Nordic Track Problems

Other Experiences with the Nordic Track Forerunner

Names deleted to protect the innocent! (unless we're told to leave them in)

A New Development

In November, 1998, Nordic Track declared bankruptcy, and it has been purchased by ICON Health and Fitness, so it is now under new management. You should be aware that any negative comments here about Nordic Track and the Fourrunner are historic now, and pertain to the company under the old ownership, not the current company. I have revised this page to remove general Nordic Track comments, in fairness to the new owners. But the record of the product itself remains unchanged, and this page is about the bike, not the company.

And Now the Tales of Woe

Date: Tue, 08 Apr 1997

Subject: Unfortunately, yes I bought one too!

I had a forerunner, stripped the gears, broke the frame, same response from Nordic Track as you received. I am still so angry with them that I find it difficult to mention their name. I finally gave up and tossed the whole thing. Do you know of any other bicycles made of this type? I would like to construct one myself. As useless as their model was, I stilled enjoyed using it!

Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997

To: info@helmets.org

Subject: 4Runnner

Hey Randy, found your page today and I've had mine for about 4yrs anxiously awaiting the big release from the company and tantalized with its ads, I decided to purchase. Got mine in Sept 94, waited for 6 mos on it to be shipped. Took the 30 day trial in the fall and put it through the test, During the trial I was cruising away from home about a mile and half and all of a sudden the pin that shifts was gone, it had broke off, so I was forced to ride home in the hi gear, called and they sent me a replacement, which cost me nothing and I was rolling again. After adjusting the brake, so that it was freer it really made it roll better. I 've also put street tires on and taken the heavy knobbys off, and now it really cruises. Just go back from a 32 mile trip and hit 27mph, averged 12mph. I was wondering if anybody else had any of these as they didn't last long. My contacts with the 800 # and cust service was very positive. I enjoy mine more than my mtn or road bike and ride it a lot. I live in Mn and looked at every recumbent on the market and thought that this was a better value for the money. I was considering highly the Rhoades Car from Hendersonville Tn, there are lots of options including 2 seaters and dual drive and you build your own by telling them what you want which drives the cost up, a comparable car would have been 950.00. That's my story with the ForeRunner!!!!

Hi Randy,

Yep, I've got one, too. I purchased the very last one (the "floor model") that was available at the Nordic Track outlet store at the Castle Rock Factory Stores (midway between Denver & Colo. Springs). I only paid $300 for mine! It was too much fun getting back home: I tied it to the roof of my Dodge Colt Vista wagon... it covered the entire roof!

I've also encountered gear problems. The shift pin that engages the crank when you change gears fell out. I replaced it with a 2" steel threaded rod. A little big, but no problems yet. I've also removed the chain guard and front fenders to save a little weight.

The color is supposed to be purple? I thought it was brown... I'm in the process of finding some smoother tread tires. The originals have too much resistance for my tastes.

If you have a "list" of owners put me on it at Thanks!!

Gerry

Well, we started a list of Forerunner owners. If you want to be on it, send me an email. Randy

12 Jul 1997
From: "Richard L. Barksdale"
Subject: ForeRunner Owner

Randy,

Well, I thought I was the only person on the planet who had actually purchased a ForeRunner. I bought mine almost three years ago, and have mixed feelings about it. Sort of a love/hate relationship.

On the one hand, it's fun, and the concept is great. It is too heavy though for serious riding. Also, it's manufactured in China, and final assembly was done by Nordic Track. Support is nil. One problem I had early on was the pin that stops the radial gear for shifting just fell out. I was able to get a replacement since it happened within a week of delivery.

If the bike was made of lightweight quality materials, it would be a great machine. It's not unfortunately.

I use the bike now mainly for putting a picnic basket and cooler on the back whenever we are picnicking with friends in the park.

I may experiment with mine in the future. What I'd like to do is strip and repaint it a brighter color, replace the wheels with lighter ones, add an extra brake (it's almost impossible to stop going downhill), and eventually design and install a fairing.

If anyone else has played around with their ForeRunner, I'd enjoy hearing from them.

Feel free to add me to your owner's list.

By the way, I own two BikeE recumbents, which I'm generally happy with.

Richard L. Barksdale
barksdale@earthlink.net