Rated #1 Recumbent Bike under $1,000 by a leading consumer magazine.

The Schwinn 231 has an amazing number of workout programs for its price range, including Manual, Custom, Heart Rate, Profile, Time Trial w/pacer, Fitness Test, Calorie Goal, BMI Measurement, Recovery Test, Results Mode, and Quick Start. The alpha numeric readout is large and easy to read.

The 231 boasts all the high-quality features of the Schwinn 213, but adds several extras, including a nicer, easier-to-read instrument panel with a three-position angle adjustment, a better cooling fan, a slightly lower pedal height that produces a more comfortable riding position, and an easy step-through frame. A reading rack and bottle holder are nice touches that keep you on the machine longer.

And that doesn’t even account for all the essentials, which range from 16 resistance levels to handlebars with an integrated heart rate monitor built into the grip. The handiest feature, however, is unquestionably the anatomically designed bio-fit recumbent seat, which not only offers a dual-position lumbar support for added comfort, but also a padded base that adjusts in the for aft positions to accommodate a variety of body types and sizes.

Schwinn 231 Recumbent Exercise Bike Features

• Walk-through design accommodates users with a wider range of abilities and fitness levels
• BioConnect® Feedback system with backlit LCD display shows a variety of workout statistics – including Time, RPM, Distance, Watts, and many more – to help you get the most out of your workouts
• A full complement of workout programs, including 10 preset, and 10 profile courses
• BioDyne® Performance engineering creates a smooth ride and high inertia from a 20 lb. steel flywheel and computer-controlled drive system
• BioFit® comfort system with padded ergonomic seat with dual-position lumbar support
• Dimensions: 67″ L x 25″ W x 52″ H; 103 lbs.
• Max User Weight: 300 lbs.

Schwinn 231 Recumbent Exercise Bike Reviews

141 of 144 people found the following review helpful:
This bike replaced my La-Z-Boy!, May 16, 2007
By Kendra Kahn (Dripping Springs, Texas United States)

Even though I own an elliptical and a home gym, I still find myself sitting in my chair watching television or reading online and not exercising. As long as I’m going to engage in those activities, why not burn some calories at the same time?

I read the reviews on another model and then came across the 231. It’s $100 more but it sounded like many of the issues in the other bike had been resolved. I ordered the bike through Brinks because another review mentioned better packaging.

I ordered the bike on a Saturday and received it the following Thursday! I stayed up late and put it together myself in about three hours. It took me longer than others because I was trying to attach a part wrong and it took me awhile to figure it out. It was my fault, though. I thought the directions were easy to follow and the parts were packaged in such a way that it was very easy to determine which parts were called for.

Hint: Before you put the machine together, write down the serial number which is under the rear stabilizer. It’s much easier to write down BEFORE the bike is put together!

Once it was together, the right pedal made a knocking noise and vibration that I could feel in my foot. This was irritating so I called customer service and was advised to remove, clean, and retighten the pedal. It worked! A week or so later, I had some confusion about how to use the Recovery button so I called customer service again. We figured out that I was using it incorrectly — you do it DURING a program, not once you’re finished. (My elliptical does it differently.) Both times, the customer service representative was friendly and helpful and the problems were resolved.

The bike is very easy to use, from sitting down to setting the program. We haven’t had to change the seat adjustment as my husband and I have the same length legs. We are also the same age but we do have to change the weight setting. Entering the info at the beginning takes just seconds. I like how the program remembers the previous settings so you don’t always have to start from scratch. It even remembers the intensity level for a particular program. The fan is adjustable and I find it quite refreshing — it blows right on my face but not so strongly that it dries out my eyes.

I removed the pedal straps — they didn’t seem necessary. The bike is very quiet — the fan is the only part that makes noise and the occasional beeping as each interval passes. I’m just amazed at how quickly the time passes while I’m exercising. And it’s a good workout, too! We both have to wipe the sweat off the seat when we’re finished and we’re not even working at the highest levels or going all that fast.

I’m very pleased with our purchase and strongly recommend this model!

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