This Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike Review is an eye-opener. This is Schwinn’s answer to an affordable recumbent bike that comes with great functionality, ease of use, and full reliability for users.
It’s got everything you could need for weight loss, fitness, and toning wrapped up in one affordable package.
This recumbent Schwinn exercise bike is a slimmed down version of the more expensive 270 model. However, it still comes with 20 different levels of resistance along with 22 workout programs. That’s only 7 less programmable workouts than the 270 recumbent bike.
It’s missing a few other features, like the heart rate chest strap monitor and bluetooth capability, but other than that it’s pretty much identical.
For my money this 230 version is the best bang for your buck and is going to save you close to $200.
Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike Features:
- Weighted flywheel for high speed inertia
- Speakers in the console
- USB charging port
- Built in Media Rack ( which is a difficult to see in my images but is there)
- On screen heart rate monitoring measured from the handlebar grips
- Dual LCD display system
LCD Computer Elements
- DualTrack LCD 2 screen for great visibility when you’re setting programs and depending on the goal track
- Goal Track for tracking your goals
- Distance
- Interval Time
- Quick STart
- Storage for 2 user profiles and workout data
- 4 custom set heart rate programs
- Calories burned
- Resistance level
- Speed
Seat Built for Comfort and Usability
— The seat is contoured as well as ventilated.
— Lumbar support built in to the backrest assures a comfortable workout.
— Quick, easy to reach and use adjustment lever with the seat on an aluminum slider rail system. — Heart rate grips Ergonomically placed for ease of use.
Schwinn Quality
If you haven’t owned a Schwinn product before, you will be impressed with the quality. Schwinn has been around for over 100 years and you’ll get plenty of experience, design, and function with the 230 recumbent bike.
When you first get the exercise bike and get the box open, you will see that as much of the frame as possible is pre-assembled. Everything is exceptionally well made and seamlessly fits together.
Assembly
One of the first things you’ll notice about the Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike when you are assembling it is how well it’s built.
Plan on at least an hour to get it put together. It can certainly be put together by one person, but 2 are going to make it much easier and faster. You will receive a full illustrated guide to help guide you step by step through to completion.
If you plan on assembling it in a different location than where you will ride the bike, it’s heavy and will require 2 people move it.
Ease of Use
Like all Schwinn products, the 230 stands out from the rest. The seat easily adjust to fit your size and has plenty of workouts to choose from. No trouble to go from enjoyable and fun rides to more intense uphill and mountain rides. Of course there’s plenty of resistance available for a good cardio workout too.
The controls and the computer are easy to find your way around and intuitive. You really can’t help but notice how smooth and quiet this exercise bike is, even when your riding fast or at high resistance levels. Just another sign of the Schwinn quality buyers have come to expect.
The controls are intuitive and easy to use, and the highest resistance levels are enough to challenge even accomplished, experienced cyclists. Noticeably, the bike is also whisper quiet, even at these higher levels. This smooth and quiet operation all reinforces the fact that the Schwinn 230 is extremely well made.
Pros
- HIgh Quality Product
- Very smooth ride on all resistance levels
- Easily adjusted seat
- Sturdy
- Many programs to choose from with 2 LCD monitors
Cons
- No chest strap monitor (it’s built into handle grips)
- May not be a good fit if over 6′ tall
- ??That’s about all the cons??
What drawbacks am I aware of?
Like any product or exercise bike, I can nit pick it until I find something wrong. However, you really will need to look close to find any drawbacks to owning this exercise bike.
About the only thing I am aware of is that it tracks users with several metrics that include heart rate, calories burned, etc. for only two users. I can see how that may be a problem if more users are really going to set up a riding schedule and depend on these metrics?
There is also not a manual adjustment for the brightness levels of the monitor?
If these very little problems are going to upset you, well, I don’t know anything to do but have a look at the more expensive model and pay for them. However, if you are looking for one of the best made, comfortable, and reliable recumbent exercise bike — The Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike at the Best Price available is for you.
Are Recumbent Bikes The Best Choice?
When I started looking for an indoor exercise bike to use at home, I found out there were a lot more choices than I realized.
- Stationary Bikes
- Folding Bikes
- Recumbent Bikes
- Upright Bikes with a Desk
- Recumbent Bikes with a Desk
- Semi-Recumbent Bikes with a Desk
- Under Desk Exercise Bikes
- Folding Under Desk Models
- Very Expensive Exercise Bikes
- Very Inexpensive Bikes
- Median Priced Bikes
- High Quality Exercise Bikes
- Medium Quality
- Very Cheap Knockoffs that probably won’t last through the first workout
Which Is The Best Choice?
My only hard and fast rule is to stay away from cheap knockoffs. Even if you have to save longer to get a reliable piece of equipment — It will be worth it in the long run!
I’ll admit right off that the Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike in this review might be a little pricey for some? However, for the money you know you are purchasing a product with a reputation for lasting power.
In fact, I have Schwinn exercise bikes that I’ve been using for close to 20 years. How long will they last? Who knows, but I rely on them and trust them for my workouts day after day.
For me that means dividing the original cost by 20 years to find the real value of purchasing a name I can count on.
What’s Different About a Recumbent Bike
- When you sit on a recumbent bike, you sit more “into” and “on top of” the frame than on an upright bike.
- Because you are sitting more “in the frame”, the pedals are more in front of you rather than under you as on upright bikes.
- On a recumbent bike you sit in a more natural and reclined sitting position than on an upright type bike.
- The seat is more of a bucket type seat with a back (usually an integral part of the seat). The seat is much larger and more natural than a small bicycle seat on most upright exercise bikes.
Benefits of Using a Recumbent Bike
- Because you sit in a more natural and reclined position, there’s much less stress on your back than an upright type bike.
- You can exercise for longer periods of time without the normal discomfort of bicycle type seats.
- Exercising on recumbent bikes is so much more comfortable you’re workouts will be longer. This means your back muscles won’t tire from having to hold yourself upright as on other type bikes.
- There’s much less impact on your joints with the pedals being in front of you, than under you. There won’t be as much pressure exerted on your hips and knees so that riding is a more gentle experience on your body.
- The hourly calorie burn is the same even though you are exercising in much more comfortable position.
- Some people feel much safer on a recumbent bike because of the closeness to the floor compared to sitting up above the pedals on uprights.
- The more comfortable you are when you do your workouts, the more apt you are to stick with your goals.
— To Summarize
If you want to up your exercise game to stay fit, lose weight, keep your body in shape, or by adding another piece of home exercise equipment to your gym:
You really can’t go wrong with a Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike.
It’s simply the right bike for the right price, and you can surely expect years of service from Schwinn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are recumbent bikes good for arthritis in my knees?
Any stationary bike is great for bad knees, but a recumbent may be your best choice.
A recumbent bike allows you to sit comfortably on a larger seat with back support for your lower back and is easier to get on and off than an upright back. With your feet in front of you vs under you on a stationary bike there is less stress on your knees and hips.
Is riding recumbent bikes good exercise?
Yes and no. Like any form of exercise it takes you putting your mind and effort into it to make it good for you. If you take the approach that you can read a book or work on your laptop while exercising you won’t get much out of it.
However, if you ride at a good pace that’s intense enough to be exercise you will burn calories, strengthen your legs, lower body, and heart.
Can I lose weight with a recumbent bike?
These bikes are great for burning calories and getting your cardio workout.
Exercise is only a part of the equation when it comes to losing weight; it also takes a change in diet and eating habits. I doubt that most overweight people can use exercise alone to overcome the eating habits that made them fat.
How much do recumbent bikes cost?
I would set a price range for new exercise bikes from $150 – $700. However, it’s important to note that you will get what you pay for when it comes to quality, useability, and longevity.
The thing about buying a Schwinn bike is that it is the highest quality and you can expect it to last for many years. Even though my recumbent isn’t that old, my upright Schwinn airdyne is 25 years old and still going strong.
What are the advantages of recumbent bikes?
- You sit more in the bike than on top of it
- More comfortable seat and riding position
- Less pressure on lower body, knees, and legs
- Less body fatigue and sore muscles in your upper body
- Easier to mount and dismount
- Easier on lower back
Can I lose belly fat on a recumbent?
Cardio exercises are one the best ways to lose belly fat, and recumbents are one of the best cardio exercise machines.
Riding at a good pace that requires exertion on your part engages your core, and that is always the route to losing belly fat.