This Indoor Cycling Bike Changed the Way I View Working Out at Home—and I’m Not Looking Back
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As a cycling newbie, the thought of dropping thousands on an exercise bike seemed excessive. I knew I would get a lot of use out of the at-home gym equipment, making sure that it would be worth the cost. But I still didn’t think spending nearly $1,500 on a top-of-the-line (read: Peloton) bike was worth it. So, I did my research and found the Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike. It’s cheaper than the Peloton, has Bluetooth capabilities, and looks so sleek that it’s not an eyesore in my small apartment. After three months of testing it out, I can confidently say that it exceeded my expectations. Here’s everything you need to know about the stationary bike, including how it compares to Peloton.
IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike
amazon.com
$999.00
What is the Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike?
The Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike is an exercise bike that features a back-lit LCD metric console (note: not a full-size screen) that lists time elapsed, output, calories, speed, distance, resistance, and pulse; a media device holder; and a USB charging station, so you can plug in and connect your smartphone or tablet. It has two water bottle holders and is compatible with Peloton and JRNY apps.
Twist the bright red nob between the seat and handlebars to increase or decrease resistance (there are 100 levels). The bike is unique in that it features magnetic resistance, so it’s super quiet and smooth. The handlebars and seat slide forward and back to ensure you get the best alignment for a comfortable ride.
Dual-sided pedals mean you can either clip in your spin shoes or slide your regular sneakers into toe cages. A separate Bluetooth-enabled heart rate armband and a set of three-pound dumbbells come with the bike.
The max seat height is 30.9 inches and the minimum is 24.6 inches. The total weight of the bike is 112 pounds, and it can hold weight up to 330 pounds.
The bike, according to the Schwinn website, comes with the following warranty: 10 years for the frame, three years for mechanical parts and electronics, and one year for labor.
What I like about the Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike
There’s so much to like about this bike. First, I love how quiet it is. I’ve ridden this bike while my boyfriend, who I live with, takes meetings and no one has been the wiser. It truly is whisper quiet which is great when cohabitating in a small space. The bike also has a sleek design with a small footprint. I live in a New York City apartment where space is a commodity, so this is a huge plus.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of the bike is its compatibility with the Peloton app. I’ve been a long-time Peloton user for HIIT, yoga, and strength training classes. So it was important to me that I maintain my membership and find a bike that works with it. Now, I can enjoy my favorite classes without having to pay for one of the brand’s bikes plus my membership. Another big pro is that the bike uses very little power and works even when it’s not plugged in (if you’re willing to forego using the metric console). A tiny jack at the front, bottom left of the bike plugs into the wall as the power source.
What I dislike about the Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike
While I love the bike, it’s not without its cons. The biggest one for me comes down to data. The bike does not track or log workouts, so if you want to hit a personal record or just see if you’re going further or faster than a previous ride, you’ll need a separate device (like a fitness tracker). The Bluetooth heartrate monitor needs to be worn separately—instead of having handy monitors on handlebars like some other models.
Perhaps the feature I find most frustrating: The monitor does not offer an exact output number but rather a range. This is frustrating when following along with a workout class, as many other bikes feature exact numbers. Finally, the resistance levels are not 1:1 to Peloton—so you’ll need a cheat sheet (or you can snag a handy conversion chart here) to follow along with your favorite instructor on that app.
Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike vs Peloton
The main difference between the bikes lies in their design and data-tracking capabilities (noted above). The Schwinn IC4 is a more bare-bones version of the Peloton and ideal for those not interested in tracking performance over time. Another difference is the weight racks. The Peloton has weight racks in the back while the Schwinn has them up front below the handlebars.
The Schwinn has a higher weight capacity than the Peloton and appears smaller (thanks, in part, to the lack of a screen). The total Peloton bike weight is 135 pounds, whereas the Schwinn is 113. The Peloton comes with delivery and setup, but the Schwinn IC4 offers this for an extra $100+.
Is the Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike worth it?
In short: Yes. If you’re not willing to drop upwards of $1,445 for a Peloton, the Schwinn IC4 is totally with it for all of the reasons listed above and the extra money you’ll get to keep in your bank account. The pros far outweigh the cons for me, and I absolutely love this bike.
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