Schwinn 270 recumbent exercise bike can be seen as the upgraded version of Schwinn 230 recumbent exercise bike, which I have reviewed here: [link article 2]. Both of them are high-class with super comfortable pedaling experience, a variety of workout programs that can really entertain and motivate you toward fitness. However, Schwinn has some more features in the console, a cushioned seat and upgraded pedals , giving you an alternative option.
Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike – An upgraded version of Schwinn 230
So, if you are considering a nice equipment for fitness that is really easy on your back and knees, let’s have a look at Schwinn 270.
Table of Contents
1, About Schwinn Fitness
2, Bike type
3, Design
3.1, Overall
3.2, Body & Frame
3.3, Seat
3.4, Handlebar
3.5, Pedals
3.6, Console table with two LCD windows
4, Exercise experience & Advantages over the predecessor
4.1, Two more user profiles
4.2, The all-new dual track monitoring system
4.3, Pulse Monitoring
4.4, Crank System & Pedal Size
4.5, Console Backlight
4.6, 29 exercise programs with 25 levels of resistance
5, Power Requirements
6, Price & Warranty
7, Rating & Feedback
8, Conclusion
1, About Schwinn Fitness
Founded on October 22, 1895, in Chicago by Ignaz Schwinn and Adolph Arnold, Schwinn Fitness is the oldest high-quality bike manufacturer in the US. More than 100 years of experience in making bikes gives Schwinn Fitness a great understanding of what customer need. And Schwinn Fitness keep maintaining its creative innovation to enrich people’s lives.
Schwinn Fitness Logo
Besides recumbent bikes, Schwinn also produces upright bikes, classic cruiser, airdyne bikes, ellipticals and treadmills. All have a smart design and integrated technology. You can trust the exceptional quality of Schwinn’s products.
2, Bike type
As the name ‘Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike’, this is a recumbent bike (among other types, such as upright Stationary bike, indoor Cycling Bike, dual-action Stationary Bike).
The recumbent bike focuses on the comfort and the easiness for the user. This type of bike is perfect for blood flow, cardiovascular and lower body workout, and is the best choice for those want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, or for physical rehabilitation and physical therapy. It is designed for those have problems with joints or being injured, especially for kids, women and oldsters.
The recumbent bike is like a chair with pedals in front of the seat. This design makes it easy on your back and knees, making sure that you will feel enjoyable and won’t have any injury while practising.
3, Design
3.1, Overall
Compared to Schwinn 230, the design of Schwinn 270 is mostly the same as the predecessor, with just some slight differences. It looks high-finished in all-black appearance with some red highlights and nice curves.
Schwinn 270 has the same size as Schwinn 230, which is quite small that is suitable for a small apartment. The dimension is 64L x 27.7W x 49.9H inches, which means it will take only 1772.8 square inches of your floor
It is heavy, 86.6 lbs – 5 lbs heavier than Schwinn 230, which causes some problems for you when unbox and assemble it. Maybe, you will need someone’s help.
And it also means you are not able to disassemble it each time after using to store in your closet or below your bed. You will need a fixed place in your house for it.
In return, this heavy weight will give you a secure and smooth feeling when exercising, and Schwinn 270 can carry a 300 lbs (up to 400 lbs) user.
3.2, Body & Frame
Sturdy, one-piece walk through frame provides a firm workout platform stabilized with wheels in front and integrated levellers in the back. Basically, on the terms of frame, Schwinn 270 has no change, compared to Schwinn 230.
– Step through design with grab handles for easy on/off.
One little thing showing how Schwinn understand its customer is the user-friendly design that enables you to easily get on and off the bike without having to step over a high seat rail.
– Two integrated levelers for a solid workout platform and over-sized crossbar tubing for added stability.
These oversized stabilizers provide rock-solid steadiness.
– Transport wheels allow for easy movement from room to room.
Transport wheels give you the versatility to move your workouts to the family room while watching the kids or the den while enjoying your favourite tv program.
3.3, Seat
– Cushioned seat bottom with contoured leg area for comfort.
The biggest change to notice on Schwinn 270, compared with the predecessor. In Schwinn, the manufacturer has tried so hard to combine comfort with freshening in a vented plastic seat. Indeed, they were successful thanks to that ergonomic wide seat with contoured leg area design.
However, to some dainty guests who always prefer the soft and cosy feeling, or to those work really hard on this machine, an ergonomic plastic seat might be not enough. Schwinn 270 has solved this problem by a cushioned seat bottom with contoured leg area.
Sure that it is not as airy as Schwinn 230 seat, but it is more comfortable.
– Large vented seat back with lumbar support for comfort and cooling.
Lumbar support can be adjusted for improved lower back support.
– A slider seat rail system has an easy to operate lever system.
Easy-glide aluminum seat rail adjusts the seat forwards or backwards to customize your ride for your height.
3.4, Handlebar
The handlebar behind the seat gives your hand something to hold, securing your body, and lowering the pressure on your shoulder and back, when you are riding.
It is ergonomically design for a relaxed position, and a integrated hand-grip for heart rate monitoring.
Handlebar slider mechanism contributes to an ideal user interface position.
3.5, Pedals
Another important upgrade on Schwinn 270. They featured a durable three-piece crank with wider pedals and straps.
A durable three-piece crank, instead of a seamless crank, makes sure that the pedalling experience will be more gentle and rhythmic.
And adjustable foot straps are used to provide proper alignment for efficient pedalling with ultimate control.
There won’t be any ankles injury anymore.
3.6, Console table with two LCD windows
Like Schwinn 230, Schwinn 270 has an advanced console with two LCD windows, always in your sight when exercising to monitor workout metrics. It is tilt-adjustable for a customizable viewing angle to accommodate various workout environments, positions and intensities.
This console gives you real-time important information, such as program selection, resistance level, interval time, time, RPM, Watts, Distance and heart rate. You get results for 13 key workout metrics.
You can easily change your practice program, speed and resistance level using the console. When you get used to this console and discover various functions, you will find this bike’s 29 programs and 25 levels of resistance are interesting that will keep you motivated and help you achieve your fitness goals.
This console feature USB charging port and MP3 input, which will let you pedal on to your favourite music through the console speaker.
Through this USB port, you can upload your progress to many different fitness tracking apps, such as SchwinnConnect, MyFitnessPal, GoogleFit, Apple Health, Endomondo, MapMyRun, to track your goal.
In Schwinn 270 model, they added Bluetooth transferrability and a trench to watch your tablet or read your Kindle while also monitoring your training data.
Furthermore, there are also three adjustable fans in this console, always available to keep you cool during intense workout periods.
4, Exercise experience & Advantages over the predecessor
In this review, I am going to focus on the advantages of Schwinn 270, compared with Schwinn 230.
Nevertheless, firstly, I think it is necessary to summarize some of my previous comments on Schwinn 230, which are also true with Schwinn 270. For detailed review on seating position, pedalling experience, noise, heat, pressure on your back, shoulders, knees and ankles, and a full introduction of workout programs, please read my Schwinn 230 review [Link: article 2].
– Seating position: The posture itself is a simple yoga pose.
It is like that you are sitting on your sweet chair at home, leaning your back on the seat back, holding the handlebar to lift your body up. The lumbar support and ergonomic handlebar will help you sit comfortably, maintaining good posture that is really good for your spine and shoulders, as well as keep you full of energy.
As the pedals are in front of you, you will straighten your legs, together with the lifted upper body, making a proper posture when exercising. By maintaining this posture, your arms, knees, shoulders and back will be supported, and you can protect you from knee injuries, shoulder and arm pains, as well as diseases of the vertebrae.
– Pedalling: Combine fitness with music
Schwinn 270’s magnetic resistance mechanism offers you a smooth pedalling experience. Come along with stable feeling, without any shaking due to the rock-solid design, no matter how heavy you are and how fast you ride.
– Noise: The smooth sound of a well-oil machine. No squeak, no thumb.
– Heat: The holes in the seat and the three fans in the console produce air circulation. This helps you stay cool during the workout.
– Pressure on Back, shoulders, knees and ankles: Very low thanks to the body-supporting design of Schwinn 270.
Comparing 270 model with 230 model, I think there are 6 big advantages that improve your experience significantly.
4.1, Seat and Comfort
As said above, padded seat brings extra softness, especially for those have “Flat butt”. I have some friends who are really thin. There is a secret that they are never willing to tell anybody, they have problems with chairs! It is painful for them when sitting on a flat surface chair.
Schwinn 230 doesn’t have a flat surface chair bottom, its chair is ergonomic, however, if you ride frequently and intense you might feel uncomfortable.
On the terms of air circulation, for me, vented seat back and three ahead fans are enough as that my bottom isn’t so sensitive.
4.2, Two more user profiles
Schwinn 230 bike has only 2 user profiles. Which means the third user cannot take advantage of workout result and progress log. It’s such a pity due to the fact that this feature motivates you a lot by showing achievement of your effort.
Schwinn 270 offers you 2 more user profiles. 4 user profiles mean you can share this bike with your whole family without losing any great feature.
4.3, The all-new dual track monitoring system
The all-new dual track monitoring system on the 270 allows you to watch your tablet or read your Kindle while also monitoring your training data.
Using a tablet attached, you can use Schwinn App together with RideSocial App while pedalling to maximize the reality riding feeling, which enables you to ride the world’s most breathtaking trails from the comfort of your living room. There are 8 real-world maps in HD for you to ride solo or in live time with your friends from anywhere on the planet.
Together with the rhythm of the music, exercise is never as entertaining as this.
Note: You can also set goals, track your progress, sync data of your workout via the Schwinn App or other fitness apps.
4.4, Pulse Monitoring
Both the Schwinn 270 and the 230 provide you with handheld pulse sensors on the handlebar – Contact Heart Rate (CHR), which can be used to monitor your heart rate and using for the recovery test.
However, the Schwinn 270 gives the ability to add a chest attachable heart rate sensor – Heart Rate Monitor (HRM), though you will have to buy this separately.
4.5, Crank System & Pedal Size
Oversized pedals and foot straps, come along with three-piece crank provide you with a greater surface area that makes you feel more realistic and rhythmic.
4.6, Console Backlight
A small addition but very useful. It helps you interface with the console in the dark, when you want to exercise but everyone else is sleeping, and you don’t want to turn the light up.
4.7, 29 exercise programs with 25 levels of resistance
Schwinn 270 has 29 programs while Schwinn 230 has only 26 programs. In the last review, I have introduced the main programs. Here are some new programs:
– 12 profile programs (6 profiles more):
Fun rides – 4 profile programs: Rolling hills, Ride in the park, Easy tour, and Stream crossing.
Mountains – 4 profile programs: Pike’s peak, Mount hood, Pyramids, and Summit pass.
Challenges – 4 profile programs: Uphill finish, Cross-training, Interval, and Stairs.
– Fitness Test Program: The Fitness Test measures the improvements of your physical fitness level. The test compares your power output (in Watts) to your heart rate. As your fitness level improves, your power output will increase at a given heart rate.
To use this program, the console must be able to read the heart rate information from the Contact Heart Rate (CHR) sensors or Heart Rate Monitor (HRM).
5. Power Requirements
This bike uses electric power. Plug it into any standard electrical wall outlet on a 110V-120V circuit. One 90-240V, 50-60Hz adapter included AC power adapter is included in the package.
6, Price & Warranty
Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike costs nearly 500$. It is 100$ more expensive than Schwinn 230. 100$ for a padded chair, 6 more programs, 2 more user profiles, an upgraded crank and pedal system. A little too high, however, if you think they are worthy, go for it.
Here is the Amazon link to purchare Schwinn 270: [https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-270-Recumbent-Bike-MY17/dp/B01MS7EWR9/ref=sr_1_7?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1519668322&sr=1-7&keywords=recumbent%20bike]
Here is the Amazon link to purchase Schwinn 230: [https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-100514-230-Recumbent-Bike/dp/B01KAGX74E/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8]
Schwinn 270 has a good warranty, including 10 years warranty for frame, 2 years warranty for mechanical, 1 year warranty for electrical and 90 day warranty for labor. That’s the warranty plan of the manufacturer, you can also buy added protection plan from the retailer if you want. However, I think the manufacturer plan is enough.
7, Rating & Feedback
Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike has a high Amazon product’s star ratings at 4.2 out of 5. This index uses an AI model instead of a raw data average to give customers better information. In particular, it considers the factors like the age of a review, helpfulness votes by customers and whether the reviews are from verified purchases, to calculate the final score. So, basically, this product is high-rated by users. In fact, the rating is slightly higher than the rating of 230 model – 4.1 star.
The comment section is quite similar to Schwinn 230. Basically, there are a lot of positive feedback, especially for the cushioned seat, the adjustability, the rock-solid stability, the great console, its easiness on joints and conformity with oldsters and the injured.
There are also some low rating with a bad feedback, mostly because of the quality control process. For example, the fans are not working, the console is broken. These problems are easy to fix as that the retailer offer replacements for defective products.
However, there are some problems you have to consider. One is that this bike is small if you are a tall person (above 6’03”). And second is that you have to assemble the bike when the box arrived at your house by yourself. If you are fine with these problems, this bike is a great choice.
8, Conclusion
This following table will show the differences between the Schwinn 230 and the Schwinn 270:
| Features | Schwinn 230 | Schwinn 270 |
| Dimensions | Height 50 ins
Width 27 ins Length 64 ins |
Height 50 ins
Width 27 ins Length 64 ins |
| Weight | 81 lbs | 86 lbs |
| Resistance Type | Magnetic | Magnetic |
| Resistance Levels | 20 | 25 |
| Recommended User Weight | Under 300 lbs | Under 300 lbs |
| Max User Height | 6’03” | 6’03” |
| Console | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Sensor Type | Hand Pulse | Hand Pulse
Strap Compatible |
| Frame Construction | Steel | Steel |
| Transport Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Noise | No | No |
| Back Support | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Set Programs | 22 | 29 |
| Pedals | Straps | Straps |
| Pedal Size | Standard | Oversized |
| Crank | 1 piece | 3 pieces |
| Seat Padded | No | Yes |
| User Profiles | 2 | 4 |
| Backlight | No | Yes |
| Power Requirements | Standard | Standard |
This bike is a advanced equipment that surely can motivate you to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Its interesting features are designed for improving cardiovascular health, physical rehabilitation/physical therapy treatment, and fitness. Schwinn 270 is a great choice for those have injured joints and spine, children, women and oldsters. And it is also a perfect bike for family-workout.
To purchase this exercise bike, go to this link: [https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-270-Recumbent-Bike-MY17/dp/B01MS7EWR9/ref=sr_1_7?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1519668322&sr=1-7&keywords=recumbent%20bike]
Some of my other recommendations for a recumbent bike: