NordicTrack GX 3.5 Sport Indoor Cycle Review

Quick Summary

NordicTrack’s GX 3.5 Sport with chain drive is their entry level indoor cycle trainer. Its $399 online sale price is a decent match for the bike. The typical $1000 price tag is a bit ridiculous. Still, it offers lots of power and a realistic sense of road biking. Highlights of the GX 3.5 Sport are a 40-pound flywheel, pedals with toe cages and straps, and good saddle adjustability to fit a wide range of rider sizes. This is a decent option for an introductory or temporary trainer. Don’t expect anything more than the basics, but at least those are executed well.

Specifications

Model	NordicTrack GX 3.5 Sport
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the bike's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	83.25%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	discontinued
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.	$399
Resistance The flywheel in an exercise bike is what creates resistance. You can choose the level of resistance to increase your workout intensity.	Adjustable/Twist
Resistance Type The type of resistance shows what kind of flywheel is being used (if any), and its weight if the manufacturer provides it.	n/a
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.	40 lb.
Frame It's important to choose an exercise bike that will last, and the material of the frame determines how durable the bike is.	Welded Steel
Seat The most important part for comfortability during your workout, the seat should be adjustable and have ample cushioning.	Padded & Adjustable
Pedals Pedals are the driving force for an exercise bike, and should be comfortable, adjustable, and easy to control without slipping.	Toe Cages & Straps
Programs Bike Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	None
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.	none
Display Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	Backlit LCD
Max. Weight Max. User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that the bike can safely support, which can represent durability.	250 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).	49" L X 18.5" W X 39" H
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: 5 year Parts: 90 days Labor: 90 days

Pros & Cons

Pros:

40-pound drive.
Adjustable resistance.
Adjustable saddle.
Pedals with toe cages and straps.
Welded steel frame.
Water bottle holder.
Transport wheels.
Low price ($399 on sale).
Compact size (Footprint is 49″ x 18.5″).

Cons:

No heart rate monitor.
Uncomfortable seat.
Slow customer service.
Braking system is higher maintenance.
Very short parts warranty (90 days).

Full Review

The NordicTrack GX 3.5 Sport is very low-priced but has the heavy flywheel associated with more expensive indoor bikes. Its main selling points are the weighty flywheel, pedals with toe cages and straps, and adjustability to help anyone get the the right stride length. This bike is all about the basics. Don’t expect anything flashy or high tech.

Workout Programs

The GX 3.5 Sport, like many indoor cycle trainers, doesn’t have preset workouts. Instead, You can adjust the machine’s resistance with a knob as you ride. The resistance system uses contact brakes with felt. The only data shown on tbe small LCD monitor are time, speed and watts.

To get pro bike training sessions, you can park the GX 3.5 Sport in front of your TV or computer and use workout videos. You’ll have to upgrade to the GX 5.5 Sport if you want any workouts included with the product though.

Features

To keep you steady during intense cycling, this NordicTrack bike has pedals with toe cages and straps. It also has a saddle shaped like those on outdoor bikes. However, you might want to add a gel seat cover for better cushioning.

The 40-pound drive is competitive with that of other indoor cycles. (A 48-pound drive is used on most health club spin bikes and on the GX 5.5 Sport). Compared with many stationary bikes in this price range, it supports quite a smooth ride.

The bike’s frame is welded steel and can support up to 250 pounds. An integrated water bottle holder is included for hydration while riding.

Warranty & Guarantee

The NordicTrack GX 3.5 Sport upright bike warranty is rather short. It includes:

– Frame: 5 years

– Parts: 90 days

– Labor: 90 days

NordicTrack also provides a 30-day money back guarantee.

Conclusion

This NordicTrack cycle trainer offers a low-budget, yet realistic road biking experience indoors. It’s adjustable to fit most riders and meets a wide range of ability levels. It’s best fit is a shopper who is committed to spending $400 or less in the short term. The GX Sport 3.5 offers good basics but is a gamble for longterm use considering its short parts and labor warranty.

It’s not easy to find a bike with long warranty at this price point. If you can afford to spend more, you can get much better durability and value in an exercise bike. See the NordicTrack GX Sport 5.5 and other NordicTrack exercise bikes for comparison.

Rating: 83.25/100

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