INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
The A20 is the replacement for the Active Series 20 and Amazon has now corrected their product description to show the correct information for the A20. I haven''t seen the Active Series 20 so I can''t really draw a comparison and trying to get comparison info (I was trying to decide which one to buy) from the sales staff at Schwinn was impossible since the person I talked to hadn''t even seen an actual working model of the A20 (let alone sat on one) and his information was limited to that which was presented on the website. I decided on the A20 since it did appear that they tried to make some improvements plus there''s the issue of being able to get parts if needed in the future.
I received the A20 yesterday and both my wife and I have used it once. I will update in the future.
SET UP: There are very few parts to deal with plus all necessary tools were included and this was a pleasant surprise. I laid them out and checked then against the list given in the assembly instructions before starting assembly. Everything was present. I was able to put it together by myself but having two people would be a nice option. It took about an hour to put it together and the instructions were easy to follow with words and diagrams.
FIRST TIME USE; The seat adjustment was easy which was nice since I share the use of it with my wife (I''m 5''9" and she is 5'') Both of us had an easy time using it so height wasn''t an issue. Some of the new items included with this new model were the water bottle holder (which I don''t use) and a book platform which is now part of the lcd platform (doubtful I will use it but if you do, you''ll need a way to keep the book open as it rests on a fairly shallow lip). It also has an added built in fan and I agree with the previous reviewer that it''s totally useless unless you stick your face within a couple of inches of it (what were those engineers thinking???)but at least you can turn it off. The lcd panel still doesn''t have back lighting which was a complaint with the Active Series 20. I''m not sure if the newer one differs in size but it''s okay to read with at least some light (window,lamp,etc). The lettering isn''t very bold on the lcd which makes it a little more difficult in low light. A fairly easy solution would be to attach a book light to the lip of the book holder. The operation during use is very quiet and with solid stability. The seat and back are padded and was fine during my initial use. The resistance levels were very easy to adjust as were the different courses. The monitor takes 4 D size batteries(not included) but there is an optional power adapter (9v,500ma) you can get from Schwinn for about $25 (including shipping) Might be worth looking into this or some generic adapter and saving batteries and bucks.
This was my first time on a recumbent exercise bike and I loved it. It did exactly what I was looking for in an exercise bike. I think it''s a great exercise bike and the price is very reasonable. One reason I bought this bike was because of the Schwinn name (I think Nautilus owns Schwinn and Bowflex)and so far I''m not disappointed.
4 stars because of the lcd (lack of bold lettering and back light)and useless fan. These are very minor complaints which don''t affect performance.
UPDATE 5-20-2011 I''ve now been using this machine for a few months and without problems. There was a brief time when it made a small weird clicking noise coming from the pedal assembly but this stopped after awhile and hasn''t been heard in weeks. Still a real mystery. Much of my previous review still holds. My biggest praise is for the ease of use and seat adjustment along with with the overall durability of the unit. Mechanically is does what it''s supposed to do and very quietly (excluding that brief period previously noted). My biggest gripe is the display panel. It''s often difficult to see in low light because primarily of the small lettering (although some back light might also be helpful). Hopefully Schwinn will address this issue in later models and thus make this model truly worthy of 5 stars.
After my husband helped me pull the bike out of the box, I wanted to see if I could put this together by myself; and, if so, how long it would take. So, I set a timer, chased my husband out of the room and began.
In 15 minutes I had removed the packaging and checked for missing parts. All the parts were there.
It took me just under an hour to put the bike together, and I did it all by myself! It was really easy! The parts were packaged in an organized manner and clearly identified so I had no trouble with parts. All the tools needed to put it together were included, so I only had to find a pair of scissors to remove packaging and four D batteries to operate the console. And the picture instructions were accurate and easy to follow. That was amazing in itself!
Now, I had it together, and it was time to try it out. After playing with the controls a bit, I figured out how to select a program and gave it a whirl. Here''s what I like and don''t like about operating the machine:
Pros:
The machine is QUIET! This is perfect for anyone who lives in an apartment or who is concerned with waking up a family member while exercising. I can''t imagine this waking anyone up. A definite plus!
It will give you a good bicycle workout. The program automatically increases and decreases resistance so you have to push yourself to finish. If it''s too hard, though, you can adjust the program. There are eight resistance levels and six preset programs to choose from and a Quick Start button so you can set your own speed, distance, etc.
During your workout, the console monitors time, RPMs, distance, speed, calories burned, resistance level, and heart rate. The heart rate monitor seemed to work pretty well and I was able to get it up into my ideal range within a few minutes on a higher resistance.
I''ve done quite a bit of biking (rode in the MS 150) and use the local gym equipment, so I know what it takes to get a good workout. No, this is not the quality of a gym exercise bike, but for the price, it''s a pretty good substitute. (Note: there is a limit of 275 pounds for this bike.)
The bike doesn''t take up a lot of space (61 inches long) and it''s easy to move (60 pounds). My husband and I carried it upstairs without much trouble (we''re in our 60s) and I can move it around myself, when needed. In spite of it being easy to move, it''s extremely stable. I don''t worry that it''s going to fall over or tilt while using it.
Cons:
I don''t like is the fan, the display, and the seat.
The fan is useless. Don''t even bother turning it on. There is not enough wind to blow a feather!
The display panel uses a very thin, light font that makes it extremely hard to read, especially with older eyes. I have to stop to read the display. Not happy with that.
The handlebar sits right below the seat cushion and as I pedal, I can feel it press on my butt! Not very comfortable! I put a small cushion back there to pad it.
Bottom line:
The bottom line is this: if you can''t join a gym, this is a great addition for a lower-budget home gym. It''s quiet, easy to use, convenient, doesn''t take a lot of space, and you''ll get a good bicycle workout for the money.
Buy Schwinn A20 Recumbent Exercise Bike Now
I ride it every night. It is very sturdy and dependable and it also does not take up too much space. Sitting in this position riding for 30 minutes is a pleasure. It is quiet so I can ride it at night with out aggravating my wife. The levels work perfectly.
All the important stuff works great but you can forget the fan and the heart rate indicator. The fan can only be felt 1 inch from the surface. The heart rate indicator was way off in my opinion. For example, I am riding it now as I type with over 20 minutes on the timer at a decent pace. According to the monitor presently my heart rate is 78, just not possible.
Also, the laptop/book holder is okay for my small laptop. Typing is difficult right now but I am usually playing chess while I ride so that is not bad. Continuous typing would be painful this way. Additionally, I am 5''4" and could never use this for reading. it is too far away and at the wrong angle. I do highly recommend and feel like it will last a long time.
Read Best Reviews of Schwinn A20 Recumbent Exercise Bike Here
I love this bike. I''m a 60yr old that doesn''t get out much in the winter because my husband is disabled. This gives me the excercise I need. It is quiet, and lightweight for a recumbent bike.
I wish Amazon would have told me to purchase the adaptor. It runs well on the batteries, but the adapter is sold seperately. I called and got one directly from Schwinn. Programming the bike is a little difficult at first, I didn''t realize you had to hit enter after each category, but I''ve got it down pat now. I''ve had my bike for a month and so far so good. I use it everyday.
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The bike was easy to setup the first time I put it together excepting that it didn''t work. The bike did not respond to the control panel. The exercise-programs didn''t work at all. It took about 80 minutes with Nautilus Tech Support on the phone to take apart the central part of the bikethe middle factory-assembled piece with the pedals, flywheel, and magnet-positioning motor. The technician concluded that the positioning-motor or the cable to it was bad. I was sent another motor. It was sent 3-day Fedex. I installed the motor. It didn''t work. I called back. The new technician thought it was the control panel (called the console) and she sent that 3 day Fedex. I was worried that the bike would never work, so I chatted with Amazon and they told me that I would be given extra time to return the bike because I was working with the vendor. As mentioned in some of the other feedback, the replacement console solved the problem. (By the way connect the motor to the console and be sure it all works before re-installing.) Luckily I took photos of the bike as I took it apart. Because I had replaced the motor I had to re-adjust three different nuts to bring the bike into alignment. Whew! It all works great now. Maybe I should have just told the technician "I can''t take the factory assembled piece apart," do you want me to send that piece back? But even that would have been a lot of trouble. Maybe it just doesn''t make any sense to buy big things over the Internet.
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Beginners do not try this at home. This workout is vintage Cathe: Heart-stopping cardio, and tough weight work, topped by Cathe''s friendly demeanor and excellent cuing. This dvd utilizes the High Step, so this workout is perfect for exercisers that lack a lot of space. You will need a loaded barbell, and a medium/heavy and light set of dumbbells (Cathe uses 5 and 10 lbs).
