Schwinn Z Bike Review: My Experience After Using It

Being a certified fitness professional for as long as I have, I have been lucky to take some fantastic certifications and workshops taught by some of the biggest names in the industry. Recently, I was able to try out the brand-new Schwinn Z Bike during my most recent cycling certification taught by Eric Thompson from Beachbody on Demand. I can’t wait to share all the fantastic upgrades this bike offers compared to others on the market.

Katie’s Side Note: If you can take a live class from Eric Thompson, do it! His energy and passion for cycling are amazing!

Schwinn Z Pros & Cons 

Usually, after I have taken a 9-hour cycling certification, I feel it during the workshop and the following day in the form of saddle soreness. However, staying on the Schwinn Z Bike was an absolute breeze because of its meticulous design and comfort. There are so many pros to this bike that it was difficult to find anything as a con. See below a few of the features that make this bike so unique.

Schwinn Z Bike Overview

The Schwinn Z Bike features a 32-pound flywheel, magnetic resistance, and a belt drive system. It offers advanced Smart Watch connectivity and multiple app integrations. In addition, the OpenHub Console allows for Zone (stage) training enabling you to take your workouts to the next level.

Although the Schwinn Z Bike was created to be primarily used in a cycling studio setting, it is now also available for home use. Unfortunately, a streaming service for this bike is unavailable since it is most often used in fitness studios. However, if you are a rider who enjoys seeing your progress and the ability to change how you train, the Schwinn Z Bike is an excellent option due to the stage and FTP training options. The console allows for stage training, permitting users to try to beat the metrics achieved during a specific attempt. Want to follow an instructor? You can still pursue an instructor-led class on another platform while still enjoying all the metrics provided by the Z bike. 

Tip: A fun training challenge when using the Zone mode is to complete three twelve-minute blocks. In the first block, select a pace and resistance that requires significant effort to maintain cadence and intensity. This is your “set it” block of work. The next block is the “match it” block, where you try to match your previous metrics. Finally, the third block is the “beast it” section, where you crush all of your earlier metrics in the set.

Warranty Information

• Frame: 10-Year Warranty (5-Year Corrosion Warranty)
• Labor: 1 Year
• Mechanical Parts: 2 Years (cranks, drive mechanism, braking system)
• Pedals & Saddle: 6 Months 

Schwinn Z Bike Specs

• Product Footprint (LxW): 42.5″ x 20.6″
• Flywheel Weight: 32 pounds
• Resistance Type: Magnetic
• Resistance Levels: 25 Gears
• Drive System: Poly V Belt
• Max User Weight 300 pounds
• User Height Range: 4′ 11″ – 6′ 8″
• Product Weight: 130 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 152 pounds

Mechanics and Detailed Specs

Constructions Quality

The design quality of the Schwinn Z Bike is remarkable. The frame is constructed of aluminum and includes a sweat protection powder coating.

Resistance & Drive Systems

The resistance system of the Z bike features 25 levels of magnetic resistance. The bike design allows for an incredibly smooth transition from when the resistance knob turns and the increase in resistance is felt. With other magnetic resistance bikes I have ridden, there is often a noticeable lag in resistance adjustment, but not with this model. A Poly V belt drive system also helps this bike be whisper quiet when riding. 

OpenHub Console Connectivity

The OpenHub Console offers a multitude of connectivity options. This console offer connectivity options, including ANT+, NFC, and Bluetooth. The different connection options allow riders to pass metrics to their favorite 3^rd party apps, such as Strava. Another console feature is linking to Smart Watches and fitness trackers quickly. For example, if you have an Apple or Android watch, you can simply tap your watch on the console to instantly connect to your bike. Your heart rate then begins to appear on the console. Since I have a FitBit watch, I often miss out on these integration opportunities, but not anymore because of the Z bike. Even my Fitbit will pair with the console giving me the most accurate metrics without needing to wear an additional Heart Rate Monitor or invest in a more expensive watch. 

Console

Due to the versatility of the Zone console, workouts can be designed around FTP, cadence, or heart rate. The metrics tracked on the console include heart rate, cadence, FTP, time, distance, gear, stage timer, and calories. One of the great features of this console is the ability to customize the display. Users can add or hide metrics to focus on what they desire.

Power Meter & Z LED Lights

The 4iiii provides strain gauge power feedback in real-time that allows riders to train harder and smarter. The power meter is located on the left crank arm of the cycle. The power reading shows how hard a rider works and helps measure road speed, distance, and caloric expenditure. Accompanying the FTP reading from the power meter is the ability to use the Z LED lights feature. Four color zones on the console indicate a rider’s intensity. They range from yellow being the easiest and red showing the highest energy output. 

Saddle

Since this bike has a competitive style seat, the slimmer silhouette of the saddle increases the importance that the bike set-up is correct.

Handlebars

The handlebars offer four-way adjustability and are one of my favorite features of this bike due to their design. Due to the flat design of the front of the handlebars, they are incredibly comfortable for long bouts in the saddle. This feature also helps those riders that are shorter in stature since it is easier to rest their hands on than the typical indoor cycling bike handlebars.

Pedals

Featuring both a toe cage and clip option, these dual-sided forged steel pedals are incredibly versatile. Cycling shoes featuring an SPD clip are needed.

Portability

Wheels on the front foot of the Schwinn Z Bike allow for easy portability.

Adjustability

A wide range of riders can be accommodated with the Schwinn Z because the saddle and handlebars move fore, aft, up, and down. This model offers a pop-pin design to move the handlebars and saddle up and down. In addition, micro adjustments are available to move these elements fore and aft. 

Potential Bike Alternatives

Best Budget Alternatives: Bowflex C6 & Schwinn IC4

Bowflex C6 Bike

4.5

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®.

Buy from Bowflex Holiday Sale ▶▶

Schwinn IC4 Bike

4.5

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.

Buy from Schwinn Holiday Sale ▶▶

We have clubbed these together because they are the same bike with only a few slight differences. The Bowflex C6 and the Schwinn IC4 are two fantastic bikes for people who want to use the Peloton application without the cost of a Peloton bike.

Let us start with the design. It’s a cool-looking bike, the Bowflex C6 color scheme is a little more stealthy than the Schwinn IC4, but overall you have a bike that will add visual credit to any home gym. It has a front-facing flywheel and really stands out with the oversized tubing. The screen on the bike is excellent and gives you a lot of data, time, calories, distance, resistance level, and heart rate. It has Bluetooth technology, and you are a button away from adding a heart rate monitor or linking up to applications such as Peloton and iFit, or JNRY. 

The drivetrain is excellent on this bike. It is completely frictionless and works on the eddy currents of magnets and has a belt drive. I love this combination. It will make the bike silky smooth, and responsive and will not skip a single beat at any time. It’s equipped with a 40lbs flywheel which plants the bike to the floor and gives it fantastic structure in any sprint. 

Bottom Line

If you are looking for an indoor cycling bike that performs and allows you to take your training to the highest level, we recommend the Schwinn Z Bike.