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Carianna

Feb 23, 2008, 7:52 AM

Post #1 of 10 (1750 views)

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Anyone seen a recumbent stationary exercise bike for sale?

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ANYWHERE in Mexico? I'm having the devil's own time finding a recumbent bike -- has a seat and a bike like a chair so you can lean back while you peddle. I've been scouring google.com.mx and so far to no avail. I've emailed the Latin American sales rep for Nautilus/Schwinn Fitness which makes one particularly well reviewed bike of this type. No response to date. May have to import it. But before I jump into that can of worms I was wondering if anyone had seen such an animal for sale anywhere in the country.

Thanks in advance if anyone has spotted this and is willing to share.

song_of_joy

Feb 23, 2008, 9:57 AM

Post #2 of 10 (1735 views)

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Re: [Carianna] Anyone seen a recumbent stationary exercise bike for sale?

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I saw them at Costco in Guadalajara a couple weeks ago, Gold's Gym brand for about 4,500 pesos.

Carianna

Feb 23, 2008, 10:15 AM

Post #3 of 10 (1730 views)

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Re: [song_of_joy] Anyone seen a recumbent stationary exercise bike for sale?

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Thanks for the tip. I checked the reviews on the Gold's Gym recumbent bike and it got 3 raves and 9 stinkers that were very specific in saving it was poorly made, shifted while using, difficult to set the seat properly and even at the highest level didn't give the writer, a 50 lbs overweight SMOKER, a work out. So don't anyone go out and buy that particular model.

One brand that gets very good reviews is the Schwinn series of recumbents. Owned by Nautilus, sold under the branding Schwinn Fitness. I welcome and vastly appreciate any more input and really appreciate yours as well, soj.

muchisimas gracias

muycontento

Feb 24, 2008, 9:48 AM

Post #4 of 10 (1689 views)

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Re: [Carianna] Anyone seen a recumbent stationary exercise bike for sale?

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If you are really going to use it, like every day for years, don't pay less than about $1500USD here or there. It will fall apart soon. Selling cheap poorly made ones seldom leads to problems because 95% of them are used twice then left to gather dust.

Carianna

Feb 24, 2008, 10:28 AM

Post #5 of 10 (1683 views)

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Re: [muycontento] Anyone seen a recumbent stationary exercise bike for sale?

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So my husband tells me. Endlessly. However, I had one and I did use it because I could watch tv or read while doing it.

These days a really excellent, well built one will cost $500 or less in the states. Anybody's guess what an equally well made one like the Schwinn 230 recumbent would cost here if it was even available.

I'm going to check with my local sporting goods store tomorrow here on Cozumel and see if they can order anything decent via their catalogs. If it's a no-ey, then I will be talking with the freight forwarder in Ft. Lauderdale to find out what kind of import taxes would be involved. My friend, who has a furniture import biz lets me ship stuff with hers from time to time. But she told me to check with the agent in Florida because Mexico is funny about the imports. Furniture gets taxed and something like 45% of value. Ceiling fans come in around 25%. Who KNOWS about a stationary bike.

And the fact that if you read the fine print you see it was made in China might enter into it also. Wal Mart is bringing China made stuff in bold as brass. But just try and do it as an individual. NAFTA sure is working out for us little guys. Yeah, uh huh.

I'll have to see exactly how fine that fine print is. Maybe they wouldn't notice since it would be coming from a US-based company.

Ron Pickering W3FJW

Feb 24, 2008, 7:23 PM

Post #6 of 10 (1657 views)

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Re: [Carianna] Anyone seen a recumbent stationary exercise bike for sale?

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Just curious here on wether everyone is on the same track. There are stationary recumbent bikes and then the ones you peddle down the street.
Getting older and still not down here.

jennifer rose

Feb 24, 2008, 8:51 PM

Post #7 of 10 (1648 views)

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Re: [Ron Pickering W3FJW] Anyone seen a recumbent stationary exercise bike for sale?

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I think the inclusion of the word "stationary" in the subject line says it all.

Carianna

Feb 25, 2008, 4:03 AM

Post #8 of 10 (1640 views)

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Re: [Ron Pickering W3FJW] Anyone seen a recumbent stationary exercise bike for sale?

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My basis mode of transportation here on the island is by bike (non-stationary). Only take the car out for long or big hauls. I even had a triciclo for a long time until it outlived its usefulness and my willingness to pump the tires up before every single use. However it is so hot and humid here for 6 months out of the year that it takes more discipline than I can muster to do seriously aerobic exercise out in the weather. At the bad times of the year even a stroll can break you out in a pretty heavy sweat. Biking in front of a fan watching a movie on DVD is more practical. But is it doable in Mexico? Time will tell. I'm checking the sports store and calling the freight importer. Will report.

Ron Pickering W3FJW

Feb 25, 2008, 4:38 AM

Post #9 of 10 (1638 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Anyone seen a recumbent stationary exercise bike for sale?

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Sorry, I missed that Jennifer. Must'av been a senior moment which is happening too often these days.
But for the ones that like to peddle out side and are wanting a bit of help, I'll offer the following website to look over.

http://www.iloveebikes.com/
Getting older and still not down here.

Carianna

Feb 25, 2008, 4:41 PM

Post #10 of 10 (1606 views)

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Update

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Exercise equipment incurrs no duties coming into Mexico even if it was manufactured in China. You must pay the 10% I.V.A. and, of course, freight and handling charges. But that makes it a lot better deal than shipping furniture down, for example, which carries a very high tariff as previously mentioned.

So that's what I'm going to do. Try out floor models next time I'm in the states and then mail order one to a Florida shipping forwarder and take it from there.