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Schwinn 231 Recumbent Exercise Bike | 
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| Brand: Schwinn
Category: Sports
List Price: $699.00
Buy New: $518.99
You Save: $180.01 (26%)
New (4) from $518.99
Rating:  81 reviews
Sales Rank: 204
Shipping Weight (lbs): 125
Dimensions (in): 67 x 25 x 13
MPN: 370005
Model: 231 Recumbent Bike
UPC: 708447505842
EAN: 0708447503701
ASIN: B000MXL5SQ
Release Date: January 26, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Stationary recumbent exercise bike with 16 resistance levels | | • | Easy-to-read instrument panel with 3-position angle adjustment | | • | Extra-wide comfort seat with dual-position lumbar support 10 preset programs; handlebars with integrated heart rate grips | | • | Transport wheels for easy movement; adjustable cooling fan | | • | Warranty information: frame - 10 years, mechanical and elecrical - 1 year, wear items - 6 months, labor - 90 days |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Free Shipping! Authorized Schwinn Dealer. The Schwinn 230 Recumbent with added programming and a fan to keep you cool. With 23 programs to meet all of your needs; including 10 pre-set courses, time trial with pacer, 2 user designed courses, 3 Heart Rate controlled programs, BMI measurement, Pulse Recovery and built-in Heart Rate monitoring. Featuring Walk Through Design designed for the elderly, disabled, or those recovering from an injury, or anybody who wants a bike that s easy to get in and out of. The front handle bar provides stability when getting in and out of the bike and also allows for additional riding positions for variety...
Amazon.com Product Description
Save money on monthly gym fees and get yourself in shape with the compact, comfortable Schwinn 231 recumbent exercise bike. 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. 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 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. Specifications: - 16 resistance levels
- 10 preset programs and 10 profile courses
- Programs include calorie goal, time trial, fitness test, BMI measurement, recovery test, results mode, quick start, and manual mode
- Backlit LCD monitor with BioConnect feedback display
- Workout stats include time, interval time, RPM, watts, distance, pulse, speed, calories, and resistance
- Extra-wide comfort seat with dual-position lumbar support and slide bolsters
- Premium BioFit pedals
- Handlebars with integrated heart rate grips
- Onboard storage behind seat for easy access to magazines, towels, and other accessories
- Adjustable cooling fan
- Transport wheels for easy movement
About Recumbent Exercise Bikes
Despite the competition from trendy new fitness inventions, exercise bikes continue to be popular options for home exercise. They offer the same aerobic benefits of riding a bicycle at any time, in any weather, without leaving the comfort and safety of home. Exercise bikes don't take up much space, require little or no balance or coordination, and can provide an effective workout for all levels of users, from beginners to serious competitors. While the same could be said for a number of other types of home fitness equipment, the exercise bike is one of the few that allows you to watch television or read a magazine while you work out. The term recumbent literally means "lying down." Exercising in a recumbent or reclining position allows the user to have full ergonomic back support, without causing strain on the arms, neck and shoulders, all of which can be common effects of using an upright bicycle. For many people, having convenient access to quality exercise equipment is critical to sticking with a long-term exercise program.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 76 more reviews...
 This bike replaced my La-Z-Boy! May 17, 2007
111 out of 113 found this review helpful
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!
Biggest bang for the buck! January 5, 2008
74 out of 75 found this review helpful
I'm a 64 year old fit male thanks to riding a four year old NAUTILUS NR3000 twice a week (community gym) to supplement weekend outdoor rides. I wanted one for home but couldn't afford it so I bought this SCHWINN 231 Recumbent Exercise Bike from AMAZON. This lighter weight SCHWINN 231 is also made by NAUTILUS and has similar features and functions.
PRE-PURCHASE: SCHWINN (NAUTILUS) Customer Service was exceptionally good answering all questions and helping me understand differences until I was comfortable.
ORDER: Easy and seamless like every order from AMAZON - they're the very best, most reliable source for anything they carry and sell. I chose free shipping and they shipped it the same day I placed my order.
DELIVERY: Easy and as promised - Eagle USA called me a couple days ahead to arrange a time convenient to me to deliver. They delivered on schedule and offered to place the bulky box it in the room/place of my choice.
PACKAGING: Exceptionally well packaged -- enough to protect all parts on its long trip from China to Illinois to Ohio and finally to California.
PARTS: Well organized and marked, easy to find and use. They include one-time use tools; IF you have your own, you'll prefer yours.
ASSEMBLY MANUAL: Well organized, clear, 99% easy to follow -- follow them exactly for best results with minimum frustration.
ASSEMBLY: I went slowly, step-by-step, carefully and methodically to avoid problems. It took an easy 2.5 hours and it started up perfectly the very first time -- thirty days and 15+ rides later, still working great.
USER (OPS) MANUAL: Very well organized and written - easy to understand and thoroughly explains features and proper operation. It also has basic fitness and other supplementary information.
SEAT: The seat on this bike (one of the most important features on any bike) is very comfortable, even on rides well over an hour -- more than can be said of most bikes -- one of its best features. BE SURE to adjust seat height/distance from pedals properly according to the manual for best results.
PEDALS: Great once the (over the foot) top strap is correctly adjusted for your feet; try to get it right the first time you set them as redoing them is no fun.
CONSOLE: After reading the manual once, all operations and functions are simple and intuitive - easy to read and use, visible in daylight.
HEART RATE MONITOR: Excellent once stabilized and checked against two independent, dedicated HR Monitors - bike's monitor was within +/- 1 BPM. Recommend you keep hands on the HR grip sensors - IF you take them off and HR readout goes blank, it will restart at the bottom and increment up slowly to actual HR taking up to 10 - 60 seconds to stabilize at the correct reading. Operated correctly with patience and common sense it's great.
FAN: Adequate air movement for cooler ambient temps. In warmer ambient temps, it may not move as much air as you'd like. Cerainly not a "go, no-go" issue for any serious user.
RIDE: The SCHWINN 231 is lighter than the NAUTILUS NR3000 and therefore slightly less stable; it wobbles a tiny bit during hard rides though it's good as is. It's a very quiet ride. Changing resistance or workload is smooth with minimal delay. It's worth noting again that the seat is very comfortable for rides well over an hour. The backrest's lumbar support feature is a nice, added bonus.
PROGRAM & READOUTS: I've been riding real and stationary bikes for years. This bike gives riders through advanced any level of workout they want or need once features and capabilities are fully learned and used. It reports lower "results" than other bikes - that is, for the same ride as other recumbents, the SCHWINN 231 gives lower speeds, watts expended and fewer calories burned than others. While reported results are lower, they're probably much closer to actual and a real outdoor cycle ride than others that over state results and make you feel better.
SUMMARY: I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE SCHWINN 231 RECUMBENT EXERCISE BIKE for attaining and maintaining your desired level of fitness, especially given the fine support can expect from SCHWINN FITNESS/NAUTILUS Customer Service if/when needed.
ONE LAST THOUGHT: IF you're serious about fitness, I strongly recommend two books with your SCHWINN 231 -- both available from AMAZON. Read and apply the principals as valid for stationary bikes as for real ones:
a."The Heart Rate Monitor Book for Cyclists" by Sally Edwards and Sally Reed (full benefit from built-in heart rate monitor for best workouts)
b."Cycling Past 50" by Joe Friel (great cycling physiology all ages)
Whatever you decide, I wish you better health through cycling.
Much better than the Schwinn 230 February 7, 2008
72 out of 74 found this review helpful
I noticed quite few reviewers wondering if the 231 is worth the extra $100 above the 230. My answer is yes. (With or without the current $100+$100 promotion, the 231 is no doubt the best choice.)
First, I was planning to buy a recumbent bike and I have been doing a lot of research about these two bikes. I went to every sport store to try and ride both. I searched all the details from the Schwinn site in addition to reading the labels from the actual bikes. I can claim that I spent total of more than two hours actually riding the two bikes and testing the consoles. Of course I already ordered the 231 and should receive it in 10 days.
So, what is the difference between them? You ask.
The flywheel:
In 230, it is it 20 lb flywheel.
In the 231, it is 22 lb flywheel. The two extra pounds give more realistic ride with no skipping especially for taller people or people with stronger legs.
Big + for 231. (Not true anymore .... See update below)
Heart Rate Controlled programs:
The 230 lacks this important feature. This feature can keep you in your target heart rate area which will lead to better weight loss or endurance level.
The 231 include 3 programs with this feature.
Big + for 231.
Total Programs:
12 for 230 and 23 for the 231. The 231 includes 3 Heart Rate, 2 Custom, 4 Profile, Time Trial w/pacer, Fitness Test. All this in addition to whatever is in the 230.
Seat:
231: BioFit Comfort seat with micro adjustable lumbar support positioning. You have a knob in the back of the seat to adjust the lumbar support.
230: No adjustment.
Also, in 231, the back of the seat includes a magazine rack.
Pedals:
231: Wide Comfort Schwinn pedals. Nice and fits shoes easily.
230: Narrow ones that are useless with the straps attached.
Console viewing angle:
231: 3 position console viewing angle adjustment. This helps you to see the console much better. You can also lower it to view TV or raise it to read your emails from you laptop. It is really not that helpful other than for easier viewing of the console.
230: Fixed.
Console:
231: Blue back light. Easier to read and more futuristic look.
230: Regular black LCD on gray. Really hard to read.
Fan:
231: has a nice integrated fan
230: No fan.
Frame:
231 106 lbs. More stable. The frame is 4 inches longer than the 230 which may be annoying to an already big home bike. These four inches will allow for even taller riders on the expense of stability.
230: 101 lbs. Still pretty stable (more stable than 231 on thick carpets or thick mats).
Those are what I managed to find so far. I will update the review if I find more
So, do you still think that the $100 is un-justified???
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE 3/15/08
Well, I received my bike two weeks ago. Assembly was relatively easy and straight forward. The bike looks much bigger in my living room than when I saw it in display rooms at local sports stores. It still looks fabulous though.
First impression is great. I will not talk about how great this bike is as most other reports already said so.
I will just let you know what to expect on the other side.
1- First thing I noticed is that the fan is not working. I connected it directly to the power adapter and it worked fine hence the problem is in the console. I called customer service and they were the best. They first refused to send me a new console till I try a new fan that I got within two days from my phone call. Of course it didn't work and I am waiting now for a new console which is in backorder for the next 3 weeks. No big deal as I don't really need the fan in Massachusetts's winter anyway.
2- I noticed that that bike was wobbly. I know the reason, it is the thick mat that I have over the thick carpel in my room. I simply placed a nice 2x5 foot piece of solid pine wood under the bike and over the black mat. That was the best think I did as the bike got really stable while the carpet is still protected with the thick mat. It also reduced the black color from the mat and lightened the room a lot. I got the wood from Lowe's store.
3- This is got me REALLY UPSIT. As one commenter on this review pointed out that he ordered the bike and found a sticker saying the flywheel is only 20LBs instead of the 22LBs I mentioned on my review above. I found that the sticker on my bike says the same. I felt tricked. I called Schwinn customer services to see what is going on... Again they were super nice and professional. They started to search for the problem and contacted their bike experts. Few days later, they got back to me and said that the 22LBs in Schwinn's home page is only a TYPOgraphical error. They claim that all Shwinn's products use 20 Lbs. flywheels. They didn't explain the bike I saw at Sears with sticker of 22LBs. I went back to Sears to get a picture of the bike but the bike was gone. I assume they should fix their home page soon.
I really love this bike and would give it five starts if I can again. The flywheel incident did upset me a bit but now I got used to it. I don't think it is a big deal anyway. The Heart beat controlled programs, adjustable ergo seat with shelf, bigger paddles and blue backlit console still makes it much better than the 230. I personally benifited from the longer body as I needed to move the seat extra two more inches than the 230 can give.
MORE COMMENTS and replies for other reviews:
- Paddles are wide and easy to adjust. Adjustment is to be done from the inner side of the paddle. It is easy to remove the strap from the inside for adjustments. If you try it from outside, then you will see all troubles other reviewers are seeing.
- If seat is squeaky then tighten screws underneath it.You also may want to add a drop of lubricant or oil between the metal vertical rod (that carries the Chrome bar) and the black plastic shell. This will eleminate noises from under the seat.
- If you cleaned the chrome bar that holds the seat, you may need to add a drop of silicon lubricant on the top of it. This will make it move easier and eliminate any minor noises.
- Remember to write the serial number on a piece of paper before you assemble the rear stabilizer rod. It will really help you as reading this number is really tough once the bike is assembled. Thanks for other reviewer who mentioned this as it really helped me :-)
Carol August 23, 2007
22 out of 25 found this review helpful
My Husband was so impressed with the quality of the bike and especially the manual directions and assembly that he called the company to give positive feedback, something he never does. As for myself, my arthritic knees are less stressed as I strive for aerobic fitness and my comfort level is great. Something I did not expect from a recumbent bike.
Schwinn 231 February 22, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is a superbly-engineered and exceptionally well-built machine: silent; unbelievably smooth; comfortable; and, rock steady even for a 6'5", 255 lb rider like myself. It comes with a glossy assembly manual that clearly illustrates each step of the process, and indexes the components to their fasteners. The 2.5 hours mentioned by others for assembly is accurate if only one person does it (with occasional help from another,) and much of this involves cutting fasteners off their vacuum-sealed, very well-indexed packing! The 43-page glossy operations manual included is also clear and well-written, and includes helpful sections on fitness. This is a great value, particularly with the current $100 discount. Highly recommended!
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