Customer Reviews

New Balance® 5k 6100 Recumbent Bike

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

How can one resist mounting a sleek recumbent bike that offers an array of pre-set computer programs, for serious toning and fat-burning, with names like "Fat Blaster Incline", "Peaks and Valleys", "Rolling Hills", "Super Slow Incline", "Over the Hill", "Shape up Valley", "Random Energy" and "Cardio Plateau 1 and 2" -- plus several heart rate programs and a manual program that puts you in control of the resistance (sweat) levels? Wide Pedals specifically designed to be used "barefoot" -- or, if you are a Texan, with your boots on -- if so inclined! The seat and backrest are very wide...and very firm -- built to last. Two sets of handle bars for hanging-on, or checking the heart-rate.

Easy to put together. The New Balance 6100 Recumbent Bike comes with 2 tools, and all the screws are pre screwed into the individual parts (a definite plus) so one does not need to play the guessing game of what-goes-where -- be careful with the screws and washers, though, as they are factory-lubed and tend to be a bit slippery -- Don't want one of those little washers falling into the motor housing...Ooops -- it happened to Me! Assembly is a two person project, in some instances. The wiring may seem a bit daunting, to some, but New Balance has provided a detailed "photograph" in the Owner's Manual which shows what plugs into where.

The contrast of the extra-large LCD console can be set to one of 16 different levels. among the numerous features one can read about in the manufacturer's product description: the bike has wheels on the front for easy moving, a water bottle holder (with water bottle) and a book/magazine rack.

Very Quiet...an Extraordinary piece of equipment! The New Balance 6100 Recumbent Bike has just become my new best-friend. --Katharena Eiermann, 2007, the Realm of Existentialism -- Presidential Hopeful

Ok first off let me say this. I HATE exercise! I HATE it, I HATE it, I HATE it! We all know it's necessary for our health, so most of us suffer through it despite the notion that we would rather be doing almost anything else! A nice walk or outside bike ride is great for nice days, but for those of us who live in areas with inclement weather (WINTER) we need something more. I don't dislike physical activity I think it's more the idea that I HAVE to set aside time to do something I don't enjoy (with the exception of that place called WORK that I so love being at for most of my days). There are people out there who love to exercise and that's wonderful, I am slightly envious, but for people like me who do it because we "should" or "have to" this is the bike for you. (see how I set my little sales pitch up before delving right into why you should buy this bike?! Pretty tricky eh? :o)
First off this is a recumbent bike and I have to say it's fairly comfortable actually. It also adjusts well for all heights. I am pretty short (5'5) with short legs(30 inch inseam) and I was able to adjust this perfectly for me. (NOT as close as it goes surprisingly so my short friends you will be able to use this easily also.) I have had no backpain with this unlike some upright bikes I've owned previously.
Secondly-the programs are great. I love that I can choose programs to automatically adjust resistance so I don't have to do the "sprint and slow" method. The fat-burning program seems to be quite effective and I love seeing the approximate calories that I've worked off so far. That's a great motivator. You are also able to set the amount of time you would like to work out with any program you choose, so there really is no excuse to not use it even if you "Only have 15 minutes!" You are also able to manually lower or raise resistance while using the bike while using a program also. This bike really can be tailored to suit anyone's fitness level because it is so customizable (is that a word?) in every way. Yes it's a bit noisy (fairly common with magnetic resistence bikes), and once in a while makes an even louder weird noise, but I've had no issues with it at all and I have no trouble watching tv or listening to music while using it so it can't be THAT loud! Once you learn the basic buttons (there really aren't that many I promise) it's so simple to use you'll want to experiment with different programs and lengths. Like any workout though, you get out of it what you put into it. YOU need to do the work, but if you do, this bike will definitely become an asset.
There are a few downsides and that is mostly that it is large and bulky. You pretty much have to dedicate a space for it and leave it there, (although I'm sure it would make a dandy purse/coat rack for those holiday parties!) Also I can't comment on the setup because luckily I have some boys around to handle that for me, but they said it wasn't complicated as long as you followed the instructions. It took 2 of them less then 2 hours (considering they took multiple breaks this isn't too bad.)
So all in all I would definitely recommend this bike to someone who wants a good workout, but doesn't want to head to the gym. I find that the time passes quickly while I'm using it and I try (successfully most of the time) to get at least 15 minutes on it daily. It hasn't let me down yet, and hopefully it won't for a long time!

I won this bike, so my rating my be skewed by the fact that it was free, but I was able to stop the grinding noise that others have complained about. I removed all of the black plastic casing (there are small screws along the bottom and big silver screws in 4 deep recesses along the front outline, and you will need to remove the pedals, but everything came out using the silver screwdriver/wrench hybrid that came with the bike). The rear flywheel is metal on one side, and plastic on the other - make sure you are facing the plastic side. I found a small (2") silver cable that was rubbing the inside of the flywheel (I looked under the edge of the plastic casing at about the 5 o'clock position of the wheel). I tried to cut the end of the cable, but the whole thing popped out. It had metal caps at both ends, a cylindrical shape at one end, and a ball at the other (the ball was half worn from the friction).

I suspect the cable serves some function, but I did not continue my disassembly any further to investigate. Since putting the bike back together, it has been silent. If there is a change in performance it seems that the tension is higher than it was before. I still don't think the tension changes much (if at all) at the different levels, but at least now instead of being far too easy it is challenging. Not a perfect solution, especially if you paid retail, but it now goes in my "good enough" folder and I hope for many happy - and quiet - miles.

This bike was OK for a few weeks and then started to get louder and louder when the tension is set. I have to set the TV so loud while on the bike that you can practically hear the bike and tv outside my house. It is very annoying.

I thought it might be some minor adjustment, but the website and user's manual offer no help. I emailed customer service twice about how to get it repaired (it is less than four months old) and did not even receive so much as a reply. Great.

I finally got so frustrated that I opened up the panel to look inside and can see that something inside the wheel is scraping as there is a layer of very fine dust scrapings that appear to be metal. But I can't figure out how to get it straight and did not want to start taking apart the inner workings of the bike.

My last bike cost about $120 and was simpler and better. I am upset I threw it out.
Now I am stuck with an overly noisy bike that I have to use on the lowest tension setting to be able to stand the noise. I don't even break a sweat.

Save your money.

Also, don't buy a bike online as it is harder to get repaired. Go to a store and make sure you have a good return policy if it breaks.

Awesome quality bike. An incredible bike for the money with tons of features including a heart rate, several programs to workout to.

We have an earlier version of this machine, the 491, but it looks the same and has the same described features. My wife would probably rate it four stars, and me only two, so an average of three.

My wife uses it quite a bit and likes it well enough, other than being a tad noisy; she has to crank up the TV quite a bit to hear it while pedaling. But it does not fit me, and I have not used it much at all. I'm a big guy, former football player, and exercise many times a week. The problem for me with this machine is that, although the seat slides back and forth, it cannot otherwise be adjusted. After a few minutes on it, I become aware of pressure on the back of my thighs, enough to apparently restrict circulation because numbness usually follows pretty quickly. When I adjust my sitting position to compensate, my lower back starts to hurt, and I have never had back problems in my life.

So, I definitely recommend that people try this machine before purchasing, I sure wish I did.

I purchased and assembled this bike a few years ago by myself. It has been a wonderful addition to my exercise therapy. However, the right pedal loosened and then fell off recently. I can't seem to get any assistance for repair. I have followed the direction in the manuel from the original assembly but it doesn't work. So now I have a 4 foot long, 95lb nuisance in the middle of my living room that is unusable to me. I am disappointed that I cannot use this any longer and since I bought it on line, I don't seem to be able to get any answers. All in all it has been a wonderful bike, but if you are not handy at repair, forget this one!

product seems very well built, but it appears that the developer could care less about those seriously concerned with utilizing an effective cardio workout. I am in above average shape and have used recumbent magnetic resistance bikes for some time. I am absolutely stunned by how little resistance this bike offers at its highest resistance level. I biked consistently for a 30 minute period at the highest level and did not break a sweat. Not a single bead. However, the computer display informed me that I had burned 1057 calories. So, not only is the resistance mechanism flawed, but the related displays monitoring your progress are also flawed and misleading. Whether this is a defect or a result of mass production catering to those unwilling to seriously challenge their cardiovascular health is my true gripe. This piece of equipment is an embarrassment to exercise. Stupid of me to believe that I could obtain a gym quality piece of equipment at a reasonable price.

My unit came damaged. I guess it was too heavy for a delivery guy to carry with care. The box was torn heavily. I can't repack and send it back due to the weight. I should have bought it from a local store. The seller won't give you partial credit for the damage or replace the parts.
The wheel is very noisy and the control panel is made of cheap material.