We asked 165 C6 & IC4
But first, a big thank you!
On behalf of the IndoorCyclingLove.com Staff, we would like to thank everyone who participated in our survey. Your insight was vital to understand how real users felt about these models.
Specifically, we would like to thank the members and admins of the following C6 and IC4 Communities which helped us by answering our survey questions:
* Schwinn IC8 is the UK version of IC4, so we have merged the data of both of them under Schwinn IC4.
Intro
Our survey included 165 owners of either the Bowflex C6 or the Schwinn IC4 models. In this sample size, 41 people owned the Bowflex C6
An excellent alternative option to Peloton or other streaming bikes. A quiet magnetic resistance bike, proficient enough to link with the many available streaming devices such as Peloton® and Zwift®.
Comes equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to link to several apps such as Peloton® and Zwift®. The Schwinn really does offer excellent quality at a very affordable price.
One of our initial questions included asking participants how long they had owned their indoor cycle. Our data showed that most of our respondents (69%) had owned their bikes for approximately six months. We found that 27% of users had owned their model for 7-12 months, which correlated to when many COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns were in effect. Finally, a small percentage (4%) of owners had purchased their bikes at the beginning of the pandemic or earlier.
The average weekly usage amount reported by our survey respondents was 4.38 hours (37.5 minutes daily). However, many people described their
Satisfaction
#1. The Majority of Owners Seem Delighted With Their Bike
We asked owners to rate their
Almost half of our survey participants ranked their
“I loved the Peloton classes but wasn’t interested in the high price tag. That is what drove me to consider this model.”
Katie Pierson, Spinning Instructor
I purchased the Bowflex C6
#2. Top 3 Most Loved Bike Features Include Connectivity, Construction Quality & Smoothness of the Ride
We asked our survey participants to share in their own words which features were their favorite and what aspects could be improved for the future. Providing their observations was an optional section of the survey, but fortunately, 121 of the 165 participants shared their thoughts.
Our graph below shows our results after aggregating and grouping the answers to understand which attributes were most appreciated by our
As we can see, connectivity, construction quality, and smoothness were the top-scoring attributes for the IC4 and C6 bikes. Other high-ranking features included the
Let’s examine our top three ranking qualities in a little greater detail:
1. Connectivity: Many of our IC4 and C6 owners agree that the best
2. Construction Quality: Our results indicated that 25 out of 121 respondents selected
3. Smooth Ride: Twenty-two users felt that the
A few additional statements from the survey that we felt we should also note include:
- the great price: “Price is way cheaper than Peloton.”
- the fact that you can use your own tablet: “I like that you can bring your own device because the technology aspect of the
bike won’t get outdated.” - the ease of use: “It’s simple and not hard to figure out how to use.”
#3. Top 3 Features Needing Improvement Include Cadence Display, Adjustability, and Quality of Pedals and Crank Arms
We asked our survey participants also to explain which features needed improvement. Contrary to the belief of many community members, pedal and crank arm reliability was not the number one feature that respondents thought needs improvement.
Most IC4 and C6
Let’s explore why respondents selected these three characteristics in greater detail.
1. Cadence Display: Our results indicated that users wished that the cadence display included the cadence number instead of the cadence bar graph. Many riders found the graph more challenging to read. In addition to this request, ten respondents also desired that the power level be displayed on the console. Users shared the following views:
2. The Adjustability of Seat and Handlebars: A selection of owners wished that their
3. Quality of Pedals and Crank Arms: We found that 11 out of 121 owners answered that they would like more reliable pedals and crank arms. Some of the answers we received were:
Like any
Pro Tip: I post a conversion chart of the Peloton resistance levels and the equivalent to my C6 right next to my
Issues
#1. Around 32% of the Respondents Did Have an Issue With Their Bike
The majority of the owners, approximately 70%, did not have any issues with their bikes. In our opinion, the low occurrence of
However, it is important to discuss the issues noted by users so that potential buyers are aware. We asked all 52 owners who had problems to be candid about their encounters. Continue to the following sections to find out more!
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: We didn’t see a strong correlation between respondents who reported
#2. Pedal, Noise & Crank Arm Issues Are the Top 3 Choices of the Respondents
In this section, we asked the owners who encountered
Types of issues experienced located below:
As we can see, noise, pedal, and crank arm issues were most prevalent. Our free form answers provided additional insight into why users were experiencing these three issues simultaneously. Pedal and crank arm issues initiated the
As a C6
Pro Tip: Most of the owners replaced their pedals with quality SPD or flat pedals. With an extra cost of $50-$100, you can get an excellent Shimano or a Venzo set; and yet your IC4 or C6
Below is a selection of responses from our participants describing
1. Noise/ Pedal/ Crank Arm Issues:
2. Resistance Knob Issues:
3. Seat Issues:
#3. Almost All of the Owners Who Used the Bowflex or Schwinn Support for Their Issue Seem Satisfied
As you can see from the above chart, 33 respondents answered our optional question, “If you used Bowflex / Schwinn Support for the Issues you had, how do you rate it?”. Twenty-four out of the 33 people (72%) that answered this question rated the support with at least a 3 out of 5. More importantly, 42% of owners are extremely pleased as they rated the support with at least a four our 5.
I have been delighted with Bowflex Customer Support. They have been kind, courteous and have taken the time to try to help troubleshoot the issue. This included walking me through which screws to tighten on my pedals to try to rectify a problem. The customer service representative stayed on the phone as I tightened each one.
If I were rating their customer service, I would give them a 5 out of 5 as I have never experienced a customer support team so responsive.
“I have been delighted with Bowflex Customer Support. They have been kind, courteous and have taken the time to try to help troubleshoot the issue.”
Katie Pierson, Spinning Instructor
Bottom Line
The Bowflex C6 and Schwinn IC4 are exceptionally well-constructed cycles. With the insight provided from our 165 respondents, it is clear to see why owners rated these models so high. Yes, there are a few issues that have the potential of occurring and needing to be addressed, but they are not significant enough to change whether or not someone should purchase one of these models. With first-rate customer service provided by Bowflex and Schwinn, a dedicated team is standing by to rectify the issue even if a problem does occur.
These
This is an amazing product for the price, and if someone is considering purchasing an indoor cycling
- 4.5Buy from Bowflex Holiday Sale ▶▶
An excellent alternative option to Peloton or other streaming bikes. A quiet magnetic resistance bike, proficient enough to link with the many available streaming devices such as Peloton® and Zwift®.
- 4.5Buy from Schwinn Holiday Sale ▶▶
Comes equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to link to several apps such as Peloton® and Zwift®. The Schwinn really does offer excellent quality at a very affordable price.