Marcy ME 709

It may lack some bells and whistles, but reviewers say the Marcy ME 709 is a solid recumbent exercise bike that won't break the bank. It has a 300-pound weight capacity and is very quiet when in use, which is great news for those who like to listen to music or watch TV while exercising. The Marcy ME 709 has eight levels of resistance, and users appreciate that both the pedals and seat can be adjusted for different people, although you'll need to get off the seat before you can adjust it. A small battery-operated display shows speed, distance, time and calories. On a positive note, the padded seat is very comfortable, according to reviews. The Marcy ME 709 does lack some features you can find on more expensive exercise bikes, including a heart-rate monitor, bottle holder and magazine rack.

Even so, most reviewers say they don't miss these features. Assembling the Marcy ME 709 is easy, according to most owners, but some say the package was missing necessary bolts or washers, which complicates the process. We also saw some complaints that the small battery-operated display doesn't fit easily in its stand. The Marcy ME 709 comes with a two-year warranty. If you can afford to spend more, the Schwinn 240 (*Est. $450) gets the best reviews overall, and it comes with a heart-rate monitor.

We found the best reviews of the Marcy ME 709 at online retailers, including Walmart.com and Amazon.com. More than 470 owners review the bike at Walmart.com alone, and each one rates the bike on a 5-point scale. The ratings at Amazon.com are especially helpful because you can see which reviews come from verified owners.