Recumbent Bike Series

My first bike was a Schwinn and was my favorite. Now at 60, I decided to get a recumbent exercise bike to help me continue my weight lose journey, 40# so far, and to keep me on track when it rains and I can't get outside to walk. The box arrived in 2 days and was in perfect condition. It took me 3 hours by myself, and in no big hurry to put together, very easy if I should say so. The only thing that was difficult for me to do was trying to connect the wire connections between the fly wheel and the monitor mount. Two hands would've worked here. Once everything was put together I gave it a try. Adjusting the seat was a little hard to get it to disengage so I could slide it up and down. Once I figured it out, it got better. But I got it where it needs to be and won't be Adjusting it anymore. Today I used the rolling hills program and rode it for 30 minutes, and was sweating pretty good, after I was finished. The Pros are Noise level- no noise at all. Build quality- Excellent Stability- Excellent- at 240 lbs it didn't Move at all. Resistance levels- 1-4 are pretty much the same. 5-10 is far as I got and you could fill it getting harder everytime you went up a level. So 24 levels of resistance should do just fine. Price- well worth the $799 for the quality of Schwinn. If you are in your later years and need a great excercise recumbent bike at N affordable price, then this is the one to get.

Got the Schwinn Bike, and have been using it. I love it! It’s great, but has some cons. Pros: -Sturdy - Easy to assemble (one guy here, and it took me about 2 hours all together to assemble) - Great workout (haven’t tried all the modes, but I like putting it in manual and riding at a consistent speed- there is definitely enough resistance to get you working) - Heart Rate Monitor WORKS! So many of these machines have a cut rate heart rate monitor- this isn’t the best, but it always matches up with my Apple Watch. - Easy to move Cons: - Size spectrum- I’m 6’7, and it’s definitely a bit small for me. I can make it work, but I’d say if you’re 6’3 or taller, maybe look for a better fitting model - Uncomfortable Seat- it’s not bad, but it’s plastic and doesn’t have cushioning. I recommend a seat cover - No back light for the screen- not a huge problem, if you have a light on but if it’s darker and you want to check something I’ve found myself using my phones flashlight haha Overall, for the price, it’s amazing! It’s not a state of the art machine you’d find in a gym, but it does the job. 100% recommend!

This replaced a Schwinn SRB-1700 that I purchased 20 years ago for $189. It lasted for 20 years and 3 cross country moves, so I purchased another Schwinn. Bottom Line: Once assembled, it is a good bike. Very smooth and quiet. Functions exactly as advertised. Glad I bought it. My experience with the issues expressed in other reviews - Assembly: Is simple, with the exception of installing the seat braces. As with many others, the brackets are not welded on correctly and don't line up. I was able to bend mine, and grind open the mounting holes on the brackets to allow attachment. Several threaded holes were not threaded properly and would not accept the bolt. I was able to use a Tap to repair the threads, and install the screws. Most people don't have the tools I have available to them, which could make assembly difficult or impossible. Very disappointing. Heart Monitor: I found the Heart Monitor to be within 2 beats of my smart watch. The key is don't squeeze the handles too tightly, or it will read high. Just "grip" them enough to make skin contact. Pedal Height from Floor: Yes, these pedals are much closer to the floor than the previous model. I wear a size 12 shoe and am able to properly pedal without hitting the floor. But I think a larger foot would have issues. Pedal Straps: The straps work fine for my size 12 shoes. But I think a larger foot would have issues. Crank Arms: I do have issues with modern day tennis shoes with wide heals for stability hitting the crank arms as you pedal. Not a bid deal, just a bit annoying. Plastic Seat: The seat is comfortable enough. I do not feel like I need to add a pad.

After reading through the numerous varieties of recumbent bikes (and reviews), I went with the Schwinn, mainly due to reputation and what I hope will be reliability. I’m in my mid 60s, in good health but don’t get (AKA enjoy) much exercise. My dr suggested a recumbent bike, which he said would be something I could use into my 80s+. I paid the $10 for Amazon to deliver inside, which was well worth it (tracks where the truck is and it’s estimated 3-hr delivery window) and provides reliable and friendly delivery. I was able to put the bike together by myself (over a 2 hour period, including various breaks). The directions (more like diagrams) were easy to follow, for the most part. I had to look closely several times but the parts were all listed and identifiable, which I laid out prior to beginning (including the hardware from from A-J or whatever the last letter was). This was extremely helpful, but be extra careful cutting the groups away from the cardboard as I had accidentally cut off a couple of letters and had to go back to the fist page to figure which bolt was which. The first photo was everything unboxed (the large main piece was a bit difficult and heavy to get out of the box by myself - husband wasn’t home, but I couldn’t wait to get started), so I cut one of the sides of the boxes and drug it straight out (this was the most difficult part). 😄 The last photo is the finished product. Lastly, the bike is super quiet (my husband didn’t even realize I was peddling yet while we were watching a movie). The only thing that doesn’t appear to be working correctly is the heart rate monitor on the lower handles. It showed an extremely high rate (200+range) but my Apple Watch reflected 90-100, which is more normal for me when slightly exercising). I’ll go back and look at the directions, in case I’m not holding onto them correctly. Overall, this is a GREAT bike and especially for the price!

Another amendment to my initial review... In addition to not being able to run jrny (unless I buy another tablet) now I realize I can't connect the bluetooth without zwift, which I have to pay for monthly. In other words, I should have purchased a mickeymouse $150 bike because ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES THAT REALLY APPEALED IN THE HYPE DO NOT WORK UNLESS I PAY FOR THEM EVERY MONTH. I wouldn't mind paying a monthly charge if I could use jrny, which was one of the main reasons I bought this piece of crap, but I don't have the right tablet and I'll be cotton-picked if I'm going to buy anything else, given that buying this stupid bike in the first place just about broke the bank. Boy, these guys sure saw me comin'... Amending my initial review yet again: OK, part of the aggravation with this bike is on me, I will admit. I am NOT a particularly tech-savvy person. If you're interested in this bike, be sure you read every bit of fine print and go over it with someone who understands the technology bits. I selected this bike because of the JRNY software, I was excited about the video capabilities, riding with other bikers or traveling through all kinds of places. What I did not realize is that the software is not compatible with anything I already own... not with Windows, not with my Kindle. So the only screen I can use is my smart phone. Teeny-tiny screen... so I can ride through lots of places, but the video is so small I can't pick up much of any detail. Bummer. I could buy another tablet to use, but I already spent what is, to me, a TON of money. So I guess I'll just ride the old boring way... which I could have done for much less money had I understood the connectivity -- or lack thereof. What a waste of money. Amending my review, dropping two stars to one star. The bike has been sitting useless for almost two weeks waiting for a service tech. Never worked. Today I had an email from tech, they state they will have a tech here in almost TWO WEEKS MORE. Four weeks this thing is sitting here like a lump. Meanwhile my insurance won't pay for more P.T. so I'm getting no therapy... THAT'S WHY WE BOUGHT THE STUPID BIKE! Schwinn, or whoever you are, you should be embarrassed. Bike arrived, my husband set it up. Setup is challenging, but if you go step by step using the manual it can be done. Unfortunately, once done there is no power to the unit. So we called the manufacturer, they made a couple of suggestions -- still nuthin'. They were going to send out replacement cables RIGHT AWAY, they arrived about a week later. Slow boat from China? Also were given contact info for a technician. If the cables worked we were to contact the tech and tell him not to come, if they didn't work we should wait to hear from the tech to schedule an on-site visit. Still haven't heard a peep. All things considered, this bike is probably the most expensive PAPER WEIGHT I've ever purchased. Shame on you, Nautilus/Schwinn!

I took pictures of the box when delivered and the UPS man was very concerned, but despite the box being in bad shape nothing was damaged and no lost parts. I am extremely good at assembling things and this took me 3 hours at the least. I would suggest buying a 4 and 6 mm Allen wrench that you can use with a socket. It would probably save 45 minutes as the included Allen tool is very slow to use. There are several points of assembly where it’s worth re-reading and looking at pictures. Especially for the seat assembly. Anyway, once assembled it has a very nice display and is extremely quiet. It has nice canned workouts and is easy and intuitive to use. We are not interested, but there is an app you get for free for a while and then can subscribe. As described in title it is very well made and solid and the seat is very comfortable. For those of you who may not know, Schwann, Nautilus, Bowflex and Jenny are all in same company.

1- the description says "Thick padded contoured seat with large vented back " This is a lie. Look at the pictures in the listing. It is a plastic hard vented seat. However, having read the reviews and seeing the pics I bought a seat cushion for it. A must. Included Is the cushion seat I added, and oh yea, like sitting on a cloud versus that horrid seat. And it seems to prevent the shaking people keep talking about. 2- Step two of the directions asks you to connect two bars to seat slider. One fits barely, the other is actually too long. The one that was too long was also almost all the way unscrewed (maybe for that reason?).. after much consternation I held my breath and bent it..twice... to make it barely fit. The pic shows the bend somewhat. Be careful bending it. I did that because the one that fit was a little bent and the one that did not was straight. But this is due to the directions. 3- As for the directions, A few simple sentences could have made this less painful, but was not too bad having had to put together a lot of stuff over time. 4- For some strange reason, the wires do not come out very well and to install correctly you must take off the wires holding them in place. I would imagine easy to lose them. Also, if by yourself, that cover over the pedals makes it a bear to hold it up, hold the stalk, hold the lower wires, and place the upper wires into it. Feel that it would be very easy to not fully connect them, but it worked. 5- I am 6'4" and I fit, but like most things its not like my legs are extended much at all. However, see 6. 6- This is not a athletic high end go for broke olympic bike, its just a home recumbant bike. I plan on just using it after work or in the mornings for a bit, especially if raining, just to keep the blood pumping. I sit for a living so this will help in spare time without having to walk in rain and such. 7- So far it is very quiet. The computer is not that hard to figure out, but no backlight, have a lamp nearby. However, it is a bit confusing on changing things and such..no directions, so in any case i just stop it, stop pedaling, then try to change to manual and such. It seems to get stuck at times. SImple directions would have been nice, but not included. smh. Edit: There is a manual on their website with directions. 7a- there is plastic cover on top of display, once you can find the edge and take it off it is easier to read, but still no back light. 8- apparently there is a bluetooth for programs if you want, and have to go to their site to find out which apps work with it, so there is that. The heart rate and bpm is cool, but if you need that, then I think you would rather have much better equipment to measure that than trust this. Not sure if any apps work with it or just there special apps to make them money, thats for you to research. EDIT: Now having used it, the monitor really needs you to hold both hands correctly on the bars. However, it will take a few minutes for you to figure out which is right or wrong, can mean a 100 bpm difference. 9- Seems like it is alright once put together. It does have a holder for a pad or phone, but honestly a little jostle and that sucker could go flying off, So not my first choice. Maybe a clip of some kind to make sure? I bought a rollable tv/bed stand to put a laptop on to peruse while biking. 10- I have tile floors and just bought a cheap 2 foot wide carpet from home depot, and it was just as long as the unit. That being said, moving it with the carpet a no go. Basically I move the bike, move the carpet, then move it on the carpet. 10- thought it was battery operated, it is not. Must be plugged in. Thus me having to move it closer to socket. Rather not have it next to a wall, but it is what it is. Long extension cord maybe? who knows, just got it. 11- since it is plugged in, has bluetooth, there seems no reason under the sun for it not to be backlit, but I knew this buying it, however, its still lame. What were they thinking? 12- I do not know why they call it a comfort seat. And it is really small. Lastly, I had ordered a few different kinds of bikes from amazon but all orders were over 2 weeks and still not shipped so canceled each one, tried another. This one actually came within a few days of ordering, so there is that. Made in "china". Remember that part of back to the future when the doc looked at the chip and said "made in japan? no wonder it does not work" and marty says "doc, all the good stuff comes from japan?" Well, that car would never have made it nowadays. Made in china. So I expect failure, but will wait and see. I would register for warranty right away. 6'4" is usable, 36" inseam, but your knees will be high on the up pedal. good luck and be safe.

It is really well-made. I did have to hire someone to put it together, but that’s mostly because I’m 78 and have arthritis. There are instructions if you have the patience. It’s comfortable and the seat is adjustable. I found the screen a little hard to read because it’s dark gray on light gray And again I’m 78. It’s quite heavy so it stays in place well and it’s quiet so I can read or play a game on my tablet to make the time go a little faster or even watch TV. The resistance is also very adjustable so it’s great for the beginner or someone who is already in better shape and just wants to stay that way And that’s a feature that I was really looking for.