When looking for affordable indoor cycling bikes that lean, Schwinn is one of the few names that pop up. The company has an impressive lineup that connects with various kinds of users. The IC4 is undeniably one of their more popular models. Many times, it is compared with the Echelon EX5, another popular model with a higher price tag.
Today, we will briefly review the Echelon EX5 vs Schwinn IC4 with regards to their main features, such as connectivity, display, resistance, and price. In the end, we hope you will be able to decide the best fit for you, depending on your fitness goals.
Without wasting any more time, let’s delve straight in!
Echelon EX5 Spin Bike Overview
At $1600, the Echelon EX5 is a worthy alternative to the Peloton bike. It offers most of the things you can expect from a high-end spin bike – a large padded seat, magnetic resistance, sturdy steel frame, built-in speakers, and Bluetooth capability.
Like Peloton, it provides access to live, and on-demand classes taught online by instructors. There are up to 30 live classes tailored for riders with different levels of experience. So, whether you’re just starting out or have been cycling for a long time, there’s always something for you.
Like other Echelon bikes, the EX5 has 32 resistance levels.
Schwinn IC4 Overview
The Schwinn IC4 is one of the most popular budget-friendly alternatives to the Peloton bike. At the time of this writing, the price is pegged at $999, which is $600 less than the price of the Echelon EX5.
Despite its relatively low price, the bike is high-quality and offers “connected” features.
Unlike the EX5, it offers up to 100 resistance levels, which is quite impressive given it’s the cheaper bike. A resistance knob is included to make it easy to switch the levels.
Other features of the bike include a backlit LCD console that displays key metrics such as time, calories burned, heart rate, speed, and more. A tablet holder for your phone or tablet. You can connect directly to fitness apps like Peloton or Zwift.
Our Verdict: Echelon EX5 vs Schwinn IC4
Overall, we found the Echelon EX5 to be better than the Schwinn IC4. It offers better connectivity, which leads to a more complete experience.
But if you want a more budget-friendly option, the Schwinn IC4 is the way to go. It doesn’t have its own live or on-demand classes, but it’s compatible with a lot of fitness apps out there, though this comes with a subscription cost, depending on your chosen app. It’s worth noting that some app features may not work.
Overall, if you have a fitness app already you want to use, Schwinn can be a great choice. But for a more connected and complete experience, the EX5 is the better bike.
