All things considered, the best recumbent bike on this website
Sometimes, you don’t have to be an expert to realize that you have come across something special. You just feel it. But, when you’re about spend a large chunk of your hard-earned cash on an expensive exercise bike, you cannot solely rely on a feeling. You have to do your due diligence and spend some time doing research on the subject.
Which is where my awesome website comes in. As you can see, modesty is not one of my strong suits, but the ability to analyse the pros and cons of each exercise bike and make an educated guess whether or not it’s worth the money, is something I’ve learned along the way.
As you probably already know, Schwinn became a household name thanks to their traditional outdoor bikes. I actually used to own one of those, and come to think of it, it’s probably still buried somewhere in the garage underneath a pile of junk. But anyway, until recently I didn’t know they had entered the exercise bike market as well. They did, decades ago, so I’m not exactly up to speed. Nevertheless, I am happy they did it.
Everything seems to indicate that they are giving these indoor bikes the same kind of attention they gave to their traditional bicycles, so let’s see what their latest recumbent bike, the Schwinn 270, has in store for us.
Schwinn 270 vs. Schwinn 230
I cant talk about the Schwinn 270 without mentioning the differences between this particular model and the Schwinn 230. After all, the two recumbent bikes look almost identical, so you must be wondering why you should spend extra cash on this one. Well, let me explain, since at first glance they might seem insignificant, but it’s those little details that matter. Schwinn 230 opts for a vented, contoured seat bottom, while the Schwinn 270 adds an extra layer of comfort with its thick padded contoured seat bottom.
There are differences regarding the resistance as well. The Schwinn 230 goes for 20 levels of magnetic eddy current, while the Schwinn 270 has 25 levels, increasing the difficulty of the workout to meet the needs of the more advanced users. As for the workout programs, it’s 22 vs. 29 in favor of the 270, with the mention that the Schwinn 270 also includes tests for fitness and recovery.
The 270 model also sports a higher number of user profiles that can be created. It’s definitely better to be able to store 4 instead of 2, especially if several members of your family want to use this recumbent bike. And last, but not least, the Schwinn 270 had its the pedal cranks and pedals redesigned, which are now 3-piece pedal cranks and oversized pedals instead of the 1-piece ones and the standard pedals that the 230 model has.
Comfort
When buying a recumbent bike, there is no doubt that comfort is one of the deciding factors which are considered by most users. A lot of people opt for a recumbent bike because they suffer from back pain. They want to stay in shape, but they want to spare their back from any kind of pressure or strain. The Schwinn 270 seems to understand those needs, since the model features enhanced lower back support and a padded seat for that extra bit of comfort.
The seat can be adjusted for various postures and this is quite helpful if more than one person intends on using the recumbent bike. Through the vented back, it’s a given that you will get some cool air while pedaling. Add the built-in fan to all of that and you’ll never find yourself pausing the exercise again because of overheating, even though the 3-speed fan isn’t particularly strong.
Features and Specifications
For a model which fits somewhere in the middle of the range rather than sitting at the top, it’s quite impressive that it manages to pack in 29 programs with tests, heart rate controls and user profiles. The grand total of 25 resistance levels is equally impressive, which takes you from the lighter workouts to the heavier ones with a touch of a simple button. Since the equipment is entirely digital, you also don’t have to worry about turning knobs for the desired setting.
DualTrack Technology
Just like the Schwinn 170, this recumbent bike uses the same kind of monitor, able to display 13 statistical parameters split into two columns: one with the results of the current workout session and the other one with the progress of the workout goal. Results include the overall distance, RPM, calories, intensity, pulse and many more. It’s a good way to motivate yourself and see how far you’ve come with your training goal.
Additionally, if you really care about the data and statistics, you can actually transfer all of the info into a USB drive, by connecting yourself either to MyFitnessPal or to SchwinnConnect. Also, since the LCD doesn’t use batteries but plugs in to the wall, you won’t have to deal with things like seeing your display dim and become unreadable once the batteries run out of juice.
Bells and Whistles
There is a water bottle holder and acoustic chamber speakers, so you can have a break without actually going off the recumbent bike. Of course, the bike features transport wheels, allowing you to move it about more easily. The grip heart rate monitor is a nifty feature, because you can check out your pulse in a matter of seconds just by holding the grip with your hand. If you prefer riding hands-free you can use the chest strap heart rate monitor with this bike, thought you will need to buy it separately. Now this is especially great for people that have had heart problems or simply want to stay in the target zone.
The Verdict
The Schwinn comes pretty damn close to being the best recumbent exercise bike out there, and it’s the model I would recommend to anybody. In fact, I have named it the best value recumbent bike overall on this website. If you decide to make it your bike of choice, you will absolutely love it. Just visit Amazon, they always have a great deal on this particular model.
Further Information