Choices with quiet magnetic resistance include two traditional stationary bikes called Schwinn 130 and Schwinn 170, and two recumbent exercise bikes called Schwinn 230 and Schwinn 270. All models are available for under $1000 and some vendors provide free delivery. In general Schwinn exercise bikes aren’t intended for advanced trainees, but Schwinn Airdyne bikes are for all challenge levels. Highlights vary from bike to bike, but some favorite features are wireless heart rate monitoring and a great variety of preset workouts. The Keiser allows you to adjust its handlebars and the seat to accommodate your specific preference and the pre-tensioned resistance belt is designed to stay durable. It’s also Bluetooth-enabled so you can stream directly from it or connect your smart devices to it.
The original Peloton Bike remains on sale, now coming in at a more affordable sticker price of $1,895 compared to its original $2,245 list price. In addition the brand has developed an updated version of the bike with a host of new features which will be available soon for $2,495. This puts the new bike back into the most expensive position in the competitive pool, but it still has an upper hand due to its huge cult following in the indoor cycling world. It’s loaded with 29 diverse workout modes, has heart rate control, and uses a 17-pound flywheel. The three Schwinn Airdyne exercise bikes let riders generate infinite levels of air resistance. Exercise bike alternativesYou can still cycle without a bike — in a sense — with these top-rated workout essentials.
Many of the raving reviews left on the Schwinn website have one main thing in common, they rave about how well-built and sturdy this bike is. The bike does not slide around, the seat has thick padding, and the handlebars stay in place when you’re standing or really getting into the zone during your workout. If you’re worried about the bike slipping on your hardwood floors, a matt for the bike to rest on is also available separately for sale.
You can also use your smartphone, but we think a bigger screen makes for a more enjoyable experience. The LCD display is centered in the handlebar and has a screen that measures 3″ L x 2″ W. The dark screen has bright numbers and letters and shows a wealth of information at a glance, including cadence, elapsed time, estimated calories burned, speed, distance, resistance level, and pulse. The display turns on if any button is pushed or the RPM sensor is triggered when the pedals turn.
This is a big plus and something you’d expect to find on more expensive bikes like the Bowflex VeloCore. Using the knob on the crossbar, you can manually turn the resistance level up or down. You are also able to adjust the level digitally with the press of a button. The USB port is an awesome add-on for a bike that requires the use of a separate device.
Indoor cycling no longer feels like a ride to nowhere — stationary bikes now have a slew of high-tech features that make pedaling at home feel downright exciting. Of all the exercise bikes we tested, the Schwinn IC4 was one of the most involved and time-consuming to assemble. It comes with all of the tools you need and detailed instructions that are easy to follow, and while it isn’t particularly difficult to finish, there are more steps necessary to complete the task. Most important is that the SC7 rarely makes noise and offers a smooth and comfortable experience.
Schwinn’s IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike comes with a Bluetooth-enabled heart rate tracker, a pair of three-pound weights, built-in media rack, and USB charging port. The frame on both of these bikes is made of high-strength steel, so as far as that goes, you shouldn’t have any issues. Both should hold up just fine and allow you to get a great workout in for huffy beach cruiser years to come. With a 35-pound gap between the Schwinn IC4 and the Peloton, you’re probably thinking this is pretty trivial, right? Frame/bike weight plays a substantial role in riding stability—as you pedal away harder and harder, the bike is going to want to move with your motions, and the heavier the bike, the more inherently stable it will be.
Unfortunately, if you decide to return and are approved to do so, Schwinn will not refund the assembly price or pay for shipping. Since an exercise bike isn’t light, this is something to consider since the postage will be expensive for a return. The Schwinn IC4’s cushioned seat is typical for a spin bike – it isn’t the most comfortable if you aren’t used to it.