It has since become the most common form of fitness as far as exercise bikes. The Airdyne has no resistance parts, and gets all its resistance from air. The workhorses of our indoor cycling line offer the same high level of functionality, durability and quality that you expect from Schwinn® products – all while delivering exceptional value.
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 huffy beach cruiser 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.
The Schwinn IC4 offers users a quality cycle at a reasonable price. We appreciate this versatility and the high-quality exercise experience it provides. It also comes loaded with features like hand weights, bottle holders, a wireless heart rate band, and dual-function pedals. This comfortable bike is also highly adjustable to accommodate a huge range of rider heights, fit preferences, and workout styles.
What you will find though, is your power level on Zwift will instantly increase, because the resistance on the bike isn’t controlled by a smart turbo. You’ll approach 10% gradients on Zwift in the same gear and pedal speeds as you would on -10% gradients, the resistance on the bike doesn’t get any more or any less. When you’re riding huffy beach cruiser an outdoor bike, you’re mostly working against inertia as you pedal. In order to recreate that sensation and effort on a stationary bike, manufacturers have to simulate that resistance in some way. The magnetic resistance offers 100 different levels of incremental adjustment, all while consistently creating a smooth, quiet ride.
As with most fitness machines, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is,” says Quayed. Do you want the feel of an indoor spin class or need the lower back support of a recumbent bike? As Schwinn offers several types of home exercise bikes, you’ll want to consider the pros and cons of each before making your selection. For the price, the Schwinn IC8 is a solid indoor exercise bike that’s built extremely well and feels like it will last many years of sweaty abuse. As a connected fitness tool, it falls some way behind the Peloton Bike, which is not only more technologically advanced , but is also an ergonomically superior piece of design.
It’s fun, high energy, and low impact, so it’s a great all-around cardio workout for anyone from absolute fitness n00bs to the most dedicated of athletes. Shop for deals on clothing, furniture, electronics or Schwinn exercise bikes to help you along the way. The IC4 offers 100 levels of resistance, as Peloton does, though the levels aren’t equivalent — a 25 on a Peloton, for instance, is not the same as a 25 on the IC4. Owners have done conversion mongoose bicycles calculations, and enterprising Etsy creators have even made attachable conversion plates to stick on the bike so you can dial in the equivalent resistance when instructors call it out. Optional Phone Holder are handlebar-mounted with or without a console to utilize Motosumo experience or to track your workout with a personal smart device app. Triple Link Pedals accommodate Look, Delta and SPD style cleats to simulate an outdoor riding experience.
However, the IC4 only has Bluetooth connectivity compared to the Wi-Fi capabilities of the Peloton. Another difference lies in the 22” swivel monitor from the Peloton versus the LCD backlit display. The Schwinn IC4 comes with included accessories the Peloton doesn’t have, such as 3 pound dumbbells and a heart rate monitor. The back lit LCD display is simple, like what you would find on the Rogue Echo Bike. If you want to view a class with a compatible app, you must utilize your own device. This is obviously different from bikes like Peloton that have an included screen for programming.
Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Our editors selected these deals and items because we think you will enjoy them at these prices. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn a commission. You help support OutdoorGearLab’s product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. The IC4 takes up the same amount of space as most upright style bikes.
Here’s another bike that falls around $500 and is great for beginner cyclists. The Echelon Connect Sport bike is ergonomically built, with aero handlebars and toe cage pedals to keep you in top spin form. “I recommend the Echelon Connect Sport because it is very affordable, sturdy, and has 32 levels of resistance,” says Nicole Murray, a cycling instructor for Moxie based in Miami. Murray is also a fan of the Echelon app itself, which she says helps you conveniently monitor your metrics . Emily Collins, a Los Angeles–based indoor cycling instructor at Verve Studios, also notes that you should ask yourself how much support you’ll need.
Schwinn is a well-known fitness brand that offers several types of home exercise bikes, all of which are durable, quiet, and easy to use. They are also happy with features like console and the computer, iPad holder, shoe clips, and water bottle holder. You get a flywheel, crankset belt, and resistance elements attached to the frame. Parts that need to be attached are the seat, bases, handlebars, pedals, and the fitness unit. It is one of the newest exercise bikes from the brand and was released in 2017. It is a more solid and advanced version of Schwinn IC2 and is much more reliable in terms of weight capacity, sturdiness, quality, and features.