Customer Reviews

Schwinn A20 Recumbent Exercise Bike

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(44)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The A20 is the replacement for the Active Series 20 and Amazon has now corrected their product description to show the correct information for the A20. I haven't seen the Active Series 20 so I can't really draw a comparison and trying to get comparison info (I was trying to decide which one to buy) from the sales staff at Schwinn was impossible since the person I talked to hadn't even seen an actual working model of the A20 (let alone sat on one) and his information was limited to that which was presented on the website. I decided on the A20 since it did appear that they tried to make some improvements plus there's the issue of being able to get parts if needed in the future.
I received the A20 yesterday and both my wife and I have used it once. I will update in the future.

SET UP: There are very few parts to deal with plus all necessary tools were included and this was a pleasant surprise. I laid them out and checked then against the list given in the assembly instructions before starting assembly. Everything was present. I was able to put it together by myself but having two people would be a nice option. It took about an hour to put it together and the instructions were easy to follow with words and diagrams.

FIRST TIME USE; The seat adjustment was easy which was nice since I share the use of it with my wife (I'm 5'9" and she is 5') Both of us had an easy time using it so height wasn't an issue. Some of the new items included with this new model were the water bottle holder (which I don't use) and a book platform which is now part of the lcd platform (doubtful I will use it but if you do, you'll need a way to keep the book open as it rests on a fairly shallow lip). It also has an added built in fan and I agree with the previous reviewer that it's totally useless unless you stick your face within a couple of inches of it (what were those engineers thinking???)but at least you can turn it off. The lcd panel still doesn't have back lighting which was a complaint with the Active Series 20. I'm not sure if the newer one differs in size but it's okay to read with at least some light (window,lamp,etc). The lettering isn't very bold on the lcd which makes it a little more difficult in low light. A fairly easy solution would be to attach a book light to the lip of the book holder. The operation during use is very quiet and with solid stability. The seat and back are padded and was fine during my initial use. The resistance levels were very easy to adjust as were the different courses. The monitor takes 4 D size batteries(not included) but there is an optional power adapter (9v,500ma) you can get from Schwinn for about $25 (including shipping) Might be worth looking into this or some generic adapter and saving batteries and bucks.
This was my first time on a recumbent exercise bike and I loved it. It did exactly what I was looking for in an exercise bike. I think it's a great exercise bike and the price is very reasonable. One reason I bought this bike was because of the Schwinn name (I think Nautilus owns Schwinn and Bowflex)and so far I'm not disappointed.
4 stars because of the lcd (lack of bold lettering and back light)and useless fan. These are very minor complaints which don't affect performance.


UPDATE 5-20-2011 - I've now been using this machine for a few months and without problems. There was a brief time when it made a small weird clicking noise coming from the pedal assembly but this stopped after awhile and hasn't been heard in weeks. Still a real mystery. Much of my previous review still holds. My biggest praise is for the ease of use and seat adjustment along with with the overall durability of the unit. Mechanically is does what it's supposed to do and very quietly (excluding that brief period previously noted). My biggest gripe is the display panel. It's often difficult to see in low light because primarily of the small lettering (although some back light might also be helpful). Hopefully Schwinn will address this issue in later models and thus make this model truly worthy of 5 stars.

After my husband helped me pull the bike out of the box, I wanted to see if I could put this together by myself; and, if so, how long it would take. So, I set a timer, chased my husband out of the room and began.

In 15 minutes I had removed the packaging and checked for missing parts. All the parts were there.

It took me just under an hour to put the bike together, and I did it all by myself! It was really easy! The parts were packaged in an organized manner and clearly identified so I had no trouble with parts. All the tools needed to put it together were included, so I only had to find a pair of scissors to remove packaging and four D batteries to operate the console. And the picture instructions were accurate and easy to follow. That was amazing in itself!

Now, I had it together, and it was time to try it out. After playing with the controls a bit, I figured out how to select a program and gave it a whirl. Here's what I like and don't like about operating the machine:

Pros:

The machine is QUIET! This is perfect for anyone who lives in an apartment or who is concerned with waking up a family member while exercising. I can't imagine this waking anyone up. A definite plus!

It will give you a good bicycle workout. The program automatically increases and decreases resistance so you have to push yourself to finish. If it's too hard, though, you can adjust the program. There are eight resistance levels and six preset programs to choose from and a Quick Start button so you can set your own speed, distance, etc.

During your workout, the console monitors time, RPMs, distance, speed, calories burned, resistance level, and heart rate. The heart rate monitor seemed to work pretty well and I was able to get it up into my ideal range within a few minutes on a higher resistance.

I've done quite a bit of biking (rode in the MS 150) and use the local gym equipment, so I know what it takes to get a good workout. No, this is not the quality of a gym exercise bike, but for the price, it's a pretty good substitute. (Note: there is a limit of 275 pounds for this bike.)

The bike doesn't take up a lot of space (61 inches long) and it's easy to move (60 pounds). My husband and I carried it upstairs without much trouble (we're in our 60s) and I can move it around myself, when needed. In spite of it being easy to move, it's extremely stable. I don't worry that it's going to fall over or tilt while using it.

Cons:

I don't like is the fan, the display, and the seat.

The fan is useless. Don't even bother turning it on. There is not enough wind to blow a feather!

The display panel uses a very thin, light font that makes it extremely hard to read, especially with older eyes. I have to stop to read the display. Not happy with that.

The handlebar sits right below the seat cushion and as I pedal, I can feel it press on my butt! Not very comfortable! I put a small cushion back there to pad it.

Bottom line:

The bottom line is this: if you can't join a gym, this is a great addition for a lower-budget home gym. It's quiet, easy to use, convenient, doesn't take a lot of space, and you'll get a good bicycle workout for the money.

I ride it every night. It is very sturdy and dependable and it also does not take up too much space. Sitting in this position riding for 30 minutes is a pleasure. It is quiet so I can ride it at night with out aggravating my wife. The levels work perfectly.

All the important stuff works great but you can forget the fan and the heart rate indicator. The fan can only be felt 1 inch from the surface. The heart rate indicator was way off in my opinion. For example, I am riding it now as I type with over 20 minutes on the timer at a decent pace. According to the monitor presently my heart rate is 78, just not possible.

Also, the laptop/book holder is okay for my small laptop. Typing is difficult right now but I am usually playing chess while I ride so that is not bad. Continuous typing would be painful this way. Additionally, I am 5'4" and could never use this for reading. it is too far away and at the wrong angle. I do highly recommend and feel like it will last a long time.

The bike was easy to setup the first time I put it together excepting that it didn't work. The bike did not respond to the control panel. The exercise-programs didn't work at all. It took about 80 minutes with Nautilus Tech Support on the phone to take apart the central part of the bike- the middle factory-assembled piece with the pedals, flywheel, and magnet-positioning motor. The technician concluded that the positioning-motor or the cable to it was bad. I was sent another motor. It was sent 3-day Fedex. I installed the motor. It didn't work. I called back. The new technician thought it was the control panel (called the console) and she sent that 3 day Fedex. I was worried that the bike would never work, so I chatted with Amazon and they told me that I would be given extra time to return the bike because I was working with the vendor. As mentioned in some of the other feedback, the replacement console solved the problem. (By the way connect the motor to the console and be sure it all works before re-installing.) Luckily I took photos of the bike as I took it apart. Because I had replaced the motor I had to re-adjust three different nuts to bring the bike into alignment. Whew! It all works great now. Maybe I should have just told the technician "I can't take the factory assembled piece apart," do you want me to send that piece back? But even that would have been a lot of trouble. Maybe it just doesn't make any sense to buy big things over the Internet.

I love this bike. I'm a 60yr old that doesn't get out much in the winter because my husband is disabled. This gives me the excercise I need. It is quiet, and lightweight for a recumbent bike.

I wish Amazon would have told me to purchase the adaptor. It runs well on the batteries, but the adapter is sold seperately. I called and got one directly from Schwinn. Programming the bike is a little difficult at first, I didn't realize you had to hit enter after each category, but I've got it down pat now. I've had my bike for a month and so far so good. I use it everyday.

This is a sturdy and well engineered stationary bike. It requires some intricate assembly but the instructions and all parts are easy to use and follow. All required parts and tools are included in a sealed board with clear descriptions. Takes about one hour to assemble.
This is a versatile machine with several programs and varied workouts. It is powered by four D batteries which was not advertised. It has a alternate AC/DC converter line which you have to purcahse separately. This is a big bother when they could have included the adapter in the package for a minimal cost.
Shiping was simple and quick. The package requires two men to lift and move to the assembly point.
Overall this was exactly what we ordered, with the exception of the preferred power source.

This bike is very quiet (important for sleeping babes). My wife didn't even know I was working out until I was done and she saw me covered in sweat. The seat is comfortable. It feels more sturdy than even gym bikes and there is no clanking about (i'm about 250 lbs). It provides good resistant and I haven't ventured beyond halfway yet. It does make a whirring sound as it increases resistance, but it isn't that loud.

The computer makes an annoying beeping when it starts that you cannot turn off, but its not that bad.

The computer is at an angle that makes it difficult to see if you are my height like 5'8" (one star off). I plan to figure out a way to increase the angle a big with some type of wedge. That will also put the iPad I rest on the book stand at a better viewing angle.

It requires AA batteries.

It took me about an hour to assemble and it wasn't terribly complicated.

The hand grip slides a little, but not so much it is unsafe or "loose" would prefer it to feel more solid, but its minor and one of those things that only annoys perfectionists like me. I bet I could fix that if I went to tighten the bolts again.

I would easily buy this bike again and the computer angle will take time to adjust but the sturdiness and quietness are great.

The important things for me are that the machine is quiet and solid. This exerciser is both.

-quick note- mine took four d-cell batteries. There is an optional adapter to plug it in, but I didn't get that.

Why five stars though? The thing costs 10% of what I spent on that fancy treadmill and is far far quieter. I like to watch TV while I pedal or run. At least that way I feel like I'm not totally lazy. I have to crank the volume to hear over the treadmill. I don't have to crank the volume at all when I use this recumbent bike exerciser.

Yes, you can really burn some calories on this thing. Especially if you find yourself pedaling away for a whole movie.

This exerciser comes in a kit but is easy to assemble. I did it late at night after a tiring day when I couldn't get to sleep. No problems. About 45 very lazy unfocused minutes. An adjustable wrench is recommended, I pretzeled the cheapie wrench that came in the box. The kit is well packaged. No parts were damaged and the various nuts, bolts, washers, etc. were very clearly marked. The marks even matched the directions.

There are a few training programs but I just turn it on and fiddle with the arrows to set the difficulty level. Boring maybe, but it works for me.

The things I don't like are the batteries and the display. It would be so easy to power this thing from, well, the pedals. It's not like the electronics require much juice. The display is a bit hard to see because it is kinda distant. The riding position places your head pretty far back and away from that console display - which has a shelf for holding a book that better have large, clear, and dark print. Also, the advertising sticker on the console is hard to peel off. I haven't bothered with mine yet. The fan in the console is silly.

On the other hand, I don't care too much about the console display. I just sit, pedal, and read (book in hand) or watch TV. It's nice to check cadence and heart rate occasionally, a quick squint at the display is all it takes.

Sure, this thing isn't perfect, but it is great for the price.

Assembly is a breeze and very straightforward. The bike can be assembled in a little under an hour with the included tools (disposable wrenches and Philips head screwdriver). All pieces are clearly marked and there aren't a lot of small pieces or screws. Just be advised, you should pick up four D batteries before assembly. They are required but not included. Once assembled, the size of the bike is pretty good. It is not too large and doesn't require a large dedicated area. It will easily fit into a typical home gym, garage, or basement. The bike does stay in its final assembly form. It does not collapse or fold away in any manner. It's also impractical to partially disassemble for storage due to the heart rate wires that are fed through the tubing. The only storage option other than keeping it flat is to store it upright (as long as you have a way to ensure it won't tip). The bike is a manageable weight after assembly and can be easily moved by two, or even one, adult. I had no problem carrying it from one room to another by myself.

The control panel is mediocre at best. It's a basic non-illuminated LCD panel. There are no fancy colored LEDs nor tons of pre-programmed workout options. It's definitely bargain fare, but still useful. Pedal resistance is adjustable using the control panel. The recumbent seating position feels much more comfortable (to me at least) than an upright exercise bike. My wife and I are roughly the same height, so we haven't had to adjust the seat thus far, but it's easy enough to do if needed. There are a few programmed modes of varied resistance that, although not as feature-rich as some of the higher-end or commercial bikes, still provide a decent workout. You can also manually adjust resistance for a self-tailored workout. The pre-programmed workouts are pretty generic (warm-up, hills, cool down). There are no fat burner or other specialized workouts like those found on more expensive bikes. The computer will monitor heart rate (via the sensors built into the hand bars), distance, and resistance, calories burned, and the workout program. With a little diligence, you can monitor your workout for maximum fat burning and cardio conditioning. You can also use an optional 6V DC adapter (not included) instead of batteries. There is also a fan and a cup holder on the base. The fan is comically ineffective. You feel absolutely no air when it's on. In fact, it is the very first electric fan that I have ever encountered that is incapable of even blowing out a match (yes, I tried and yes, it failed).

Weak fan aside, the Schwinn A20 is a good bargain exercise bike with a limited but effective selection of pre-programmed workouts. It won't offer all the bells and whistles or fancy options like a typical health club bike, but the price point and size are spot-on. If you're serious about working out, this is a nice affordable addition to any home gym.

This recumbent bike is exactly what I was looking for: it was inexpensive, has electronic controls, is almost completely silent, is easy to move around and doesn't take up much space compared to many other recumbent exercise bikes. I would definitely make this purchase again. The only down side is that the seat is a little uncomfortable after a while. I am thinking about getting a chair cushion to put on it.

Another thing to note... I just noticed the description on Amazon says that this bike includes 11 programs, which is not correct. There are no heart-rate controlled programs, only 6 preset, and 1 manual program. There ARE rear stabilizers, a reading rack, a cup holder, and a fan (though an utterly worthless fan)You CAN switch from miles to kilometers... they have the specs all wrong. They seem to have used the specs from a different model. I recommend looking this bike up directly through Schwinn for correct info. I contacted Amazon to request they correct it.

All in all, it is a great bargain, solidly built, stable, quiet, economical, but a little uncomfortable, and the fan is worthless. Definitely worth the money, though.