Beyond its connectivity, the IC4 comes loaded with valuable features. Both the seat and handlebar have loads of adjustability, both up and down and fore and aft. It comes with a performance-oriented seat as well as a sizeable multi-position handlebar. Below the handlebar are two bottle holders with cradles to hang the included 3 lb hand weights. It comes with dual-function pedals that have cages on one side and SPD clips on the other, so you can choose the footwear that’s best for you, plus they come with SPD cleats.
The seat is adjustable in 4-way and offers 7 different adjustment positions. You may find it discomforting for a few workout sessions if you are new to spinning. This bike is considerably much heavier than any road or mountain bike. When fully assembled, it weighs around 46 kg and this weight improves the stability of the bike. You get even more stability with additional adjustable levers on both sides of the frame’s base bar. You can save 20% off this state-of-the-art Schwinn IC4 exercise bike.
It’s loaded with 29 diverse workout modes, has heart rate control, and uses a 13-pound flywheel. Although a heart rate monitor is included with the Schwinn IC4, I opt to use my Apple Watch to track my heart rate and calories during workouts on the bike, as well as log my workout in Apple’s Activity app. The Bluetooth-enabled bike also pairs with the Peloton app, so you can track your cadence on-screen as you ride.
Schwinn is a big player in the home fitness market and the IC4 is the top of the line model in their range of indoor cycling bikes. In addition to its sturdy build, 40 lb weighted flywheel, and 100 levels of magnetic resistance, it is a smart bike with connected features. With more and more people exercising from home and latching onto the interactive at-home studio and virtual cycling trend, we felt this was a compelling model worthy of testing. We found the IC4 to provide an excellent workout, a high level of comfort, and functionality with popular apps like Zwift, Peloton, and JRNY (it comes with a 1-year JRNY membership). We also think it’s a great value since it retails for significantly less than many of the other connected bikes on the market.
Best of all, every bike in Schwinn’s catalog costs less than $1,000, so you can get a good workout without giving your wallet one too. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The use of this website means that you accept the confidentiality regulations and the conditions of service. The transport wheels make it relatively easy to move around, and there are levelers in all of the feet.
If Schwinn can iron out its massively inflated power/output stats and appease the Zwift/Sufferfest/TrainerRoad users, it will be a mighty fine all-rounder and worthy of a full five stars. As previously mentioned, I’ve spent time with Peloton Tread, so have access to the Peloton training app. Previously, I have hopped on the turbo trainer and enjoyed heart rate and cadence read-outs via a bunch of external sensors I own. The biggest issue has been keeping up the the class instructor’s resistance suggestions. On a standard geared road bike, this is simply a case of guesswork. In fact, Zwift forums are abuzz with complaints of Schwinn static bike owners “cheating” because the power outputs of the bikes are greatly inflated.
Josh Taylor, a global brand ambassador for the online fitness site Spinning, recommends finding an indoor cycling bike that puts you in the same position as the bike you’re accustomed to riding outside. For example, if your daily rider is a road bike, look for an indoor cycling bike with a handlebar option that both incorporates a traditional bullhorn bar and mimics the hand-position options of drops and brake hoods. However, if you’re already used to taking studio classes, an indoor cycling bike with just the traditional bullhorn-style bar will work great, says Ben Sharp, power education specialist at Stages Cycling.
The resistance dial is fairly accurate and offers increments from in single digit clicks. These can be difficult to achieve in exact amounts, but a slight twist usually only sees the figure jump by three or four at a time, which should be accurate enough to keep up with a Peloton class. I’ve not been able to try the Peloton Bike and this Schwinn IC8 back-to-back, but the resistance units used suggest it replicates those barked out by fitness instructors on the Peloton app. The handlebars also have two bottle cages on them and, if you wanted to, cradles for 1.5kg dumbbells. I like a nice close bike fit so it’s easily overcome by just adjusting the handlebars slightly further away from you.
This app is a good option for those who enjoy doing their own workout without interference or instruction but also enjoy a nice view. 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 mongoose bicycles about how long mine took to get here. I’m glad to see that Schwinn has released the Schwinn IC4, which is an upgrade from the brand’s first iteration, the IC3 bike. With the IC4, you get magnetic resistance instead of the friction pads of the IC3 and technology to connect with apps like Peloton and Zwift.
The Schwinn IC4 also features a backlit LCD screen, allowing you to track all the important elements of your ride, such as your time, distance and the amount of calories you’ve burned. You can also adjust the bike’s handlebars and its saddle both vertically and horizontally, so that you can tailor the bike to meet your needs. Like the Peloton bike, there’s an adjustable knob between the seat and the handlebars that controls the resistance, which ranges from levels 1 to 100. There’s also a built in device holder that securely holds a smartphone or tablet in place while you follow along with your on-screen workout.