Schwinn IC3 Review (2024): A No-Frills Exercise Bike That’s Easy to Use

You know cardio is good for you, and you might even know all about the benefits of indoor cycling. So if you’ve decided it’s time to go shopping for an exercise bike for your home gym, the extensive Google sleuthing might have commenced.  

If you don’t have a boatload of cash to drop on an exercise bike, you may have come across the Schwinn IC3 in your price-comparison research. This bike is $700—a low-to-mid-range option as far as exercise bikes go—but it does supply some great features.  

While we haven’t tested the IC3 specifically, we’ve done in-depth testing on the Schwinn IC4, the IC3’s newer—and souped up—sibling. In this Schwinn IC3 review, we’ll give you the lowdown on this bike, and whether it’s worth your hard-earned dollars. Let’s dive in. 

Come Along for the Ride

First, you should know that our team of expert product testers here at GGR—many of whom are certified personal trainers, by the way—has had our feet on nearly two dozen exercise bikes, evaluating key attributes like the drive system, ergonomics, programming, and more. We’re also just crazy about that #fitlife in our own lives, too, buying desk bikes to work from home and doing triathlons on the weekends. Fitness equipment professionals, at your service. 

Schwinn IC3

Schwinn IC3

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Product Highlights

• Sturdy indoor cycling bike with compact frame
• Uses friction resistance
• 40-pound flywheel 
• No connectivity options 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 40-pound flywheel
• Infinite resistance adjustments
• Track RPM, time, calories, distance, and speed on display
• High user weight capacity of 300 lbs

Cons

• Lack of connectivity
• Friction resistance requires maintenance
• Not the best bike for taller riders
• Price

Bottom Line

The Schwinn IC3 is a sturdy indoor cycling bike. It doesn’t have any technology extras, so if that’s important to you, look elsewhere.

A Quick Look at the Schwinn IC3

Schwinn has been making bikes since the turn of the 20th century, so they know a thing or two about these machines. In addition to a smattering of recumbent bikes, upright bikes, airdyne bikes, and even ellipticals, the company currently offers two indoor cycling bikes—the IC3 and the IC4. 

What We Know About the IC Product Line

While the IC3 and IC4 do have some major differences, there are some similarities as well. 

• Both the IC3 and IC4 ring in at sub-$1,000, with adjustable seats and handlebars, and have a reputation for providing a stable ride.
• They both also have transport wheels and are fairly easy to move, weighing around 100 pounds. 
• Both come with a water bottle holder and integrated tablet holder so you can stay hydrated and watch programming on your phone—or Netflix, let’s be real—while you ride.

Is the Schwinn IC3 Worth It?

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty bike at an affordable price and don’t care about tech extras, the Schwinn IC3 indoor cycling bike might be for you. 

Schwinn IC3 Specs

An Expert Opinion on Working Out With the Schwinn IC3

While we haven’t used the IC3, we have tested the IC4 extensively, and can glean a lot about the workout experience on the IC3 by comparing our testing notes to its specs.

While both the IC3 and IC4 use a belt-drive system, a major difference is that the IC4 uses magnetic resistance, while the IC3 uses friction resistance via pads on the flywheel. What this means for you is that the ride on the IC3 might not be quite as smooth or as quiet—although, Schwinn makes high-quality products, so you can expect that it’s respectable as far as friction resistance systems go. 

You’ll also need to perform regular maintenance on a friction-resistance system, changing out the pads when they wear down—magnetic resistance doesn’t require much maintenance. Friction resistance tends to be cheaper than magnetic, too, which is part of the reason why the IC3 is several hundred dollars cheaper than the IC4. 

One bonus of friction resistance is that there are infinite levels of resistance possible via the pads, so you’ll really be able to hone in on your workout intensity with the IC3.

The IC4 is also Bluetooth-compatible and connects to training apps like JRNY, Peloton, and Zwift so you can track your workouts and take advantage of auto-resistance adjustments if you want. Coop, founder of GGR, tested the IC4 and found that the connectivity was easy to set up and is a great plus for a bike in the IC4’s price range.

That being said, the IC3 is not Bluetooth-compatible, doesn’t connect to any fitness apps, and does not come with any built-in workouts (but neither does the IC4). If you don’t care about connectivity and just want to get on and ride, you’ll probably still have a great experience on this bike. Plus, there is a media shelf on the IC3, so you can stream your own fitness app separately. 

Both bikes are equipped with wireless heart rate monitoring, which is a nice plus—the only caveat is that with the IC3, you’ll have to BYOS (bright-your-own-strap) and it’s only compatible with select devices, while the IC4 comes with a heart-rate armband.

Beyond these differences, the actual bike itself is fairly similar: Comparable weight and compact footprints, transport wheels to move it around, equipped with a water bottle holder (two for the IC4, actually) and an integrated tablet holder. Both bikes also offer horizontal and vertical adjustments for the handlebars and seat, and an option of toe cages or clip-ins on the SPD pedals. 

Customer Reviews

On the SchwinnFitness.com website, the IC3 has a 4.5-out-of-5-star rating with 329 reviews at the time of this writing. Plus, 93% of people said they’d recommend the bike to a friend. On Amazon, it has a 4.6-out-of-5-star rating with nearly 5,000 reviews. 

Some reviewers did have problems with the bike squeaking after riding consistently for a while, which is not unheard of with friction resistance. 

Some taller folks also said that the IC3’s seat did not adjust high enough for them, so that’s something to consider if you’re over 6-feet tall. 

On the flip side, most users said the bike is sturdy, fairly quiet, and provides just what they were looking for—a no-frills indoor cycling experience at home.

Footprint and Durability

The IC3 has a footprint of 45″ L x 23″ W x 49″ H. For comparison’s sake, the Peloton Bike measures 59” L x 23” W x 53” H, so the IC3 is on the more compact size. It has a 300-pound user weight capacity, which meets industry standards, and it doesn’t appear to have a ton of plastic components, which bodes well for durability. There’s also a 40-pound flywheel, too, which adds to the bike’s stability. 

As mentioned, the IC3 can be moved via the transport wheels. And, weighing in at 100 pounds, most people should be able to maneuver it short distances on their own. It also runs on two AA batteries, so you have flexibility on placement, which is a plus. 

The Ergonomics

The race-style seat on the IC3 is ventilated for added comfort, but let’s be honest—most bike seats aren’t that comfortable. Some reviews did say that the seat was hard, but that’s not surprising. 

The handlebars are padded for added comfort, plus multiple grip positions give you added flexibility depending on whether you’re head down in the saddle or up out of it, working your way up a hill.

You can adjust both the seat and handlebars vertically and horizontally, so the bike will accommodate a wider size range of riders. However, if you’re tall, the seat may not adjust high enough for you to achieve a comfortable ride. 

You also have the option of wearing regular sneakers and opting for the toe cages, or utilizing the SPD clips with cycling shoes, which is a nice plus.

Technology 

The IC3 is pretty bare-bones as far as indoor bikes go. It doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity and it can’t connect to training apps, there’s no USB port for charging, and the display is a basic LCD. The display will read out metrics including time, distance, calories, speed, RPM, heart rate, and BPM (the bike is equipped to monitor your heart rate, so that’s a nice touch).

There is a media shelf, however, so you can stream JRNY or the Peloton app on your phone while you ride, if you’d like—it just won’t communicate with your bike. 

Comparison to the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1002

Sunny SF-B1002

Sunny Health and Fitness SF-B1002 Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Trainer

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Product Highlights

• 49-lb flywheel
• 275-lb user weight capacity
• Stable
• Feels like road bicycle
• Under $300

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Priced under $400
• 49-pound flywheel provides a smooth ride
• Hundreds of micro levels of resistance adjusted manually
• Four-way adjustable seat and two-way adjustable multi-grip handlebars
• Conveniences like water bottle holder and transportation wheels

Cons

• Leather pad resistance will eventually require maintenance
• No monitor or display at all
• No tech compatibility
• No preset workouts

Bottom Line

A budget-friendly exercise bike that provides a good amount of bang for not too much buck.

For less than half of the price of the IC3, you could purchase the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1002 budget cycling bike. It also uses friction resistance, but it has a heavier 49-pound flywheel (which would provide a more stable ride), and is compatible with the SunnyFit app for programming. 

The weight capacity is slightly less at 275 pounds, and there’s only a one-year warranty on the frame, but with an average of 4.4-out-of-5 stars on Amazon after nearly 6,000 reviews, it’s safe to say this bike is a good value. For those who just want to do recreational cycling in their home gyms, give this bike some consideration.

Comparison to Bowflex C6

Bowflex C6

Bowflex C6 Bike

GGR Score: 3.88

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Product Highlights

• Free 1-year JRNY trial for new members
• JRNY allows you to stream popular entertainment apps
• You can integrate with other apps like Zwift, Peloton, Sufferfest, Rouvy, and TrainerRoad
• Bluetooth-enabled heart rate armband monitor
• 100 resistance levels
• Tablet holder for custom experience
• Pair of 3-lb dumbbells are included in price

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Priced well
• 1-year JYNY membership included
• Integrates with third-party fitness apps
• Bluetooth heart rate armband monitor included
• Free shipping in continental U.S.
• Adjustable seat and handlebars
• Affordable alternative to pricier brands

Cons

• Reportedly noisy
• Display is not touchscreen

Bottom Line

The Bowflex C6 is a high-quality, well-priced bike with impressive streaming capabilities making it a solid choice for anyone looking to cycle solo or virtually.

The Schwinn IC3 indoor cycling bike has some similarities to the Bowflex C6, which is on sale right now for $800. While it is a bit more expensive than the IC3, the C6 is compatible with a handful of fitness apps, which bests the Schwinn.

Both bikes have a 40-pound flywheel, a simple LCD display, and about the same footprint. The C6 does have magnetic resistance, though, and a slightly higher weight capacity at 330 pounds. 

For just $100 more, the C6 provides more beneficial features and would probably be worth it for most people. 

For more, check out our Bowflex C6 review.

Brand Policies 

For the most part, customers seem pleased with Schwinn’s customer service. To reach Schwinn, you can call their customer care line Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST. They also have a Facebook page where you can ask them questions via the Messenger function Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

And it’s good that the brand’s customer service is responsive, because the warranty on the IC3 is pretty subpar—five years on the frame, two years on mechanical and electrical, and one year on labor. Industry standard is more like 10 to 15 years on the frame, so that’s definitely something to be aware of. 

If you are unhappy with your purchase, you can return your bike within six weeks of delivery for a refund, but you’ll have to pay for the shipping and handling to return it. Schwinn also offers a price-match guarantee—if you find a lower product price advertised on an authorized retailer’s website, they’ll match it.

Ordering and Assembling the Schwinn IC3

Ordering the IC3 is a breeze. You can purchase through the Schwinn website, or other retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart. There is a financing option through Schwinn financing where you could pay as little as $39 per month if the purchase is paid off in the first 18 months—you’ll of course have to qualify, but this is a nice option to have if you’re concerned about budgeting. 

While we haven’t assembled the IC3 ourselves, most reviewers who talked about the assembly process explained it as clear and easy-to-follow.

We did, however, assemble the IC4 in our warehouse, and found that process to be just mediocre. GGR’s Operations Manager Sam “asSAMbly” Presley said it took about 45 minutes. 

“There are only three steps in the manual, because they combine about nine steps into one,” Sam says. “Also, the screws and parts aren’t clearly labeled. You can use common sense for the most part to put this together, but the directions could have been clearer.”

Final Verdict of Our Schwinn IC3 Bike Review

The Schwinn IC3 indoor cycling bike provides the quality build of a Schwinn bike without any technology add-ons. 

• If you just want to get on and ride, regardless of your fitness level, this compact stationary bike could provide just what you need.
• However, for the price, there are other comparable options like the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1002 that provide a better value.
• The IC3 uses a friction resistance system, so be prepared to perform regular maintenance on it to keep it functioning optimally.
• If you do want to take advantage of any interactive programming on your cardio machine, you may want to consider a different exercise bike for your home gym.

Schwinn IC3 Rating

Schwinn IC3

In this Schwinn IC3 review, we’ll let you know how this low-to-mid-range bike stacks up.

Product Brand: Schwinn

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 699.00

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
2.78

Schwinn IC3 FAQs

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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