Customer Reviews

Schwinn 418 Elliptical Trainer [Discontinued]

5 star:		(65)
4 star:		(54)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

In the two weeks I have used the Schwinn 418 Elliptical Trainer I have been quite happy with its performance. Its magnetic friction keeps the machine quiet so others in the house don't complain about the noise. The motion is silk smooth and still provides a good workout.

Why not 5 stars? First, the one of the footpads came broken and I have had to order a new one (machine is still usable of course). And second, the instructions are unclear about using the control panel. I have been learning how to use it through trial and error.

I purchased the 418 from Amazon after finding that this was the Consumer Reports Best Buy, and rated number two on their review list. Intermingled with the several thousand dollar units was the Schwinn, MSRP of $1200. Amazon had it for $799 w/ free shipping, a bit more than other retailers, but they weren't offering free shipping, so the price difference became a dollar.

The unit was delivered within a couple weeks, handled by a bulk transport company. They were very cordial, called 15 minutes prior to arrival so I could leave the office to meet them at the house. It is a threshold delivery, so they unloaded it from the pallet off the truck and left it in my garage. I unboxed it in the garage and carried the pieces to my basement, and began assembly. The directions are about as expected for a device like this. However, I ran into a big problem, I was missing the console mast assembly (large upright piece that the display goes on). So we called the Schwinn customer support number and they by second day air the "mast assembly." I was quite shocked to find an 8" box sitting on my porch when it should have been 3 feet long. The part number was correct we learned when calling them back, but they pulled the wrong item from the warehouse. They again resent a console mast assembly by second day air. Brought the large package into my basement, and my wife began reassembling. Only to find out that this piece didn't fit into our unit. I got home from work to find my wife on the phone with the rep. He had her taking off the plastic covering to try and slide the assembly in. Mind you, we're talking about two square pieces here of both the same size. It wouldn't even fit into the round plastic opening, which is why they had her taking apart the covers. In the meantime, I called and got a different rep on the phone. Within five minutes, she told me that they no longer make the console mast assembly for this model (2006 model, hello, just purchased?) They suggested that I go back to the retailer and inform them of my issue.

This is where Amazon really shone through. Amazon offered to have the bulk freight company come out to my house and pick up all the pieces. I had already thrown out the large box the unit came in. And they delivered a new unit. The new unit had all the pieces and is flawless. I LOVE this machine. It is totally silent, which I love. Our treadmill next to the elliptical requires you turn the TV up so loud, you can hear it through the entire house. I am 6'3" and was quite shocked that I didn't need a ton of extra headroom to use this. Our basement ceilings are probably 7.5 feet, and I only just touch the ceiling, so I have to take out a drop tile.

The only reason I gave it four stars is that I'm hesitant about the company being able to provide replacement parts under warranty if something should happen given my experiences in trying to get the missing part. I'd give it five stars as it stands mechanically and quality wise today.

I purchased a Schwinn 418 Elliptical Trainer in April of 2005 after reading about it in the January, 2005 Consumer Reports magazine. I purchased from Amazon through a third party vendor and paid significantly more than what it is selling for now. After reading the comments on here mentioning worries about quality control, I wanted to assure people that, two years later, my machine is working just as well as it did the day I installed it. I use the machine religiously for 45 minutes a day five days a week, and my wife uses it, too, though not as regularly. It is virtually silent, smooth, and dependable. The ONLY problems I have with it are two: 1) Every now and then, for no real reason, the display messes up on the machine and displays too dark of an image. I simply unplug the machine, wait about 10 seconds, and plug it back in again. Everything works fine. 2) In 23 months I've had to tighten the bolts holding the machine together probably four or five times. Every few months or so the machine gets a wobble or creaks a little or I feel a weird vibration in one of the foot pedals, but I tighten up the bolts and life is good again.

Actually, I wonder how many of the people complaining on here about a noisy machine simply need to tighten the bolts. I remember having to make adjustments the first week or so to get the machine adjusted so that it didn't wobble or creak.

So all in all, it's been a terrific machine, and I am a very satisfied customer who paid almost $1,100 with shipping for my machine. I consider $799 a bargain, and I've honestly considered purchasing a second machine just to keep around for when I wear this one out.

UPDATE OF THIS ORIGINAL REVIEW: Since writing this review I have further researched the Schwinn 418. I couldn't figure out why I had such a great machine and why so many people complained about theirs, especially about the mast assembly, which seemed really sturdy on my machine. I have learned that in 2006 there was an apparent change in the way the machine was manufactured. Specifically, there was--according to these reports--a change in the mast assembly. I am not sure if that is the case or not, but having not seen a recent model to compare to mine, I can no longer recommend a new Schwinn 418. Now, if you can get your hands on a 2005 model...

I purchased this machine because I recently broke my toe, and the doctor said no treadmill for 4-5 weeks. I was used to a rigorous 50-minute workout each day.

I received the Schwinn 418 Elliptical trainer today.
First, I don't know how Amazon can offer free shipping, but what a deal.
It was shipped to a city an hour away, and then a local delivery firm was hired to take it the rest of the way. Wow!

First, assembly. No missing parts, no extra parts, no broken parts.
The manual was clear and easy to understand. I had it completely assembled in exactly 40 minutes. Seriously, if it takes someone 3 hours to put this together, there are much deeper issues at work, issues that Schwinn can't be blamed for.

As soon as I assembled the 418, I took it for a spin. I had never used an elliptical before. Wow, it really works the upper legs. I can see this is going to be a very tough workout.

The machine is very solid. A few clunking sounds were quickly remedied by torquing down on the bolts a little more.

I will update this review after I've put the machine through its paces for a few weeks. But I really wanted to address the complaints about difficult assembly and poor quality control. No problems here. User error, perhaps?


Update: After using this machine every day for almost 2 weeks, I would now give it 1 star. It is so unbearably loud that I had to go back to using wireless headphones because I can't hear the TV over the horrible shrieking and squealing.

Every single joint on this machine creaks and squeals loudly.
I've loosened bolts, tightened bolts, and lubed every single moving part.

No help.

If I'd tried this machine out first, I wouldn't have even considered buying it. As it is, I'm stuck with it. It delivers a great workout, but the noise level is inexcusable.


Update #2: The Schwinn engineers (I use the term loosely) chose to use a tiny little setscrew to secure the handlebars to the lower bars, a critical joint.

Watch out...when that little setscrew works itself out, and the machine comes apart mid-stride as mine did, you could easily break your leg or smash your face on the console.

This machine is shoddy in every respect. The noise level has increased beyond what I thought could be possible. I may just record a video review so that people can see how this thing wobbles and squeaks.

There's nothing left to tighten/loosen/lube. The 418 is just junk.

This product is well made, works well, is quite, and was not difficult to put together.

I have been using it for about 3-4 months now and have no complaints.

I was also concerned about how steady it would be, and while not as heavy as gym models, I have found it to be very stable. It's not really an issue.

Set up took about 2-3 hours, watched TV while putting it together. Tools needed are included. No hassle. Instructions are clear and straight forward.

A great bargin on a great piece of exercise equipment. It rolls on its front legs/bar, so it's fairly easy to move by lifting up the back.

I received the eliptical machine on Tuesday. I used it once for 30 minutes and was very happy. It was smooth and quiet and I was quite happy with my purchase then on Wednesday I was using it and 20 minutes in, the left side popped off the track. I thought no big deal and I put it back. It kept doing that. I went over the instructions again on how to put it together and confirmed I had everything attached properly and attempted to use it again....same thing the left side popped off the track. I called Schwinn customer support and they set up a technician to call me but I have not heard from anyone yet. It is now Friday afternoon. To be honest, I am not happy about it. Per the customer support representative from Schwinn a portion of the frame may be bent. Oh well....I will wait until Monday and hope that a technician calls me and can come to my house in the evening or weekends because I work. I will keep you posted.

Monday came and went and I did not get any calls. I worked with Amazon to get a replacement. I am happy with Amazon and thier customer support because they are willing to replace the broken eliptical machine. I will let you know if the replacement comes and I am able to use it.

I have received the replacement and it was set up. So far so good.

My 418 arrived on Tuesday this week. I assembled it reasonbly quickly, and was delighted with the smooth quiet operation. The same night, however, as I held on to the center grips, I heard a crack. I shook the center mast a bit and got another crack, and now the whole center mast just wobbles and the unit is unusable.

Schwinn sent a replacement mast within 48 hours, but it was the incorrect mast. The new correct mast will not be available for a month, but I'm not certain that the mast broke, or if it was the bracket inside of the base unit that supports the mast. I just can't perceive of how the mast itself could fail.

It's going to be tough in either case to dissassemble and return it, or wait a month, disassemble and repair it.

In short, it's clearly a gamble if you're going to buy one of these machines. I'm skeptical of reviews that are only a few days old!

Purchased the 418 Elliptical 5 months ago now. Reviews after a week or two may not tell the whole story. After 3 weeks the clicks, squeaks and clunks wouldn't go away by just tighting bolts so I called for service. It took 4 weeks to get a tech. to look at it, he had to order parts which took another 4 weeks. Replaced one of the main flywheels inside and the track rollers under the pedals. It's not as noisy now but still makes a clicking noise on every rotation and intermittent squeaks and clunks. Thought by spending a little more on this machine than the cheaper competition these problems would have been avoided, not so.

The heat rate monitor is not accurate but the rest of the electronic features have been working fine, unlike many other reviewer's comments.

I was very happy with this machine for a short time. Then it started making a clunking noise in one of the pedals. At first I was able to make it go away by tightening screws. Now, only having had the machine for about a month, I cannot stop the thing from popping and clunking when I use it. $800 is not cheap for a rickety clunky machine.

Overall, there is plenty to like about the Schwinn 418. For a relatively inexpensive elliptical trainer it feels very solid, and, when using the different preset programs at different levels of difficulty, it reacts like you would expect. I was missing two washers necessary for installation, and it took quite some time to get them from Schwinn once I called. Secondly, it developed a squeak after a few weeks that is very annoying, and nothing within the installation/maintenance manuals mention how to handle such an issue. Turning the ipod louder can only go so far....