I too have experienced a wealth of issues with my older TC5000. This machine was originally a Nautilus purchase before Bowflex took control.
In the 1st year or so, no real issues. After the 1st year, however, I had to replace the entire treadle system, belts and all. To Bowflexs' credit, the customer service was great and not only did they ship out the treadles, they sent someone to perform the repair. Not long after that, the electronics on the head console went out. Another call to customer service, still under warranty and they shipped me out a brand new console. This one bore the Bowflex insignia. I did the repair myself and it was a bit tricky, but doable by most people who are moderately handy.
Fast forward about 6 years later. The machine started to skip and slow down after running at full speed and subsequently began failing calibration tests. Upon calling the tech people, and there are some good and some real novices, they begin the troubleshooting phase. They tell me "sounds like the wiring may be bad". I pay for new wiring harnesses, hook them up, and still have the same result, machine has all the right indicator lights on, but the belts won't move.
Another call to tech service. This time they tell me I need to replace the belts and decks at a cost of about $150. This was by far the most complicated and poorly documented instruction set that I ever saw. They even left out a step that would have facilitated the repair.
At any rate, to effect the belt/deck repair, you must take apart at least 80% of the machine, from the console, to the handlebars, all the way down to the plastic skins that cover the outside of the treadles. Just put all of the hardware, bolts, nuts and screw in a baggie so they don't get lost. By far, the hardest part of this repair is getting the belt off and back on to the motor and drive wheel. I needed a prybar to push the motor far enough forward to get the belt back in place. Anyway, after I completed the repair, the machine still fails calibration and needs a prime of the treadle belts to get the motor running. Once it starts, it runs fine up to 4.0 mph but fails calibration.
Next call to the techies tells me I must replace the motor. Beware, repairs on this machine are not for the non-mechanically inclined. I am insisting on Bowflex sending me the motor replacement instructions before I even begin any more activity on this machine.
Sep 15, 2009
I have the same problem with the Bowflex TreadClimber by: Alex Jr.
I loved the anonymous reply about electrical problems, likely a Bowflex customer service rep.
I am here to tell the previous writer that I have had an almost identical experience, but the good news is I didn't buy a second machine, after replacing about 4 or 5 motors in the TC5000 (using their authorized service rep at $100 a pop) they agreed to send me a new TC6000.
The new machine has less than 200 miles on it and I am having an identical experience with it (burning smell permeating my home) it seems to me if you use the machine 3 times a week for 20 minutes it should be fine but with not only both the machines I have had and the multiple motors in the first one, in each instance when my workout exceeded 30 minutes the smell would start to permeate the house, even with my high powered commercial fan circulating air the smell is painfully evident.
I started my workouts on a conventional treadmill in late 2003 and transitioned to the Bowflex Treadclimber in 2007 due to leg joint and feet injuries due to the high impact of the conventional machine which my MD suggested.
Initially I thought I had a lemon in my first machine, it really is an effective workout, too bad it can't take my workouts. I too like the payoff of double the calories burnt in half the time and was a totally dedicated user and supporter of the equipment but their customer service stinks; they make their living selling their equipment to people who never actually use it.
If you really want to buy one of these don't make the mistake I did of paying for it all up front, take their lifetime payment plan then at least you can threaten to stop making payments so they will service it or repair it, cause when you pay them up front you don't have any leverage and they will drag their feet and screw around which totally messes up your workout schedule and you end up starting all over again, its very frustrating. Too bad its a good idea that just doesn't work.
Mar 29, 2009
TC6000-Start having problems at 4-6 mos. by: Mrs. Tulp
Over the course of 2 years, I'm on my 3rd Bowflex TreadClimber--2 of which are TC6000's and both of those are/were less than 6 mos old when I started having problems. The first TC6000 I purchased new and after 4 mos. and 1 fried circuit board + 3 burned up motors later, Bowflex replaced it. I'm on my second TC6000 within a year and just yesterday, I had to replace the left strut because it had petered out leaving the treddles unbalanced to workout on. I had parted the prior TC6000, so I didn't need to call Bowflex for the part. Not sure if that is even covered in the warranty. Geesh! This machine is barely 5 mos old!
I would really love to love this machine like I did in the beginning, but it is clearly demonstrating that it cannot live up to the hype. There is no way this machine could accomodate 5 users; it fails to accomodate only me!
I have concluded that if this unit dies on me like the other 2 did, and Bowflex does NOT replace it--as I've read in other reviews--then I will never purchase another product from Bowflex. After owning 3 of them in the past 2 years...my faith in them is a bit shaky.
Dec 17, 2008
TC 6000 by: Anonymous
It sounds to me like you have an electrical problem not a bowflex problem.
