But it’s also an expensive purchase—$2,495 for the new Bike+ and $1,895 for the original Bike. If you’re not into forking up that much cash, there are more affordable at-home alternatives that offer a similar experience, like the $899 Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike. I’ve been riding my IC4 for over six months now—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.
Some Schwinn IC4 riders use the Kinetic app to track their output levels during rides, though I have not tested that myself. The IC4 functions well as a stand-alone spin bike, plus you have the option of connecting to your device via Bluetooth and using popular interactive training apps. If you’re already highly motivated you may not need the added inspiration that live streaming, on-demand, or virtual training can provide, but we think it’s really nice to have the option. Unlike the more expensive competition, the IC4 does not come with a high-tech console for streaming workouts, you’ll have to use one that you already have or purchase one for that purpose.
Working out on the Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike is one of my favorite quarantine activities—and I don’t see myself giving it up for the actual gym any time soon. Attaching the pedals was a bit more challenging, however—and not just because they’re reverse-threaded on one side. 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. Perhaps my biggest bugbear with the Schwinn IC8 is the overly hefty set of pedals that come part of the package. They are super uncomfortable to use with the cages and feel pointlessly massive to clip into via SPD clips bases on the opposing surface. I immediately took them off and replaced them with a cheap set of LOOK pedals and cleats I had laying around.
Airdyne bikes have moving arm bars to make total-body workouts convenient. I’ve been spinning since the small gym I went to got its first Schwinn Johnny G spin bike in the mid-’90s. I’ve ridden bikes to nowhere an average of twice a week ever since, from rusty old ones in church basements schwinn spin bike to the bikes in $40 SoulCycle classes. Pre-pandemic, I was doing most of my spinning on a free communal Peloton bike in my building’s workout room. When that was no longer an option, I tried a handful of apps and streamed classes in things like strength training and yoga.
After the sale, services are also provided by the Schwinn service team to help keep your spin bike in good shape and this mainly focuses on maintenance. Schwinn AC Sport is one of the top choices for spin bikes under $1500 price range. It has a chain and the bike monitor is not included but if they are not your primary concern, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Schwinn AC Sport indoor cycling bike. To find out more, read our Schwinn AC Sport indoor cycling bike review.
But the Schwinn AC Sport has 8 large magnets that provide more resistance than an entry level or intermediate level cyclist can handle. The main selling factor of Schwinn spin bikes is the patented Smart Release mechanism. Smart release allow the flywheel to keep turning even when you stop pedaling.
While spin bikes are known to require constant maintenance over time, the AC Performance Plus by Schwinn is an exception to that rule. In this review, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Schwinn AC Performance Plus, as well as its positives and negatives. The handlebars on the Schwinn IC Classic provide a comfortable grip thanks to the memory-foam padding. There’s also a caged water bottle holder, allowing you to stay hydrated during your intense workouts.
We also love that the IC4 comes with a Bluetooth heart-rate armband for you to keep on top of your workout stats, and a set of dumbbells for your targeted upper-body workouts. All Schwinn AC™ indoor bikes come standard with Double Link pedals with SPD and toe-clip combinations to accommodate both cycling cleats and regular athletic shoes. The bikes are also compatible with the Schwinn Triple Link™ pedal upgrade. Triple Link Pedals accommodate Look Delta and SPD style cleats to simulate an outdoor riding experience. They also easily convert to accept traditional athletic shoes with the snap-in locking toe clips. Indoor cycling bikes are designed to replicate what it’s like to ride a bike outdoors, and they’re the ones that have exploded in popularity in recent years.
Highlights vary from bike to bike, but some favorite features are wireless heart rate monitoring and a great variety of preset workouts. First and foremost, those seeking the indoor cycling class feel from the comfort of their own home will be best suited going the Peloton route, whether the classic Bike or upgraded Bike+. Their instructors remain some of the best in the business, and their wide range of class offerings will satisfy your riding style and competitive spirit no matter if you’re a veteran or an eager but recent convert. With the Schwinn, you get the fairly typical LCD console that comes with the normal outputs including heart rate, distance, time, calories, RPM’s, and so forth.