A decent recumbent biike isn't cheap either. Check your local paper for used equipment, try garage sales or
www.craigslist.org if you live near a major city. By this time of year, many people are selling the equipment that seemed like such a good idea last January. I have a Schwinn recumbent bike that I paid about $900 for at least 8 years ago. It is smooth, comfortable, durable, and well worth the cost over a cheaper model. I had an inexpensive treadmill that nearly cost me my knee...cheap equipment can be dangerous as well as just annoying!
Mel