Looking for specific exercise bike from Denise Austin

Quoted message said:

I'm in the market for the Denise Austin Recumbent Bike From Spartan
Sports of which there seems to be only one. The URL I'm looking at
is:
http://www.modells.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1414181&cp=863229.1382081&filter=yes&fCat=1382081&fpricesort=priceAscending&parentPage=family

I cannot seem to find one in any store, and would love to try one
before ordering it.

I'm in the Boston, MA area - does anyone know of a store and/or fitness
center that might carry it, so I can check it out before placing an
order?

Thanks much in advance.

Scott

There's something far more important than just trying one out... and that's
being able to get replacement parts down the road. Exercise bikes frequently
have parts that break or wear out, and I can't tell you how many people come
in looking for this-or-that unique part for an exercise bike because the
company is either no longer in business or simply doesn't support the
product. Essentially people have paid pretty decent money for disposable
items.

Keep in mind we don't sell exercise bikes, so it's not as if I'm trying to
protect my own interest. It's just a total crime, to me, that so many of
them can so quickly become worthless junk, especially models like the one
shown in your link, which looks to have a lot of internal stuff going on
behind the scenes.

If you're actually going to make use of an exercise bike, consider spending
a bit more and getting something from a reputable local retailer who will
keep it running for you. And when you buy it, make sure they *will* commit
to keeping it running (make sure they have a repair shop etc).

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Scott asked:

Quoted message said:

I'm in the market for the Denise Austin Recumbent Bike From Spartan
Sports of which there seems to be only one. The URL I'm looking at
is:
http://www.modells.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1414181&cp=863229.1382081&filter=yes&fCat=1382081&fpricesort=priceAscending&parentPage=family

. Exercise bikes frequently have parts that break or wear out, and I can't
tell you how many people come in looking for this-or-that unique part for
an exercise bike because the company is either no longer in business or
simply doesn't support the product. Essentially people have paid pretty
decent money for disposable items.

Keep in mind we don't sell exercise bikes, so it's not as if I'm trying to
protect my own interest. It's just a total crime, to me, that so many of
them can so quickly become worthless junk, especially models like the one
shown in your link, which looks to have a lot of internal stuff going on
behind the scenes.

I can Mike J's point from personal experience.

There's a lot of cheap junk exercise equipment out there.

Some years ago, my wife wanted an exercise bike. We bought one from a
sporting goods superstore. It broke in a week. We took it back, but instead
of fixing it they offered us another one. We got a different brand, instead,
from the same store. That also lasted less than a week. We got our money
back and spent a bit more buying a Schwinn XR-7 with fewer features but
built in the fine tradition of Chicago Schwinns. It is heavy as a tank
(which doesn't matter on an exercycle) and indestructible. This exercise
bike has more than 18,000 miles on it with no problems other than replacing
the pedal straps and providing lubrication.

If the product isn't sold in stores, you won't be able to see it until your
credit card has already been charged for it. Even if you can return it, you
will have to ship it back. Stuff is sold this way for a reason. The reason
might be that you are somebody like Bruce Gordon is or Gardiner Martin was
and are selling very high quality bikes to a small, geographically dispersed
audience, or it might be that you are selling junk.