Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike Review: Should You Buy It?

Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike

The Schwinn IC4 is an indoor cycling bike produced by Schwinn Fitness — a company that’s well known for its extensive line of home exercise equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, and recumbent bikes.

Although the Schwinn IC4 doesn’t include a built-in touchscreen, it’s equipped with a tablet holder and is compatible with workout apps like Peloton and Zwift.

As a result, the bike offers the ability to stream live and on-demand workouts, but at a more budget-friendly price compared with brands like Peloton and SoulCycle.

What’s more, with multiple levels of resistance, the IC4 makes it easy to add variety and intensity to your workouts.

Customers also appreciate that the bike is easy to assemble.

Specs and features

With 100 levels of magnetic resistance, the Schwinn IC4 offers plenty of training options for beginner and advanced cyclists alike.

It’s also equipped with an integrated device holder, which you can use to stream live and on-demand spin classes on your smartphone or tablet from apps, such as:

• Peloton
• Explore the World
• Strava
• Rouvy
• Zwift
• Sufferfest
• TacX
• FulGaz
• MyFitnessPal
• Google Fit
• Apple Health

Just keep in mind that many of these apps require a monthly subscription.

Another important note is that the bike doesn’t come with programmed workouts, so you’ll either need to stream a class or make your own routine.

Still, the IC4 comes with plenty of extras, including a pair of 3-pound (1.4-kg) dumbbells, a Bluetooth heart rate armband, dual water bottle holders, ergonomic handgrips, a USB charging station, and Bluetooth connectivity.

It also features a backlit LCD, which provides detailed information about your ride, including your time, distance, and calories burned.

Another benefit is that the bike is equipped with dual-link pedals with toe cages, allowing you to use either regular gym shoes or SPD-compatible cleats.

As with many indoor cycling bikes, the IC4’s saddle can be adjusted vertically and horizontally. The handlebars can also be moved up, down, back, and front to accommodate a variety of users.

In terms of size, the bike measures 48.7 inches (123.7 cm) long, 21.2 inches (53.9 cm) wide, and 51.8 inches (131.6 cm) tall. It can support ridders up to 330 pounds (150 kg).

Is it easy to assemble and use?

The Schwinn IC4 comes with an assembly kit, which includes everything you need to set up your new bike in less than an hour.

Customers note that assembly is straightforward, though it’s helpful to have two people.

Alternatively, you can pay an additional fee for in-home assembly.

During your workout, you can easily adjust your resistance by turning the red knob in the center of the bike.

One thing to keep in mind is that the IC4 resistance levels are different than those on the Peloton Bike, which customers note makes it difficult to figure out the appropriate level of resistance when streaming classes from the Peloton app.

Another common complaint is that the Schwinn IC4 saddle can be difficult to adjust and may be uncomfortable, especially for shorter riders.

How much does the Schwinn IC4 cost?

The Schwinn IC4 bike costs $999, which includes free shipping to addresses within the continental United States.

You can also purchase in-home assembly for an additional $129.

The bike comes with a 10-year warranty on the frame, a 3-year warranty on mechanical parts and electronics, and a 1-year warranty on labor.

For qualified customers, Schwinn offers several financing options, which you can apply for directly on the company’s website.

Comparison with competitors

Several exercise bikes on the market are similar to the Schwinn IC4 bike.

Here’s a detailed look at how the Schwinn IC4 compares:

While all the bikes are similarly priced, the Schwinn IC4 is the only option that includes free shipping. It also offers the greatest number of resistance levels and longest warranty period.

Compared with the Echelon EX-3, the IC4 is slightly larger, though it offers a higher weight capacity. Both bikes include a tablet holder, rather than an integrated screen.

However, while the IC4 can be used with a variety of fitness apps, the Echelon EX-3 is only compatible with iFit.

The MYX bike stands out, as it offers a built-in touchscreen and has a higher max weight capacity. Like the Echelon EX-3, the MYX can only be used with the MYXfitness app.

While not in the chart, the Peloton Bike+ is another major competitor, though it’s much larger and more expensive, with an MSRP of $2,495. It also has a lower weight capacity.

Still, it’s easy to see why it’s a customer favorite, as it’s equipped with integrated Bluetooth speakers and an impressive 24-inch (61-cm) rotating touchscreen.

Is the Schwinn IC4 worth buying?

The Schwinn IC4 offers a variety of impressive features and is an affordable alternative to pricier bike models, such as the Peloton Bike+.

Because it’s specifically designed to work with many popular workout apps, it’s a good option if you want to take spin classes at home without breaking the bank.

It also offers a longer warranty than many similar stationary bikes and boasts a long list of features, including Bluetooth connectivity, dual-link pedals, and 100 levels of magnetic resistance.

Still, despite the higher price tag, some people may prefer the ease and convenience of bikes with more bells and whistles, such as an integrated touchscreen, built-in speakers, or preset workout programs.

If these features are important for you, it’s worth choosing a more expensive model like the MYX.

The bottom line

The IC4 is an indoor cycling bike from Schwinn Fitness that’s designed to rival costly competitors like Peloton and NordicTrack.

It offers a variety of resistance levels, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-link pedals, and a built-in tablet holder, which you can use to stream live and on-demand workout classes on your favorite fitness apps.

For this reason, it may be a great option for those who want to enjoy the experience of a spin studio at home without spending a fortune.