| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Workout programs | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XTERRA SB150 Check Discounted Price | L:58.3" W:24.8" H:45.3" | 265 lbs | Eddy current, 24 levels | 12 preset, 5 HRC, 4 custom, Recovery, BMI, | 1 year limited |
The SB150 is one of the most affordable recumbent bikes from XTERRA Fitness. Although it’s a trainer under $300, it’s equipped with an eddy current, motorized resistance system, and a digital console that offers quite a few workout programs to keep you motivated. It’s not a commercial-grade bike but does have a pretty sturdy construction.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 58.3L x 24.8W x 45.3H inches (148L x 63W x 115H cm)
- Assembled weight: 69.5 lbs (31.5 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 11 lbs (5 kg)
- Supported weight: 265 lbs (120 kg)
- Pedals: Weighted, with straps
- Drive: Belt
- Resistance: Motorized magnetic, 24 levels
- Console programs: 12 preset, 5 heart rate, 1 body fat, 1 recovery, 4 custom programs
- Extras: Sound system, tablet holder
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Frame construction
The XTERRA SB150 features a fairly sturdy frame, rated for users up to 265 lbs (120 kg). It’s made of two main pieces, the front
part which holds the drive and resistance elements along with the console mast and the console, and the rear part with the seat assembly.
Most of the bike’s frame is made of steel tubing. The only exceptions are the covers of the drive and resistance parts, and the seat base covers. These are made of durable ABS material.
The frame features a step-through design. This being said, it offers an easy access to the seat. This can be quite a plus for users with certain disabilities.
All the steel bars in the bike’s frame are double-coated with a chip-resistant and corrosion-resistant paint finish. The color used is black, this being the only color available for this unit.
This XTERRA exercise bike is not an extremely large fitness machine, but it’s not too small either. With the frame fully assembled, its footprint is approx. 58.3″L x 24.8″W (148 x 63 cm). On top of that, it’s recommended to leave at least two feet of clearance all around it, for safe operation.
The bike is not extremely heavy either. When fully assembled, it weighs only 69.5 lbs (31.5 kg). However, the front base is also equipped with a set of wheels to facilitate its transport.
The bike’s rear base is equipped with a set of adjustable levelers. There’s also an additional, adjustable leveler at the middle of the main frame bar. Therefore, the bike can be perfectly stabilized on any type of floor.
Seat and handlebars
The XTERRA Fitness SB150 is equipped with an adjustable seat attached to an oblique rail system. It can be locked into position 
closer or farther in relation to the pedals. The adjustment bar offers several positions, so the bike can basically accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’0″ (153 – 183 cm).
The adjustment system involves a turn-and-pull pin placed on the right side under the seat. In order to adjust the seat, the user must not be seated.
Both the seat and backrest integrate 2″ (5 cm) of foam padding, delivering optimal comfort. Their upholstery is made of durable vinyl material. The backrest cannot be adjusted independently from the seat; it has a sturdy backbone and provides an excellent lumbar support.
This XTERRA exercise bike is equipped with two sets of handlebars; one is attached to the seat assembly, the other one to the console mast.
The seat handlebars feature a set of stainless steel pulse sensors. By holding on to them, the console can track your heart rate, and use the HR-based workout programs. The front handlebars don’t have pulse sensors but do offer a multi-grip design. Both sets of handlebars are non-adjustable and have rubberized grips for superior comfort and hand adherence.
Drive and resistance
The XTERRA SB150 integrates an 11-lb (5 kg) flywheel. It’s perimeter-weighted and balanced, delivering a pretty consistent 
momentum, and a smooth pedaling motion. It’s also bi-directional, allowing you to pedal in reverse; however, coasting on this bike is not possible.
The bike’s transmission is made available by a poly-v belt. Therefore, the pedaling motion is almost completely silent. The belt doesn’t require lubrication. Also, it produces considerably less vibration than a chain drive.
The crank arms are made of solid steel material. However, since it’s a recumbent bike, standing up on the pedals is not recommended, nor it is comfortable. The included pedals are made of durable nylon material. They’re weighted, so they always turn face-up when you remove your feet from them. They’re also equipped with adjustable straps in order to perfectly stabilize your feet if needed.
In terms of resistance, this XTERRA exercise bike features an eddy current motorized brake. It consists of a magnetic bracket and a small servo motor. As you adjust the resistance, the motor will move the magnetic bracket closer or farther in relation to the flywheel, increasing or decreasing the resistance.
The unit’s resistance system is exclusively digital. This means you can only adjust the resistance from the console. The bike must be connected to a power source in order to make available the resistance settings (a power adapter is included). Also, the console programs control the bike’s resistance. Thus, if you’re going to use one of the onboard programs, the bike will auto-adjust the pedal resistance.
There are 24 levels of resistance available. Due to the rather light flywheel, the first levels of resistance are also light, generating very little impact. Conversely, the top resistance settings can produce a considerably higher level of difficulty, simulating a fairly steep climb.
Console
Although the console does not have Bluetooth functions and is not compatible with any online fitness apps, it definitely offers
plenty of features to keep you motivated. First of all, it’s equipped with a 3.7″ LCD display with blue LED backlight and large digits, providing an excellent readability. It tracks all the important workout metrics, including time, distance, calories burned, speed, RPM, and pulse.
You can assign target values to time, distance, and calories. This way, the console will count down from the selected target value until it reaches zero, rather than showing the elapsed value. Thus, you can create goals to take down for each one of your workouts.
Distance and speed are only shown in English units. There is no setting for metric units. Also, the console is not telemetric; it can only measure your pulse rate through the integrated sensors. It doesn’t work with wireless HR chest straps.
There are several workout programs available on the console. The first (P1) program is the Manual mode. This program gives you the possibility to exercise freely, adjusting the resistance manually, as you like, during pedaling from the Up/Down buttons.
The next 12 programs (P2-P13) are preset programs. To give you an idea of their setup, here’s their name list: Steps, Hill, Rolling, Valley, Fat Burn, Ramp, Mountain, Intervals, Random, Plateau, Fartlek, and Precipice. If one of the preset programs is selected, the bike will auto-adjust the pedal resistance.
The P14-P17 programs are custom programs. Each one gives you the possibility to create your own program, designing duration, and resistance for each segment. You can save any of the created programs in the console unit memory.
The P18-P22 programs are heart rate based programs. The first four of them have a preset HR interval; these intervals are 55%, 65%, 75% and 85%. The fifth program allows you to set your own custom HR interval. When an HR interval program is selected, the bike will automatically adjust the resistance in order to keep you within the selected interval.
There is also a Pulse Recovery and a Body Fat function available. The Pulse Recovery function gives you a fitness score between F1 (excellent) and F6 (poor) depending on the amount of time your heart takes to return to normal after your workout. The Body Fat function is a special program design to calculate users’ body fat ratio and to offer a specific loading profile for users. It requires you to input data such as height, weight, and gender.
The bike’s console also offers two non-fitness features. These are the sound system and the tablet holder (or reading rack). The sound system consists of a small speaker placed at the bottom of the console. It is compatible with most smartphones and MP3 players. The sound rendered is not super, but it is definitely louder and deeper than the sound produced by most smartphone speakers. The tablet holder is placed right above the speaker. It’s a small shelf which can hold most phones or tablets. However, a tablet placed on it will cover the console buttons and the display.
Assembly and Maintenance
The bike’s assembly is far from being difficult. You only have to connect the two main pieces of the frame together, then attach the two base bars, the console mast, the console, the seat, the backrest, and the pedals. This shouldn’t take more than an hour. All the assembly instructions are provided in the included manual. In terms of assembly tools, Allen wrenches are included.
Maintenance pretty much requires keeping the bike clean and checking its joints periodically. The internal parts do not require lubrication or any maintenance whatsoever.
The Pros
- Sturdy frame – can support users up to 265 lbs;
- Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base;
- Step-through design;
- Foam-padded seat and backrest;
- Adjustable seat;
- Pulse sensors integrated into the seat handlebars;
- Silent eddy current resistance system with 24 tension levels;
- Weighted pedals with adjustable straps;
- Three-panel LCD display console with blue LED backlight;
- 12 preset programs available;
- 5 HRC programs;
- 4 custom programs;
- Recovery Test function;
- Body Fat Index function;
- Tablet holder included;
- Sound system included;
- Little maintenance required;
- Easy to assemble.
The Cons
- A tablet placed on the tablet holder will cover the console controls and the display;
- No online connectivity.
Summary
The XTERRA Fitness SB150 is a mid-range recumbent bike featuring a motorized magnetic resistance system with 24 tension levels and a console with 24 workout programs. It’s equipped with a comfortable and adjustable seat. It’s sturdy enough to support users up to 265 lbs. It’s great for light to medium intensity cardio workouts, weight loss, stamina development, recovery training, and muscle toning. And finally, it’s one of the most affordable recumbent bikes with a digital resistance system.