4 things I HATE about the Schwinn IC4 (aka Bowflex C6)
Schwinn IC4 review: • Schwinn IC4 REVIEW - H... (my full review)
Schwinn IC4: amzn.to/3kEhoI1 (in stock?) / order directly from Schwinn: bit.ly/schwinnIC4 (IN STOCK)
...more of my schwinn ic4 videos below (expand)
Text review of the Schwinn IC4: tailhappytv.com/schwinn-ic4-r...
The Schwinn IC4 which is also the same bike as the Bowflex C6 other than the appearance, is a good bike and it has a lot of good things going for it. This video is my critical analysis of the things about the Schwinn IC4, particularly the 4 things "I hate" about it/ wish were better.
If you're thinking about buying the Schwinn IC4 or you want to see a full Schwinn IC4 review be sure to check out my TailHappy score review of this bike. I also made quite a few videos comparing this bowflex c6 clone to the peloton bike and several other indoor cycling bikes.
My other SCHWINN IC4 videos and comparisons:
schwinn ic4 vs sunny 1805: • Schwinn IC4 vs Sunny S...
schwinn ic4 vs echelon ex4s: • Schwinn IC4 vs Echelon...
IC4 vs proform costco bike: • ProForm Bike vs Schwin...
ic4 vs joroto x2 • Schwinn IC4 vs Joroto ...
schwinn ic4 vs peloton • Schwinn IC4 vs Peloton...
schwinn ic4 assembly • Schwinn IC4 Assembly a...
bowflex c6 assembly • Schwinn IC4 Assembly a... (same video)
Pedals: amzn.to/36MsJ3B
Video on pedals: • How to change Peloton ...
how to clip in/out (video): • How to Unclip Peloton ...
Wahoo Cadence sensor: amzn.to/2UAas3V
Favorite Heart rate monitor (video, scosche): • Scosche Rhythm+ Heart ...
Scosche Rhythm+ amzn.to/3kyGJ68
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Most of the things I don't like about the schwinn ic4 are pretty minor and I wouldn't let it hold you back from buying it if it's the bike you want. I just wanted to share my perspective and unfiltered thoughts on the downsides of the schwinn ic4, thanks for watching!
Love this bike, but it's not perfect either plz click that thumbs up button to help support this channel :)
What bike gets your highest TailHappy Score? I can’t figure that out.
Ive had my IC4 for 2 years now. The bike is an absolute beast, have not had any problems. Nowhere near as tall as you so havent had the water bottle issue. Changed out the pedals to Peloton pedals nearly right away. Very happy!
Thanks this was great information. When first getting our IC4, I moved the water bottle holder forward; and put some locktite on the pedal threads. It’s been an awesome bike.
Great video, I decided to go for the bowflex with the military discount since they offer 15% off and not a fan of color red which ic4 has a lot. When i called them they have the same shipping dates. 4 weeks they said and I'm on week 1 waiting excitedly to try zwift.
TailHappyTv thank you for your reviews. Have a new IC4 and love it already just after 2 HIITs in 4 days. I hear a click in the left pedal only at high cadence, (well, high for me) at 85 to 100, no other RPMs. I readjusted the pedal and tightened it. I hope someone sees this comment as it one year later than the others!
Thanks for the info! Hope you're enjoying :)
Really appreciate all the hard work you put into your videos. After a month of binging and missing my mountain bike I went with a Concept2 Bike Erg (but I was very close to pulling the trigger on an ic4). Similar but different from a spin bike and there are not enough cyclist centric videos on it.
Nice, I need to get that one on the channel. Happy riding!
As always, thanks for sharing. You helped me A LOT in picking our exercise bike! Thank YOU! Three weeks ago we got the Bowflex (paid more, but got it sooner than the IC4) and both my spouse and I like it and are pleased with the purchase. As you mentioned, it isn't perfect. - We didn't put the water bottle holders on, based on what you mentioned in a prior video. :-) - Yup, I too very much wish the cadence was displayed as a number. Cadence is one of the main things I want to know. - As you mentioned, it knows (sort of, I guess?) your power. I think it is using that data to calculate distance, so we base our workouts on that. - Our pedals have been fine. But, I switch them out each ride. I use eggbeater pedals, my spouse uses the equipped ones.
I know eh I also had to buy it as the c6 “version” from bowflex was thinking about buying the velocore but that baby is Soo expensive lol and not a lot of reviews on it yet
Thank you for this review! I have had this bike for 2 weeks and I agree with your assessment. It's a great bike but the water bottle and the display issues are annoying. I've resorted to having a table next to me that I can put my water bottle on but I may try your tip regarding the screws. I will need to keep an eye (or ear ) on the peddle! Thanks much!
Same knee-to-bottle issue here. My fix: reinstall the bracket using only the two front-most holes on the handlebar with the rear-most holes in the bracket, thus pushing it forward about 1", which was enough for me. Had to bend display bracket back a touch to allow display to re-mount without hitting the iPad mount. Hard to imagine this issue wasn't identified in prototype. The threads on my pedals were pre-treated with a blue thread-lock; this being a recent purchase, so it seems that Schwinn has corrected that one.
I think peloton is responsible for which metrics are displayed using third party bikes. They obviously want you to buy their bike.
Great video..the question which spin bike is your favorite..
Thanks for the great reviews, I bought the Bowflex C6 one year ago, mainly based on your reviews / videos, and even with the 4 things you hate about it. I was having a noise issue with the right peddal, but I fixed it today : because I removed the strap assembly that screwes to the front of the peddal, I havent noticed, but the two screws also holds the shoe clip in place. So my clip was holding with only the borrom screw, and over time always got loose. I put back two screw in the front of the peddal, and it's rock solid now, 100% quiet. I love the bike, I've been using it an average of 4h per week over the last year...thats about 200h so far, which makes sense because my dark-souls-3 character clocked over 250h of game time...if you know what I mean... so after 200h, the belt is still very tight, no adjustment required besides the peddal, no issues. Great purchase, the C6 should keep me in shape well into my retirement...
Thanks, Matt - just got IC4 for XMas and your points verify many of the initial things I noticed, like bottle holders (I'm 6'3") and cadence display.
Hope you're enjoying it!
Thanks for the review. Do you have any reviews on the Bowflex C7 bike?
Hi TailHappyTV, what are your thoughts on the Echelon EX5S? What do you think about the software for Echelon bikes?
Have you had a chance to ride the MYX fitness bike? Would love to hear your thoughts about the quality and ride.
Pedals are self tightening if encouraged. A quick squirt of silicone lube before fitting and my IC pedals have been perfect ever since.
Thank you for your video. I am having a difficult time tightening the peddle straps. Do you have any videos showing any tips about this challenge.
We have two of these bikes, both have a completely different Resistance numbers My 50 is the same as the other bikes 20 , the cables suck and sometimes the bikes just go blank. The box is really sad, Both bikes get EOS 103 Errors , Tech support said we needed new cables with some kind of Tool and we have been waiting close to 3 months with some BS about how they updated the servers and now everthing is months behind. Both Bow Flex and Schwinn make the same parts. I wish I would have gone with the Peleton but I love streaming to the large screen and playing the music thru the Home stereo. UGH Your Review are on point but that box is a huge nightmare , If you calibrating it more than 3 times it goes Blank and you have to have a tech come out which could takes a few more months.
Terrific info for anyone who owns it, or is thinking to buy!
I like the bike just as it is! Only issue thus far is that I cannot get level 8. Goes from 7 to 9 no matter how I try. Very small issue. I'm 6' 1", never stand up on the bike, and I have 8"-10" of knee/water bottle clearance, so, I adjusted the handle bars as close to the seat as possible. Great bike! Well designed and built.
Nice, it really is one of the greats
I just got the IC4 around Christmas time. Best Buy was running a special for $499 with free delivery! That price was the deciding factor for me. I agree with you on the water bottle holders. I am only 5'-6" and I have to be careful not to hit them with my knees when I stand up and pedal. Mine came with blue locktite on the pedal threads so hopefully I may not have the issue with the pedals coming loose. Thanks so much for the review.
Very nice! thank you for the comment and your feedback, happy riding!
so sad I missed this price! I'm thinking of going with the bowflex c6($799) which is $200 cheaper than the Schwinn(priced at $999 right now).
Yeah Best Buy at $499 had the best price I have seem on it. It was a fantastic price. It was offered at that price for only 1 maybe 2 days.
@@vao3906 That's an awesome deal you got for sure! Are you still enjoying it? I just purchased the Bowflex version of this while it's on sale for 799. It says it includes a year of journey...I'm assuming yours did too. Have you used it and do you like it?
Yes I am enjoying it. One of the selling points for me was the clips on the pedals. I like to wear cycle shoes and clip in when riding a spin bike. Obviously it isn't the same as a gym quality bike but for the price I am happy with it. I have not tried using any of the apps with it. I have it in front of the TV and watch TV while riding it. The cup holders make a good holder for the TV remote. My favorite spin bike that I have ever used is the Kaiser M3 at the gym I used to belong to but it costs way more than I wanted to spend.
Have you reviewed the Bowflex VeloCore? I know it might be hard in your apartment, but the VeloCore really takes things to the next level.
Are there videos about how properly set up an exercise bike? I am looking for positioning of seat versus lowest pedal and such.
Absolutely spot on.. I've experienced all four!
Apparently, there's a Bowflex C7 now, which is almost identical to the C6, but moves the metrics to a built-in screen (a la Peloton or Echelon EX4). The C7 doesn't fix the water bottle holder problem that you note with the C6.
THE c7 bowflex is just a screen add to the bike and more money
Was an extra $100 CAD. There are a couple of other differences (not sure if they are actually improvements) but mostly just the screen and speakers. Plus being immediately available when everything else was back ordered
Do you think you'll be taking a look at the Bowflex C7 anytime soon? We got lucky and were able to pick one up the next day so we went that route. Advantages - the (only 7 inch) LCD does display cadence in numbers with no max, and does have power output so that eliminates the #2 & #3 things you hate about the C6. Unfortunately, #1 & #4 are still going strong in the new model. I also think I know some the the things you wouldn't like about the screen based on your review of the Echelon EX-4. Similar small screen (and speaker) limitations. Thanks for all your great content, it really helped with the complicated process of finding the right bike!
Where does it measure power? Thinking of getting the C7 on close out and the product screen doesn't show power as one of the stats it tracks at the bottom. Thanks.
@@cranburydad The C7 calls the measurement Burn rate (as well as showing calories, cadence, resistance) but nothing labelled power. FYI - the screen is great for readouts and if you want the scenery option & it's nice to have (pretty mediocre) built in speakers but I can't see using it for media like they suggest. It's quite small
@@billking5198 Thanks. Yeah, agreed. We would mostly use iPads in the media cradle for content and other fitness apps. Right now the C7 sells for $100 less than the screenless C6.
@@cranburydad Not much of a media cradle unfortunately (tight fit under the screen), but mechanically pretty much identical with extra features for less $ is still a win.
@@billking5198 I emailed BowFlex and they replied the media cradle could handle my large iPad Pro 12.9" screen securely without interfering with the built-in screen. I asked them because all the promotional images and videos show more like iPad Minis. Should I not put credence in their response? using that cradle is pretty core to our plan so if its not big enough or secure enough, that may be a deal breaker.
I wonder if a little locktite would fix that pedal issue?
After trying out the SchwinnIC4and Keiser M3i which bike would buy to use at home?I want something where I don’t have to reach out so far with my arms or bend over.I am used to the heavier flywheel bikes at the gym and have never tried a lighter flywheel bike other than the typical stationary upright bikes by Life Fitness. Thanks
Would you review the bowflex velocore ?? and compare it to the IC4
Any thoughts on the Horizon 7.0 IC? Has a lot of the same specs and appears to address the issues you bring up here. Can't find any reviews so perhaps it's too new.
Do the handle bars on the C6 come up higher and closer to the saddle than on the Nordic Track s22i??
Is it good with zwift? Is the power output accurate i.e better than using a wahoo speed and cadence sensor?
Is there any addon equipment I can order to show the cadence in numbers as well as power output? I just ordered the IC4 (first ever spin bike) and plan on using the Peloton App but don't have any apple products to use for the App. Wondering if it would be more cost effective or better to buy a addon device or just buy a new/slightly used iPad. Thanks for the useful video.
Cadence / heart rate: Wahoo equipment Power output: Kinetic Fit App
I feel like the speed is no where close to accurate which means distance is off as well. Pretty sure I ride between 12-15 mph and it had me at 22-24. Any way to calibrate speed?
HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THE BOWFLEX VELOCORE ?
I hate that you have to plug it in. The Keizer M3i has a comparable display and uses 2 AA batteries. What’s up with Schwinn?
Watched this review about a year ago. Got the bike shortly after. And I am starting to feel the clicking of the right pedal sure enough. I do not have tools of this size to tighten the pedal. So I am now going to have to ask around. What a weird flaw to have in the bike....
man, I bought this bike based on your recommendation...any recommendations on how to get rid of the noises that come and go while pedaling? I have no idea where is coming from, retightened pedals and all parts etc...any suggestions?
I agree regarding the water bottle holders. Definitely a design flaw. I’m 5’8 and whacked my knee on one of them so I removed it. Otherwise I love the bike.
Just bought a c6 and it seems the computer isn't calibrated properly? The resistance calibration is all that I can find online, and my issue isn't with resistance but more with calculated speed. The bike states im flying around 28mph when the resistance is up to 40. To me, this can't be correct. Any thoughts, inputs, or opinions welcome.
Do you know if this bike with output power data via bluetooth to a Garmin fenix 6/7
As a short person… I had no idea the water bottle holder could be inconvenient
Get a pedal washer for the pedals and they will not work themselves loose. What is actually happening, is the circular force of pedal motion is wearing on the seat of the crank arm. It is only soft aluminum. A washer will equalize that force against a more sturdy material.
So does the c6 have the same issues as the ic4?
I love that you’re 6ft 5in and doing all these reviews, so useful as I’m the same heighttttt
I find it useful because I am 6ft 2. Yes I know I am short, but it seems when you are over 6 ft they stop making anything that might fit you.
Hi , Iam checking to pick your brain on the pro from your de fran it s on sale now at Costco for 284 what do you think I have never own a indoor bike I just started riding my outside bike , I can take some hill , do you think this Costco booked be good for that price I don’t want to have to buy another bike a year from now , as I get better at riding ?
The resistance knob on my schwinn ic4 is disappointing. It is hard to accurately turn the knob to the resistance I want on the first try. It kind of springs back a level or 2. Maybe it’s a flaw on mine. I also hate that you can’t display cadence on peloton digital website and only the app. I had to get a separate app on my phone and therefore am using a total of 3 screens to ride lol a bit much.
I have heard that the metrics they calculate from the resistance setting are wacky as well -- the MPH and distance are said to be very high compared to other bikes. So you really have no idea how you are doing except in terms of relative improvement.
I just bought this bike, in thanks partly to your review of it, and I'm wondering how hard is it to build for a newbie? I've taken spin classes for many years but I've never owned a bike before so I have no idea if it's something relatively easy for one person to do on their own or should I try to find someone who could help me build it? Thanks for any suggestions!
This video will walk you through kzhead.info/sun/aLSOY96Bpop6moU/bejne.html It's not the easiest build, but you can do it following this video.
@@TailHappyTV Thank you!!
The Bowflex C7 was a pretty easy build for a rookie doing it on my own. Similar skeleton so you shouldn't be intimidated.
I put my Bowflex C6 together by myself, after watching a couple of KZhead videos. It was easy. Just be careful when you thread the pedals in. Thread them in by hand as far as you can and then use the wrench to get them on really tight.
Hi, thanks to your great video, I was able to build the IC4 on my own. There were a couple of kinks I encountered (being a newbie) while building it but it's up and running now. Only two issues I now have: 1) is some squeaking from the fly wheel when I'm riding the bike. Do you have any thoughts on what could be making a squeaking noise? Or how to fix it? The fly wheel came assembled so I don't think it was something I did wrong. 2) I cannot for the life of me, get the heart rate monitor to pair with the bike. It pairs with my iPhone no problem so it's not the heart rate monitor malfunctioning. Once the bike is turned on and I have the monitor on my arm and turned on, I then press the bluetooth button on the bike and it beeps once but nothing comes up on the screen other than P. Any suggestions on either issue would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks
Come on Peloton. Please add power output thanks. I have to run a separate Kinetic app at the same time. I'm not tall and the water bottle issue is still there with a longer water bottle. Everything else is great though. Great review bud.
what app are you running to get the power output?
@@ralharps Kinetic on iOS App Store
so what do you think about 190mm q factor on this bike? How do you feel after long rides?
I personally prefer a narrow Q factor, 170 or so, but 190 works. I rarely ride more than 40 mins on a stationary bike and I feel fine with 190 for that time
The worst thing about these bikes is that they regularly have manufacturing defects and you need to do battle with Nautilus support on the phone to get them fixed. In my case, I have a weird rumbling noise from the front flywheel and they gaslighted me and told me it was normal until my warranty ran out. Then I found out from other users that the bike should not have that noise and should be completely silent. I now need to look into getting a new flywheel or bearings for it and that will probably cost as much as a new bike does now (they are sometimes on sale for shockingly low prices, I have heard as low as $250, which is really aggravating considering I spent around $750). Just a really bad company to work with -- meanwhile my daughter bought a cheap Chinese brand off Amazon and it has been perfect and customer support was good too. I won't deal with Nautilus again.
Power is Voltage X Amps. Hope that helps.
😆 yes, but we are talking about power output of your legs to the pedals in this scenario
I wish cadence was a number and not a bar. So thankful for the peloton app integration that pushes it to my iPad
so when you are within the peleton app the cadence shows up as a number?
@@TacklingTheGiants yes. I use Bluetooth connection on peloton app for iPad. Then on the screen when doing peloton ride, it displays a number
@@joshjacobson9846 awesome thanks
Which video should I watch to see best budget entry level bike or a bike under $300?
Look to see if he has a video on the sunny bike. You can get it for ~$270 in some places, but it's usually right at the $300 mark. I've never ridden it, but I've seen people who like it for the price
So the Bowflex C6 and Schwinn IC4 are the same bikes . Why then dose the Bowflex cost more ?
How are they shipped? I live on a third floor. Do you know if Amazon ships them in boxes? Do they bring them to the door? I know they are so heavy. Thank you!!!
Shipped in a box, Amazon May bring it up for you, two people could easily carry it up the stairs
@@TailHappyTV awesome! You’re da bomb!
What are your thoughts on the echelon stride treadmill? It isn’t a bike, I know, but it is connected fitness and I’d like to know if it worth my $ and space to take Peloton hiking, walking and running classes. I like the compact flat folding approach but don’t see many hands on reviews. Thanks for considering.
why is power output important? are you powering up eletronics????
Not relevant for casual athletes. If you track your data, you can see the level of your progress pretty well.
I’m very dissatisfied. i did not get the accessories to this bike, and now i can’t put my bike together. how can i get accessories
so which bike do you like that has a good RPM display? i don't want to spend much more so i will forgo power/watts if necessary. thanks
Echelon ex15
@TailHappyTV cool thanks. Looks good but doesn't look like it has a monitor.
I’m 5’11” and still hit the water bottles with handlebars moved pretty far forward. 🤦♂️
The blue Loctite is a good idea.
whould you recommend this bike for a studio on budget?
Yes
@@TailHappyTV Thanks, bro! Suscribed.
I’m thinking about this because it’s $200 less than the c7. Not having a screen is weird.
Is it worth Bestbuy's current price of $499?
I don’t know what I did. I have extra parts?
The extra screws and metal pieces are included if you want to use clip-in cycling shoes. Now, I also have an extra set of 4 small screws and I think those are for if you lose one or more attaching the waterbottle holders?? I'm not 100% sure on that. I used a magnet to hold the screws and bolts and such while assembling.
Does it only do speed in KM?
no, you can change it
Wow, thank you. I was thinking about buying this bike but I'll pass. The IC4 looks like it rocks side to side. You can see it in the video it's not very stable. That's a big deal breaker for me.
Purchased the other week and I can say that it’s pretty stable. Each side has micro adjustment knob for level placement.
Pedals...use looktight or what it is called. Not 290 but I believe 243 or so. So you can remove it.
Half the stuff you mentioned no one really cares about! I bought this bike because of your review and I love it! It’s a Great piece of exercise equipment for the money!!
I disagree - while it may be a great bike, these are all things (especially the pedal and water bottle-knee hitting) that are good to know to make an informed purchase. :)
I just grabbed mine and bend it back I was hitting the holder.
Got this Bike yesterday, didn't know it was shitty IOS and not Android! Can't see my cadence on peloton now which sucks!
the reason for no power, or cadence shown on the screen is of a commercial nature, not an accident or an oversight, just how business works.
Sadly the head unit is a waste of space.I have had to go buy some power meter pedals to get proper watts and power reading they were not cheap but I see it as an investment.Schwinn have knew that it wasn’t fit for purpose for over a year but not even addressed it properly.
1 thing is hate is the stupid pedals that only hold the top half of my feet. Now I have to buy cycling shoes to actually pedal with the full force of my legs.
1- agree bad placement of water bottle holder. some say your not sitting back while out of the saddle but everyone has a different style of riding, it's is just simply bad placement. I removed mine completely, bottle holders and the bracket they connect too, bud did have to make a little metal bracket to hold the screen in place. 2- its just absurd they used a rpm gauge instead of digital number. Absurd. 3- could care less because its not an accurate number. The numbers sent to Zwift and Kinetic are so widely off I could careless about seeing them on the display. If you want accurate power you need a power meter aka power pedals for this bike 4- easy fix like you said. Loctite blue threadlocker. I personally have been riding 6 months and check to see if they loosen once a week. Have not had to tighten them once. Really only annoyance to me is # 2.
Can you just install the water bottles backwards? It may actually make it even closer...honestly a dumb design here
Why is the ic4 about 200 dollars more expensive than the bowflex c6 anyone know?
I find the speed and distance inaccurate
a drop of blue thread locker...problem solved.
Good thing I am short, thus no problem with the water bottle
6’5 I am just a little bit taller ! Haha
I don’t even care about the things you mentioned. I’m short so the water bottles are cool
She looks unhappy. How about a run outside??
LoveIt
Thanks Tony hawk jr
Its Peloton.
I peddle faster than 125.
Picky, picky, picky. You are way above the average on leg length.
1 year later I wish I never bought it
can you elaborate on what problems you're having?
I've got the IC4 and it's a piece of junk. The left pedal has a right hand thread! (How stupid is that?) I've even gone up to the orange loctite and the left pedal still won't stay tight. Get used to squeaks/clunks if you buy this thing. I'm looking at the Keiser M3I which should be a huge upgrade
could you just change out the pedals?
@@TacklingTheGiants No, they have defective cranks. They reversed the threads to try to take the pressure off the crank which results in the pedal constantly loosening.
@@dr7319 it must be common to have the threads reversed on one side though because otherwise people couldn't change them out with peleton ones, right? I've seen many comment they change the pedals out. If they and some weird threading then I would think this wouldn't be possible.
@@TacklingTheGiants No, I don't believe there are other manufacturers dumb enough to put a right handed thread on the left pedal. When you pedal the bike it should move in the direction to tighten, not to loosen. Even a cheap Walmart bicycle is designed with a right hand thread on the right and a left hand thread on the left. However, the biggest problem is actually the weak and wobbly crank arm. I got tired of messing around with this piece of junk last month and set it out with the trash. I bought a much more expensive USA made Keiser, it's so much better. It's worth every penny. 😃
@@dr7319 their left pedal tightens when turned to the left according to everything I've seen. Will know soon as I bought the bow flex which is supposed to be the same as the ic4.
The water bottle thing isn't a problem for 99.5% of people considering less than one percent of the population is 6 feet 5 inches tall. In fact, only 1 out of 200 people worldwide are 6'5 or taller which as a percentage is 0.5% That makes you the exception here and not the rule with all due respect. I am 5'10, and I don't have that issue whatsoever
true story, good points