Unless I’m taking a live class, I prefer to preload my Peloton workouts before riding and recommend you do the same. The Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike retails for $899, which can be paid for with Schwinn’s interest-free financing plan of $49.90 a month for 18 months. I purchased mine directly from Schwinn in May 2020 when the MSRP was $799. While I’m glad I ordered my bike before the pandemic-driven price increase, I’d gladly fork over $100 more for it if I was looking for an exercise bike today. Although I’ve now built up the stamina to do a 60-minute class, I often opt for a high-energy 30-minute class and supplement it with a 20-minute strength class and a 10-minute core class from the app.
JRNY, Kinetic, Peloton, Explore the World, Rouvy, Sufferfest and Zwift for world-class training sessions. You can access the connected apps from your phone, tablet, or smart TV via Bluetooth. Dual link SPD foot pedals come standard with toe cages or clips allowing you to customize your ride. User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds , that the bike can safely support, which can represent durability. The most important part for comfortability during your workout, the seat should be adjustable and have ample cushioning. At Schwinn we love to hear from our customers and brand supporters.
Now, let’s dive into (Schwinn-to?) the best exercise bikes Schwinn Fitness has to offer. What’s more, the bike features dual-link pedals with toe cages, so you can use either SPD clips or regular athletic shoes. The Schwinn IC4 is a popular exercise bike with thousands of reviews on the brand’s website. Customers appreciate the quiet ride, stability and affordability of this exercise bike.
Connecting the armband monitor was simple and it’s a useful tool if you’re trying to hit a certain percentage of your maximum heart rate. Although the technology connectivity requires a little setup on the user’s end, it isn’t difficult to figure out. I connected my Schwinn IC4 with an Apple product so I can’t personally speak to how it works for any Android device. Keep in mind you do have to pay a separate monthly subscription fee if you want to use the Peloton app with your exercise bike. Not only is this exercise bike under $1,000, but Schwinn also offers financing for under $60 per month over 18 months. Shipping is free and generally takes 2-3 weeks, which is about how long mine took to get here.
While Peloton bike owners are locked into a monthly $40 subscription fee, Peloton app users like myself can enjoy quite the savings at just $12.99 a month. It’s not the same immersive experience, but with the right setup , you’ll still come out spending less than you would for a Peloton—and get the same sweaty, calorie-burning workouts. You’ll need to supply your own phone, iPad, or smart-TV hookup to stream classes. (I use an old, cracked iPad.) There’s a built-in holder on the handlebars, a USB outlet for charging, and an arm-strap heart-rate monitor. 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. This model is the IC4’s little sibling, with a smaller price and fewer features, but it’s still a good option for streaming workouts from your device.
Unlike Peloton and Echelon Connect bikes, there’s no video screen built into the Schwinn IC4—just a small LCD display that shows your ride time, distance, RPMs, and heart rate, plus a USB charging port. To stream your workouts, a tablet or smart TV is the way to go. You can also use your smartphone, but we think a bigger screen makes for a more enjoyable experience. Over the last two years, we’ve seen significant reader interest in all things indoor exercise bikes, and it’s with good reason.
Bluetooth connection works perfectly with a number of fitness apps that enable you to access workout programs as none have been pre-programmed into the IC3. What’s more is that a Bluetooth-enabled schwinn bicycles arm band is included to keep tabs on your heart rate. Handle bars and seats on both bikes are fully adjustable and they do accommodate a variety of body proportions.
It’s louder, but not so loud that it’s a distraction, and I actually kind of like the feedback of the slight whirring sound it makes when you really push yourself. We bought an exercise pad to go under it that also dampens any noise and makes that area of our bedroom feel like a tiny gym. While the bike doesn’t have Bluetooth and can’t connect to apps directly, you can still follow along with the Peloton app for an excellent workout.
This is a bit more expensive and also comes with a 38 lb flywheel. The biggest difference is that the max user weight is 350 lbs, the bike itself weighs 126 lbs. Having ridden bikes without these – and having experienced the difficultly in stopping the motion of a flywheel and getting twisted legs in the process – we appreciated this feature. Several members of the SNEWS team rode the bike for a couple of months this summer and found it steady, simple, comfy and ready to deliver a great workout.
I believe the Schwinn IC4 bike could be a solid cardio addition to your home or garage gym. If you know me, you know that I already believe the Schwinn Airdyne Pro is the best air bike around, but the Schwinn IC4 also makes my list for the best exercise bikes. I personally test each piece of equipment schwinn bicycles and take into account the footprint, durability, adjustability, and overall workout experience. In this Schwinn IC4 review, I’ll give you the lowdown on app connectivity, assembly, and how this bike rode for me. In fact, I like this bike so much, it made my list of the best Peloton alternatives.