Customer Reviews

Stamina Conversion II Recumbent Bike / Rower

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

To open this review I would like to explain the service and process I needed to go thru to get the equipment up and running, Then a product review.
I purchaced this in the middle of march and it was delivered 4 days late in a box that looked very torn up. It was only being held together by the plastic bands, the box had been torn apart at both ends. Because I received it late I did not have time to assemble it for a week. When I began to assemble I noticed that I was missing screws, bolts, and the 'included' tools. So I went online to ask about this. On the Stamina website a form is provided for serial number to be included with any request. I went over every part included and every page of the manual and could not come up with a number. I found a place in the manual that told me where to look for the sticker with the number, but I did not have any such sticker. I sent the request anyway with my explination. After 2 weeks I had no response so I called their support number. A friendly person told me that she could see my request in the system but there was a delay getting parts for this item because it was receiving a lot of orders for parts. A package was eventually shipped to me and it included almost everything I needed. I tried to assemble again and got as far as step 6. I needed a carrige bolt to go thru the beam that was not included. I decided to go around stamina on this one and purchaced the bolt at Lowes. The instructions are very plain and would do well to take a page from IKEA and give a few more pictures.
Now my bike/rower is working and ready. 2 months after purchace.
A metric socket set is a big help if you want to assemble quickly. The provided slim flimsy wrench is a pain.

PRODUCT REVIEW.

The bike / rower is completly as described in function. The computer however is very poor. The handheld heartrate monitor is like a carnival weight guesser. I am a very in shape 27 year old and i can check my heart rate before i begin working out and it will read 95-105. during my workout the numbers jump all over from 70 to 115 with no reason. I have tested this theroy many times before adding this to my review, it does not measure a good BPM. The buttons other than MODE do not function and must be for asthetics. The bike display does turn on when the rower or bike is used and turns off by itself as it should. The calories burned is very optomistic compared to the gear at my gym. The other readouts are good but when taken as a whole I largly disregard the readouts altogether except for time of workout. Needless to say the computer here is the large dissappointment of the item.
The magnetic system for bike and rower are good. It provides a good range of resistance but I don't beleive that the resistance is tied into the 'calories burned' computer as level 8 registers same as level 2.
There could be a tougher setting too, as for rowing at maximum resistance is still a bit soft for the strong arm. I was hoping for some extra excercise by holding the row bar palm up and pulling for curls but there isnt enough 'weight' to make this worthwhile for me.
The rower is very quiet! This is a redeeming quality that the bike really needed. The bike is quiet too but can get clanky if you accellerate hard as the weight shifts laterally. This is rare however.
The rollers and pedals seem up to the task and look and feel durable. I will update if needed if parts wear out prematurly. The fold up is quick and very easy. I actually had no intention of ever folding this away after I assembled it. Now i realize how effortless and quick it is I have been folding it in the corner. The seat is adaquate and built for the 20 minute workout. Beyond a half hour I find the firmness too much to continute to sit, especially when using as a bike. I have boney hips however and I do find a lot of workout equipment seats too wide and hard.
I weigh 180 and am 6'3" I can extend fully with the rower and never hit the rear stopper. Also I have plenty of legroom to lock in the bike and could actually extend the seat and lock it in a position for an even loger legged person. I wish cars were this roomy.
The item is easy to handle, lightweight enough to move alone. I am overall glad to have it and hope it stands up to continued use, it looks like it will. Well worth the money just for its solid feel and apparent quality. Apart from getting it up and running I can definatly reccomend this piece of equipment. ITEM 4/5 CUSTOMER SERVICE 2/5 Overall 3.

Don't hesitate to buy this bike/rower! It's an awesome product -- or should I say "two products in one." I couldn't find any reviews on this machine and am happy to be able to provide one to interested parties. Of course we wanted to see this product in person before we spent the money on it, and that took awhile where we live. We're glad we persevered. It was relatively easy to put together. The seat is very ergonomically positioned. As a bike it is easy to adjust not only where the seat is, but also the tension level on the biking. Biking is smooth and quiet. The knob to change from bike to rower is under the seat and therefore a little awkward to reach, but it couldn't be simpler to change the function. Just turn the knob and you've switched from rowing to biking or vice versa! The rower has the same easy adjustment on the tension and really smooth, quiet rowing action. It has several features on the electronic monitor, 'though I must confess I'm not really interested in that aspect. Considering the amount of time I like to spend on the machine, the seat could use a touch more padding. Other than that and the placement of the conversion knob I have absolutely no complaints or reservations about the machine(s). We got it to exercise while watching TV and it's perfect for that with its quite operation. The only question that remains is how it will hold up over time, but it seems very sturdily built with little to go wrong. We anticipate using it happily for a long time to come and consider the money very well spent. Happy rowing/biking!

I tried a few other rowing machine before this purchase. I rate this rowing machine as barely average, rowing machine alone 6 out of 10 because I like the seating and overall study structure. Rowing handle could be longer.

- The computer is cheap with no programing option or upgrade from manufacturer, I give this 4 out of 10
- The rowing machine foot rest was made for someone with foot size-9 and not larger. The strap does not secure properly and some what uncomfortable. In summary the foot guard for rowing machine is 2 out of 10.

I like the bike and rate it 8 out of 10. The seat is comfortable, again the foot guard is poor.
- The foot strap/guard could be better, I rate this as 4 out of 10.

Summary: I like it, for $499 this product is average. I hope the manufacturer looks to improve and offer interchangeable parts and computer.

First, it's important to note that you're not going to get the same level of quality with home fitness equipment as you will in the gym. This is because the price of the equipment you see in the gym is much higher. Keeping this in mind, I want to offer my thoughts on this combination rower/recumbent bike.

I am used to gym quality exercise equipment, but needed something good for home use when my schedule or the weather wouldn't allow me to get to the gym. I've had bad experiences with home exercise equipment before, so decided to give this one a try. I was pleasantly surprised.

First, I want to comment on getting the unit set up. I am not an expert at putting things together. In fact, I'm pretty lousy with my hands. But, I put this unit together in around an hour with a couple of simple tools and made no mistakes. Simply put, the instructions are clear and not beyond what the average (or below average) person can handle.

Second, the unit itself is well made. Honestly this is the first home machine I've actually felt confident using on a regular basis (and that didn't make it to the garage in the first three months). Most home equipment feels like it's going to fall apart, but this unit is sturdy, yet the movement is fluid. It easily converts from bike to rower and back with a simple movement and locking or unlocking of the seat. The computer has many features like calories, heart rate, distance, odometer, etc. However, like most home equipment the computer's accuracy is suspect, at least on calories (there's no option to input weight), and on my computer, the heartrate monitor only works part of the time. Still, I can live with this since I can easily take my own pulse. The unit is rather large but can easily be "folded up" to get it out of the way.

Third, the bike and rower are a great combination for fitness since you can easily work upper and lower body with the simple movement of a seat. In fact, although difficult, rowing is probably one of the best all around total body workouts. This unit has multiple difficulty settings so that people of all fitness and strength levels can use it. The "two for one" aspect is probably my favorite part since it was the one piece of home exercise equipment my wife and I could agree on! She enjoys the bike while I love the rower.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend this combination rower/recumbent bike. Although not quite gym quality, for the relatively low price, you get a high quality, sturdy, dual exercise machine. It's passed my personal test: after nearly a year it's still in my house, in one piece, and above all, being used!

i bought this last week after much thought and consideration. i am not in shape and have asthma to boot so i wanted something i would stick with. i am also one of those people who really appreciates multi-functionality. i hated the idea of spending hundreds of dollars on one machine that i would probably get tired of really fast, so this combination really appealed to me. i was however, kind of doubtful that something seemingly too good was worth the money, space, and effort. first of all, i am way too lazy and cheap to fork over $700 for this, so i bought mine used for about $300. it was in very good shape, minimally used. i inspected it and finally bought it and brought it home.

the machine itself is pretty handsome, as far as exercise machines go. it's low to the ground, narrow but long. it has a very comfortable seat and sitting in it with feet in straps is also pretty comfortable, kind of like sitting in a lowrider sportscar. it does have a couple of small wheels in the front to help move it around - otherwise it would be awkward and too heavy to pick up. i can easily move it from one location to another in my living room. wouldn't want to move it around too much anyways.

the ride is excellent. the seat switches easily and conveniently from bike to rower mode by turning the knob under the seat. the pedals and the seat all move with a very smooth and quiet motion. there's a tension knob right in front of you so that can be easily adjusted. the machine is steady on its feet and doesn't make a sound.

the computer however, has much to be desired. it's quite small, and simple which is good. but it doesn't work very well (the numbers don't all show up) and looks kind of crappy. the good news is - i don't really care how many minutes/miles/km/or whatever i am going. i just pedal or row. the computer is small enough that i don't care that it doesn't work, i am too busy exercising and watching tv.

this is a very good machine overall. biggest pro: quietness - biggest con: crappy computer. buy it used if you can.

In general - I used to have a less expensive rower that I wore out. This rower is much more solid but it slides on a carpet surface when working so that is annoying.

While working out - I have had the pedals lose their nut - it unscrews itself even though it has a washer. Doesn't happen very often and can recover quickly.

The main drawback about the rower is the clutch. I have complained to the company all the way up to the engineer. There is a slight clutch grabbing when pulling on the rower that has some slack that I feel adds undue impact to the elbows when pulling. If this one problem could be fixed(but per engineer - its the design) then it would be a perfect rower for me.

The bike works excellently. Can easily switch from Rowing to Bike when tired of rowing.

The heart rate monitor never worked for me but I have a Polar heart rate meter which would probably is more accurate anything they could put in.

Improvements to this product
1) Fix the slight clutch grabbing - so there isn't a gap - annoyance - happens all the time - and noticeable when doing vigorous workout
2) Fix washer problem where it gets unwound and falls off results in pedal being extremely loose and you need to stop to put it back on - annoyance but happens rarely
3) The heart rate meter actually working - minor
4) Fix the slight up and down motion when rowing so it doesn't move across floor - minor
Positives:
1) Excellent rowing - besides clutch problem - smooth
2) Great bike work out.
3) Over a good product - cushy seat / good recline and good construction.

Opened and assembled the recumbent bike and rower yesterday. First of all the box came pretty beat-up. Aside from a few scuffs to the machine, there was a broken (albeit non essential) piece of plastic not important enough to send the whole thing back. Assembly was a jiff. But when we (my wife and I) got on to use it... well that is where we departed on our opinions. The wife like the bike and did OK on the rower. I found the pedals too small on the bike and the rower was just useless... maybe I am spoiled with top-end rower ergs. But it was a bit "jerky" on the catch with a thud and the reach is just too short for a person 5+ feet. I like to have a greater range for reach and pull than what this machine can provide. I have to gove the bike a 6 out of 10 and the rower a 2 our to 10. So if you are a big time rower... don't buy this machine.

JP Saleeby, MD
Sharon Saleeby, RRT

Easily assembled. A little longer than I expected but I found the room.
Nice and quiet which I really like.
Easily changes over from bike to rowing machine
Like the readout too - large enough to read easily
Only drawback was my heart rate monitor chest belt doesn't work with the machine. I have to still wear my watch when I work out...otherwise it's a great deal and a great price. No shipping charges which really really helped.
I checked around locally and nobody could get close to this price from Amazon!!

This is a cheaply made product, but it's good if you want something simple to use at home. It's super silent, so if you're looking for a low to medium impact exercise that you can do while watching television or reading (if you don't mind holding the magazine or book up while you bike) Even on the highest resistance it isn't very hard to use. Very easy to put together & easy to change from bike to rower. It wasn't what I was hoping for when I bought it, but I'm glad that I have it. I probably would NOT recommend it to a friend.

Just got this put together today....my husband found a few missing parts, and one totally smashed. He was able to get it up and functioning....and I gave it a trial. It is quiet. Easy to use, and nice for even the beginner. The computer did not work at ALL! also the batteries were HOT to touch, even after my husband replaced them with new ones. Needless to say the company will be getting a call tomorrow (MONDAY) and I will give a follow up on the situation. The actual bike minus the computer seems very user friendly. I think if the other issues are resolved will be using this alot! Stay tuned.