Using a stationary bike is a great form of cardio. It can strengthen your muscles, heart, and lungs without performing high impact movements. This can be a great way to maintain your optimum body weight and strengthen your legs. However, if you want to get the most enjoyment from your bike workouts, you need to choose the right exercise bike. In this Schwinn 130 upright bike review, we will explore this model to help you make an informed purchase decision.
About the Schwinn Upright Exercise Bike
Schwinn is one of the most recognizable names in cycling. The company has over 100 years of experience within the industry, which it is now applying to home fitness and its upright bike line. The Schwinn 130 Upright exercise bike has a high speed, high inertia flywheel, and strong tubular frame, for a smooth cycling experience. It also has a large, padded, and contoured seat and adjustable handlebars to help you get into your most comfortable cycling position.
There are also some innovative features that make this bike a great option including media shelf and MP3 input, but the stand out feature is the DualTrack console. This has 22 built in exercise programs including eight heart rate programs to help you create a tailored cardio workout.
Pros and Cons of the Schwinn 130 Upright Exercise Bike:
No product is perfect for everyone, so it is important to be aware of both the positives and potential negatives.
The Pros:
- Workout Presets: There are 22 built in workout routines offering great variety to meet your fitness goals. This includes beginner and advanced programs, fitness tests, and heart rate controlled sessions. Two users can also save profiles on the Dual Track system.
- Flexible Adjustment: The 130 is designed to help you get a comfortable cycling experience. So, you can not only adjust the seat, but also move the console and forearm rests for an ergonomic fit.
- Solid Warranty: Despite its fairly modest price tag, the 130 has a solid warranty. Schwinn offers a 10 year warranty for the frame, while the parts have a two year warranty and any electrical components have a one year warranty. There is also free labor for issues in the first 90 days.
- Media Compatibility: In addition to the two data screens on the console, this model features MP3 player speakers, a media shelf, and a USB port, so you can stay connected as you workout.
The Cons:
- Packaging Issues: There are some Schwinn 130 upright bike reviews and complaints about the packaging for this exercise bike. The packaging is not particularly durable, and careless shippers may dent the boxes and cause damage to the components.
- The Pedals: There is only a small gap between the pedals and the bike frame, so it is easy to hit your shoes on the sides of the bike. Additionally, the pedals feel a little cheap, which may make them vulnerable to breaking with normal use.
- Grip Heart Rate System: While some exercise equipment features wireless heart rate systems, the Schwinn 130 upright bike has a grip system. The receivers for the system are embedded into the forearm rests. This makes them less accurate and less convenient, with some reports that they fail to work consistently. If you want a wireless system, you would need to upgrade to the Schwinn 170.
Features of the Schwinn 130:
The Schwinn 130 upright bike is packed with features. We’ve already touched on one of the most impressive, which is the Dual Track console. This allows you to select “Quick Start” or manual mode, or opt for one of the workout routines and fitness tests. You can also create custom programs, with the space for two user profiles.
The Schwinn 130 also features a 13 pound flywheel that allows you to use digital controls to choose from 20 resistance levels. There are quick set buttons built into the console. There is also a data monitor with two window LCD. The computer tracks your workout data with 13 data points, supplying far more feedback than you would get from a typical stationary bike.
You can not only assess your speed, distance, time, and RPM, but also heart rate zone, intensity, heart rate, goals, and achievement.
This bike also has a three speed fan, built in water bottle holder, USB port with charger, MP3 speakers, and even a shelf for your mobile device or reading material.
Who Is the Schwinn 130 Upright Exercise Bike Best Suited For?
This is an entry level exercise bike, but it provides far more feedback and training guidance than you would get with a typical machine under $500. It has a nice computer console and some great quality components. While it does have some potential weak spots, such as the pedals, it is a solid machine with an impressive 10 year frame warranty.
This makes it a great option for those who are looking for a budget friendly option that they don’t want to have to replace within a year or two. It is also a good choice for those who need additional guidance on their training. You can create custom training programs or follow one of the preprogrammed settings to help you get the best workout for your fitness goals.
Who is the Schwinn 130 Not Suited For?
Of course, even the best machines are not the ideal choice for everyone. The Schwinn 130 upright bike is only rated for users up to 300 pounds. So, if you’re heavier and are looking to start a healthy regime, this is not the right bike for you. It also has some issues around the pedal design. Since there is only a small gap between the pedals and the bike frame, if you have wider feet or prefer a chunkier sneaker, you may have difficulty with this bike.
In Conclusion
Overall, the Schwinn 130 Upright bike is a great option. With its fairly modest price tag and abundance of features, it is a great option for budget conscious users who are looking for something more than a basic exercise bike.