycle is a compact spin bike for home use. Sold for $799 maximum (sometimes just $499 online) the MBX2500 is among the cheapest spin bikes built for 2018. Features include a 48.5-pound flywheel, eight resistance settings, and a small LCD monitor for heart rate and other workout statistics. Read on for a full review!

Specifications

Model XTERRA
MBX2500
Rating

Our custom rating considers all of the bike's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!

82.50%
List Price

Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.

$799
Best Price

Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the current best price. Note: MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.

$499
Resistance

The flywheel in an exercise bike is what creates resistance. You can choose the level of resistance to increase your workout intensity.

8
Resistance Type

The type of resistance shows what kind of flywheel is being used (if any), and its weight if the manufacturer provides it.

Belt drive
Type

Type refers to the style of the ride: Recumbent bikes allow you to lay back, while Upright bikes are more like road bikes (lean forward).

Indoor Cycle
Drive System

The bike's drive system is how your pedaling interacts with the rest of the bike (flywheel) to give you a good workout.

48.5 lb. Flywheel
Frame

It's important to choose an exercise bike that will last, and the material of the frame determines how durable the bike is.

Rear wheel
Seat

The most important part for comfortability during your workout, the seat should be adjustable and have ample cushioning.

Adjustable
Pedals

Pedals are the driving force for an exercise bike, and should be comfortable, adjustable, and easy to control without slipping.

Caged
Programs

Bike Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.

0
Heart Rate

Heart Rate programs allow you to track how many times your heart is beating per minute (bpm), and some control the workout for you.

Chest Strap Compatible
Display

Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.

LCD
Max. Weight

Max. User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that the bike can safely support, which can represent durability.

300 lbs
Dimensions

Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this treadmill will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).

56"x 25"x 53"
Accessory Tray

Some bikes include an accessory tray for holding items such as water bottles, wallets, keys, or MP3 players like iPods.

Speakers

Cooling Fans

Portable?

Some exercise bikes can fold up and/or have wheels that make it easy to roll them around for convenience and to save space.

Warranty

The warranty is a very important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs by the manufacturer.

Frame: Lifetime
Parts: 1 Year
Brake: 1 Year
Labor: 1 Year (In-Home)

Rating: 82.50%

Our Rating

Rating: 82.5/100. The MBX2500 Indoor Spin Cycle by XTERRA is among the lower-priced choices for cycle training at home. Sold for just $499 on a good day, this sturdy ride costs far less than this year’s premium spin bikes. A main attraction, besides the price, is the XTERRA’s heavy-duty resistance system. A 48.5-lb wheel supports very smooth pedaling, and you can manually shift among eight resistance settings. We also like how the bike is compatible with a wireless heart rate transmitter and provides other exercise feedback.

Another selling point is the bike’s small size; the machine is under five feet long. Still it’s heavier than most spin bikes (it weighs about 105 pounds) and can support a 300-pound rider. Both the saddle and handlebars are adjustable for good ergonomics.

One potential drawback of the MBX2500 is its lack of training programs. For comparison, wifi-enabled indoor cycles by Peloton and NordicTrack can deliver new workout classes anytime… but these bikes sell for about $2,000 each.

Another possible drawback is the braking system. The MBX2500 spin bike uses contact braking, whereas some of the best new exercise bikes use magnetic braking. Magnetic resistance minimizes noises, plus it improves a bike’s durability; there’s no brake pad to wear down and replace. Magnetic braking is generally reserved for exercise bikes over $500.

Pros:

  • Low price
  • Heavy steel frame
  • 48.5-pound drive
  • Adjustable saddle (Up/down, forward/back)
  • Adjustable and curved handlebars
  • Caged pedals for rider stability
  • Workout monitor with six data windows
  • Compatible with a wireless heart rate monitor
  • XTERRA customer service (Good reputation)

Cons:

  • No preset workouts nor data export
  • No on-board entertainment such as web browsing
  • Short warranty, though a good match for the low price

Introduction

The MBX2500 Indoor Spin Cycle is a space-conscious exercise bike for home use. It measures just 56” long but weighs more than 100 pounds. About half its heft comes from a 48.5-pound flywheel that helps support a sensation of biking on the road. Other basics include contact braking, a steel frame, curved handlebars, and a small data monitor that can show six workout statistics at once.

Workout Programs

Training programs aren’t included with the XTERRA MBX2500. Riders tend to just pedal until they’re tired! You might want to park your bike in front of a TV or have music handy when you train.

XTERRA MBX2500 Features

The XTERRA MBX2500 bike drive is a 48.5-pound flywheel system. It uses contact braking and has a manual shift for choosing among eight resistance levels. On more expensive bikes you’d get more settings (smaller increments), but the overall range of the MBX2500 is comparable to that of the best spin bikes on the market.

To track performance a small LCD monitor is included. It has an RPM graphic and simultaneously shows the elapsed time, calorie estimate, distance, speed and pulse.

Warranty & Guarantee

The XTERRA MBX2500 warranty includes:

– Frame: Lifetime

– Parts: 1 Year

– Electronics: 1 Year

– Labor: 1 year

Repair service is provided in-home.

Conclusion

XTERRA’s MBX2500 Indoor Spin Cycle is among the best spin bike deals when it’s sold at the $499 discount price. You won’t get preset training programs, but you’ll own a strong and reasonably durable bike that delivers feedback about your exercise.

If you move up to higher price brackets, you’ll see that the best spin bikes have the same maximum force as the MBX2500. However, they offer more resistance levels (smaller increments between challenge levels) for better customization. Pricier spin bikes also tend to have more advanced consoles and more durable features.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Copyright