Proform 405 SPX Bike Review

How long will the Proform 405 SPX last?

As we explain in the overview, the Proform 405 SPX has a very cheap build and is not likely to support a heavy user. Likewise, if you have been using bikes at a gym for a long time and want to start your own home system, then you will more than likely only see a few months out of the 405 SPX. We would really only recommend the Proform 405 SPX for someone who lightly uses an exercise bike and does not weigh too much.

Brief Overview

We all have to start somewhere and if you are going to buy a bike in this cheap price range, may as well get the best that you can. The Proform 405 SPX is the best of the worst when it comes to exercise bikes. For the price, you get a decent build, a few features, and a nice flywheel size. Put them all together and you have our First Place 2020 Best Buy Winner for the $399 and Under category.

Overall Quality

So maybe you made it through the holidays without too much extra cushion but you’ve been seeing all these new Peloton ads and you want to simulate sweating in a huge million dollar house while your adorable child smiles at you and remains quiet- because these are real expectations. No, in reality, your belly is pooching out, you have maybe two feet of room to exercise, and your kids are great, loud little things that deserved a great Christmas and all you have left is a few hundred to get a tiny little bike.

Well, if this is you, then maybe the Proform 405 SPX is a good place to start. You are not sure how you will do with an exercise bike or if you will even use it so might as well not break the bank. Luckily, the 405 SPX is not a total waste. For starters, Proform created a pretty nice looking machine that is compact and versatile. Instead of spending a bunch of money on programs like they usually do, Proform made a bike that has both an adjustable seat and handles. So, if you are tall, short, or a family of both you can have a few different settings. Mind you, most adjustable bikes especially in the lower price range can only support heights from about 6” 2’ to 5” 0’ so if you do have a less common height you may want to go try a 405 SPX out in a store first. We also like that Proform included some toe clips to help your feet stay in place.

But, the best attribute of the 405 SPX in our eyes is the 40 lb flywheel. The flywheel is what helps each pedal keep moving between the time that it takes you to push one foot and then the other. Usually, the lighter the flywheel, the less power the bike can sustain and the less smooth of a feel. Not many bikes even in the upper ranges have such heavy flywheels; so, it is nice to see that Proform built the 405 SPX with some quality.

All of that said, we are still talking about a very cheap exercise bike. Saying that the Proform 405 SPX is the best in this price category is like saying that the Family Dollar underwear is the best dollar store underwear. You’re still going to blow a hole in dollar underwear if you fart too hard it just may take a few. The Proform 405 SPX may shine brighter than other bikes in this price range, but it is still very cheap. If you are a heavier user or maybe you are an experienced bike rider/ exercise bike user, the Proform 405 SPX is not the bike for you. But if you are a light user, then you will likely still face challenges with the 405 SPX’s chain drive system. Just like your little ten speed when you were a kid, the 405 SPX comes with a cheap, janky little chain. And you remember how those chains worked, right? They were all oily and greasy and fell off all the time. Similarly, the 405 SPX will more than likely have similar issues. Of course, there are ways to maintain a chain but you more than likely have more issues than if you were to have a belt drive system.

History

This is the first year that we have been able to review the Proform 405 SPX bike. We welcome you to check out our other bike reviews or even our Proform elliptical and treadmill reviews to get a good understanding of Proform machines.

Conclusion

In the end, the Proform 405 SPX is not a very impressive bike. If you are an intensive bike user then you will likely not see many months out of this bike. With that said, the 405 SPX is one of the better cheap bikes with a heavier flywheel and adjustable frame. If you do need to purchase a bike in this price range, then our 2020 Best Buy Winner for the $399 and Under dollar range may not be the worst choice for you.