Schwinn 270 Review: Pros, Cons, Cost, and More

What is the Schwinn 270?

Schwinn is a well-known fitness brand that produces a variety of cardio machines, including home exercise bikes, rowers, treadmills, and ellipticals.

The Schwinn 270 is the brand’s more expensive recumbent bike, though it’s still reasonably priced compared with others on the market.

Priced under $700, the Schwinn 270 is a customer favorite, thanks to its robust training options, comfortable seat, and ease of use.

The 270 features a weighted flywheel and large contoured seat for a smooth and comfortable ride.

It’s also loaded with training options, including dozens of resistance levels and programmed workouts.

In addition to being easy to use, customers note that the bike is straightforward to assemble and should take less than 1 hour to set up.

Key specs and features of the Schwinn 270

Considering the Schwinn 270’s price, which falls under $700, the number of features it offers is impressive.

For starters, the bike includes 25 levels of magnetic resistance, 29 preset workout programs, built-in speakers, a weighted flywheel, and Bluetooth capabilities.

Additionally, at the center of the bike is a DualTrack two LCD window system, which displays up to 13 display feedbacks at a time, such as your time, distance, speed, and calories burned.

There’s also a small ledge built into the display for holding a smartphone, though some reviewers find it a bit too small for a tablet.

One of the standout features of the Schwinn 270 is that it’s VR compatible. This means you can wear a VR headset and ride on courses around the globe using apps like Explore the World.

Just keep in mind that you’ll need to purchase the VR headset separately.

The Schwinn 270 is also designed for comfort, with extra-wide pedals and a ventilated, padded seat.

As with other recumbent bikes, the Schwinn 270 offers lumbar support and easily slides along a rail system to accommodate users of varying heights.

Speaking of which, while the bike is said to fit users between 5 ft. (150 cm) and 6 ft. 6 in. (190 cm) tall, some reviewers note that it’s most comfortable if you’re between 5 ft., 2 in. (157 cm) and 6 ft. (182 cm) tall.

Other notable features include a three-speed fan, heart rate grip sensors, and a mounted water bottle holder.

How much does the Schwinn 270 cost?

The Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike retails for $649, and shipping is available throughout the contiguous United States for $99.

To make the bike even more affordable, the company offers an 18-month payment plan for qualified customers, which reduces the cost to around $37 per month.

Warranty and returns

The Schwinn 270 is covered by the following warranties:

• 10-year frame
• 2-year parts
• 1-year electronics
• 90-day labor

Schwinn also offers a full refund for returns made within the first 6 weeks after delivery.

Is the Schwinn 270 easy to use and assemble?

For an additional $129, you can choose to add in-home assembly to your purchase. This includes full bike assembly by a trained technician — though they will not assemble any accessories — plus the removal of all packaging.

If you choose to put together the Schwinn 270 by yourself, assembly is fairly user-friendly and takes about an hour. Reviewers frequently mention how easy it is to set up, although some say that it’s easier with two people. The main base comes in one piece, so you’ll need to attach the seat, pedals, and handles.

The bike weighs 86.7 lbs. (39.3 kg) and has transport wheels, and users mention that it’s easy to move if needed.

The Schwinn 270 has Bluetooth connectivity, so you can pair it with Schwinn’s Explore the World app or third-party apps like Peloton, Zwift, or MyFitnessPal.

The video playback on the Explore the World app responds in real time to the speed of your bike in order to simulate the feeling of riding outside. The app is also VR compatible, but you’ll need to use a headset.

Reviewers appreciate that it’s very easy to adjust the seat and resistance levels on the Schwinn 270. There’s a lever underneath the seat for quick adjustments, and you can choose resistance levels from 10 preset quick keys or manually select one.

While the bike includes heart rate sensors on the handles, you can also pair the 270 with a heart rate monitor via Bluetooth.

Who is the Schwinn 270 for?

The Schwinn 270 is a good option if you’re looking for a quality recumbent bike that offers a wide variety of features and works with multiple fitness apps. It’s also more budget-friendly than other recumbent bikes on the market.

Some users also find that recumbent bikes are more comfortable than upright bikes, as recumbent bikes often have larger padded seats and position your legs at a different angle. Plus, recumbent bikes usually have added back support.

While it doesn’t have a built-in touchscreen, it’s easy to use your own tablet or smartphone for streaming classes and accessing any connected apps.

That said, if you’re looking to replicate a spin or studio class in your home or prefer an upright bike, you may want to consider a studio-style cycle that’s similar to the Peloton or Schwinn IC4.

How do customers feel about the Schwinn 270?

Overall, customers are very pleased with the Schwinn 270. Reviewers note that the bike runs quietly while simulating the feeling of riding on the road.

Reviewers also mention that the seat is comfortable and say they feel supported by the backrest.

However, others are disappointed that a chest strap monitor was not included with the purchase of the bike, and some note that the heart rate reading from the grip sensors isn’t always accurate.

How does the Schwinn 270 compare with other recumbent bikes?

If you’re looking for an affordable recumbent bike, chances are the Schwinn 230, ProForm Pro C10R, and NordicTrack R35 are also on your list.

Here’s how the Schwinn 270 compares with these options:

If you’re looking for a bike that’s comparable to the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike but has the ability to stream classes directly to the bike, the ProForm Pro C10R or NordicTrack R35 bikes may be good options for you.

The ProForm Pro C10R also has a 10-in. (25.4-cm) touchscreen for streaming iFit workouts, and it comes with a free 30-day iFit family membership, which costs $39 per month after the trial ends. Plus, the seat adjusts vertically and horizontally, which is great if you share the bike with other users.

The NordicTrack R35 is another popular option. It also works with iFit, come with a free 30-day iFit membership, and boasts a 14-in. (35.6-cm) touchscreen. It offers 26 resistance levels and can support users up to 350 lbs. (158.8 kg). That said, it also comes with a higher price tag.

Meanwhile, if budget is your main priority, then it’s worth considering the Schwinn 230, which is priced below $500. Though, keep in mind that it also offers fewer training options and isn’t Bluetooth compatible.

Overall, if you’re looking for a recumbent bike at an affordable price, it’s hard to beat the Schwinn 270.

With that said, if you’re interested in streaming classes and can afford a more expensive home exercise bike, it’s definitely worth checking out the ProForm Pro C10R or NordicTrack R35.

Frequently asked questions about the Schwinn 270

What is the difference between the Schwinn 270 and 230?

The Schwinn 230 is similar to the 270 but has fewer features. It has fewer resistance levels and preset workouts, and it doesn’t have Bluetooth or USB connectivity like the 270 does.

The Schwinn 230 is also less expensive than the 270, which may make it an attractive option for people looking for a no-frills recumbent bike at an affordable price.

Is the Schwinn 270 a smart bike?

The Schwinn 270 is not a smart bike because it doesn’t have a built-in screen for streaming live classes.

That said, it does have Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to connect a tablet or smartphone to the bike and sync your progress to certain apps, including Schwinn’s own Explore the World app or certain third-party apps like Strava and Zwift.

Does the Schwinn 270 have speakers?

Yes, the Schwinn 270 has built-in speakers, so you can connect your phone or another device to the bike via Bluetooth and won’t have to use headphones to listen to music or watch your favorite show.