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Great Bike, But Not Sure Upgrade from R1 to R3 Necessary, March 22, 2010

After owning a Life Fitness 5500R for 15 years (bought in 1995), I decided to upgrade to the the current “R1″ (with the optional advanced console). While I was in the showroom, the salesperson convinced me to pay the extra 0 for the R3, primarily to get a seat with an adjustable back rest. While the seat looked better in the showroom (and felt better to sit in), when you get home and start a vigorous ride on the bike, your back presses into the mesh seat back, where there is a horizontal steel bar (inside the backrest that goes across the seat) which begins to dig into your back. If I could do it over, I would have bought the R1.

The R3 also has an internal generator that means you don’t have to plug the bike into an electrical outlet, but that wasn’t a significant factor in my decision.

I like all of the other aspects of the bike, especially:

1. Routines that work with a heart monitor (it changes resistance to take you between 65%-80% of your target max heart rate)

2. Allows for 2 user profiles, which keeps track of your calories burned cummulatively

3. Very solidly built — feels like the bikes in the gym

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If you can afford it BUY IT!, March 14, 2010

By 

Mark Metzger “MTM” (TRAVELING) – See all my reviews

  

I’ve had the R3 for over a week now and I love it.

I looked at the Schwinns and the other recumbents but they didn’t suit me

I’m 6′3″ and weigh 365 lbs these other bikes where not rated for my weight

the bike arrived in about 5 days which was a surprise I was told it could take up to 2 weeks

When it arrives and you look at the instructions to assemble it, it seems confusing

but once started it went together rather fast and no problem

the bike is quite and stable, no shakes no problems

BUY IT !!!

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best on the market; gym quality, April 28, 2010

I did all my research and homework and confirmed that the LifeFitness R3 was the best of the best and the extra money was worth it. What’s more, I trust Amazon, so to purchase it from Amazon was a no brainer and the only way I would go…not to mention, I got free (and fast) shipping from Amazon. Another reviewer said the seat on this model was not to his liking for various reasons and they he wished he got the next model down. I don’t know what he is talking about. This bike, seat, the back of the seat, and all of it, is comfortable and worth the extra money. I was also amazed at how quiet the bike is. Nice feature. Lastly, there was some assembly, but don’t let this discourage you. The instructions were simple to follow and refreshingly each bag of parts was numbered with the steps in the instructions. I have never seen that before. That should be mandated because it was awesome! It took my husband and I about 45min. to assemble. We love it!!! I wholeheartedly recommend this brand, this model, and Amazon. (The Amazon extras was I had the comforting and satisfying experience of an Amazon concierge. I never had this bonus before. “James” was great and responsive…and all he really did was keep me informed on shipping, but it was a nice feature to have a real body and email to correspond with about my purchase) The actual shipper was also responsive and A+ service.

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