Peloton vs Schwinn IC4 (2024): Smart and Smarter?

Smart exercise bikes are all over the market today, but not all are created equal. Peloton and Schwinn likely need no introduction—both of these brands are household names, although the former is a young buck and the latter is a seasoned vet. 

The Peloton Bike and the Schwinn IC4 bike are both indoor cycling bikes with Bluetooth connectivity that allow you to take advantage of live and on-demand classes via fitness apps. 

But, they have some pretty stark differences, too. In this review of the Peloton vs Schwinn IC4, I’ll break it all down to help you decide which one is right for your home gym. I’ve personally tested the Peloton, and GGR founder Coop has tested the IC4, so we’re ready to fill you in. 

Editor’s note: Peloton in May 2023 announced a voluntary recall of all original Peloton Bikes sold from January 2018 to May 2023 because of a defect with the seat post that causes it to break while in use. Peloton has identified 35 reports of broken seats, resulting in 13 injuries including a wrist fracture, lacerations and bruises.

The original Peloton Bike can be identified by “its PL-01 model number on the label located on the inside front fork (near the flywheel), the red ‘P’ logo followed by the white-colored’ ‘Peloton’ brand name on the Bike’s frame, and by its non-swivel display.” 

If your bike is impacted or if you have any questions, call Peloton’s support team toll-free at 866-679-9129 from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET, 7 days a week or by visiting onepeloton.com and clicking on Product Recalls at the bottom of the page.

Peloton Bike

Peloton Indoor Exercise Bike

GGR Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• 21.5″ touchscreen for immersive training
• Live classes and on-demand cycling sessions
• Leaderboard-style competition
• Adjustable screen, seat, and handlebars
• 5-megapixel front-facing camera
• Bluetooth connectivity

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Immersive experience
• Access to thousands of classes, challenges, and a large variety of workout options
• Compact footprint
• Sleek design
• Financing options
• “Try before you buy” option

Cons

• Disappointing warranty
• Membership is required to use bike
• Expensive
• Shipping is not included

Bottom Line

One of the more expensive options for virtual biking, the Peloton Bike is designed to be an all-in-one fitness solution on a high-quality cardio machine. You’re paying not only for the bike, but the unique training experience it makes accessible from the comfort of your home.

Schwinn IC4

Schwinn IC4

GGR Score: 4.4

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Product Highlights

• Connects to Peloton and Zwift apps
• 100 levels of resistance
• Sturdy and doesn’t shake while exercising

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Connects to Peloton and Zwift apps
• 100 levels of resistance
• Sturdy and doesn’t shake while exercising

Cons

• LCD display is bare bones
• Android users may notice a lag in metrics shown
• Parts note clearly labeled to help with assembly

Bottom Line

For under $1,000, the Schwinn IC4 is a solid purchase and one of the best exercise bikes if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to Peloton.

Quick Look: Peloton vs Schwinn IC4

When researching exercise bikes, there are quite a few characteristics you should keep in mind, including the price, technology features, type and levels of resistance, and other functionality like the footprint and weight capacity. Here’s a look at the specs of the Peloton and Schwinn IC4 side by side.

Peloton vs Schwinn IC4 Comparison Chart

Who Should Buy the Peloton Bike

• Those who want the boutique cycling experience
• Those who place a premium on technology 
• Those who want don’t want to bother with assembly themselves 

Who Should Buy the Schwinn IC4

• Those on a budget
• Those who want a more compact bike 
• Heavier people 

Key Similarities Between Peloton and Schwinn IC4

The Schwinn IC4 is billed as a Peloton alternative, and rightfully so—if you don’t have the cash to drop on a Peloton, it could be a good substitute. Here’s what they have in common.

• Both bikes have 100 levels of magnetic resistance 
• Both bikes allow you to stream trainer-led workouts 
• Both bikes can track metrics like time, speed, distance, cadence, and resistance level 

Check out our full Schwinn IC4 review to read all about all this bike’s highlights. 

Important Differences Between Peloton and Schwinn IC4

While there are quite a few similarities, there are some major differences between these two bikes as well, including:

• The Peloton has a 21.5-inch touchscreen, whereas the IC4 has only an LCD display; you’ll need to use your own device to stream workouts on the Schwinn IC4.
• The Peloton only comes with a five-year frame warranty and one-year mechanical, electronics, and labor warranty; the IC4 has a 10-year frame warranty, plus three years on mechanical and electronics, and one year on labor. 
• Although the Peloton is nearly 30 pounds heavier than the IC4, the IC4 has a higher weight capacity and a smaller footprint.

Read our full Peloton Bike review to get the in-depth scoop on this machine.

Technology and Programming 

While both the Peloton and the Schwinn IC4 are smart bikes, the Peloton is smarter. This cardio machine is built on technology, and its drawing point is the high-quality native programming it offers—which includes live classes and on-demand options—on a large 21.5-inch touchscreen. Clip in and compete with other riders on the leaderboard, or even hop off the bike to do a strength, yoga, or running workout. You’ll pay $44 per month for the subscription.

The Schwinn IC4 has a small backlit LCD screen display that displays metrics. With your purchase, you’ll get a free year of JRNY programming, which costs $12.50 per month after your first year.

You’ll need your own device to stream JRNY, but you’ll also have the option of using other fitness apps like Explore the World, Zwift, and even the Peloton app via the IC4’s Bluetooth. As more of an open-platform bike, the IC4 providing you with the flexibility to choose which monthly subscription you want to use could be advantageous, especially if you’re a beginner and want to try out several programs before committing. 

Workout Experience

I’ve used the Peloton Bike at our testing facility, and while I don’t love everything about the actual bike itself, the experience that a Peloton digital class provides is just *chef’s kiss*, and in my opinion, worth the price tag. The instructors are great at what they do, and there’s someone for everyone. It just takes a few taps of the screen to get going, and the bike feels stable during the ride thanks to its heavy-duty steel frame and smooth magnetic resistance.

However, there are a few negatives (in my opinion) about the Peloton Bike. First, you will need cycling shoes to use it, which Peloton offers for an additional $125—I like the option of toe cages. Second, the seat is just not that comfortable, but that’s fairly common among exercise bikes (and also a complaint about the IC4). Lastly, the handlebars on the Peloton can only be adjusted vertically, which is a bit surprising—many bikes offer horizontal adjustment as well. 

RELATED: Best Exercise Bike With Screen

We also have the Schwinn IC4 in our testing facility, and Coop has tested it pretty extensively. His overall sentiment is that it’s a great bike for the price. The magnetic resistance and heavy flywheel provide a smooth ride, and while the seat (again) isn’t super comfortable, he appreciated the adjustability of it and the handlebars.

He did connect the IC4 to his iPad to stream the Peloton app, and while it worked, it took a few minutes and required some leg work. For some, it may be preferable to have an integrated touchscreen for programming, but if you don’t care much about technology, or don’t have the extra $500 to spend, the IC4 will work just fine. So, all in all, while it isn’t as high-tech as the Peloton, the IC4 provides a good alternative for the price.

RELATED: Peloton Bike vs Bike Plus

Ordering and Assembly 

The ordering and assembly process for the Peloton and Schwinn IC4 differs, and may be a make-or-break for your purchasing decision. 

Up until late August 2023, you could only purchase the Peloton Bike on onepeloton.com. Now, it’s also available on Amazon, which may make it accessible to more people. Financing is available on the Peloton website for as little as $38 per month if you qualify, or for just over $120 per month on Amazon if you qualify. 

When you order the Peloton, delivery and in-home assembly are included in the price, so all you’ll have to do is open the door—nice! Our bike took a few weeks to be delivered, which seems pretty standard—the company has had on-and-off stocking issues since the pandemic—and was fully assembled at GGR HQ in about 15 minutes.  

On the other hand, if you order the Schwinn IC4, you’ll have to assemble it on your own unless you want to pay extra for expert assembly. It took Coop an hour to put this bike together on his own, and he said the instructions were not the best. Also of note, the parts were not clearly labeled, which is not ideal. If you’re not the best at assembling equipment, it may be worth it to fork over the extra cash for professional help.

Customer Reviews

Reviewers think highly of both of these smart exercise bikes. The Peloton Bike has more than 20,000 reviews on the Peloton website with a 4.8-out-of-5-star rating at the time of writing. Most reviewers praise the instructors and how the bike has changed their home workout game. 

The Schwinn IC4 bike has a 4.6-out-of-5-star rating on the Schwinn website as of this writing. Reviewers like this bike for their home gyms, citing its simplicity and stability as selling points. 

Company Policies

Peloton’s warranty is not great—five years on the frame, and 12 months on the touchscreen, components, pedals, and labor. Schwinn, on the other hand, offers a 10-year frame warranty, plus three years on parts, one year on electrical and 90 days on labor. Schwinn’s policy is more in line with industry standards, which is pleasantly surprising given the sub-$1,000 price point.

You can try the Peloton for 30 days at home, and if you don’t like it, they’ll pick up the bike for free and give you a full refund—that’s pretty sweet, I must say. With Schwinn, you have a much longer period of time to decide—within 6 weeks of delivery—but your refund will be less shipping and handling and you’ll have to handle sending the bike back on your own, which won’t be an easy feat.

FAQs About Peloton vs Schwinn IC4

Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC

Nicole is the head of content at GGR. She's been a journalist for the last 13 years and a CPT/group fitness instructor for the last 10 years. She grew up playing tennis, became an avid runner in college, competed in a bikini competition in her mid-twenties, and even completed a triathlon. Her workout of choice nowadays is strength training, plus logging her daily steps. After her first daughter was born six years ago, she became especially passionate about prenatal and postnatal fitness, teaching stroller bootcamp classes and working with expecting moms as clients. Post-journalism school, Nicole worked in print media as a magazine editor for eight years, then went freelance for a while, writing for fitness websites and manufacturers in the industry. Now, as the the head of content at GGR, she brings her expertise in fitness to writing and editing honest reviews on everything you might need for your home gym.

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