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 | 82.50% |
List Price | $799 |
Best Price | $499 |
Resistance | 8 |
Resistance Type | Belt drive |
Type | Indoor Cycle |
Drive System | 48.5 lb. Flywheel |
Frame | Rear wheel |
Seat | Adjustable |
Pedals | Caged |
Programs | 0 |
Heart Rate | Chest Strap Compatible |
Display | LCD |
Max. Weight | 300 lbs |
Dimensions | 56"x 25"x 53" |
Accessory Tray | |
Speakers | |
Cooling Fans | |
Portable? | |
Warranty | Frame: Lifetime Parts: 1 Year Brake: 1 Year Labor: 1 Year (In-Home) |
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.