I found the Amazon reviews very helpful when purchasing this exercise bike. So I hope this review will be a valuable addition and I will update it if required. Firstly, I have only owned this YORK C101 CYCLE a few hours so we are still learning about each other. I bought it from Amazon (with the free delivery) and that service is 5 star - I think I ordered it yesterday and it arrived late morning today.
The packaging seemed good and the instructions were definitely easy to follow. However, I struggled on the first bolts (which attach the rear foot) as they were a little short and I had to go and compress the spring washers elsewhere before I could get the nuts to bite the threads. However, all the other fastenings were fine. I followed the steps in the instruction book and the whole thing was complete within 30 minutes. Now we get to the reason why I give 3 stars and not 5. I note that another reviewer complains that this equipment is noisy. Well, after construction I began to pedal (that's what I bought it for).
Graunch, graunch, graunch - the noise was shocking and I understand why that other reviewer was so unhappy. It was dreadfully noisy. I tipped the cycle upside-down and had a look at the workings - all was fine except that the mechanism (RHS) was rubbing against the bodywork and curly, swarfy type pieces of plastic were already apparent. Closer inspection of the bodywork (down the front) (assembled in China) showed that it doesn't go together particularly well but I tried loosening and tightening some of the screws to see if it would pop together as it was designed. It didn't so I bimbled off to my garage and cut a piece of wood (4 or 5 inches - I dunno, I did it by eye) and wedged it, left to right about midway at the bottom, so it pushes the two sides of the bodywork apart slightly.
The cycle is now beautifully quiet - almost silent. So, what at first glances seems to be an excellent piece of equipment is let down by such a simple failing. The bodywork doesn't appear damaged in anyway, it might have warped slightly on its journey half way around the planet but one little bracket would have solved the problem. Anyway, the tension control works well, the screen makes sense and I don't find it any less comfortable than the very expensive exercise bikes we have at work. The handlebars are good - in fact, everything is good except for the graunch, graunch, graunch so I'm sure this bike is worth £109 but, York take note, had I paid full price I would be asking them to come and take it away again. UPDATE 4 days later: I have used the bike every morning, cycling 10 kms each time on setting No.3. At 5 kms I reduce to setting 2 for about 30 seconds before returning to setting 3 and I do the last kilometre on setting 4. The exercise cycle is great, the screen is easy, the seat (as said) is as comfortable as any other exercise bike I've used and, due to my piece of wood, it is very, very quiet. I am very happy with what I received for my £109. I hope these comments have been helpful and I will update again only if anything negative happens.
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