How does level 8 (highest resistance) compare to the speeds on a 21 speed bike? I need extremely compact,but as an athlete require an intense work/O
1462774
I'm not an athlete and use it very comfortably at level 5. Not sure I could do a long cadence at level 8. I would be extremely winded.
1462775
Hard to answer as it was a gift for my wife. However, both she and a male coworker now have these and both have to back off from level 4. I think this may be a good option for you. You are converting dead time into cardio time. Incredibly sturdy design.
1740190
hi. honestly the bike is super small for me I am 5 9 and 196 pounds. Also, its super slow. Dont get the bike your better off getting a more faster back.
882917
It has given me an excellent workout. So far I've only used it on the lower resistance levels (1-3). After the first few days, every muscle in my legs got sore. The resistance goes up to 8, and I aspire to one day being fit enough to do most my workout at this level. You also 'get out of it what you put into it.' If you peddle faster, at higher resistance levels, you'll definitely get a good work out. Mine is very stable , but I only use it on carpet or a rug. However, I'm only 5'5" and 135 pounds, and ride for about a half hour everyday. If one weighed 200 lbs. or over, and wanted to ride much more than that, I'd invest in a heavier, more expensive bike.
542387
Found a fairly decent writeup on the difference @ http://www.livestrong.com/article/270832-comparison-of-schwinn-230-240-bikes/
1113120
At $650+ I agree that you definitely want to do a 'try before buy'. We found one at the local sporting goods shop (Sports Authority). A recumbent bike only specifies that the rider is placed in a laid-back, reclining position. That is not the case here, you are upright. The resistance that is provided correlates to how hard you pedal -- the harder that you pedal, the more resistance. The marketing hyperbole describes it as "infinite wind resistance". The added benefit is that the bike provides a cooling effect from the wind turbine - increasing the comfort of your workout.
1113113
Jim, The Airdyne uses a wind turbine so the resistance is proportional to peddle speed. Not sure of your fitness level but at higher revs it provides a challenging workout for arms and legs. If you want to maintain a fixed peddle speed and vary the resistance this is not the machine you want. Jim
11380
its a stairstepper not an elliptical . I would answer all of them .It has a long step , so you can stand toward the front, middle or toward the back of the step to work different muscles and make it harder or easier to peddle.I prefer this to bikes .I have a gt and a nishiki .I like the zike better. you can find videos on the zike website or on u tube. It took me a while to get used to it. I never did stairsteppers longer than 5 minutes, before buying the zike. I rode 10 min first time next time 20 ,than 30 and 40. I regularly do 45 minutes, 3 times a week. You burn 30% more calories than a bike. I cannot do as much distance as I do on a bike ,roughly 2/3 the mileage,in my 45 minutes. It has only 7 speeds. It Is hard if you have hills. I ride a rail trail only. It is mostly flat .One bridge I go over always makes me walk, because the gear shifter is only recommended to change 1 gear at a time. You cannot go from 7th to 1st gear quickly, but one gear at a time. All in all its well worth it. I am 56 the bike was giving me a sore butt amongst other things. The zike I got in sept 2014. So I used it 2 months. I had a little knee sorenes at first ,probably because I use different muscles ,nothing serious. I think a full season will be a better test.
882919
It has given me an excellent workout. So far I've only used it on the lower resistance levels (1-3). After the first few days, every muscle in my legs got sore. The resistance goes up to 8, and I aspire to one day being fit enough to do most my workout at this level. You also 'get out of it what you put into it.' If you peddle faster, at higher resistance levels, you'll definitely get a good work out. Mine is very stable , but I only use it on carpet or a rug. However, I'm only 5'5" and 135 pounds, and ride for about a half hour everyday. If one weighed 200 lbs. or over, and wanted to ride much more than that, I'd invest in a heavier, more expensive bike. It has given me an excellent workout. So far I've only used it on the lower resistance levels (1-3). After the first few days, every muscle in my legs got sore. The resistance goes up to 8, and I aspire to one day being fit enough to do most my workout at this level. You also 'get out of it what you put into it.' If you peddle faster, at higher resistance levels, you'll definitely get a good work out. Mine is very stable , but I only use it on carpet or a rug. However, I'm only 5'5" and 135 pounds, and ride for about a half hour everyday. If one weighed 200 lbs. or over, and wanted to... » Read More It has given me an excellent workout. So far I've only used it on the lower resistance levels (1-3). After the first few days, every muscle in my legs got sore. The resistance goes up to 8, and I aspire to one day being fit enough to do most my workout at this level. You also 'get out of it what you put into it.' If you peddle faster, at higher resistance levels, you'll definitely get a good work out. Mine is very stable , but I only use it on carpet or a rug. However, I'm only 5'5" and 135 pounds, and ride for about a half hour everyday. If one weighed 200 lbs. or over, and wanted to ride much more than that, I'd invest in a heavier, more expensive bike. « Show Less
651183
It took both my son and daughter to carry it in...awkward more than anything...but the bike is solid as a rock! I've ridden it since October and love it. I'm up around 245 and it take my weight easily. I do recommend keeping the air pressure at 60lbs or higher...it not only rides better, but the tires won't wear as fast. WTMI? Sorry :-)
265397
I didn't realize you couldn't put more resistance on it than cycle at it's own pace. But, hey it's movement, and I know I'll be using it more than the one which requires you to cycle it. It just would have been nice to have the option, when you felt a little more energetic. Ha But I just got my machine today and I need to post a question, may not be the right place, but does anyone have one that stops moving periodically. Just wondering if this one has a short, or it just does that.
1657120
I can shift threw all my gears , I have a 21 speeds and use them all on my Bianchi an to use my high gear there has to be very little resistance , when I received mine last year it was a pleasant surise how well it was made , I used it to recover from a fall on my bike and broke my leg and dislocated my hip , this winter just to stay in top shape . the price was right to
490147
I'm 215 and have XC 30's on my trek 4500 and definately a big upgrade from what came stock. They come with a medium spring but you CAN get a stiffer spring if needed. Also, playing with the rebound and preload settings play a big part in dialing them in. I suppose it depends on what bike they are going on and how/where you ride. Just stay away from XC 28's as those will definitely bottom out on you lol.
871803
This will completely depend on the weight of the rider and degree of the hill. For me (135 lbs), taking a fully charged bike up a very steep incline at full throttle while I assist pedal is just possible. Climbing a "normal" city uphill street is easy. It definitely slows down on the biggest hills, using the proper gearing while you help pedal really helps. As does a running start ;-)
397364
Tires aren't fast; riders are. Yes, I get the gist of this question, but an empirical answer depends on too many factors. Are you talking about sprinting? Climbing? Long distance? Many believe a thinner tire will give less rolling resistance, but some studies prove otherwise. If we're talking 2mm difference, I'd opt for comfort and handling over numeric assignments. I ride 25 rear, and 23 front generally speaking, but change up the combos depending on wheels I'm using, and what I'm doing. There are a lot of inconsistencies out there as well. Take a peek at any of the articles written by Sheldon Brown, and you'll get the upshot of why the numbers aren't always what they appear to represent. Tires aren't fast; riders are. Yes, I get the gist of this question, but an empirical answer depends on too many factors. Are you talking about sprinting? Climbing? Long distance? Many believe a thinner tire will give less rolling resistance, but some studies prove otherwise. If we're talking 2mm difference, I'd opt for comfort and handling over numeric assignments. I ride 25 rear, and 23 front generally speaking, but change up the combos depending on wheels I'm using, and what I'm doing. There are a lot of inconsistencies out there as well. Take a peek at any of the articles written by... » Read More Tires aren't fast; riders are. Yes, I get the gist of this question, but an empirical answer depends on too many factors. Are you talking about sprinting? Climbing? Long distance? Many believe a thinner tire will give less rolling resistance, but some studies prove otherwise. If we're talking 2mm difference, I'd opt for comfort and handling over numeric assignments. I ride 25 rear, and 23 front generally speaking, but change up the combos depending on wheels I'm using, and what I'm doing. There are a lot of inconsistencies out there as well. Take a peek at any of the articles written by Sheldon Brown, and you'll get the upshot of why the numbers aren't always what they appear to represent. « Show Less
628178
I've found the best use for it to maintain a 65-75% of my maximum heart rate for a very steady clip (so far I've gone 3.5 hours in one shot at the longest) It's a smooth speed and allows me to work properly. I'm not sure how intense you'd like to get while working, but if you want to push it will take it. The resistance just might not be high enough for your level of intensity depending on your strength. But it's certainly durable and capable enough as a machine.
1827744
Honestly, the only resistance on this one is from changing to a higher gear on your bike. This is a great entry level trainer for people like me but for a real workout for someone already fit, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
250839
Yes, Laura. The unit has a wide range. At the lowest level, there is just about zero resistance and it is very easy to pedal. The adjustments increments are small, so she resistance can be added just a little bit at at time -- if that is desired.