Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike Overview

Schwinn 270 recumbent bike is a mid-priced exercise bike with many different features. It is very effective and comfortable. People say this is the best recumbent bike in this price range.

It has 29 different workout programs, a wide pedal for comfort, an adjustable seat for different sized people, speakers and a USB port for using electronic devices.

After in-depth research about Schwinn 270, we found it as an upgrade generation of Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike. It provides a good low impact workout and very comfortable exercise.

In this review, we will discuss in details more about this recumbent bike. Hopefully, it will help people to take proper decision to buy it as the perfect one for him/her.

Sturdiness

Schwinn 270 is very sturdy for exercise. It does not move side to side or even does not wobble. you can just get on and workout without any distraction as long as you want.

It has three levelers to use on a little uneven floor. Two under the rare stabilizer bars and another one at the middle of the frame.

Longevity

This bike is well made with high level of comfort. Most of the users using this bike more than a year. It is still very strong and new condition without any problem. They expect it to use many more years.

 

Adjustability

This bike is very nicely adjustable on different height people. From customers feedback it is adjustable for people between 4ft 11inches and 6ft 3inches.

People out of this range are recommended to check before buying one. If they feel comfortable exercise on it then it is ok.

Seat height is 19inches to 22.5inches from the floor. It is very easily adjustable but you have to adjust without sitting on it.

Push down the lever on the side to release the seat. Then move it to a comfortable position as you need. Pull up the lever to lock the seat at your desired comfortable position.

Resistance

This bike has 25 quiet and smooth resistance levels. The up/down buttons on the console control the resistance levels.

The control moves the magnets near to the flywheel and increases the resistance. They never touch on it so, there is no maintenance required for it.

Pedals

This bike provides a solid pedaling experience with 3 piece cranks. The oversized pedals fit most shoe sizes.

There is strap available on pedals to tighten shoes on it. You can fit your shoes tightly for comfort pedaling with those straps.

The straps are with plastic holes. You can clip on to a knob on the pedal. One problem here is you have to be a little careful about ripping the straps.

Though, it is not compulsory to use the straps. You can grip well on the pedals without using straps.

You can change the pedals with the exact match. The thread size is between 9 to 16 inches.

Comfort

Seat

The seat is large padded and the backrest is plastic vented but some people does not like it. The problem behind it is, people slide forward during exercise.

It is necessary to adjust position every minute. But it is too hard in particular back support. However, cushions and folded up towels help a lot.

The seat is not designed for replacing. But, the position can be changed backward and forward.

In fact, the seat moves along with the backrest. So, the backrest angle is fixed with the seat.

However, most people are happy with the height of the seat. It is very adjustable for different people.

Handlebars

Schwinn 270 recumbent bike has two sets of handlebars. One set is on the console and another set is at the side of the seat. Both handlebars are comfortable with grip for sweaty hands.

The handlebar at the seat has heart rate sensor. You can see your heart rate on the console during exercise if you hold the grip of this handlebar. It is very comfortable for most of the users to hold and pedal for long time exercise.

Moreover, The handlebar on the side of the console helps you to get a different position. Though it does not have any heart rate sensor but you can have a different position of pedaling by holding this.

You have to lean forward to hold it. So you may not be able to use it for long.

Dust & Dirt

This exercise bike does not need to clean too much. Because it does not generate dusts itself.

Sweat is one major problem. This bike needs to be wiped out regularly. Otherwise, it damages the floor.

However, putting the bike on a rubber mat can prevent damaging the floor.

Noise

As an indoor exercise bike, it does not make any noise during exercise. The loudest sound you will get during exercise is your heavy breathing. You can use it while others sleep at home without disturbing them.

Storage

The bike is 24 inches wide and 64 inches long. You have to find such an available place to store this bike.

Moreover, it has two small transport wheels for lifting. These wheels reserve most of the weight of the bike. So it is easy to move the bike from one place to another.

A soft surface is better than a hard surface to place the bike, such as carpet. But you can check on a wooden floor that the wheels do not scratch.

You just need to hold the handle on the rare stabilizer and navigate the bike.

Assembly

Schwinn 230 comes by part on arrival so it necessary to assemble. It is very easy to assemble following the instructions in the manual.

Though it comes with the assembly tools but you may need a scissor or a knife to cut the package.

The frame and the drive come together. You just need to assemble the following parts below-

Seat

Pedals

Backrest stabilizer bars

Handlebars

Console post

Console

It takes about one or two hours to assemble. Though one person can assemble it but another person is very helpful for better and easy assembly.

Console

Schwinn 270 recumbent bike console has 29 different workout programs. The programs are very helpful to add variety to your workout. These 29 programs are described below-

1 Quick Start Program: You can access this program by pressing the quick start button on the console. Select the user profile, adjust resistance level and then start pedaling. The upper display is divided into two intervals for graphical output.

12 Profile Programs: These programs are set in 3 categories Fun, Mountains, and Challenges. These have a long range of difficulty with different resistance levels. You also can choose time goal, distance or calories.

9 Heart Rate Zone Programs: This program is split from beginner to advanced with 4 heart rate zone in each- 50-60%, 60-70%, 70-80%, 80-90% and one more you can set yourself.

2 Fitness Test: This program increases steadily to the heart rate zone of 75% and stays for 3 minutes. Then it gives a fitness score measuring heart rate and power. Using this program you can easily compare your fitness levels.

1 Recovery Test: This test shows you how quickly your heart rate returns to the resting state. For this test, you need to grip the heart pulse sensor or need to wear a heart rate strap. Then get a recovery score after exercising.

4 User Profiles: You can set 4 user profiles at a time to track and monitor individually. You can also set up your own workout programs in it.

There is a USB port at the top of the console for charging electronic devices. A media port is also available there for connecting MP3 or iPod into the speakers.

Moreover, a large upper display is for graphical output of workout. It is as like as a bar chart to show the intensity. The flashing bar indicates the workout section. At left side shows the indication of intensity and the right side shows the heart rate zone.

The lower part of the display shows the goal. Here you can set a goal yourself to monitor workout progress.

There is a media shelf available to keep phone or tab or an iPod. But there is not enough space to put a laptop.

Moreover, there is also another display below it. This lower display has 3 different channels. These channels show the information below-

Speed (Mph/Kph) and time

Distance (Miles/Kilometers), resistance level and RPM

Heart rate and calories burned

At the site of the display, there is up/down buttons for adjusting resistance levels. You also have quick jump buttons on the console to jump directly to a specific resistance level.

There are more buttons at the center of the console. The quick start button helps to select quick start program. Pause/end helps to pause or end the workout program. Program button is for selecting workout program. Goal button is for monitoring workout progress. Ok button is for setting user profiles and workout programs.

Setting up the programs and user profiles is not so easy. You need to see the user manual properly. You also may need to download the user manual from Schwinn website.

There is a button below this for controlling the fan speed. At bottom of the console, there are two speakers on both sides.

If you want to see your heart rate, you have to grip the handlebars with your hands. Make sure to hold the heart rate consoles properly. The console also works with chest straps. It will give you a better output of your heart rate.

Though, it is better to use heart rate strap. But you need to buy it separately if you want to use it.

The console is powered by plugging in electric socket using the included power cord sand adaptor. It automatically powers off if the bike is inactive for few minutes.

You can save and upload your workout progress at Schwinn Connect, or Myfitnesspal. You will be needed a USB drive to take the save files and then you can upload them from your computer.

There are 4 user profiles available to save and monitor workout progress. It means, 4 individual persons can use this bike with full function. They can save and monitor their workout progress individually with their own profiles.

Dimensions

The dimensions of Schwinn 270 recumbent bike are below-

Height- 50ins

Width- 27ins

Length- 64ins

Weight- 86.6lbs

Max user weight- 300lbs

Accessories

This bike has very useful accessories.

There is a water bottle holder attached to the handlebar with the backrest. It can hold a very large water bottle but it is quite tough to get with hand.

Moreover, a shelf is on the console that you can use to put a book or a tab or an iPod. Using this shelf covers the upper display but you can still monitor at the lower display.

The speakers are useful for listening songs during the workout. You can plug your MP3 device with the media cable. Though it is not so loud but most of the users feel comfort with it.

There is also a USB port on top of the console. You can use it to charge phones or to save your workout to a USB drive.

In addition, there is also a 3-speed fan available on this bike. You can control the fan using buttons on the console.

Pros

25 resistance levels

You can set goal

29 workout programs

Very easy to assemble

Transport wheels are helpful for moving the bike

Seat position is quickly changeable

This bike can be used by many different people

4 individual profiles for tracking workout progress

LCD backlit makes easy to read

10 years frame warranty

Solid, stable and durable

Cons

Some users find the 3-speed fan is not strong enough

Given manual is not with sufficient information

Heart rate strap is not available with the bike

Without electricity, you cannot use the bike

It does not have Bluetooth or wifi function to upload workout progress

It is hard to reach to the water bottle sitting on the bike

Price

Though it is almost similar with Schwinn 230 bike it’s price is much more. We found this bike available with different price in different places but we researched for the best price.

See the best price on Amazon

 

The Verdict

Schwinn 270 recumbent bike is a well-featured bike, especially for the price. It provides a low impact workout. Most of the users found it very comfortable.

This bike can be used by many different people even they are different in size. It has many resistance levels for different people.

This bike provides many exercise options. It has 4 user profiles to save workout progress for future analysis.

Some accessories with this bike help to provide more comfortable exercise. But also some accessories should be included. Such as heart strap.

Finally, I am very happy with this bike for the price. It is an excellent bike for low-impact cardio exercise. It is also comfortable enough for daily home exercise.