CSAFE stands for Communications Standard for All Fitness Equipment, and defines both a communications protocol and the physical hardware needed. The standard CSAFE port is an 8-pin RJ-45 port with communications, audio channels, power and ground.

All commercial bike and stepper products built after September 1998 are CSAFE compatible: the 700C and 700R (previously called the BikeMax 3000), the 700S (ClimbMax 2000), and 800S (ClimbMax 3000). It is strongly recommended that the optional external power supply (part number 13018 for 110V, part number 13019 for 220V) be used for the bikes.

The original BikeMax, the friction belt/plug-in bike, is not CSAFE compatible, and cannot be retrofitted with this capability.

For these products built between May 1997 and August 1998, CSAFE capability can be retrofitted by replacing the EPROM with the current version, part # 15056.

Since CSAFE specifies an RJ-45 connector, and the communication ports on bikes and steppers are RJ-11, you must order an RJ-45 to RJ-11 adaptor from CYBEX, part # 14176, $9.00. Plug this adaptor into the left ("input") port.

Next, enter Setup Mode by powering up the unit while holding down the Switch Display key. Repeatedly press this key until the display reads "SMARTLINK." Press the UP arrow so the display now reads "CSAFE." Press the Clear key twice to save your changes and exit Setup Mode.

When a user begins to use a CSAFE-equipped bike or stepper, the display will prompt him to enter a six-digit ID code, which is the user's personal code. After that, the equipment will operate the same as a non-CSAFE unit. At the end of the workout -- and you must finish the amount of workout time you originally selected -- the CSAFE host computer will pull the workout summary information (total calories, etc.) from the bike or climber.