The ProForm 385 CSX Exercise Bike – Excessive Mechanical Problems

The ProForm 385 CSX exercise bike features a step-through recumbent frame for easy mounting and dismounting plus a music port and speakers so you can play tunes and audio books during your workout session.

The Bike

The simple and easy-to-use console has a blue-tinted LCD window for readouts for time, speed, distance, calories, and pulse. It also has a Target Pacer indicator light that shows you when you need to speed up or slow down to stay paced with the workout program you have chosen.

The specs on the ProForm 385 CSX are:

• 16 Digital Resistance Levels
• 8 Personal Trainer Workouts
• SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
• Dual-Grip EKG™ Heart Rate Monitoring
• Compatible plug-in for Mp3/iPod®
• Intermix Acoustics™ Music Port w/speakers
• CoolAire* Workout Fan
• Adjustable Oversized Seat w/lumbar support
• Max user weight – 250 lbs
• Warranty: 5 years frame, 90 days parts and labor

The Buzz

UPDATE:  The ProForm 385 CSX has been discontinued and is no longer being sold.  You can check out the latest ProForm exercise bike reviews to compare the new models.

Features on the ProForm 385 CSX exercise bike includes a workout fan, 16 resistance levels, 8 programs, and hand grip heart rate monitors located in the handles next to the seat.

The Silent Magnetic Resistance brake system offers a smooth and frictionless way to get your exercise time in without waking others in the household. To help pass the time, the console also features an iPod plug-in port, two 2-inch speakers, and volume control.

While the ProForm 385 CSX offers an oversized padded seat with back lumbar support and a 250-lb user weight capacity, this model sounds like a decent selection for all the riders in your house.

However, the quality in this exercise bike is so poor that you’ll wish you’d spent the extra money to buy one of the better-built Schwinn recumbents ranging from $240 to $399.

Our Take

According to user reviews, the ProForm 385 CSX exercise bike has cut too many corners in quality in order to keep the price down, and the results are a bike with excessive mechanical problems in the pedals and flywheel, poor workmanship and construction, a weak 90-day warranty, and an ergonomic feel that is simply not comfortable.

This is an easy call to make: skip the ProForm and check out the Schwinns which have a better history of reliability, great seat adjustability, ease of assemble, and a longer warranty. With the Schwinns, you’ll get better value for your money.