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 that was worthy of testing.
The sturdy frame is equipped with a ventilated, race-style seat and dual-sided pedals, so you can use either the standard toe cage or SPD clips. Save $200 on an advanced Schwinn bike with this excellent deal from BestBuy. The bike can connect to Peloton, Zwift and other similar apps so you can digitally immerse yourself in a world of virtual races and stunning locations from across the globe. What’s more, the seat is easily adjustable and contoured to keep you comfortable throughout your workout.
There are some additional costs to keep in mind, like spin shoes, a tablet if you don’t already own one, and the price of the fitness app you choose to use with the IC4. For example, I pay a monthly subscription fee of $12.99 to use the Peloton app for workouts on my Schwinn IC4 bike. It’s a fairly low price to pay, considering that Peloton bike users fork over $40 a month for access to the same content. The one notable difference is that app users don’t have access to or show up on the Peloton leaderboard, which shows riders how they rank against others in the class. In fact, we’re big fans of the brand, and named the Bike+ our top pick in our test of exercise bikes. But it’s also an expensive purchase—$2,495 for the new Bike+ and $1,895 for the original Bike.
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. Although the Schwinn IC4 doesn’t have a large connected monitor to view programming on, like the 22-inch screen on the NordicTrack Commercial S22i, you’re still able to utilize various apps with the bike. The IC4 is able to sync with apps like Peloton digital, Explore the World, and Zwift via Bluetooth connectivity. 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 LCD display is centered in the handlebar and has a screen that measures 3″ L x 2″ W. The IC4 must be plugged in to power the display and Bluetooth connection. The dark screen has bright numbers and letters and shows a wealth of information at a glance, including cadence, elapsed time, estimated calories burned, speed, distance, resistance level, and pulse. The display turns on if any button is pushed or the RPM sensor is triggered when the pedals turn. The screen automatically begins to display and record your workout information when the pedals start turning. Your workout automatically pauses if the pedals stop turning for 2 seconds and your workout ends and the display powers off after 5 minutes of inactivity.
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 and fit preferences. Enhanced ergonomics, comfort and function wrapped in an even more beautiful package.
If incline and decline cycling are important to you, note the Echelon won’t let you adjust either. The high-end of low-end bikes, this Sunny Health & Fitness exercise bike equips adjustable handlebars, manually adjustable resistance and an adjustable seat. Its pedals are caged and wheels on its front legs will make it slightly easier to maneuver for huffy beach cruiser the perfect spot in your home. 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. The coronavirus pandemic has forced many people to exercise at home in the last year. Sales of fitness equipment, including exercise bikes, have seen a sharp increase as a result.
The USB port is an awesome add-on for a bike that requires the use of a separate device. I love being able to charge my phone or tablet while completing a ride without the worry of my device dying mid-ride. Unfortunately, some Android users noticed a lag between the metrics on the LCD display and their connected device. I did not personally experience this problem while using my Apple device but it is still something to be aware of.
The Schwinn IC800 features dual-sided pedals (SPD clips/toe cages), so if you have any cycling shoes lying around, you can use them for the IC800 workouts. Of course, the toe cage side of the pedals also allows you to use workout shoes for pedalling, whichever you prefer. Having the ability to adjust some of the most important components of an indoor cycling bike can not only keep you comfortable for a longer period but can help you log more miles and meet new fitness goals.