The fiancee and I are looking at getting a treadmill, and I was hoping someone out there could add their experience with some of the following mills (or an updated version)…
Sole F63
Proform Pro 2000, and Power 995i
Xterra Trail Racer 6.6
Lifespan TR1200i
Smooth 5.65
The Proform mill is listed as a CR best buy, but I can’t find one locally to run on. The Sole F63 felt alright for a short little jog in the sporting goods store, but it chirped in the 6-7min/mi range which would be a big issue for me.
Priorities:
Cost in this range
“Feel” of the running deck–bonus points for any that feel like commercial-grade 'mills.
Durability/warranty offered
Noise (or lack thereof). Steady motor whirring and deck/belt noises are fine, but any random/repetitive creaking/chirping/clicking that comes from poor fit/construction or the mill generally not being able to handle higher speeds is a huge minus.
I’d especially like to hear from anyone who has owned more than one of the above units…
I was on the hunt earlier this year and ended up with F80 and have been pleased with it so far. (Two people running on it, her more than me currently but it is sturdy and smooth at high speeds and the wide deck is a nice bonus.) Looking back though, (and after running on a F63) we bought a little too much treadmill. If I could go back I would get the F63 and save the $.
No matter what you end up getting don’t be a cheapskate like I was… pay to have that bastard at least delivered IN ROOM. Setting it up was no problem… getting it to the other end of my house with just me and the missus… nightmare mode.
I’ve got a Sole F6somethingorother. Could be the F63. I’ve had it almost 10 years now…pretty much problem free. The belt has gotten a bit loose, so that if you overstride, you can definitely slow the belt down (good for the form, though…if you land midfoot there is no problem). I’ve tried tightening it, but I’m nervous about dorking it up, so the looseness could probably be fixed rather easily. Fairly quiet, no frills at all. Don’t have issues with chirping at 7 min/mile, but then I don’t run at that pace very often or long. It is definitely starting to creak when you adjust the incline.
I paid something like $1300 (delivered) for a NordicTrack C1550. It is an excellent treadmill. The deck is a bit springy which is really helpful when you are stuck on it doing a long run. It has all kinds of fancy features that I can’t really figure out (I never use any of the “features” of these things anyway). Changing speeds is a matter of just pushing a couple buttons (unlike some that make you “scroll” up and down to the desired speed). Has a nice wide and long deck and is meant to be run on. Belt speeds up and slows down within acceptable times and the deck tilts down to -3 degrees and up to +15.
Slowman did an article on treadmill buying earlier this year. May be a bit outdated (new models likely on the market now), however gives some good tips on things to look for. Sole and ProForm are both directly addressed.
I got a Sole F80 during a black friday sale for $1100. It has been great for the past 7 years.
Yeah, if you can get the F80 on sale that is the way to go. Awesome treadmill. I’ve had this for three years now with no problems and yes, I would look for a free delivery and install deal as well. We got ours from Dick’s around this time of the year about three years ago and they offered a deep discount and free delivery and installation.
Around this time last year I was in your position and considering the same price range. I ended up stretching my budget a little, and getting a True PS100. I got it on Black Friday for 20% off and 0% interest for two years. I ran on some of the treadmills you’re considering and they seemed pretty flimsy, especially at faster paces.
This morning I did 13x 1/4 mile repeats at 5:24 pace on my True, and it’s completely rock solid. It may be worth it to spend a little more money to find a treadmill that will last a long time. One thing I really like about my treadmill is that it gets up to pace very fast - I felt that on a few of the lower priced ones doing intervals seemed almost pointless because of the lag time in setting the speed and the treadmill ‘catching up.’
I bought a Sole F63 in January. I’ve put 70 hours on it and my daughter has probably put another 30 hours on it. No problems yet and have been really happy with it for the price. I think it was $799 shipped.
Around this time last year I was in your position and considering the same price range. I ended up stretching my budget a little, and getting a True PS100.
I’ve been doing some treadmill shopping and was about to buy the Nordic Track C1750 until I had a chance to run on it and a True PS100. I immediately increased my budget. The Nordic Track felt flimsy and cheap compared to the True. Right now I’m just waiting for Black Friday and trying to decide if I want the PS100 or if I want to step up a bit and get the PS800.
I got a Sole F60 or 63 (I can’t remember) back in March. Ran on it for 32 miles when the motor started giving out. Spent the next 3 months dealing with incompetent and ridiculous customer service. Finally after threatening to trash their brand and service on every single website I could find they agreed to replace the treadmill with an upgrade to the F80. So far, probably 75 miles in, the F80 is working pretty good. I wasn’t particularly interested in another Sole treadmill after the service debacle, but my alternative was to lose $75 which they wouldn’t refund and then have to start the whole search again and have a budget less $75. I haven’t tried any of the others, but that’s my experience with the Sole 6x series…
Ditto. I did too. Best money ever spent. Well, not really, but really glad we got it. I even paid the $99 delivery fee for up one flight, or down one flight of stairs. Guy shows up by himself. I had had hernia surgery 6 months prior and was not happy. But, I did help him. IT was FREAKING heavy. Thankfully I didn’t get injured. I called Sole and asked for my $99 back, which I got, and I also said that since you pay 2 guys $100 to deliver this thing, I wanted to get paid $50 too!
They agreed and refunded me $150. I would go with the Sole f80 again.
I got a Sole F80 during a black friday sale for $1100. It has been great for the past 7 years.
I have been looking since July for a treadmill. There are 3 people in my household that will use it 2-3 times a week for base miles to sub 6 intervals. The biggest fear I have is parts for consumer treadmills when things break in 2-3 years.
My conclusion is to buy a refurbished Star Trac Pro commercial treadmill that has many aftermarket and OEM parts and service available because of the number or units sold. Will cost between $800 - $1200. Were talking 100K miles easily on these units and 5hp AC motors. Many of the ones mentioned here feel cheap and are positioned for consumers that my use them 2-3 times a week vs a gym where the commercial units will be used 6+ hrs a day…