Nice elliptical trainer
Written: Oct 11 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Sturdy, smooth action, nice display, easy assembly
Cons: Fixed time programs, operating instructions complex, kilojoules instead of calories, no book rack
The Bottom Line: Nice machine that fits between the marginally functional machines at the low end and the much more expensive club machines. Fixing a few details makes this a perfect consumer machine.
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| uphillbill's Full Review: Smooth Ce Elliptical Trainer |
I have been using Epinions reviews for a while now to help in my purchases and thought it was time to give something back.
I bought this elliptical trainer based on the Epinions reviews, especially Heidi's. I agree with their high praise in general.
The machine arrived well packaged with no shipping damage. Assembly was easy with only 2 large assemblies to bolt together and some minor parts like the water bottle holder and foot pads to attach. After using the machine for a few days I noticed an annoying squeak. I tried to lubricate what I thought was the source of the noise, a bearing. No luck - it turned out that I had not sufficiently tightened the main upright assembly onto the base. Cranking down on the main bolts fixed the squeak.
In operation the machine is quiet and very smooth. I get an excellent workout and the ergonomics are comfortable enough for me (6'1 with extremely long legs), but I wish there was a little more adjustability in the footpads, or perhaps a block to put at the front to keep you toes further back on the pad when it is in the rear position. Perhaps I will make something up myself. The footpads need a better adjustment system. Fishing around underneath with 2 round nuts, bolts, and washers per footpad is too slow and not very elegant. Some kind of friction lock would be better and would allow for infinite adjustability.
The display is very good and the programs are comparable to a more expensive elliptical trainer you would find at the gym, with one noticeable shortcoming. The 6 fitness programs have a fixed, non-adjustable time interval, so you cannot tailor your favorite program to lengthen it as your fitness level improves. This flexibility is software based and would have cost Smooth almost nothing to include. It is a standard feature on more expensive club cardio machines. It's lack is the main reason I give the machine 4 out of 5 stars instead of 5 out of 5.
The handle mounted heart rate monitor works well. I have not really used the clip on heart rate monitor.
Minor complaints include the operating instructions being too complex (I think they are a literal translation from the German, instead of being written from scratch by an American), the energy units being in kilojoules instead of calories (and even as is I think they should be labeled joules, not kilojoules - wrong by a factor of 1000?!), and there is no book/magazine rack. One of the rear base leg small plastic inserts falls out every time I move the machine.
Please note that the $1399 price includes shipping and a mat you have to ask for.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
uphillbill
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
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