5 feet tall... any advice from petite users? I am looking to get an elliptical, and I think it's between the Sole E35 and the Schwinn 431 at this point... any advice from people who are small like I am who have used the machine? In your experience is the reach comfortable on the machine or do you have to lean forward too far to grab the handlebars? 5 feet tall... any advice from petite users? I am looking to get an elliptical, and I think it's between the Sole E35 and the Schwinn 431 at this point... any advice from people who are small... » Read More 5 feet tall... any advice from petite users? I am looking to get an elliptical, and I think it's between the Sole E35 and the Schwinn 431 at this point... any advice from people who are small like I am who have used the machine? In your experience is the reach comfortable on the machine or do you have to lean forward too far to grab the handlebars? « Show Less
225150
I am also 5 ft tall and unfortunately do not find the Schwinn 431 comfortable. Maybe I have short arms! I cannot use the arms without overreaching and getting unbalanced. My husband is trying to modify it as I type. I urge anyone considering any kind of sports equipment to try it out and do so with the proper technique Before Buying! Every body is proportionately different even if you are the same size and weight! Good Luck!
225151
Hi! I'm also 5 ft tall and was wondering the same thing. Is there others who are around this height and found the machine comfortable?
225152
Thank you so much for your response!! I ended up purchasing a Sole E35 last week based on warranty and several reviews regarding long term maintenance, but I'm not sure the stride (21") will be the most comfortable. I did try out a Spirit a year or so ago, and at the time their machines were identical to Sole's; the stride on that one was ok, but I'll have to see. I really appreciate that you took the time to reply and I am so glad your machine works well for you! If the one I bought doesn't turn out I will know just what to replace it with. Your post was so helpful! Thanks again!!
1703062
I have the same problem about ellipticals being made for taller people. I have trouble reaching the handlebars and the stride length is often too long. The only elliptical I've found so far where I can comfortably reach the handlebars is the Precor line used in gyms, which runs about $2000 I think. I think the 576i is the one I like but it's hard to tell by the picture. Their handlebars slope towards the body so I have no problems at all. Their stride length is also comfortable for 5 feet tall.
2060522
Hi! This is the 2nd elliptical I have purchased. The 1st one was left in the DC area with my sister when I moved to NV because she begged me to keep it, but I'm so sorry I can't remember who the manufacturer was. I wouldn't recommend this one I purchased, it just doesn't work well, and I'm just over 5 feet tall and it barely works for me at all. If it wasn't so much to ship back, I would have returned. The ONLY positive is that it's cute and pink, that's it. I hope this helps :)
914650
The following was posted by someone else under the title "SCHWINN ELLIPTICAL FOOT HEIGHT". I have not confirmed it, but if it is true, it would seem that a seven foot ceiling would be high enough. If you live near a place that sells them and has them in stock (hard to find, I know) maybe you can find one and just measure it. ================================================================== M. A. Garver says: The pedal is approximately 15 inches off the floor at the highest point, but I think what you really need to know is the height from the floor at it's lowest point (8 inches) because when your foot is at the high point, that knee is bent so it's not like it's putting your head 15 inches closer to the ceiling, which I think is what you're really trying to figure out, right? Standing on the 430 you're going to be 8-9 inches taller than you are standing on the floor. Hope this helps!
1838557
Your height is not a problem. There is no pedals, you are going to strap your feet into the straps so any person of any size will not have any problems. It is a great machine for the money!
1130555
Hi. I love this bike. My daughter is under 5 feet and has used the bike without issue. I am 5'7" and I just raise the seat and it is perfect for me.
90865
Im about 5'11 - 6 foot and have a 31- 32 inseam and I ride the 58cm frame. This bike is almost perfect for me but I would get a 57 if I could because the 58 seems a bit tall at times but after I got used to it, its perfect for me. I say if your legs are somewhat long/average, I would go up but I've also road a 54.5 that didn't seem too small (it was an expensive Fuji and Ive read that they are sized large) but then again, the seat was really high. If you go down, with the 54, you'll save weight but it might feel a tad too small and your seat might be a little higher than you like...It depends what you want. Personally, I would go up. How much do you weigh? Im about 5'11 - 6 foot and have a 31- 32 inseam and I ride the 58cm frame. This bike is almost perfect for me but I would get a 57 if I could because the 58 seems a bit tall at times but after I got used to it, its perfect for me. I say if your legs are somewhat long/average, I would go up but I've also road a 54.5 that didn't seem too small (it was an expensive Fuji and Ive read that they are sized large) but then again, the seat was really high. If you go down, with the 54, you'll save weight but it might feel a tad too small and your seat might be a little higher than you... » Read More Im about 5'11 - 6 foot and have a 31- 32 inseam and I ride the 58cm frame. This bike is almost perfect for me but I would get a 57 if I could because the 58 seems a bit tall at times but after I got used to it, its perfect for me. I say if your legs are somewhat long/average, I would go up but I've also road a 54.5 that didn't seem too small (it was an expensive Fuji and Ive read that they are sized large) but then again, the seat was really high. If you go down, with the 54, you'll save weight but it might feel a tad too small and your seat might be a little higher than you like...It depends what you want. Personally, I would go up. How much do you weigh? « Show Less
811232
This is a very basic elliptical - whatever is average would be the answer. Even though we had to return it because of shipping damage we learned that it had all the basic strides and height.......We originally bought it because of the limited space we had.
399522
I just purchased this bike and I'm just under 5' 5" and have the seat set at MAX in order to get full range of motion, without hyperextending my knees. I can't imagine anyone taller getting full ROM.
2231285
We had this problem too. I'm over 6' and my wife is 5'. I called the Schwinn customer service, and they said that their bikes were designed for people as short as 4'10", but they have had many complaints from people even as tall as 5'4" that they had trouble reaching the pedals. The problem is the step-through design. In the older designs, and in the current Schwinn Active 20 design, there is a continuous rail from the seat to the pedal unit. This allows the seat to get very close to the pedals. The trade off for the step-through, is that it does not allow the seat to get as close to the pedals, and those with shorter legs have problems. The Schwinn person suggested we get the Active 20, or if we wanted a more robust machine, to look for one of their older designs. We found a Schwinn 213. It is a model that Schwinn doesn't make anymore, but there are a few out there if you search for them. It adjusts to fit both of us quite easily. My guess is that it is the 231 before they changed the design to be a step through. www.amazon.com/Schwinn-213-Recumbent-Exercise-Bike/dp/B000BGI5CI
1703063
Please? Anybody? If anyone is 5 feet tall or around there and has used this machine or others (418, 431, 438) in this line, please drop a line here and tell me what you think of it? I am particularly interested in what kind of reach it takes to grip the handlebars while striding. Does it bend you forward to reach them or can you do so in relative comfort without straining your back? ANY input is greatly appreciated!!
1000487
Problem with this model schwinn & some of their other low-cost models like the volare is they do not give specific frame dimensions.. I have a 29" inseam, and when I stand with my feet on the ground above the frame on the volare, I just barely clear the top frame rail.. I have measured the seat post to crank pedal and it comes in at 18"..20" is approx. 51cm in bike talk,and a frame size considered small ok for someone my size,but probably not right for you..Schwinn offers similiar bikes based on the same design at walmart on-line( Varsity models)too bad about the bike sizing info,the volare has been a great value performing bike! Good Luck! Problem with this model schwinn & some of their other low-cost models like the volare is they do not give specific frame dimensions.. I have a 29" inseam, and when I stand with my feet on the ground above the frame on the volare, I just barely clear the top frame rail.. I have measured the seat post to crank pedal and it comes in at 18"..20" is approx. 51cm in bike talk,and a frame size considered small ok for someone my size,but probably not right for you..Schwinn offers similiar bikes based on the same design at walmart on-line( Varsity models)too bad about the bike sizing... » Read More Problem with this model schwinn & some of their other low-cost models like the volare is they do not give specific frame dimensions.. I have a 29" inseam, and when I stand with my feet on the ground above the frame on the volare, I just barely clear the top frame rail.. I have measured the seat post to crank pedal and it comes in at 18"..20" is approx. 51cm in bike talk,and a frame size considered small ok for someone my size,but probably not right for you..Schwinn offers similiar bikes based on the same design at walmart on-line( Varsity models)too bad about the bike sizing info,the volare has been a great value performing bike! Good Luck! « Show Less
1816664
Yes,I agree with your concern;It's been almost 2+ months since I own this Schwin 170,it is an excellent bike & it's a smooth ride!!! but one thing I don't like it's the seat,it's not comfortable at all ...too cumbersome /Big.
213357
The schwinn Searcher is a sturdy bike, I purchased it for my wife who is 5'5" and 135lbs. I believe it will be more than adequate for someone of those dimensions only because I did have to lower the seat in order for her to stand while not moving and lower the handle bar position as well. With these adjustments I believe you will have a great ride with the Schwinn Searcher.
1841408
You might be slightly cramped. I'm 5'10 and 143 ibs and sold mine one month later. Best to go with a motorized wheelchair. I found it better for transportation and eatting in restaurants. This is fine if you are living in a retirement community and are visiting people or going out shopping, but not for day today living.
131997
My wife is 5'3 and I adjusted the handle bars and the seat to fit to her requirements. I am 6'0; however, I have a long torso with short inseam and we both enjoy the ride, except for the uphill. I can easily say that a person with a 5'8 height should be able to make proper adjustments for this bike to reach the desired results. WARNING: This bike will give you a work-out! I should have purchased the 3 or higher speed bike, with no speed adjustment the hills are painful. If you don't mind looking like "The Incredible Hulk" from the waist down...well maybe that's a little exaggerated but this bike does require some downward effort to move. My wife is 5'3 and I adjusted the handle bars and the seat to fit to her requirements. I am 6'0; however, I have a long torso with short inseam and we both enjoy the ride, except for the uphill. I can easily say that a person with a 5'8 height should be able to make proper adjustments for this bike to reach the desired results. WARNING: This bike will give you a work-out! I should have purchased the 3 or higher speed bike, with no speed adjustment the hills are painful. If you don't mind looking like "The Incredible Hulk" from the waist down...well maybe that's a little... » Read More My wife is 5'3 and I adjusted the handle bars and the seat to fit to her requirements. I am 6'0; however, I have a long torso with short inseam and we both enjoy the ride, except for the uphill. I can easily say that a person with a 5'8 height should be able to make proper adjustments for this bike to reach the desired results. WARNING: This bike will give you a work-out! I should have purchased the 3 or higher speed bike, with no speed adjustment the hills are painful. If you don't mind looking like "The Incredible Hulk" from the waist down...well maybe that's a little exaggerated but this bike does require some downward effort to move. « Show Less
694230
I'm 5'9''. They only had 1 size of this bike when I ordered it and I barely make it work for me. The seat is all the way down and I even removed the reflector on the stem. It's a great bike, but if you don't have an inside leg of at least 30, you might be let down.