But Echelon’s overall app organization isn’t as clean as Peloton’s, and—though the instructors are enthusiastic and some are very solid—the rides, workouts, and trainers can be hit or miss. The cadence sensor connects to apps like Spinning’s own Spinning Digital ($13 a month) and Peloton ($13 a month), the latter of which we used for the majority of our rides. Along with the cadence sensor, Spinning provides a Bluetooth arm-band heart-rate monitor. The bike accommodates riders from 4-foot-11 to 6-foot-5 and has a maximum rider weight of 275 pounds.
As well as the obvious, the display console also has speakers, a cooling fan, an MP3, and a USB port. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to plug my phone into the “MP3” port and listen to my own music during my ride through the bike’s speakers. It was also nice not to have to plug in a standing fan before each workout. There is also a bench on the console which holds accessories such as your phone — ideal if you are looking to use your phone to watch entertainment during your workout. Lastly, another notable difference is that a recumbent bike takes up more space in the house in comparison to a spin bike. It’s also designed for riders from 5-feet-1-inches up to 6-feet-5-inches and has a weight capacity of up to 330 pounds.
Once removed from the box, the remaining tasks can be completed by one person. It takes several minutes to remove the protective packing materials from the bike and all its parts, and the majority of the remaining assembly is relatively standard. The printed directions are detailed and easy to follow, and all of the tools and hardware needed are included.
Right from the frame to the handle and seat positioning, everything about this bike is more comfortable. I can assemble everything, hop on it and start my workouts without any elbow schwinn mountain bike grease. Also, I like the Eddy Current Resistance system more than the Digital one. 25 Resistance settings –The VR21 features 25 resistance settings that are digitally controlled.
The frame is constructed of aluminum and includes a sweat protection powder coating. If you’re looking for a heavier flywheel and a longer warranty, you might be better off schwinn mountain bike checking out XTERRA’s SB4500. It wasn’t until I started updating this review that I noticed that a lot of the great budget-friendly recumbents aren’t around anymore.
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). It’s also a great value since it retails for significantly less than many of the other connected bikes on the market. Should you find the Bowflex C6 priced for less, buy that bike, as they are the same model with different paint schemes.