Home exercise bikes offer all sorts of positive benefits compared to exercise bikes at public gyms, especially in a world that’s increasingly health-conscious. Home exercise bikes like Schwinn Upright Bikes provide privacy, familiarity, and ease of access that no amount of purple exercise equipment can rival- but they’re a lot of work.
Building a full home gym takes a considerable amount of time and resources, and a good exercise bike is an indispensable part of that. Check out just a few of the different qualities The Schwinn 130, 170, and A10 models have to offer. Then we will break down the details of each bike so you can make an informed decision on which bike is best for you.
Contents
Quick Overview of Schwinn 130, 170 and A10
When it comes to workout bikes, Schwinn has it down to a science. The Schwinn 130 Upright Bike is a slim, sleek-looking bike, modeled closely after the Schwinn road bike, with its own specific characteristics. One of the most notable features is the quality tech specs that The Schwinn 130 offers, which we’ll get into later. With 20 resistance levels available, this bike definitely gives you a large number of options necessary for any type of workout you have in mind.
The Schwinn 170 takes it up a notch, offering 25 resistance levels. No matter if you’re trying to get beach-body ready or you’re looking to preemptively combat your winter weight, The Schwinn 170 is a great workout bike for both the casual gym-goer and those committed to massive gains. Not all stationary bikes are created equal due to the various benefits of each type of stationary bike. The Schwinn 170 alone provides 29 different workout plans, which further sets it apart from the 130 series.
Considering these great features, we must mention The Schwinn A10 Upright bike. This bike allows for a high degree of versatility in workouts, allowing you to target specific muscles and work on resistance training with increased effectiveness. While this model may not offer as many resistance levels or workout program options it can still get the job done as a stationary upright exercise bike that’s sleek and easy to store. It offers a good cardio workout option at a lower cost.
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Before You Buy
When making big purchases, it’s always wise to identify what you’re looking for: How much are you going to use your bike? Do you have a place to put it? How big is that space? What types of cycling do you like to do? Do you prefer high or low resistance? Answering these questions can help orient you in your search and set up the necessary criteria for your dream bike.
If you’re more inclined to low impact, low-intensity workouts, you might be interested in a smaller bike with a high degree of adjustability, for general toning, and a full-body workout. In contrast, those more acquainted with pain (and gain) will prefer a sturdier bike with more diverse resistance settings to target specific muscle groups. There’s a whole ecosystem of stationary bikes out there, and this guide is merely one guided tour through a very small section of the bike bayou.
Main Review of the Schwinn 130, 170, and A10 Upright bike
To make sure this review is as thorough as possible, we’ll be taking into account all aspects of the bikes, from their physical frame to their user interface. While there are certain advantages to having a bigger bike, today most stationary bicycles can deliver a smooth, sturdy ride in a slim, compact frame, making most larger bikes a big no-no.
There’s also connectivity to consider. Even if you aren’t going to be posting your workouts as gym goals, everyone loves a little music with their workout, making mp3/bluetooth compatibility a significant factor in picking your equipment.
Expanding on connectivity- what kind of display are you looking for? Sure, a bike can keep track of distance and time, but more important than that: do you want a bike that keeps careful track of each one of your vital signs, or are you more content to let your sweat speak for itself?
Bikes with tech are increasingly common, but also come with a serious price bump, making them something to look out for when shopping around. Prices can also vary on the same bike from site to site, and while we’ve tried to provide the lowest prices we could find in our link list, it never hurts to double or triple check.
Schwinn 130
Marketed as a universal bike, the Schwinn 130 is perfect for anyone no matter what stage of their workout journey they’re on. With fully adjustable padded handlebars, a water bottle holder, and a media shelf on the display, you have everything you need to workout as comfortably as possible, whether you’re doing a breezy fifteen before work or training for a marathon.
It has an extensive display, showing time tracked, pulse and heart rate info, as well as allowing for two separate user profiles, so you and your partner can both keep track of your fitness goals. It also allows for mp3 input (so you can play music from your phone out of the in-console speakers).
However, it doesn’t arrive preassembled, and customer reviews consistently warn to invest in a better bike seat from your local bike shop, adding another twenty-five to fifty dollars to an already considerable price tag. Or you may consider purchasing the In-Home Assembly service when you order directly from Amazon.
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Pros
- Multiple user profiles
- In-console speakers
- Extensive display
- 20 levels of resistance
- 22 programs
Cons
- At-home assembly
- Additional accessories required
Schwinn 170
The Schwinn 170 Upright Bike is like the 130 on steroids. Along with having all of the aforementioned benefits, the 170 allows for up to 4 user profiles, making it perfect for family use. It’s also Bluetooth compatible, meaning you can hook up your favorite workout app and make sure you’re getting the most out of your workout.
Read our full Schwinn 170 Review Here.
It also has an additional five resistance settings and 29 unique programs for everything from strength training to winding down after a long day at the office. It also doesn’t arrive preassembled, being a bit bigger than the 130 (featuring wider pedals along with carrying a heftier price tag), and it should be noted that it does make some noise, which may be a turnoff for those in shared living situations or apartments.
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Pros
- Four user profiles
- In-console speakers
- Bluetooth compatibility
- Extensive display
- 25 levels of resistance
- 29 workout programs
Cons
- Bulky
- Slightly noisy
Schwinn A10 Standing Bike
For those looking for a lower commitment bike, the A10 is the bike for you. With transport wheels to allow for easy storage and a sleek design for a smoother ride and a quieter workout, the A10 is the perfect starter bike for anyone looking to make a change in their lifestyle.
While it only comes with seven programs and eight resistance settings, a far cry from the 20+ each offered by the previous two models, it also comes at a lower price point, making it a great starter investment. It also exchanges the high tech interface for a more stripped-down approach, only tracking time and distance, along with capturing heart rate with grip sensors. It does, however, have mp3 capabilities, so you can keep your tunes blasting all through your workout.
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Pros
- Easily storable
- Sleek design
- Smooth and quiet workout
- Smaller investment
Cons
- Fewer resistance settings
- Limited user interface
Similar Products on the Market
None of these strike your fancy? You might be in the market for something geared toward therapeutic exercise- Exerpeutic if you will. This is where you’re introduced to the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike, a portable bicycle powerhouse for those who aren’t looking to break the bank (or their back) for a good workout.
Despite boasting the smallest frame yet, only taking up four square feet, this bike comes equipped with a heart rate monitor and led display, as well as eight different levels of magnetic resistance. It’s comparable to the A10 but can clock in at considerably cheaper depending on where you get it from. While it lacks the hardiness for any serious pedal-to-the-metal riding, it’s a great option for low impact cycling.
Or, if you’re not feeling the Schwinn style, you could check out the Nautilus U618, a bike that takes the connectivity of the 170 and turns it up a notch. With the bike, you get access to the Travel The World app, which, using your phone, provides you with scenic tours of high definition countrysides to pedal through, turning a simple morning workout into the adventure of a lifetime.
With impressive Bluetooth capacity and crazy vital monitoring technology, on top of the 20+ programs and 25 levels of resistance, the Nautilus also boasts an impressive history of quality equipment, so you can be assured that your bike won’t break on you any time soon.
| Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|
 | Nautilus R618 Recumbent Bike | Check Price |
Conclusions
With such a diverse range of bikes, it’s hard to choose a clear winner. If you’re looking for a casual exercise bike, the A10 & Exerpeutic bikes are your best bet, while those ready for a more intense regimen might feel more inclined towards the 170 and the Nautilus bikes. Even with such a diverse group, the unparalleled versatility of the Schwinn 130 makes it the clear winner.
Suitable for both a light ride and a heart-pounding chase, it’s a sturdy, well-made bike that’ll carry you through all the hills and valleys of home workouts. With mp3 compatibility and a media shelf featured in the display, the Schwinn 130 takes working out from a drag to a form of self-care to rival the bath bomb. Use your workout time to finish another episode of that oh-so-binge-able Netflix show or get re-obsessed with your favorite 90’s pop star, if you’re doing it on a bike it doesn’t count!
Chris Jordan
Hey there, I'm Chris Jordan! I'm a certified personal trainer and dietician with over 11 years of experience in the fitness industry. I've helped thousands of people achieve better physical and mental health. When I'm not working, I love spending time with my dog.
