Product Description

The Schwinn Airdyne Comp's resistance-based braking creates zero friction and considerably less maintenance than other, more complex systems. Sealed cartridge bearings provide a smooth ride, reliability and extra-long life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13779 in Sports & Outdoors
• Brand: Schwinn
• Model: Airdyne Evo Comp
• Dimensions: 12.00" h x 30.50" w x 47.00" l, 106.00 pounds

Features

• Dual action exercise bike with wind resistance, works both legs and upper body
• Extra quiet belt drive system; fan wheel cools during exercise
• Computer provides feedback on time, distance, workload level, calories burned, calories/hour, heart rate, and RPM
• Measures 50 x 22.5 x 48 inches; 300-pound maximum user weight
• Backed by a 30-year warranty on the frame; 3-year warranty on parts and electronics

Amazon.com Product Description
Save money on monthly gym fees and get yourself in shape at the same time with the Schwinn Airdyne Evo Comp exercise bike. The Airdyne Evo Comp features a smooth, air-based resistance braking system along with a pair of sturdy exercise arms. The advantage of the unique air resistance system is that it offers as much resistance as you can handle. The harder you pedal, the greater the resistance. The integrated exercise arms, meanwhile, make it possible to work out your upper body and your lower body at the same time, unlike most traditional exercise bikes. The friction-free braking system also requires considerably less maintenance than other, more complex systems, so you don't have to spend your hard-earned money on frustrating repairs. And thanks to the sealed cartridge bearings, the Airdyne Evo Comp provides a smooth ride throughout the bike's extra-long life.

The Airdyne Evo Comp includes a comprehensive computer console that provides feedback on time, distance, workload level, calories burned, calories per hour, heart rate, and RPM. As a result, it's easy to keep track of your overall fitness level. Other features include an extra-quiet chain and belt drive system equipped with a spring-loaded chain tensioner; built-in heart rate monitoring; an LCD display; a fan wheel that cools the user during exercise; an anatomically correct seat with extra padding; and a capacity of 300 pounds. The Airdyne Evo Comp measures 22.5 by 48 by 50 inches (W x H x D), weighs 104 pounds, and carries the following warranties: 30 years on the frame, three years on parts and electronics, and one year on labor and wear items.

Customer Reviews

Solid Construction with Quality Control Problems
After seeing this bicycle in Paragon Sports in Manhattan, I knew I had to purchase it. The solid construction and compact design demonstrated a leap forward from the original Schwinn Airdyne. At approximately 95lbs, it was solid enough for a health club/rehabilitation center setting but light enough for a consumer. While I have multiple gym memberships, I thought this would be a good item to have at my parents' house both for their use and when I visit. Unfortunately, the purchase turned out to be mistake due to the incredible hassles created by Schwinn Fitness' poor quality control.

Basically, what Schwinn Fitness (i.e Nautilus) has done is improve the time-tested air-resistance concept. The original Airdyne, which is 20+ years old uses a large 30" diameter fan with flat blades. The Airdyne Evolution Comp uses a much smaller fan that is wider and has contoured blades, which increases resistance. This leads to smoother operation with less vibration. Combining traditional bicycle pedaling with an arm swinging movement, it allows for a great cardio workout - with some limitations.

My one gripe with the fundamental design is that it lacks variable resistance and only one gear ratio. In an object moving through air, the resistance increases exponentially with velocity. So, instead of increasing the level of resistance electronically as you would on a multi-thousand dollar Life Fitness exercise bicycle, you merely need to pedal slightly faster to get a big jump in overall energy expenditure. Hence, all of the resistance comes from air movement affected solely from the velocity and not from friction or magnetism. This leads to a tradeoff between simplicity and flexibility.

While the design and construction are very solid, it appears that Schwinn/Nautilus needs to carefully oversee their Chinese fabrication facilities. Basically, the internal mechanisms have not been fully tightened down. This has led problem with the bottom bracket, which requires special bicycle tools unavailable at the local hardware store. In my case, after about three hours of use, the bike became useless as both rings in bottom bracket unscrewed. This is a major aggravation because to correct the problem, two special bicycle tools are needed: 1) crank puller and 2) Shimano bottom bracket tool. These are only available online or at very well stocked bicycle stores.

After several exchanges with both Schwinn Fitness and the distributor, I learned that there were known problems with the bottom bracket. I was told to use Loctite when reassembling it. Perhaps they should explain why this wasn't done in the first place. As a former engineer and bicycle enthusiast, I was reasonably well equipped to deal with such problems. I can't imagine how someone without a large set of tools or any mechanical ability would correct the problem. Moreover, sending a 100 lb package back to the manufacturer would be a hassle in itself. In the end, I fixed the problem. Given the aggravation tracking down the tools, I can say it simply was a bad decision to purchase.

Pros
Solid construction
Innovative design
Low center of gravity

Cons
Major quality control problems
Cheap pedals (need purchase aftermarket pedals with toe clips)
Computer lacks data to properly calculate calories such as weight, age, gender, body type

This is a great bike
You know all of the advantages of the Schwinn Airdyne bikes and no reason to rehash here. But I believe the Airdyne Evo Comp is worth the few extra bucks over the old standard Airdyne for several reasons. First, the Airdyne Evo Comp is noticably quieter because it uses a belt to drive the fan verses a chain on the Airdyne. Second, the Airdyne Evo Comp has newer technology/higher quality components in the bearings, crankset, etc. so it will last even longer than the old standard (which has a great service history!). Third, the shape of the fans in the Airdyne Evo Comp eliminates the drafting effect on the Airdyne which actually reduces the pedaling resistance at higher speeds a little. Fourth, the fan on the Airdyne Evo Comp does not blow on you like the Airdyne (I actually would prefer a little air on me when working out, but most people don't).

I found the assembly instructions ok. You must pay attention to what you are doing and follow them exactly as written but you can follow them. (This is the same as the Airdyne I understand.) I did not find any of the "China quality problems" described by others. In fact, I find the quality outstanding. As far as the rubber shavings, I had that problem and I noticed the rubber belt was rubbing on the fan cage. Simply loosening the 3 screws that attach the fan cage to the bike frame, rotating the cage an inch or so where the belt does not rub on the cage, and retightening took care of the problem -- a 2 minute fix. Finally, the overall rating on this bike is not as low as the stars show -- you will notice that one of the 2-star ratings is listed 3 times bringing down the average rating down 1-star -- otherwise it would be about the same as the Airdyne. Overall, this is a great bike and I am happy with it.

Great idea, poor quality
I'm sad that this really neat concept of a bike is poorly constructed. We got it and set it up (not the easiest set up--it took several hours) and found that it was making a terrible noise and leaving rubber shavings all over. Turns out that the rubber chain driver rubs against the metal. It was sort of one thing after another. If you get this DO NOT order it via the web. Go to a local store, check it out, and be sure they will deliver it and set it up to your satisfaction. I wish someone would have told me this.