Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike

"I'm using this to strenthen my leg muscles to provide more support for my knees. I was using one in physical therapy and am continuing at home now. It is the only exercise I can do at this time except for water exercises that is not painful. Great bike, very quiet and smooth. [...] It was easy for my husband to assemble."

"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!"

"Both my husband and I have enjoyed this recumbent. It's easy to use and a smooth ride!

I especially like the "GOOD JOB!" message that appears when you reach your goal. Also like the walk-thru feature instead of having to hike your leg over a bar - to the young and fit - it wouldn't seem like a consideration - but we're a little bit older now and will take help when we can get it!



We have a treadmill which we've used a lot but now have some ongoing problems with feet and knees so we thought this would be a great way to be able to keep exercising.



Plus we received it in an astonishingly short time after placing the order. It's a very well made bike - we like it a lot - thank you!"

"Even if you think you are so out of shape you couldn't possibly ride this bike, think again, and give it a try! I have been lazy and let myself get out of shape the past 3 years due to not feeling well overall and a medical condition. I had gained 50 lbs. due to a sluggish thyroid which medication has now brought under control. Still I had that 50 lbs. to lose. (As always stated, please check with your doctor beginning any exercise program).Having used a treadmill and a Gazelle glider and finding myself bored with both of them, I decided to try a recumbent bike as this was one piece of exercise equipment I hadn't yet tried. So before I took the plunge to order this, I checked out this same model bike at [...] and immediately fell in love. So the treadmill and Gazelle both went on [...] and luckily I sold them for a decent amount of money.Using this bike doesn't feel like exercise at all, and it is so quiet I can watch the local evening news on TV and the time flies by.I love the different programs. At the moment I only do the Ride in the Park or the Crosstrainer programs. I don't know if I will ever progress to Pike's Peak, but that program gives me something to shoot for. So whether you are like me (previously doing no exercise) or a serious outdoor biking enthusiast, there is a level for everyone with this bike. I recommend it highly. It is a serious piece of exercise equipment, looks good enough to keep out, and is very well made and sturdy.Even though a bike is mostly a lower body and cardio workout, I can also feel this in my abs. It may have to do with the position your body is in on a recumbent bicycle. The seat is comfortable and it is easy to find the perfect setting due to all the hole positions in the seat bar. I'm 5 foot 4 inches and this bike is perfectly sized for me, and also if you are as tall as my boyfriend at 6 foot 1 inches and a slight seat adjustment and it's great for him too.The only complaint I have about the bike is I wish the console display was back-lit so I could see it in a dark room. But for all I love about this bike, it's not a big deal to me.ASSEMBLY: I'm a female (and blonde!!!) and I had the entire bike assembled in under an hour. All the bolts, screws and washers lined up perfectly and all tools were included - I did use my own Phillips head screwdriver as I preferred a handle with a good grip on it. Also, I took the advice of another reviewer here and assembled the computer to the mast BEFORE attaching it to the frame. Much easier that way."

"This is a great bike. Very smooth and solid. The only minor problem I see is with the heart rate monitor. When you place your hands on the sensors, the initial reading starts at 72 and slowly works its way up to whatever your actual heart rate might be. Just seems to take a while to get there. Guess I'm just used to "club" equipment where you place your hands on the sensors and you get your heartrate reading right away. This is not a big inconvenience however, and I still think that overall, this is a great buy and a great bike."

"This is a great machine. I've owned others. This is the smoothest, most comfortable, useful bike. I'm tall and weigh over 200 lb. My knees don't hit the bars like other machines. The electronic routines are varied and adjustable... from easy to extremely difficult. It is sturdy and will not rock around the floor.I exercise 6 days a week and have for the last 25 years. I can live with this one. If it holds up, time will tell, but, I'm guessing it will. It's like a professional machine, only much cheaper. Worth every penny. Read the reviews on the web... you'll see that they all agree with mine. Assembly was a snap with vacuum-packed kit pieces with full identification, and great, easy to follow instructions. I've never seen a better prepared assembly package, making it "easy" to put together, although it will still take time... up to 2 hours, on average, I'm guessing.It needs a lighted display, as this one is an LCD,and is not back-lit and in the dark or dim lighting can barely be read, if at all. The model up from this one has the lighted display, but may not be worth the additional $100 for that convenience. Otherwise, I would recommend to all. You can get cheaper bikes. I've tried them and they are just not worth the money, as you are more likely to give up using them. This one is comfortable and useful. You'll want to get back on it the next time and get in shape. Buy it. You won't be disappointed. My wife exercises 6 days a week also, and she agrees with everything I've said here."

"I got this bike to lose weight and its great, easy to move around, super quiet, and easy to put together. I got the 2 year warranty that will replace anything with no questions asked. My whole family uses this even my teenagers and we all agree we love this bike."

"We have the bike in my Physical Therapy outpatient clinic. The patients find it easy to get on and off, ride and understand the directions/programs. The only thing that is a problem is that many patients find it difficult to adjust the seat without assistance. I've already ordered 2 others for family and patients."

"[...]The parts inside the box are:seat bottomseat backseat framefront stabilizer (leg)rear stablizerpedalshandle/heart rate monitorwater bottle holdercomputercomputer brackethandlebar mastmain unitAssembly--------------It took me more than an hour to assemble. Basically just put in a bunch of bolts and screws. All required tools (hex wrench, screw driver) are supplied. I followed the assembly instructions except step 10 where I'm supposed to push some wires into the handlebar mast and then fish them back out later. I don't like this idea, so I undo step 9, install step 10 without having to push/fish the wires, and then redo step 9. No problem with other steps.Use------I have only used the "quick start" program, which allows me to set a constant resistance. I set it to level 6. The maximum level is 16. The LCD display would look better with a built-in light, but is not a big deal. The computer is powered by a small a/c adapter. Most of the time it uses almost no power (zero watt as measured by the "Kill-A-Watt" device). When changing resistance level it momentarily registers 2 watt.When in use the bike would be silent if not for the beep every minute. If this beep can be turned off, it would be great for use even when there are people nearby watching TV or sleeping. It also makes a whirling noise when changing resistance level and when turning off.The pedals and crank looks compatible with standard bike parts, but don't quote me on that.I only have it for a few days and have not tested the heart rate monitor or the more advanced programs on the computer."

"Just put this unit together and if the design and construction are any indication this will be a great unit. The assembly instructions are the best I have ever seen for something like this - lots of pictures and clear brief instructions - amazing! Absolutely quiet, very smooth peddling, and it has a simple console with all the information you need on a clean uncluttered design. Looking forward to starting my exercise program tomorrow........"