How difficult is the highest resistance setting? I'm looking for a challenge...
1172952
It's not that challenging. At it's highest resistance I would say it feels like the equivalent of a 6 incline on a treadmill. This bike is more for a lighter workout.
1172953
It goes up to 8. I'm not sure if that would be enough of a challenge for you, but it is for me!
1172954
I find the higher I made the resistance the more likely the bike it so make squeaks. I have never used the highest setting. I leave mine at 5 and sometimes put it up to 6. This bike is great for cardio when you are stuck indoors but, probably not best for really high resistance strength training type of stuff. I like mine for what I use it for but, a challenge for a guy trying to build strength.... eh.
1074802
I have found this to be the case for me too. I have not been able to use the programs, other than the lowest setting. I also have strength in my legs. Otherwise I like the machine a lot. I do wish we could reduce the resistance to enjoy the workout programs. Maybe Xterra could answer this issue???
1705853
VERY resistant. Tough as nails. I just haven't figured out how to make it do what they said it would do...operator error, I'm sure. :-)
1756459
Re. adjustable tension. With the programs available, you could choose a screen course with 'mountains' or 'hills' and I think that would give you the resistance you want. I'm 78, my husband is 83 and we just use the basic more level-ground program. It's a fine machine.
185451
I use the manual setting ( program 1 and push the up or down and the resistance level is shown on screen. My husband sd he doesn't notice mucgph difference. I bought to exercise my knee after knee replacement and I can definitely tell the difference. Tried several out at stores but didn't want to spend big dollars- this is perfect for me.
304179
I have an Exerpeutic recumbent bike with motorized magnetic settings. And I wish I didn't. The mechanism is fubar'd, they are telling me to ship the entire bike back (100 lbs) at my expense, so the warranty is essentially useless. Instead, I have removed the covers and use a wrench to manually turn a cable nut to change the resistance. I wish I had bought something with a simple, manual dial like the MagneTrainer (which is what brought me to this web page where I read your question).
1057690
I'm not sure...you cannot increase the resistance so it might not be for a man's needs.
1906978
You can continue to use it as is, but you cannot change the resistance. The fix MIGHT be relatively cheap, if it's the monitor. Mine failed when an internal component went bad, and it was impossible to get to. It ended up out on the curb.
250839
Yes, Laura. The unit has a wide range. At the lowest level, there is just about zero resistance and it is very easy to pedal. The adjustments increments are small, so she resistance can be added just a little bit at at time -- if that is desired.
807339
Just play around with the console, you'll get the hang of it easy enough. you won't screw it up. as far as peddling backwards, I only know it will without resistance. I'll check tonight if I can peddle backwards with resistance levels.
1716376
Brown is definitely the most resistance. Purple and blue are close in resistance with purple being slightly less resistant. All 3 are pretty heavy in resistance and great for pull downs, rows, etc.
99705
The resistance is variable based on what you connect to the generator. Assume a resistance scale of 1 through 10 with 10 being impossibly difficult and 1 being no resistance at all. If you connect a 25 Watt load (Like a 25Watt light bulb) then the difficulty will be around 3 or 4. If you connect a large 12V battery (Size 28 Amp Hours) then the difficulty resistance level would be around 6 or 7. If you connect two 100W loads then it would be 10.
901340
The resistance level and type of ride are set electronically on the instrument panel. The flywheel resistance is magnetic and gets harder for hills and mountains. You set the resistance level at 1-5 for each programmed ride, ie "ride in the park", "rolling hills", Pike's peak" etc. I've had no problems, nice smooth bike.
1641151
I see that other people have already answered this question, but I would just echo the responder who noted the resistance is effectively the same as incline. Either method will in the end make your muscles work harder. The equipment literature notes that there are 17 resistance settings. These are much easier to adjust than resetting the machine incline. You can also choose or create programs that vary the resistance and intensity as you might expect going up hills during a run. I suggest that you do search on the mfg. website for the manual for further details.
1715386
Changing resistance is simple, just twist. The easy settings are very light. Post surgery I started out light but found I quickly went to medium to higher and if anything, there's not a really heavy setting. It's great for endurance and even speed but heaviest resistances may be a bit lighter than you might have hoped. You can work up a sweat but this won't replace weight machines to build muscle. This machine will build endurance and improve flexibility in the knees and hips if done properly.
651337
no actual option such as resistance knob or any other manual device. You can make it harder by leaning forward or backward, but then the true resistance is on your arms not your legs,and it becomes very uncomfortable.
1418318
I road bike and found the resistance to be plenty. Eight should be plenty, it feels like going up a really steep hill.