Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike

Save money on monthly gym fees and get yourself in shape with the compact, comfortable Schwinn 230 recumbent exercise bike. The 230 boasts many of the high-quality features of the Schwinn 213, but adds several extras, including a nicer, easier-to-read instrument panel with a three-position angle adjustment, a slightly lower pedal height that produces a more comfortable riding position, and an easy step-through frame. And that doesn't even account for all the essentials, which range from 16 resistance levels to handlebars with an integrated heart rate monitor built into the grip.

The handiest feature, however, is unquestionably the anatomically designed recumbent seat, which not only offers a dual-position lumbar support for added comfort, but also a micro-adjustable fore/aft seat slider that accommodate a variety of body types and sizes. Other details include six preset programs (calorie goal, BMI measurement, recovery test, results mode,

Track your time, interval time, RPM, watts, distance, pulse, speed, calories, and resistance on the 230's LCD console.

quick start, and manual mode), 10 profile courses, and transport wheels that both protect your floors and make the bike easy to store.

Specifications:

16 resistance levels
6 preset programs and 10 profile courses
Programs include calorie goal, BMI measurement, recovery test, results mode, quick start, and manual mode
Adjustable-angle LCD viewing console
Workout stats include time, interval time, RPM, watts, distance, pulse, speed, calories, and resistance
Wide recumbent Bio-Fit seat with dual-position lumbar support and slide bolsters
Wide comfort Schwinn Bio-Fit pedals
Quality recumbent handlebars with integrated heart-rate grips
Walk-through design
Reading rack and water bottle holder
Transport wheels for easy movement

Manufacturer's Warranty
Frame - 10 years, mechanical and electrical - 1 year, wear items - 6 months, labor - 90 days

Compare These Recumbent Exercise Bikes
	Schwinn Active Series 20	Schwinn 220	Schwinn 230	Schwinn 240	Nautilus R514
Resistance Levels	8	16	16	16	16
Resistance System	Magnetic Eddy Current Brake	Magnetic Eddy Current Brake	Magnetic Eddy Current Brake	Magnetic Eddy Current Brake	Magnetic Eddy Current Brake
Number of Programs	11	12	6 preset, 10 courses	17	17
Heart Rate Monitor	Grip Heart Rate Sensor	Grip Heart Rate Sensor	Grip Heart Rate Sensor	Grip Heart Rate Sensor	Polar heart rate system with chest strap
Display Type	LCD	LCD	LCD	LCD	LCD
Display Readout	Time, distance, pulse, watts, speed, calories, RPM	Time, distance, pulse, watts, speed, calories, resistance	Time, interval time, RPM, watts, distance, pulse, speed, calories, and resistance	Time, interval time, RPM, watts, distance, pulse, speed, calories, resistance	Time, interval time, RPM, watts, distance, pulse, speed, calories, resistance
Dimensions	58.5 x 26 x 36 inches (L x W x H)	56 x 25 x 38 inches (L x W x H)	63 x 25 x 46 inches (L x W x H)	63 x 25 x 46 inches (L x W x H)	67 x 25 x 52 inches (L x W x H)
Product Weight	58 pounds	97 pounds	103 pounds	117 pounds	119 pounds
Weight Capacity	275 pounds	300 pounds	300 pounds	300 pounds	300 pounds
Warranty	Frame: 3 years, non-expandable mechanical and electric parts: 6 months	Frame: 5 years, mechanical and electric: 1 year, wear parts: 90 days	Frame: 10 years, mechanical and electric: 1 year, wear items: 6 months, labor: 90 days	Frame: 5 years, mechanical and electric: 1 year, wear parts: 90 days	Frame: 10 years, mechanical: 2 years, electric: 1 year, wear parts: 6 months
Other Features	Transport wheels, fore / aft seat adjustment	Reading rack, rear stabilizers, transport wheels, switchable from miles to kilometers, fore / aft seat adjustment	Reading rack, water bottle holder, rear stabilizers, transport wheels, switchable from miles to kilometers, fore / aft seat adjustment, oversized pedals	Reading rack, water bottle holder, rear stabilizers, transport wheels, switchable from miles to kilometers, fore /aft seat adjustment, oversized deluxe pedals	Reading rack, water bottle holder, fan, rear stabilizer frame levelers, transport wheels, fore / aft seat adjustment, oversized pedals, oversized saddle

About Recumbent Exercise Bikes
Despite the competition from trendy new fitness inventions, exercise bikes continue to be popular options for home exercise. They offer the same aerobic benefits of riding a bicycle at any time, in any weather, without leaving the comfort and safety of home. Exercise bikes don't take up much space, require little or no balance or coordination, and can provide an effective workout for all levels of users, from beginners to serious competitors. While the same could be said for a number of other types of home fitness equipment, the exercise bike is one of the few that allows you to watch television or read a magazine while you work out.

The term recumbent literally means "lying down." Exercising in a recumbent or reclining position allows the user to have full ergonomic back support, without causing strain on the arms, neck and shoulders, all of which can be common effects of using an upright bicycle. For many people, having convenient access to quality exercise equipment is critical to sticking with a long-term exercise program.

Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
CHOICE: I was looking for an indoor exercise machine that I would love to use on a daily basis, while taking in a show or read. Many reviewers of the upright Schwinn bike complained about discomfort, and owning a top-shelf Cycleops fluid trainer I know what that means, so the upright bike was not an option to me. I also passed on an elliptical machine because the bobbing would probably make it strenuous to watch TV and interfere with my motivation. So, having decided on wanting a recumbent bike, I picked this model even though there were no reviews at the time. I believe the #213 bike Schwinn 213 Recumbent Exercise Bike to be the older model of this (even though Schwinn ships both models currently), and it has gotten mostly good reviews. SHIPPING: a lot of people had major problems when they ordered the #213 bike via Amazon (read the reviews, sort by lowest). I took the plunge anyway, hoping that my Amazon Prime membership would kick in (faster shipping often means less damage). The system gave me odd and changing dates all over the place (will ship in 2 days out, expected arrival one week out, ..) and there was only 1 shipping option (Standard). However, the bike was delivered via UPS within two days like I had hoped. The box was a bit "roughed up", held together with straps and it even had a small hole on one corner. Also, on the inside, some styrofam was broken; obviously the thing was dropped at least once. I wouldn't call it damaged though, and all parts ended up ok. Incidentally, I live in a non-elevator building, and to get the bike to my 5th floor apartment, I took it apart in the lobby, then walked up the stairs about five times with the parts. That worked fine, except for the fact that the bottom- piece was really heavy, but hey, it's about exercise :) ASSEMBLY: in short, this was painless. There is a small booklet which explains everything step-by-step. Some pages look complicated because of the exploded parts illustration, but they're not - just read the simple instructions instead of focusing on the picture. All the tools and screws were included in a blister pack, and labeled correctly. The only small mistake I made was to forcibly connect the computer cable the wrong way (hint: the plugs are NOT the same on both ends, even though they look alike). I think it took me a leisurely 60-90 minutes to assemble the bike; if you have help or you mean it, you could do it in less. BUILD: first of all, the bike looks better than I expected. More futuristic than industrial, and not all that ugly in my living room. Some parts feel a little cheap to the touch; for example, the front flywheel is housed in plastic which chips and cracks easily, the bike computer weighs nothing and has these foil buttons, and the "bio-whatever seat with lumbar" is entirely made out of foam, and nothing is adjustable on it either. I guess "lumbar" is not the same as "lumbar control", as in a car seat. WORKOUT: this bike is *silent*. I couldn't believe it, coming from the Cycleops trainer, but the only sound I hear is my workout pants swishing- absolutely great to watch TV. When I pedal, the bike wobbles a little, which at higher intensities makes it more difficult to read a book that you put in front of the bike computer (there is a bracket to do just that). However, I must admit that the seat really is comfy, and it would be no problem to actually hold a book while working out. The bike computer has a few programs as expected (ride in the park, interval, plateau, etc.) plus manual mode and a somewhat useless BMI calculator. It retains the weight, age, and time you entered last time which is a convenient plus over gym machines. The range of resistance is great, from virtually none to definitely hard to push. The heart rate sensors, as I expected from reading the reviews on the 213 model, don't work very well: it takes about 40 seconds to display a realistic number once you touch the sensors. This is something that my Polar wrist watch does much faster (not to mention wirelessly and pc-downloadable, but of course at a price), so I use the Polar. NITPICKS AND RECOMMENDATION: It would have been fantastic if the bike computer had a Polar telemetry option like most of the machines in gyms now do. Also, it would be great if the front tube could be folded back when not in use, because then I could hide the machine behind the sofa. But all in all, I am extremely satisfied with my purchase and would recommend this bike to others. I use it every day.