This review is here to help you along your way by providing a thorough explanation of everything this exercise bike has to offer. Right from the frame to the handle and seat positioning, everything about this bike is more comfortable. Even the plastic components are practically blemish free after 5-months of use (for my bike). All in all, it’s a pretty good option even for commercial settings. The biggest difference between these models, as far as I can tell, is the updated console and the redesigned frame (the 290 also has a higher weight limit, 330 lb vs 300 lb). Anyway, when it comes to the frame, I think the 290 scores very well.
Two years on parts is pretty average for this price range, where most will come with guarantees in the 1-3 year range. And with an impressive weight limit of 330 lb, the 290 is also able to safely accommodate most riders as well. Just know that having more resistance levels doesn’t necessarily mean more overall resistance. There are some though, in this price range, that do come with more weight under the hood. Flywheel weights will vary, but higher-end models tend to come with heavier flywheels (20 lb+) and affordable recumbents tend to come with lighter flywheels (less than 15 lb).
I thoroughly enjoyed taking the heart rate program classes on the bike. Before starting the class, I set a heart rate goal for my workout; it took me a few classes to figure out what to put for my goal and in the end, I found working in the zone of 70-80% to be the best. These heart rate workouts encourage you to stay within this selected zone and therefore, make you work harder to keep your heart rate up. Although I’m sure an external heart rate monitor from POLAR would be more accurate, using the grip heart rate monitors sufficed. (In order for the machine to read your heart rate, you have to hold both hands on the grip for seconds).
The main LCD screen is 3” X 5” making it easy to read throughout your entire ride. The two screens display all the information you could need during your workout such as the time, speed, calories burned, distance, resistance level, your heart rate zone, goal achievement, and more. The displays are not touchscreen, but the buttons are easy to navigate and I found the resistance buttons particularly useful. There are two main types of resistance found in an exercise bike or smart bike. A brake-based (direct-contact or electromagnetic) system or air, the third resistance option is water but other than aquabikes that are placed in the actual pool the offering is all but zero.
The Yosuda Pro Indoor Cycling Bike L-010 disappointed us with its cheap feel, and our testers did not enjoy their time on it (one called it a “tin can”). The resistance didn’t respond well, the flywheel was loud, and the LCD screen was so dim that we could barely read it. In general, I rode each bike at least three times with a streamed class, and I assessed the fit, feel, and function of each machine, noting how all of that affected the overall experience. But if you’re a little put off by the warranty, you should check out the Nautilus R616– it’s basically identical to the 270 in terms of features and price, but comes with a better warranty. I like the vast workout library and that you get 25 levels of resistance to work with- this is a nice combination when it comes to adding variety and intensity to your routine. As their most advanced recumbent bike to date, the Schwinn 270 doesn’t disappoint either.
It’s cheaper than the Wahoo option, but nearly double that of the Echelon option. The basic set up (and membership) includes daily live streamed classes, as well as 24hr access to the virtual studio for an entire household. There’s curated playlists for all genres, instructors and coaches, as well as leaderboards to keep you motivated. There’s even additional extra options that schwinn mountain bike include strength, stretch and yoga classes. The saddle height and fore/aft can be adjusted along with the handlebar height, very similar to a regular gym spin bike, and in theory you could attach your own pedals. If there is no connectivity, this doesn’t mean the exercise bike isn’t still a great option, you just need to be on top of monitoring your progress in another way.
You can also fit the bike to your exact specifications with help from the very detailed and informative Wahoo fitness app. Connectivity comes via ANT+ or Bluetooth, and you can use set workouts via the Wattbike Hub, its own training and analysis platform, or you can hook it up to an indoor training app. We found the Neo Bike Plus to have possibly the smoothest ride feel of any indoor trainer we have tested, thanks to the Neodymium magnets in the flywheel to create resistance.
Interval training is a lot easier without needing to worry about traffic or the weather, for example. The other obvious disadvantage of foldaway exercise bikes, is that in order to keep the machine as portable as possible, they will naturally have a lightweight build quality, which will limit tension settings. The bike provides a more upright riding position than other smart exercise bikes, so longer torso riders might feel a bit squished up, while others may find the ride feel too distant from their real road bike. Specifically, the bike offers 25 levels of resistance, 29 built-in workouts, 2 LCD display screens, a media rack, dual water bottle holder, and USB port for charging your device as you ride. Schwinn recumbent exercise bikes, like the Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike, offer magnetic resistance, Bluetooth capabilities, and a ventilated seat all at a good price point. The frames on recumbent bikes are designed a lot more horizontally than standard upright bikes that are more vertical.