Exercise Bikes: Reviews

The Schwinn 240 recumbent bike attracts hundreds of positive reviews from owners, who say it is built well and provides a lot of workout variety. (Recumbent bikes have a backrest, while upright bikes don't.) The Schwinn… expandbike comes with 16 levels of resistance and 18 workout programs. Owners say the bike is sturdy and stable when cycling at high speeds. The Schwinn 240 is also very quiet, so it's easy to exercise while watching TV or listening to music. Users also appreciate the many convenience features, including a handgrip heart-rate monitor, bottle holder and under-seat storage bin. Compared to other exercise bikes, the Schwinn 240 attracts very few durability complaints. The bike is covered by a multi-year warranty: five years for the frame, one year for mechanical and electric parts and 90 days for wear parts. While most owners are overwhelmingly pleased with the Schwinn 240, many complain that the assembly instructions aren't very straightforward. Some also find it overly complicated to program custom user settings on the display console. collapse

The Marcy ME 709 enjoys better user ratings than other budget exercise bikes in this price range. Reviewers love the value, and casual exercisers or those just starting out find it meets their needs. This exercise bike is… expandsaid to be quiet when in use, and users say the padded seat is very comfortable. The Marcy ME 709 lacks some bells and whistles found on pricier exercise bikes, including a heart-rate monitor, bottle holder and magazine rack, but most users say the eight resistance levels are all they need to keep in shape. An adjustable seat is another plus. Although users say the assembly process is straightforward, many report that the package was missing washers or bolts when it arrived. We also saw a few complaints that the small battery-operated display can be hard to mount on its stand. The Marcy ME 709 comes with a two-year warranty. collapse

The Schwinn Airdyne may look different than other upright exercise bikes, but users say that this is one investment that will last for years -- if not decades. Instead of using magnetic resistance like most exercise… expandbikes, the Schwinn Airdyne uses an air-resistance system. As a result, the resistance automatically increases the harder and faster you pedal like it does on a regular road bike. Another benefit is that you're not stuck with a limited amount of resistance once your conditioning improves. Moving handlebars are also included for an upper-body workout. Owners say the Schwinn Airdyne is unbelievably durable, and many report owning it for 12 years with no major problems. The warranty is generous as well: 30 years for the frame, three years for parts and electronics and one year for labor and wear items. Users also like that the air system acts like a fan to cool them down while exercising. However, air resistance is much noisier than traditional magnetic systems, so you may have to crank up the volume on your TV. Some users also say the seat on this exercise bike is too hard and uncomfortable. collapse

Unlike the Schwinn Airdyne, the Stamina 5325 upright exercise bike uses a magnetic resistance system that provides eight different levels of difficulty. Overall, most users say the Stamina exercise bike provides a good… expandworkout without breaking the bank. The bike feels sturdy while pedaling, according to reviews, and the adjustable seat accommodates users of varying heights. Features like a handgrip heart-rate monitor and six workout programs are additional benefits. However, the Stamina 5325 isn't as durable as the Schwinn Airdyne, which is reflected in its short one-year frame warranty (parts are only covered for 90 days). Some users wish that the pedals came with straps for a more secure fit. We also saw a few complaints that components were missing when the bike was delivered. collapse