Schwinn 220, Schwinn Airdyne, Schwinn IC Pro Compared
Selecting The Best With Our Group Test: If you have been exploring the market for an Exercise Bike recently you may have found that the net is flooded with plenty of glossy, well produced sales pages but hardly any in depth third party reviews comparing models for general home use. Well, that’s all about to change. Recently I managed to get my hands (well, feet) on three of the best selling exercise bikes from the lovely people at Schwinn.
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In order to give you a wide cross section of opinion, facts and figures, we selected an entry level, (The Schwinn 220) a mid priced one (The Schwinn Airdyne) and a top of the range model (The Schwinn IC Pro) to compare their differences and to determine whether or not you should actually consider stretching your budget towards the top end of the market. The results may surprise you…
So, sweat towel and Kindle in hand I ventured forth to determine which one (if any) is worth your hard earned money.
Why Exercise Bikes? Of course, Exercise bikes are among the most commonly-used Cardio machines for people who want the convenience of being able to maintain a fitness routine within the comforts of their own home without breaking the Bank. I like Exercise Bikes in general because they are low impact on your bodies delicate joints, and they provide an excellent and effective Cardio workout without taking up the whole damn room like a Treadmill or Cross Trainer does. And when we talk about this equipment, there is no escaping the mention of Schwinn, which is one of the most popular brands in exercise Bikes due to their reputation for high quality, reliable components.
Schwinn 220: This model is a recumbent home bike, meaning that the seating position has a backing plate and the manufacturers claim is the most ergonomic riding position. Actually, I always gravitate towards recumbent Bikes myself, as they are the most comfortable to read on – which is something I always do when on an Exercise Bike. The seat is decent and sturdy enough when your peddling hard and need to ‘put your Back into it.’
Key Features: The bike itself comes with a total of 16 levels of resistance as well as a 13.2-lb flywheel. It allows you to work on a fitness test, has six course profiles, and includes 12 pre-set workout routines. It also allows you to design a custom workout routine which is a cool feature to add customised originality to your workout. The Schwinn 220 also integrates a special grip system that lets you monitor your heart rate and overall fitness easily. The heart rate monitor works well, but as for fitness levels, I don’t really need my exercise bike to tell me when I’m out of breath, and feel like collapsing. Overall though, very comprehensive.
Once your on board, you will notice that the so called ‘ergonomic pedals’ are just standard plastics with adjustable straps. However, the angles suited me and the adjustable seat and console made pedalling and reading the display both comfortable and efficient. The maximum weight it can carry is 300 pounds. Hardly an issue for me, but some of my bigger Bodybuilding friends may need to look elsewhere for an Exercise Bike to carry their huge frames.
Additional features worthy of note are the inclusion of a five-year warranty on its frame plus a one-year warranty on the electronics and other parts, as well as three months warranty on its wearable parts and on labour.
What I Liked Most About It: Among the things that I appreciate in the Schwinn 220 exercise bike is the feel that you are riding a traditional outdoor bicycle and the compact design. When you exercise on the 220, you generally rely on the core and stabilize your muscles so as to properly balance your weight. Aside from the features mentioned above, this bike also comes with the step-through design that is common in all Schwinn models. Furthermore, the weighted flywheel of this model gives you the feeling of riding on a true road as well as a smooth and consistent workout. There are also built-in stabilizers that assure you of a solid exercise platform. Best of all, the display was functional but never intrusive. Its compact size provided good info and was user friendly to program.
General Feedback: Of course, one of the best ways to determine if the Schwinn 220 is any good is to check what current users are saying about it. And it may please you to know that it is given an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5 on Amazon.
First of all, customers appreciate the fact that the assembly is very straightforward and Schwinn claims that can easily be completed within one hour without assistance, (two hours if you include a nagging girlfriend and a series of interrupting phone calls as in my case)
Another notable thing about the Bike is that it works very silently, which means you can exercise while watching your favourite show on TV and you wont even have to turn the TV volume up.
Potential Drawbacks: My only significant complaint about the Schwinn 220 is that I can only reach the handlebars if I lean forward, which means I cannot hold the handlebars while leaning against the backrest, and that the model needs to be plugged rather than running on batteries. It would have been better if the handlebars were placed before the electronic screen instead of behind it, and the need to plug the unit means that you cannot get read-outs or vary the resistance if there is no electricity.
Aside from these things, most of the other complaints are really of the trivial sort, such as the fact that the book ledge or magazine rack feature is too small. Considering the fact that its priced at $350, such minor inconveniences are forgivable, are they not? (Click Here For Best Prices)
Schwinn Airdyne: Stepping up to the middle of the Schwinn range is the very cool looking Airdyne.
The Schwinn Airdyne is an upright bike with a special air-based braking system that offers you a significant amount of resistance (as much as you want, or can handle, in fact). This means that when you push the pedals harder, you will also feel greater resistance. It also features a pair of dual-action handlebars that allows you to work both your lower and upper body. This means that you can exercise with synchronized leg and arm movements that stimulate the natural motion of your limbs. The equipment also emits a cool breeze of air as you pedal, thus giving you a comfortable workout. Furthermore, the console allows you to track your time, the distance you travel, the number of calories you burn, and a host of other important details.
Key Features: The Schwinn Airdyne promises to help you get in shape while saving some money that you would otherwise spend on gym fees. And it promises to help you do so by allowing you to regularly monitor your overall fitness via the advanced computer console. This upright bike also features an extremely quiet chain-drive system, a heart rate monitor, LCD display, comfortable seating complete with added padding, and a 300-pound maximum capacity. And you will surely appreciate the 30-year warranty on its frame, 3-year warranty on its electronics and parts, and one-year warranty on wear items and labour cost.
The Schwinn Airdyne is not a new model. In fact, it has been around for at least twenty years, with very few changes having been made on the original. This lack of modification alone should tell you much about its excellent functionality. But, if that is not enough, then perhaps you would be convinced by the fact that customers have given it an average rating of 4.6 stars out of 5 from Amazon.
What I Liked Most About It: One significant advantage of the way this model works is the fact that the resistance approach allows you to work according to your pace without having to manually set the resistance level. This makes the Airdyne a good bike for both a beginner and an experienced exerciser. The air-based system is also more durable than most, which means you can use your bike for years and expect the same smooth function. I did really like it, and it felt comfortable and more fun than a Cross Trainer actually.
Potential Drawbacks: Just like any other piece of equipment, there are, of course, some drawbacks to the Schwinn Airdyne. First is that it is a large and heavy machine, so you will definitely need considerable space where you can permanently place it. Second, the air flow can be a bit noisy, which means it will be difficult to watch TV or hold a conversation while working out. The same air flow can also send any papers flying, so be sure to keep important documents away from the machine when it is in use. So, is this an ideal exercise bike? Well, if you expect a great workout while being able to keep cool and you do not mind some noise while working out, then at $519, this could definitely be the ideal exercise bike for you. Although purists will no doubt prefer a Traditional model where your Arms are stationary. Lastly, I found the seat to be a bit hard for my liking. I cant be the only one who has thought this because I noticed you can purchase a softer replacement for about $15, so its not the end of the world really. (Click Here For Best Prices)
Schwinn IC Pro: The third Bike on our list is the top of the range Schwinn IC Pro, which is said to have been designed in such a way as to withstand hours upon hours of intense exercise routines. It should be. Because at $1017 its a lot of money to be thinking of spending. Notable features it boasts are the set of resistance levels with an infinitely variable range and the seat position that can easily be adjusted to face up, down, aft, and fore. Its maximum weight capacity is 300 pounds. Even when you are exercising within the comforts of your very own home, this bike promises to let you experience what it feels like to ride an actual road bike. It certainly does this, and the adjustable seat is by far the best I have ever sat on. Able to be completely adjusted to my individual preferences.
Key Features: The Schwinn IC Pro features the kind of geometry most often seen on a sleek racing bicycle as well as other components found on a real bicycle. The drive system of this model is composed of direct-drive gears and a 38-lb flywheel. The handlebars are very easy to use and together with the adjustable seats, allow you to choose your most comfortable seating position. Furthermore, the large levelling feet of the bike assures you of its stability, along with the reinforced axles that offer added durability to its strap pedals. The unit also has textured pads that keep you from slipping as well as transport wheel that make relocation and storage an easy task.
What I Liked Most About It: Firstly, it has to be said that this machine is the Apple Mac of Exercise Bikes. It looks AMAZING and it is horrendously overpriced 
That being said, what a centerpiece to any Home Gym! It is incredibly built and durable also. The Schwinn IC Pro comes with a 15-year warranty on its frame, a 2-year warranty on its parts, a one-year warranty on labour, and a 6-month warranty on its wear items. It is also referred to as the ultimate workhorse of the Schwinn indoor bike line. On a personal level I like the fact that this model has two water bottle holders that can accommodate a maximum of one-litre bottles. I do really chuck the old water down while working out. Man, this is a serious machine for serious cyclists. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the very same model that professional Olympic Cyclists use to train on. It really is the closest thing to riding an expensive outdoor Bike that I have ever been on. Far better than any Gym Spinning Bike by far.
Potential Drawbacks: Now, I’ll tell you what I don’t like. There was a lot of noise from the sprocket on the front part of the machine. I had a look online and I am not the only one to be saying this. All in all, customers who have used this model generally give it 3 stars out of 5 on Amazon. That’s a lot lower than I would have thought, so maybe there is something to consider there. I guess the thing is with this Bike, there isn’t really anything else to dislike, but it just feels to me that unless I was really a serious Cyclist or Training professionally this model is just overkill. Also, as The Schwinn IC Pro sells for $1017, you really should think long and hard if you plan to get one for yourself. (Click Here For Best Prices)
The Winner:
Schwinn Airdyne
Innovative And Dynamic: So, which of the three Schwinn exercise bike models is the best one for you? The answer to this question, of course, will depend in large part to your own needs, preferences and budget. However, my personal favourite is definitely the Airdyne. Its innovative, and its very cool as well both figuratively and literally. I love the all over workout and the cool air is brilliant. It is not too expensive, and it gets the highest rating from customers so far. Its also simple without being simplistic. The way that you can just get on and get going is fantastic. It may lack some of the advanced programming features of the other models but it more than makes up for it with its varying resistance. If I was on a tight budget then I would go for the Schwinn 220. As I said at the start, I love recumbent Bikes seating positions, so that is always going to be a big draw for me. Essentially though, the Airdyne wins it, because as well as being innovative it is also very well built and very reasonably priced considering you get a far better workout on this model than any other type of Bike. (Click Here For Best Prices)