Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike
Editor’s Conclusion
A good stationary bike is a great way to build muscle and burn fat when stuck indoors, and the Schwinn IC4 is one of the best bikes currently out there on the market.
Users love this bike because it clocks in at a more affordable price point than similar designs out there (looking at you, Peloton!), and provides users with a super quiet and enjoyable ride. The very first thing that I noticed about this bike is that it runs almost silently.
It utilizes a 40-pound flywheel that is cable-driven with additional magnetic resistance. The design of this bike is perfect to take on early morning rides when the rest of the house is still sleeping. It also includes a detailed display screen that allows you to keep on top of all of your progress at a glance.
The frame of this bike is something that you may not necessarily hate putting in your living room. The sleek gunmetal frame with the exposed flywheel and sleek red accents deserves more than tucked into a corner in your garage.
Below, I wanted to dive into all of the advanced features of the Schwinn IC4, as well as why it may actually be a better investment over a Peloton bike!
Users love this bike because it clocks in at a more affordable price point than similar designs out there (looking at you, Peloton!), and provides users with a super quiet and enjoyable ride. The very first thing that I noticed about this bike is that it runs almost silently.
It utilizes a 40-pound flywheel that is cable-driven with additional magnetic resistance. The design of this bike is perfect to take on early morning rides when the rest of the house is still sleeping. It also includes a detailed display screen that allows you to keep on top of all of your progress at a glance.
The frame of this bike is something that you may not necessarily hate putting in your living room. The sleek gunmetal frame with the exposed flywheel and sleek red accents deserves more than tucked into a corner in your garage.
Below, I wanted to dive into all of the advanced features of the Schwinn IC4, as well as why it may actually be a better investment over a Peloton bike!
Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Affordable price point
Offers Bluetooth connectivity
Fully adjustable seat and handlebars
Magnetic resistance
40-pound flywheel runs virtually silently
Includes toe cages and shoe clips
Cons
Very simplistic LCD screen display
Assembly required
The seat is a little too stiff for some
Key Features
PERFORMANCE
Users simply love the drive system feel of this bike. It boasts a 40-pound flywheel that runs virtually silently. Plus, this heavy-duty flywheel feels very similar to riding your bike on freshly placed asphalt.
The flywheel is smooth and steady, and the 100-pound weight of the bike holds firmly to the ground and won’t wobble when you really start to pick up the pace.
I also love that the pedals offer up a few options for experienced riders. The topside of the pedals hosts a spin class toe cage to ensure that your feet are securely locked in for a brutal workout.
If you flip the pedals over, the underside offers riders shoe clips that hook onto your bike shoes to lock your feet in place without the need for a cage.
MATERIALS
The frame is composed of welded steel with a sleek gunmetal matte finish. It also boasts an exposed flywheel that not only looks great, but it doesn’t require ongoing maintenance like closed flywheels systems.
The handlebars are incredibly comfortable and composed of a grippy rubber that locks your hands in place as your ride.
What I also love about this bike is that it boasts a split race-style seat that boosts breathability, and is incredibly comfortable for those long classes.
The overall comfort of this seat boils down to a matter of personal preference. If you love a slightly firmer seat, this is a great option.
If you like a little more cushioning, you can always swap out this seat for something a little softer and kinder to your behind.
RESISTANCE
The resistance on this Schwinn bike is good, but it’s not great. This updated version of the Schwinn IC4 uses magnetic resistance rather than friction resistance. The style of resistance is a lot more reliable, and it also makes the bike run much more smoothly and quietly.
To adjust the resistance, simply turn the bright red knob a few times. The resistance offered on this bike ranges from 1-100 and displays your current resistance level on the display screen.
Compared to other bikes, such as Peloton, the highest resistance setting just isn’t as difficult as the highest setting on a Peloton bike.
LCD DISPLAY
The on-screen display on the Schwinn IC4 is simple, but it gets the job done. This screen displays your speed, time in use, calories burned, distance, and heart rate (if you have a heart rate monitor connected to your bike).
Sure, the display doesn’t quite have the extra bells and whistles of more modern displays, but it also has a tablet holder and Bluetooth connectivity to create your own onboard screen display!
BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY
What I love most about this bike is that it boasts Bluetooth connectivity and a secure tablet holder that allows you to subscribe to a wide variety of workout apps.
It is compatible with workout apps that include Zwift, Explore the World (my personal favorite), and even the Peloton app! It’s important to note that many of these workouts require a monthly fee, but also offer free trials so that you can shop around for what app works best for you.
Unlike Peloton, the Schwinn IC4 allows you to find the perfect training app instead of locking you into Peloton’s app.
ADJUSTABILITY
This bike is designed to accommodate a wide variety of users, whether you are a little on the short side, or super tall.
The seat is able to be adjusted up and down for a more comfortable ride that allows for full extension of your knees, and the seat can also be moved forward and backward as well.
While most bikes don’t allow users to adjust the handlebars, the handlebars on this bike are able to be adjusted back and forth for a comfortable ride that is perfect for your unique frame.
PRICE
To me, the best part of this bike is that it comes in at an affordable price point. While it is not exactly budget-friendly, it offers users excellent value. It is secure and wobble-free, and the 40-pound flywheel provides users with a smoother ride when compared to less expensive options.
It’s also important to note that this bike goes on sale quite frequently, so be on the lookout for a good deal!
Also, if you want to save a little bit of money you can always opt for the IC3. While it doesn’t offer the same advanced Bluetooth connectivity and the frame and performance are very similar.
Plus, it comes in at a price point that is a few hundred bucks cheaper than the IC4.
Schwinn Ic4 VS Peloton
When shopping around for a new bike, Peloton has most likely come up more than once. I wanted to take a moment to compare these two bikes side by side and break down their features and overall performance.
The biggest difference between these two bikes boils down to on-screen displays. The Schwinn IC4 boasts a very simple LCD display that details your progress, and nothing more.
The Peloton, on the other hand, has a very large touch screen display that connects to the Peloton app and allows you to remotely take live spin classes (as well as complete on their leaderboard).
The touch screen display is primarily responsible for Peloton’s high price point. When you compare the specs and performance of the actual bike, these two designs are very similar.
I love the onscreen display on the Peloton bike, but it’s hard to spend that kind of money on a bike.
Plus, the Schwinn IC4 boasts a tablet rack and is Bluetooth compatible. This means that you can download the Peloton app to your tablet and participate in the same live spin classes.
The only downside is that you won’t be included in the Peloton leaderboard. The upside? You get all of the benefits of a Peloton live workout while saving over 1,000 bucks!
Users simply love the drive system feel of this bike. It boasts a 40-pound flywheel that runs virtually silently. Plus, this heavy-duty flywheel feels very similar to riding your bike on freshly placed asphalt.
The flywheel is smooth and steady, and the 100-pound weight of the bike holds firmly to the ground and won’t wobble when you really start to pick up the pace.
I also love that the pedals offer up a few options for experienced riders. The topside of the pedals hosts a spin class toe cage to ensure that your feet are securely locked in for a brutal workout.
If you flip the pedals over, the underside offers riders shoe clips that hook onto your bike shoes to lock your feet in place without the need for a cage.
MATERIALS
The frame is composed of welded steel with a sleek gunmetal matte finish. It also boasts an exposed flywheel that not only looks great, but it doesn’t require ongoing maintenance like closed flywheels systems.
The handlebars are incredibly comfortable and composed of a grippy rubber that locks your hands in place as your ride.
What I also love about this bike is that it boasts a split race-style seat that boosts breathability, and is incredibly comfortable for those long classes.
The overall comfort of this seat boils down to a matter of personal preference. If you love a slightly firmer seat, this is a great option.
If you like a little more cushioning, you can always swap out this seat for something a little softer and kinder to your behind.
RESISTANCE
The resistance on this Schwinn bike is good, but it’s not great. This updated version of the Schwinn IC4 uses magnetic resistance rather than friction resistance. The style of resistance is a lot more reliable, and it also makes the bike run much more smoothly and quietly.
To adjust the resistance, simply turn the bright red knob a few times. The resistance offered on this bike ranges from 1-100 and displays your current resistance level on the display screen.
Compared to other bikes, such as Peloton, the highest resistance setting just isn’t as difficult as the highest setting on a Peloton bike.
LCD DISPLAY
The on-screen display on the Schwinn IC4 is simple, but it gets the job done. This screen displays your speed, time in use, calories burned, distance, and heart rate (if you have a heart rate monitor connected to your bike).
Sure, the display doesn’t quite have the extra bells and whistles of more modern displays, but it also has a tablet holder and Bluetooth connectivity to create your own onboard screen display!
BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY
What I love most about this bike is that it boasts Bluetooth connectivity and a secure tablet holder that allows you to subscribe to a wide variety of workout apps.
It is compatible with workout apps that include Zwift, Explore the World (my personal favorite), and even the Peloton app! It’s important to note that many of these workouts require a monthly fee, but also offer free trials so that you can shop around for what app works best for you.
Unlike Peloton, the Schwinn IC4 allows you to find the perfect training app instead of locking you into Peloton’s app.
ADJUSTABILITY
This bike is designed to accommodate a wide variety of users, whether you are a little on the short side, or super tall.
The seat is able to be adjusted up and down for a more comfortable ride that allows for full extension of your knees, and the seat can also be moved forward and backward as well.
While most bikes don’t allow users to adjust the handlebars, the handlebars on this bike are able to be adjusted back and forth for a comfortable ride that is perfect for your unique frame.
PRICE
To me, the best part of this bike is that it comes in at an affordable price point. While it is not exactly budget-friendly, it offers users excellent value. It is secure and wobble-free, and the 40-pound flywheel provides users with a smoother ride when compared to less expensive options.
It’s also important to note that this bike goes on sale quite frequently, so be on the lookout for a good deal!
Also, if you want to save a little bit of money you can always opt for the IC3. While it doesn’t offer the same advanced Bluetooth connectivity and the frame and performance are very similar.
Plus, it comes in at a price point that is a few hundred bucks cheaper than the IC4.
Schwinn Ic4 VS Peloton
When shopping around for a new bike, Peloton has most likely come up more than once. I wanted to take a moment to compare these two bikes side by side and break down their features and overall performance.
The biggest difference between these two bikes boils down to on-screen displays. The Schwinn IC4 boasts a very simple LCD display that details your progress, and nothing more.
The Peloton, on the other hand, has a very large touch screen display that connects to the Peloton app and allows you to remotely take live spin classes (as well as complete on their leaderboard).
The touch screen display is primarily responsible for Peloton’s high price point. When you compare the specs and performance of the actual bike, these two designs are very similar.
I love the onscreen display on the Peloton bike, but it’s hard to spend that kind of money on a bike.
Plus, the Schwinn IC4 boasts a tablet rack and is Bluetooth compatible. This means that you can download the Peloton app to your tablet and participate in the same live spin classes.
The only downside is that you won’t be included in the Peloton leaderboard. The upside? You get all of the benefits of a Peloton live workout while saving over 1,000 bucks!
Comparisons to Previous Versions
As far as built quality is concerned, there are very few differences found between the Schwinn IC3 and the IC4. They look very similar at face value, and both boast the same seats, adjustability, handlebars, pedals, and screen display.
However, there are two very important areas where the IC4 is notably improved over previous iterations.
The most important upgrade made to the IC4 is the addition of Bluetooth connectivity. Users have the option of syncing their tablet to their bike and downloading a wide variety of fitness apps that they can ride along with, and that includes the Peloton app! It can also sync to the health app on your phone to easily track your progress.
Another great Schwinn product we reviewed is the 270 Recumbent Bike, so make sure to check it out as well.
Another area where I noticed a big improvement lies in the flywheel. Older versions of this bike used friction resistance to amp of the difficulty on the flywheel.
The IC4 dropped the friction resistance and opted for magnetic resistance instead. This change makes the resistance more consistent, and a lot less noisy.
However, there are two very important areas where the IC4 is notably improved over previous iterations.
The most important upgrade made to the IC4 is the addition of Bluetooth connectivity. Users have the option of syncing their tablet to their bike and downloading a wide variety of fitness apps that they can ride along with, and that includes the Peloton app! It can also sync to the health app on your phone to easily track your progress.
Another great Schwinn product we reviewed is the 270 Recumbent Bike, so make sure to check it out as well.
Another area where I noticed a big improvement lies in the flywheel. Older versions of this bike used friction resistance to amp of the difficulty on the flywheel.
The IC4 dropped the friction resistance and opted for magnetic resistance instead. This change makes the resistance more consistent, and a lot less noisy.
Verdict
If you are in the market for a great stationary bike that is built like a tank and made to withstand years of brutal workouts, the Schwinn IC4 is a great choice. What I love most about this bike is that it is built very similar to the Peloton series, but without the shocking price point.
It runs incredibly quietly, boasts comfortable and adjustable features from the pedals all the way to the handlebars, and has a tablet stand that allows you to connect to the workout app of your choosing.
Overall, the build quality of this bike is quite similar to the Peloton series of stationary bikes. The biggest difference is that it doesn’t come with an advanced touch screen display.
However, if you have your own tablet, you can create your own display and save yourself a good chunk of change. Before you drop a few grand on a Peloton, be sure to give the Schwinn IC4 a look!
It runs incredibly quietly, boasts comfortable and adjustable features from the pedals all the way to the handlebars, and has a tablet stand that allows you to connect to the workout app of your choosing.
Overall, the build quality of this bike is quite similar to the Peloton series of stationary bikes. The biggest difference is that it doesn’t come with an advanced touch screen display.
However, if you have your own tablet, you can create your own display and save yourself a good chunk of change. Before you drop a few grand on a Peloton, be sure to give the Schwinn IC4 a look!
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