[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]

Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike Review

WHAT A GREAT VALUE!

"This bike was a gamble...buying an exercise bike sight unseen was risky. However, from the moment it arrived to just a few minutes ago, it has been evidence of a very good decision. First, we saved a bundle buying from this site. Then, after a couple of months, it has nearly paid for itself since we could finally drop our gym membership. Having a bike at home is luxurious for oh so many reasons. No more stuffy fitness center air, filled with germs, sweat and...you get the picture. What a treat to be able to walk from the desk to the studio and ride for a half hour or so whilst watching taped television from earlier in the day. We don't have to drive in the Oregon rain during daylight hours (safety is an issue in today's society) only to find the only empty bike is next to the hairy guy who somehow manages to fling sweat nearly five feet in every direction when he rides. Now, we can hear the television or enjoy a book without dealing with someone playing rap or country on the overhead stereo system. And if that wasn't enough, now we can ride at home without having to pretend we are hard of hearing when that special someone decides I look like someone who is truly interested in what happened at the singles bar last night. We're saving so much time, money, fuel and risk.Now, on to the bike, so to speak. This bike is good looking. Too good looking to risk covering up by using it as a plant stand! [...] We'd recommend having it placed on a padded work surface so whomever actually assembles it will be comfortable. Assembly took about 3/4 hour with common household tools. Even the electrical system was a snap. Gotta say, however, we paid a handyman to assemble it due to our physical restrictions, but he commented that anyone could do it provided they have full mobility. He said the directions were not as clear as the pictures, and like others, recommended new owners should follow the photos and disregard the text. After assembly, we wheeled the bike into the studio and without even reading the operation manual, we were able to ride successfully in the Quick Start mode. NOTE: Now, a full month or so later, I have read the manual and have programmed in my personal preference.The bike is extremely quiet. In fact, the first few minutes, we thought it wasn't working! The bike is steady, creek free and a joy to ride. The seat is comfortable and the adjustable positions make it easy for either of us to use. The unit has a book rack which is also adjustable although we haven't had to do that yet. Front handle grips make my husband's interval training a snap and the heart rate monitor is right on the money every time. We've compared it to a handheld unit and believe it or not, it calibrates perfectly. The diagnostic panel can be programmed in far more ways than I can imagine necessary but since it is so simple to use, it really doesn't matter.The only change I would recommend seems to have already been incorporated into the 2009 model. This was an oddly placed AC plug...it was in FRONT of the bike, near the flywheel. This year, it is located in back, under the seat. This new location makes it easier to plug into a wall outlet and face the bike INTO the room, assuming the rider wants to watch television not look out the window. Even our flywheel plug location was easily plugged into the wall, we just had to scoot the bike back a bit. Not a big deal by any means.So, as you can see, we are thrilled with our purchase. We're getting healthier, on our own time and at our own rate, putting money in our pocket, using less fuel, staying safer at night by staying home to exercise, catching up on our reading and/or television viewing AND in a pinch, we have one heck of a good looking plant stand!"