which bike has the more comfortable seat? Also do you ever bump your knees into the bottle holders (even without bottles) when you are standing up and riding? Thanks for your review.
@@geraldlewinsohn8081 without water bottles in the holders my knees have enough clearance to not hit. As far as seats go, I'd say they are equally comfortable and I have not had discomfort with either. My favorite saddle is my Brooks saddle on my road bike, I have a video on it on my channel. Everyone seems to have their own preference for bike saddle, so take my seat preference with a grain of salt.
My wife and I have owned Schwann spinners since the were made for Johnny G back in 1996 for almost a quarter of century ago. We still have our original spinning bikes. We use DVD, CD music, U tube indoor cycle channels. Gone through a few brake pads and saddles, that’s about it. I alternate between the bike, treadmill, and rower. I did teach indoor cycling from 2001 to 2018 when I retired from teaching exercise classes at 85. So I am off now to cycle on my 24 year old Schwann spinner with my I pad on utube. As an outdoor biker says as he passes you “ Have a nice day”.
I love my IC4, it’s the perfect Peloton alternative. I use the Peloton app on my Apple Watch and iPhone or iPad and the cycling classes pair up seamlessly! The IC4 is a quarter of the price, and the Peloton app is $12.99/ month. It’s a great deal all around!
Not having a monitor mounted to the bike is an advantage if you'd ask me, since it is not wiggling while you are riding. You are better off using a separate TV or monitor instead, so that you are having a stable picture at all times.
The only side-by-side comparison I was curious to see, that I can't find anywhere, is decibel measure readouts - i.e., which makes more or less noise. Otherwise, I found this video very helpful! Thank you!
Thank you for the comparison..I just purchased the echelon sport connect a few days ago.. (still waiting on delivery) I was going to pull the trigger on the ic4. But the $400 difference ouch. Lol I can't even look at the peloton price with out dry heaving
Lol well worded. I've been working on a video comparison of the schwinn ic4 and echelon connect, and I'm having a very difficult time deciding which is the better buy. Both are great bikes.
I rode the IC4 for a year with the Peloton app, but I have so much tailbone ligament pain from it, and back strain from the handlebar position. I rode the Peloton Bike+ and it was a pain-free experience. I was shocked at what I've been missing. Also, I was using a really common conversion chart for the IC4 but it was totally off for my IC4, and all year long I've been doing classes at double the resistance! I wondered why I just couldn't get out of the beginner classes, and that was why. Once I found some other conversion charts and compared to what I know the actual Bike+ is like at say, 40 resistance, I could easily do a long intermediate class.
A decent spin bike with Power meter pedals or a speed sensor can be used with zwift AND it can be used with the PELOTON APP if the class experience is what one prefers. With the Peloton Bike you have some limitations.
Very in-depth comparison. You put a lot of work into this video. Really appreciated. After a lot of research I went with the Schwinn AC Performance Pro bike. Very happy with the Schwinn.
@@athena5505 Hello, I still like the performance of the pro. No issues with the bike mechanically. I still regularly use the Schwinn when my road bike is down for maintenance or when I can't ride the road for any other reason. I track the resistance with the mark on the resistance knob and how my knees feel. I do not use the Schwinn computer nor do I use zwift. I installed a Garmin cadence meter and Garmin speed sensor so I can use my Wahoo Roam V2 on the bike. My rides are auto uploaded to RideWithGPS that I use also use on the road. I measure my workout by speed, time, resistance, and heart rate. Works well for me and has made me a stronger rider. The Schwinn was a wise purchase for us. We own two of them.
Having holes in the seat post is an advantage, since the seat height is not changing regardless of how much weight you put on it. In case of the Peleton you have to adjust the seat height from time to time, since it is lowering itself after a while.
I have been looking for information to compare and contrast other indoor bikes to Peloton as I have the Peloton app and don’t want to pay their added monthly subscription which is considerably more per month. ( you may want to check with your insurance company which may pay for the app for 12 months). Really appreciated this comparison and contrast between the two!! Well done and thank you … such a big help!!!
Given the Peloton price is reduced to $1,495(regular), and $2,195 (Bike+) would you recommend one of those over the IC4 at this point, or do you feel the better value is the IC4 ($999 on Amazon currently).
My question on buying a Scwinn IC4 and using the Peloton app is whether or not the app will record your personal records on speed, distance, etc or not. I don’t care so much about competing with others, but I do want to be able to see the actual metrics of my own improvements.
I have been riding a Schwinn AC Performance bike for years now and have put in thousands of miles on it. The IC4 is a bit watered down home grade version of that bike. The AC Performance bike I'd pick over Peloton every time - this IC4, I suppose I would pick on a budget but, if you intend to ride lots of miles, the Schwinn AC Performance line is a much stronger pick. It's still cheaper than Peloton, requires no subscription and pretty much zero maintenance (both of which make it cheaper over time). Admittedly, it doesn't have the training classes, or the snazzy screen - but if you are just looking for a solid ride experience that will last for years and years and miles and miles, it's a great bike.
@@TailHappyTV Indeed. It gets even more interesting if you start looking at bring your own bike to a smart trainer setups. If I were to replace the AC Performance with a subscription service now, I'd likely go with a KICKR + Zwift combo or the like. I'm just hard pressed to spend the $$ when there is nothing functionally wrong with my AC. Yes, the Zwift ecosystem would be more enjoyable but the subscription plus the smart trainer is just money that doesn't need to be spent when I have a more than functional bike now with so much useful life left in it.
Terrific review! I have ridden and love both bikes. A lot of the extra expense in the Peloton is in the monitor. That being said, it’s still the luxury bike. Perhaps the biggest determining factor in which to purchase is the thickness of your wallet. You don’t need a Mercedes to drive to work but that doesn’t make it any less desirable!
Us humans sweat an awful lot. What (non-staining) cleaning solution do you recommend for the handlebars so that they don't turn white and grimy? Do you also hang a towel over them whilst riding? I have seen other (silver-looking) flywheels turn a rusty-brown, but am I to presume that the Schwinn won't corrode because it's coated? Is there anything that discolours because certain parts are difficult to clean? Salty sweat is not our friend, so I am genuinely interested in how you maintain the bike's brand new appearance 😃 Thanks :)
Love my Schwinn IC4 so far, got it for $500 practically brand new on FB. Got a new seat on the way though, if i slip off the pedal with the one it has ill lose my virginity. 😂
@@TailHappyTV you should be able to get a pair from iqsquare now or very soon. They abandoned the idea of a pod system and developed 2 pedal models - look and spd ... DC Rainmaker has tested. Are they the best, no. Will they work good enough - most likely.
@@realalbertan IQ Square will be a few months. The IC4 can connect directly to Zwift without power pedals. not very accurate but will do the trick. The Favero Asioma are great pedals but they cost $700. I will actually buy a smart trainer for Zwift and mount my own bike. I think the ic4 or other similar bike is a much more flexible solution.
I have an older Schwing echelon bike and after some initial issues with the computer, it has been decent. The two largest negatives are the inability to adjust the handle bars closer to the seat (and I think I have a long torso) and the stitching on the seat. The red area has gotten brittle and the stitching has become an irritant. Not a huge deal.....seat and handlebar adjustments are a bigger deal.
@@TailHappyTV I spin about 3500 mikes a year. Your viewers who might be new to buying a spin bike might also find it helpful to know having a mat and wiping off or covering the bike to protect the floor and bike from sweat (I noticed your video didn’t have one) will greatly help with the longevity of the bike...now I just need to change the seat!
Thank you for the reviews. I am 5’7” and need a bike to rehab my knee. Do you have a suggestion? I am just a casual rider with a Breezer outdoor trail bike.
Matt I love your reviews. They helped guide me towards my purchase of the Schwinn IC4, which should arrive in a few days. Just out of curiosity, where are you located? I ask because I wonder if the weather/climate pushed you towards indoor cycling?
SoCal brother, chillin on the beach in Hermosa now with my cannondale road bike, mile 15 pit stop :P. Been working on some ebike reviews coming soon. The demi led me to indoor bike reviews, the schwinn is great, happy riding :)
Excellent video! Answered quite a few questions I had remaining about the Bike+. Thumbs up AND subscribed. I've already pulled the trigger on the Bike+ and I am anxiously waiting delivery, which has been an adventure and long story. I have just one quick question if you still have your tape measure out... What is the height from the floor to the center of the crankshaft on the Bike+? I have a fairly low ceiling and I need the measurement to see if I'll be able to stand up on the bike and not bonk my head. Thanks in advance! And great video!!
I remember Schwinn from the JonnyG days and I loved the feel of the ride. I absolutely hate the feel of the ride of Keiser bikes (not sure why). The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on a bike is ending up with something that feels like a Keiser. Does the IC4 ride like an updated version of the JonnyG's, in your opinion?
Great review - thanks! I see from the comments below that the Pentolon classes can be laired with the ic4. Do Schwinn have their own classes as you mentioned $12.99 per month?
I’m can’t tell how important front and back adjustment is for a stationary bike because I haven’t ridden them. It seems like it would be completely necessary is it not?
Question - how durable is the Peloton Bike, trying to decide if I should purchase the extended warranty? Also do you have a link for Peloton, to support your channel if I decide to purchase a Peloton? By the way, you provide excellent details in your reviews. Thank you!
thank you, yes i have a discount code available in my peloton review video on my channel so you can get $100 off accessories, we have not had any problems with it so far but I have heard of people needing to get the bearings changed regularly with heavy use, I'm unsure about long term durability since we've only had it since September
I used to spin at FlyWheel before lockdown, and I loved the feel of that ride. Have you tried their bikes, and can you compare the ride to that of the IC4?
Great video! Very helpful! Quick question on the Schwinn. At the max seat height, do you know the distance to the crank or lower pedal? I’m right on the border for height (tall) and have longer legs, so want to be sure it’ll be high enough for me, as you noted at 6’5”, you’re at the max. Thanks!
Hi thanks for the information definitely changed my perspective regarding the Schwinn. I am a first time buyer and have been investigating the different options, lol not very well I have to say. Because of your video I will be purchasing a Schwinn👍
I probably didnt say, the schwinn and peloton seat are about the same to me, both are relatively firm which is what I prefer. Everyone will have there own preference on saddle, my favorite is the Brooks B17, which I have a video on that on my channel
Hello, you mentioned the crank arms on the IC4 flared out and appeared to have a wider stance. Did you happen to measure the stance width on the IC4 vs Peloton? Also I don't recall if you mentioned it, but can the IC4 pedals be replaced with standard bike pedals? Thanks!
If you have both bikes can you discontinue peloton bike subscription, and for example AirPlay the peloton digital app onto a smart TV, can you still get the metric information off the touchscreen monitor with the Peloton bike? Reason I ask is I own the Schwinn IC4 and was thinking of getting a used peloton. I do the resistance conversion for the Schwinn during on-demand workouts, however I’m curious to feel what the exact resistance numbers are like on the peloton bike.
You are asking the tough questions! I don't know the answer to this, i'd have to look further into it... I think you could search google for the schwinn conversion numbers, i've seen it online.
Hey everyone! Brand new and would like to get into cycling. I've researched a bit and landed on the Schwinn IC4. Although I've recently seen a review critiquing the "shakiness" due to the thin frame. Anyone with an IC4 experience any shakiness while riding? Thanks!
If you had the chance to buy a peloton bike or the Schwinn ic4 for the same price which to buy? I’m considering my options and have literally that choice to make. I use the peloton app and would continue to use it with whichever bike I buy.
schwinn is the way to go if oyu want to keep using the cheaper peloton app, you can't use the peloton app on the peloton bike, you must sign up for the all access membership which costs considerably more/month
Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it. I’m happy using the app on my tv and if I get a peloton I’d be happy not using the peloton screen for the workouts. The question is about the actual bike. Both bikes are good. Which is better if the price is the same?
I was pretty convinced to choose the IC4, but after reading some reviews I am rethinking. Do you know if the problem with noise from the tension has been fixed in the newest model? How would you compare customer service for warrantee issues between Peleton and Schwinn?
I personally tried Peloton and Zwift. It'll depend on the type of person and what drives you. I'm a gamer so Zwift is up my alley and that motivates me to get on a bike and have a gaming aspect. You might prefer Peloton if you want more of a gym workout class.
TailHappyTV: the schwinn faq says that the minimum recommended height for this bike is 4'6. My fiancee is 5'1 and I'm wondering if you think it seems like it would fit someone of that size
I think it would, the seat goes really really low, I tried to demonstrate this in the video, there should be a time stamp for it. The only difficulty could maybe see is reaching the very end positions of the handlebars, but the handlebars do move forward and backwards which really helps with people on the tall and short end of the height spectrum. Hope this helps!
Based on the way I understand it you should be able to take any 110 volt power brick that can supply the proper amperage and plug it in to the Schwinn, in other words yes I think you would be able to
on APPLE products you can display cadence on the ipad/iphone but not on android. resistance does not display regardless (only on the schwinn screen), heart rate will display for apple and android
@@TailHappyTV what's another similiar bike in that price point that might fit me better? Dont want to spend an extra $1200 to accommodate my height lol.
@@TailHappyTV IC4 arrives today, will give it a go and then check out the others if I cant manage. Thanks so much for the replies and ALL the videos you do!
I have the iC3 but put a Wahoo cadence sensor so I can see my cadence on the phone. The only frustration with the ic3 is that I have to guess the resistance but I just generally guess that based on cadence and how much tension I need.
Hey! would you have a conversion from Pelaton resistance to the IC4 resistance. I've seen people claiming a 5 on the ic4 is a 25 on the Pelaton and it eventually will match at about a 50 and above. I have an IC4 and I just cant seem to know what the actual conversion is because I dont have a pelaton next to me that I can quickly compare to. Would you be able to test this? Thanks for the great review!!
I have an ic4 and just tried a peloton+ in the store yesterday. I have the conversion chart that is posted on various forums. I’d say my experience was a bit different. For me I found Peloton at 30 = ic4 4, Peloton at 35= ic4 11, Peloton at 40= IC4 25, Peloton at 45 = IC4 at 33 and then it seems to jump in resistance where peloton at 55 equals iC4 at 50 then seemed to be equal after that. It was totally an unscientific test but I’ve done almost 100 rides on my IC4 so I have a good feel of that one.
@@planinshek how did you feel about the peloton compared to the ic4? I am thinking one of these two will be my next bike. I am going to try the peloton this weekend and see, but have never used the ic4.
@@tiffanygalvez8563 there is nothing that I like about the IC4 better than the Peloton (except the price). However, that being said the IC4 is a really good bike and the differences are quite small. I am guessing that the cost to manufacture both bikes is very similar (minus the screen on the Peloton of course). The Peloton is a bit smoother and a bit more refined but where I really get a lot of motivation is from the extra stats and the detailed measurement of output that shows me where I was on my best ride so it helps me push harder on each ride and continue to get better stats. However, if you don't need that extra motivation then the IC4 is probably good enough. The IC4 also lets you use other services like apple fitness etc. that might suit you better. If you have multiple riders the peloton is good as well since you don't need multiple memberships (although there are workarounds for this too that you can find on various forums). I will say that I changed the pedals on both bikes and just got a set of Shimano 520's that seem a little better quality than what is included on either.
how does the threading on the pedal and/or crank arm look? which side fell off? one side has reverse threading, so you have to turn left to put it on. make sure it's snugged up properly, and perhaps so loctite would help keep it tight. hope this helps.
We tackled assembling the bike as a family project. ru-vid.comUgkxzg0clhbtRf2gGxPkVETFKJJKGqdsorQu The package is heavy, but I have 2 teen boys that were able to move it. The written instructions were great- we didn't need to watch the videos, but it was good knowing that the option was there if we needed it. After we were able to get it set up, the boys each rode 3 miles and I rode 8 and the bike stayed quiet. The display is easy to reset, and you can put it on whichever setting you are using (time, distance, calories, etc). I will say that my butt is a little sore from the seat, but that could be because I haven't rode in a while. While it is comfortable for me, it was not comfortable with the seat position for my friend (could not move the seat back far enough and he slightly looked like a kid riding a tricycle that he had outgrown). He also said that the seat hurt his manly parts. We are going to look for a different seat that will be compatible with this bike for him.I did purchase the Wahoo Cadence sensor and strapped it to the crank of one of the pedals. This will sync with my Apple Watch, iPhone and will import data in to my Health app. Wahoo does have other sensors available other than cadence. I can also keep either my phone or my iPad on the display and they both feel pretty secure.
@@TailHappyTV Sorry . . . I should have worded my question better. I'm wondering what's the biggest tablet you could use with it. 10" tablet or 12" tablet or 15"tablet, ect.
I think the only restriction on height would be you would want half of the mass of the tablet below the top of the tablet mount so that the tablet will not flip over the top in case the clip at the bottom doesn't hold it in place. Off the top of my head I don't know how tall the tablet holder is and I am out of town right now
The IC4 states for riders up to 6’6” and the Bike+ says for riders up to 6’4”. But you feel that the Bike+ is better for very tall people? I ride a 67cm road bike.
Dang man, I ride a 61cm road bike, sunny bikes are great for tall people, I recommend you look at the 1805, i just made a video on it and another coming soon, def higher saddle than schwinn ic4
@@TailHappyTV Thanks! Which review for the Sunny? I was looking for a bike that would be good to use while watching the Peloton app, so IC4 seemed promising
Schwinn Fitness/Nautilus is REALLY bad too. Any missing parts or warranty issues (which seem highly likely, check their social media comments), plan on spending hours on hold and dealing with part time incompetent service reps. Surprised to hear that about Peloton though, with that price I'd expect top notch service.
