XTERRA Fitness Indoor Cycle Trainer

I research everything before purchasing, sometimes to an unnecessary degree, and if it's a big-ticket item then I'll read as much as possible before pulling the trigger. I wanted an exercycle/indoor trainer and researched the range from cookie-cutter imports to top-of-line subscription bikes. Obviously there's no comparison between a $300 Sunny and a >$2000 Peloton but I was trying to find something that fit my needs. Much of this will come down to what you want out of a bike, what your budget is, how much you want to exercise versus Instagram yourself, and whether you mind a subscription model.For me, specifically, I wanted a very well-built machine with a good track record, one carried by brick-and-mortar retailers, one that used standard and replaceable parts (versus welded on or non-serviceable parts), and one that didn't involve recurring monthly fees.I have friends who own the Peloton and I took spin classes so see the usefulness of a live trainer and varied sessions. But, I will not pay yet another subscription especially for an item this expensive. I looked at Echelon, Schwinn, NordicTrack, and ProForm (which builds the subscription into the cost of the "free" equipment) but they didn't offer anything compelling and were still well north of $1k. The varied import bikes featured on Amazon all seem to come from the same manufacturer with the same set of problems. You get what you pay for and $300 will buy you broken pedals which can't be fixed, squeaking flywheels which can't be lubricated, and broken or frayed belts that can't be adjusted.So, enough about what I didn't buy. The Xterra appears to be a 2018 or 2019 model but the design seems solid and long-term owners report few issues. I don't need the latest tech, magnetic resistors, or a 24" screen and I don't mind tinkering to add or remove parts. All-in-all this cycle was the best value I found in the $400-1k price range and I got it on sale which was a bonus.DeliveryWhen the bike arrived it looked like it had fallen off at least three delivery trucks on the way to my house. I didn't have much hope for the thing being intact or not missing parts but it was well-protected. All components and manual were packaged and taped together so nothing to complain about. It took longer to vacuum off all of the broken styrofoam than it did to put the bike together.ExtrasI had purchased a rubber mat to protect my wood floors and a gel seat based on my experience in previous spin classes. Get a good mat even if you're on a solid surface, that small cushion helps a lot with ride quality. The screen bracket appears to be sturdy enough to hold a much heavier device so I'll likely mount a tablet holder of some sort. Still need to figure out the best method to hold a water bottle during long workouts.ProsSolid buildReasonable priceReplaceable partsIndustry standard pedalsYes, you can comfortably use this as a spin bikeConsNeeds a water bottle holder (cheap add-on)Screen is difficult to read in some lightTension adjustment is not granular enoughHandlebar tightener is on an angle so bar can jiggle when not fully locked downHeight adjustments could use more range, it just works for my 5' 1" spouse although the handlebar is a bit too far even at its closest settingI've had plenty of exercise equipment that ends up acting as a clothes hanger instead of a workout machine. We've lived with the Xterra for just over a month and it's been used every single day. The materials and construction seem to be as good as much more expensive bikes and I'm hoping for many years of service. Again, your needs may vary from mine but if you want a well-built, no-frills bike that will likely last a long time then this is the best value available.