ProForm 385 CSX Recumbent Bike

Comment: Amazon shipped product very quickly. They are great. However, the bike has mechanical problems upon receipt. I called customer service and help for over 30 minutes, hung up and called back and left number for a return call. ProForm called back about 20 minutes later and indicated they would send out replacement parts. I also purchased power adapter which I feel should have been included. 4 days later and I still don't have the parts. You would think they could have at least shipped them overnight. I own a ProForm treadmill also. It works ok but slips sometimes while you are running. I am rethinking my stand on ProForm. Can't even comment on the bike since we haven't been able to even use it and it was a birthday present.

Comment: The bike assembled easily enough. The manual is good. I needed an extra set of hands when mounting the seat. My wife and I have been averaging a total of 15 hours riding a week. Recently, about 3 days before the manufacturer's full 90 day warranty was about to expire, we began sensing a grinding in the pedal assembly. The vibration could be felt with our feet. I had registered my product with the manufacturer so when I called their Customer Service, they had me on record. The person I spoke with was very courteous and here is the outline of things to come. After I described the problem the Rep said they would ship me the parts necessary to perform the repairs. These parts if not under warranty would have exceeded the cost of the machine. I am supposed to be contacted by a local company and when I actually receive the parts, I will schedule with them to come out and install the parts and perform any required service to restore the bike, primarily alignments after parts replacement. All of this is to be at no cost to me. If this all happens as described I would rate the waranty service top notch. Having said that, I'm concerned that the problems arose in less than 90 days of relatively minimal use. I use the program modes and have never been able to get the lights to display that I'm in the proper target range, regardless of my speed, I'm always shown as over speed. The console says I'm at 25 MPH on average. I don't think the sensor or console is properly calibrated and there are no instructions in the user manual to accomplish that, outside of the one sensor alignment. For the price of the unit, up to this recent issue, it has worked well for exercise. After my initial conditioning, I have been using it 7 days a week averaging 1.5 hours per session, by 3 of the 30 minute program modes. It has helped me to lose 41 pounds since Thanksgiving 2009, along with a change in diet. Except for this premature failing, when the machine functions properly, it is good and I would recommend it as a low cost home machine for it's purpose. I also have an issue with the seat adjustment knob. It is a friction hold with some sort of composite tip jammed against the frame. I initially had an issue with it slipping, but I've been able to overcome that now, although it still must be over tightened, so that my wife can not adjust it when I tighten it so it doesn't slip. I must change it frequently from my wife's use to mine due to our different leg length. Doing my 1.5 hours the seat becomes uncomfortable. An added pad changes the angle to the peddles so that's not an option. I wish they could have made the seat from gel foam or a replacement upgrade was offered. I haven't found one yet. Overall, for the price and if I get the warranty repairs completed, I still consider it a fair to good purchase. The company offers a 3 year parts and labor warranty for $79.95 and I would highly recommend inquiring about it if you plan to purchase and keep this machine for an extended period. Be careful if removing the plastic side shields for inspection of loose parts or to adjust the sensor. The screws run in to plastic standoffs molded or sonic welded to the inside of the side panels. Seeing that on the drawings I was very cautious and used a hand screwdriver, not powered, but still managed to twist off a couple while removing the screws. I'm supposed to be sent two new panels as well as some more screws and the pedal bearing assembly, which is thought to be the crux of the grinding sound.

Comment: Compared this with the Schwinn recumbent bike. After putting it together and using it a few times really wish I would have spent the extra $50 on the Schwinn, the seat angle cannot be adjusted and you are exercising in an uncomfortable straight upright position. The whole bike just feels and rides like a very poorly constructed product.It also did not come with a cord to plug in, you need to use batteries which I guess is fine because in the end you will not use it much anyway.

Comment: easy to use - easy to assemble - only problem the screw merchanism to lenghten is hard to adjust - so i only screw it close lightly - but when i peddle hard it moves back by itself...so i've learned not to peddle hard........or i cud close it tightly and use a rubber bottle top opener ...how ingenious............ .

Comment: The bike went together okay, but I could barely turn the pedals and a horrible scraping sound occurred when I did.
We had noticed some shipping damage had occurred, so opened up the housing and found the problems which did not seem related to shipping, but to neglect in original workmanship.
The belt tensioner was out of alignment, tensioning motor cable was misadjusted, magnetic shoe was misaligned and rubbing. (horrible scraping sound)
I wanted to return it, but my bright friend who relishes problem-solving, worked 2 hours to make it serviceable. I sat, recumbent, and pedaled on command for tests. For 2 hours.
We also noticed that the console reads incorrectly. At a leisurely pace, readout says I'm bicycling 26 mph.
On the positive side, I had a fine workout during testing, and the console makes me feel pretty ambitious.