R.I.P. exercycle, hello to the new one

Okay, it’s official: I’ve worn out two exercise bikes since February, 2007! I did some work on the Weslo bike, decided it wasn’t worth it*, got online, looked up consumer reviews, found a well-reviewed budget bike very similar to this one and ordered it–one-day shipping. Exercise equipment is one of my top priorities–which is another way of saying my health, fitness, and independence are top priorities and exercise is a principal means I use to protect and maintain them, along with diet and a healthy lifestyle overall. But, *sigh*. Planned obsolescence is a bitch. At least I’m helping the economy. And I do work my exercise equipment pretty hard, especially the cardio equipment. I’m not fooling around.

(*It was apparent that the magnetic fly-wheel thingie was going to need replacement, but I’d checked into replacement parts a few months ago and they’re more expensive than the bike itself was! Plus repairing the bike to that level is a nuisance, and I don’t think it was built that well to begin with. At my budgetary level, I’m just doomed to keep buying, wearing out and replacing low-end equipment. It does the job, though.)