Schwinn 230 Review

(*est. $450) Compare Prices

This page is part of a larger ConsumerSearch report on Exercise Bikes which includes more reviews, analysis and a summary of the top-rated models.

What the reviewers like:

Well-built and sturdy
Good value for a recumbent exercise bike
Comfortable
Quiet

What the reviewers don't like:

Dim display monitor

Schwinn 230 review highlights

We found the only professional review of the Schwinn 230's predecessor, the 220p, at ConsumerGuide.com, where the Schwinn 220p gets a Best Buy award (though testing details are hazy). We found more than 100 user reviews on Amazon.com for the Schwinn 230 recumbent exercise bike, far fewer on DicksSportingGoods.com and SportsAuthority.com.

The Schwinn 230 is a recumbent exercise bike - instead of sitting upright, users lean into a backrest with their legs in front. Some people, especially those with back problems, find the position more comfortable. Most reviews say the Schwinn 230 is a good value; it's sturdier than cheaper exercise bikes and includes a heart-rate monitor along with seven preset workouts and 16 resistance levels . Some owners say the monitor lighting could be better and that you need to plug into an electric outlet to use it (although not to just pedal). Most owners say the bike is quiet. Although most say the Schwinn 230 is sturdy, the bike has a 300-pound weight limit. Most less expensive exercise bikes fall short of the Schwinn 230's warranty - 10 years for the frame, one year on mechanical and electrics, six months on wear items, but just 90 days on labor. If you want something even less expensive, the Marcy PL-43211 (*est. $100) gets the best reviews in the budget category, but it's an upright.

Also see full report: Exercise Bikes

Schwinn 230 Reviews

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Consumer Guide.com
Expert Review: Schwinn 220p
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Mar. 15, 2006

Consumer Guide reviews 16 exercise bikes, but without any discussion of testing details, we can't tell whether the recommended exercise bikes were subjected to hands-on tests. The Schwinn 220p gets a Best Buy rating. This model is the discontinued predecessor to the Schwinn 230. The newer model has two more preset workouts, but both have 16 resistance levels.

2. Amazon.com
Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike Reviews
Contributors to Amazon.com

We found about 125 user reviews for the Schwinn 230 at Amazon.com, for an average score of 4.5 out of five (only 13 owners score it less than a four). Almost all of the complaints involve shipping problems, and some say the bike arrived defective. The majority of owners say the Schwinn 230 bike is sturdy and quiet.

3. DicksSportingGoods.com
Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike Reviews
Contributors to DicksSportingGoods.com

About 15 owners review their Schwinn 230s here, all of them giving the exercise bike the maximum score of five or a four. Some owners say the lighting on the monitor needs improvement.

4. Sports Authority
Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike Reviews
Contributors to SportsAuthority.com

We found just a few user reviews for the Schwinn 230, not enough to gauge much consensus. The owner awarding the lowest score cites an annoying clicking sound.

Also see full report: Exercise Bikes

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