With SO many polarized opinions about this home exercise bike, I want to weigh in and offer my own early experience after taking the plunge and buying one for myself. The early word is "so far so good," but let me amplify a little. I'm a 57 year old male interested in expanding my home cardio options beyond the one other exercise gizmo in my "arsenal"--a compact home step machine. I'm 6'3" and 200 lbs (but would like to be about 20 lbs lighter). As others of my vintage can confirm, getting older DOES mean you grow thicker and heavier, but despite these tendencies I've been a committed exerciser since age 25, and work out daily, though I would not characterize myself at all as a "gym rat". I have multiple reviews posted here at Amazon for various favorite workout DVD's, which remains my primary workout choice. I only got this bike YESTERDAY and while I realize it's way too early to pass judgment, I do want to try to dispel some concerns other reviewers have raised. First, let me say that the build quality of this bike is GOOD and especially considering the price, it's pretty remarkably sturdy. I felt it easily bore my weight without being overloaded however because of its small footprint (a CRITICAL buying factor for me), I do feel the unit rocking a little as my weight shifts. Let me be quick to add that I never felt unsteady or at risk for toppling. Second, assembly took me about 45 minutes to an hour, working alone. I worried while awaiting the order that I'd get stuck with someone else's badly repacked return, with random washers and screws leaking out of the corners of the carton. Thankfully NO that was NOT the case here, I confess I'm IMPRESSED with the ruthlessly efficient packaging. The unassembled bike is shipped securely (and well packed) in a single carton measuring 24.5"W x 20.25"H x 9.5"D (carton indicates gross weight of 43 lbs). As this VERY compact package implies, there's scarcely a single cubic inch of unoccupied space inside the carton. However all pieces are bagged, with most ends masked & taped with corrugated cardboard to minimize possible shipping damage. There is SOME styrofoam molded packing (base of carton mostly) but not much. SCREWS/WASHERS and two tools (an Allen wrench and a little spanner wrench) were CARDED with each item/part labelled to match the assembly directions, and I really had no difficulty getting the unit put together. Once completed I had NO "leftover parts" except for the two tools provided. All parts arrived fully intact, NO bent tubes or cracked chassis to the body of the unit. Another reviewer commented that they felt this was designed as a woman's bike. While I don't think the manufacturer would ever deliberately choose to limit their sales that way, I see where the reviewer was coming from and mostly agree. Note how all the marketing material shows only women using this machine. I found that even at the highest seat elevation, I could not quite get enough length to nearly straighten my alternating legs while pedaling. At full seat height, the cycle WAS operational for me, but I don't see how this could NOT be a problem for someone taller than I am--a "deal-breaker" in fact, so bear it in mind. Likewise, the seat is NOT padded at all, and while I didn't find it to be excruciatingly tortuous, other users sure might find it painful. I can live with it for now, but a fleece cover or replacement seat might be an upgrade for me to add in the near future. At this "price point" I wouldn't even expect an electronic display, but one is provided (powered by two AAA batteries which you supply) and while I question its calorie burn count (NO user weight or age info can be input for a meaningful calculation), the timer feature seems accurate and I guess I have no reason to dispute the readings for mileage or speed of pedaling. The "Scan" (default) setting sequences the display through all available metrics and is a useful way to familiarize yourself with the display. The SIZE of this unit was an ESSENTIAL consideration in my decision to buy and as the photos indicate, this Marcy bike is VERY compact. Floor space is a precious commodity here in my "World HQ" and adding extra clutter is NOT done capriciously. As indicated, the Marcy is not very heavy (41 lbs), and as the promo video shows, the bike can be tipped forward to roll on rotating front casters to get it out of the way between uses. PRICE--as I suspect is true for many other users, the PRICE (just over $100) likewise spurred me to "take a chance" and click "buy". My "shakedown cruise" on the bike yesterday, DESPITE the limitation of not quite being able to fully extend my legs while cycling, was still positive and (at least so far) justified the risk and expense of the purchase. Adding the cycle provides a WELCOME alternate to the stairclimber, and adding a little variety is always beneficial. There are eight levels of resistance, controlled by a dial on the handlebar post, but I started and ended on max resistance, which still seemed something rather short of "challenging" to me. Nevertheless, I DID feel that I got a vigorous workout over 30 minutes of cycling. I agree with other reviewers that the handlebars are angled too far forward, users are apparently intended to be in hunkered-down "racing" position, but I had no discomfort just resting my hands on the top of the handlebar posts, or just sitting upright and pedaling hands-free. Again affirming the other reviewers, this bike is nearly completely SILENT which is likewise a big check mark in its "plus" column. Time will tell whether the Marcy ME-708 proves to be a worthy and durable addition to my "home gym" (aka basement), but based on my initial experience, I'm certainly willing to give it a conditional thumbs up. In my decades of fitness striving, the convenience and freedom to work out ANY TIME along with being able to enjoy whatever music or video accompaniment I choose AND (cannot be underrated) freedom from other loutish or downright creepy public gym/locker room users makes home workouts my FIRST (and favorite) fitness choice. While I can't just yet award the Marcy ME-708 a full and unconditional recommendation, I hope my initial impressions help to ease concerns of other interested shoppers. Even if you choose to NOT purchase this unit, allow me to encourage you to NOT let its absence prevent you from getting some kind of fitness activity underway for your own benefit NOW. My motto: "do it while you're ALIVE!"
