Schwinn MY16 130 Upright Exercise Bike

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Resistance	Apps	Warranty
Schwinn MY16 130 Check Discounted Price	L:41.3" W:21.4" H:55.6"	300 lbs	Eddy current	22	Frame: 10 years Parts: 2 years Electrical: 1 year Labor: 90 days

The Schwinn MY16 130 is the newer 2016 version of the Schwinn 130 model. There are of course, many similarities between these two exercise bikes, but the MY16 model comes with several improvements over the older model. They have the same construction and dimension, however, the newer MY16 model comes with a more comfortable seat and a more user-friendly console.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 41.3L x 21.4W x 55.6H inches (105L x 54W x 141H cm)
• Assembled weight: 58.4 lbs (26.5 kg)
• Supported weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
• Handlebar: Adjustable, with pulse sensors
• Seat: Adjustable
• Pedals: With straps
• Brakes: Eddy current
• Resistance: Adjustable, 20 levels
• Fitness computer: 22 workout programs
• Bottle holder: Yes
• Amenities: Cooling fan, sound system, USB charging port, tablet holder, bottle holder
• Warranty: Frame 10 years / Mechanical 2 years / Electrical 1 year / Labor 90 days

Frame construction

Although it’s an upright exercise bike designed for home use, the Schwinn 130 MY16 features a sturdy construction, being able to support users up to 300 lbs (136 kg). In other words, it’s pretty close to the sturdiness of a commercial model. Its frame is made of steel tubing, double coated with anti-corrosion and scratch resistant paint, the only color available being dark gray at the moment. The guards of the flywheel and resistance system are made of heavy-duty PVC, however, these only fulfill a protective and cosmetic role, without having any detrimental effect on the bike’s overall sturdiness.

The Schwinn MY16 130 doesn’t have a folding frame, such as the Exerpeutic GOLD 500 or the BCP SKY2380. However, it’s far from being a bulky item of fitness equipment. It’s only 41.3″ (105 cm) long, and 21.4″ (54 cm) wide, which pretty much means it can easily fit in a smaller room or apartment. Also, it’s not an extremely heavy bike, weighing only 58.4 lbs (26.5 kg) when fully assembled. On top of that, its front base integrates transport wheels, thus when relocating the assembled bike you’ll basically be handling less than half of its total weight.

Even though it has a rather small footprint, this exercise bike is remarkably stable. Its rear base tube integrates a set of adjustable stabilizers, eliminating any stability issues even if the floor has irregularities.

Seat and handlebars

The seat supplied with this Schwinn exercise bike is superior to the one of the older model. It integrates a thicker padding, also being contoured to provide more comfort. It’s only 2-way adjustable (up, down), but does offer quite a long adjustment span, with 14 adjustment positions. The distance between the adjustment holes is approx. 1/2″. Differently put, the bike can accommodate users between 5′ – 6’5″ (152 – 195 cm) comfortably.

The saddle has a standard connection system to its post. Therefore, in case you want a different seat, you should be able to find a replacement without any hassle.

Unlike many other upright bike models in this price range, the handlebar equipped on this Schwinn bike offers angle adjustability. Evidently, it has a multi-grip design, promoting various workout postures, and giving you the possibility to diversify your workouts. The handlebar is padded with a sheet of rubber foam material, in order to supply a more comfortable grip. It also integrates stainless steel pulse sensors, so that the console can monitor your heart rate. The height of the handlebar is non-adjustable though.

Both handlebar and seat feature ovalized upright posts. This means they offer a more stable integration within the bike’s main frame, eliminating the possibility to for the seat or handlebar to turn sideways during a more intense workout.

Resistance system

The Schwinn MY16 130 features a motor-assisted magnetic resistance system. It consists of a small servo motor and a magnetic brake pad. As you adjust resistance, the magnetic pad moves closer or farther from the bike’s metallic flywheel, increasing or decreasing the overall resistance on the pedals. Needless to say, since the resistance is motorized, it can only be adjusted from the console. Also, the bike requires being connected to a 110-120V power circuit. An AC power adapter is supplied with the bike, its specs being 120V 60Hz AC Input, 9VDC, 1.5A output.

This Schwinn upright bike offers 20 levels of resistance, thus it can provide light to medium workouts. The first levels of resistance are pretty light, great for users with disabilities or users who require recovery training. On the other hand, the 18-20 resistance levels make available a more intense workout, simulating a terrain climb, and offering a more consistent burn.

Last but not least, since the bike’s resistance is motorized, and the console has a set of ready-made workout programs if using one of these programs the resistance will adjust automatically, depending on the profile segment.

Drive system

First of all, this upright exercise bike features a high speed, high inertia perimeter weighted flywheel. This means it provides a steady pedaling motion, with a consistent momentum. Second of all, like most bikes with magnetic resistance this particular model has a belt-drive system. This means the pedaling motion is almost silent, and the belt doesn’t require periodic lubrication like a bike chain.

In case you’re wondering, pedaling in reverse is possible on this bike. However, when pedaling in reverse you won’t benefit from any resistance on the pedals. It also allows coasting.

Another aspect that we must mention here concerns the bike’s crank system and pedals. Although the crankset is fairly sturdy, with solid steel crank arms, and probably able to support stand-up pedaling routines, this type of workouts are not recommended. It’s, after all, an upright bike, designed for seated workouts. The pedals supplied with the bike are simple, weighted pedals, featuring adjustable straps for extra foot stability during pedaling.

Console unit

The fitness console supplied with the Schwinn 130 MY16 has a different layout than the one supplied with the older model. But in all, it’s quite similar in specs to the older console unit. It has two LCD displays. The main one, is 3 x 5 inches wide, while the second one is 1 x 5 inches. The top wider display indicates the workout profiles, goal, and user profiles. The second, smaller display shows time, speed, calories, resistance level, pulse, distance, intensity, and RPM.

The console unit features 22 workout programs. First of all, it has 9 pre-set profile programs, including Rolling Hills, Easy Tour, Pike’s Peak, Pyramids, Uphill Finish, Interval, Ride in the Park, Mount Hood, and Cross-Training. Second, it has 8 Heart Rate-oriented programs, 4 for beginners, 4 for advanced users. There are 2 Fitness Tests and 2 Custom programs that allow you to create your own workout. It also has 2 user profiles, a great feature if two people use the bike or you want to save two different workout settings, in order to quickly swap between them. And finally, this console unit also has a Goal setting function, giving you the possibility to setup goals for distance, time and calories burned.

One of the features that need to be mentioned here is the USB connection. The USB port can act as a charging port for your smartphone or tablet, but can also be used for workout data transfer. It actually gives you the possibility to export your workout data to SchwinnConnect, or to various other online workout apps, such as MyFitnessPal, GoogleFit, AppleHealth, Endomondo or MapMyRun/Ride. This way you can keep a better track of your progress.

In terms of amenities, the console unit integrates a sound system, cooling fan and media holder (or reading rack). The sound system consists of two acoustic chambered speakers which render a fairly decent sound. This sound system is compatible with most MP3 devices, smartphones, tablets etc. The cooling fan has three speeds. It’s not exactly a powerful fan, but still, it does provide some cooling in case you opt for a more intense workout. The media holder is placed between the two displays. A tablet of phone placed on it will cover the top display, but the secondary one, which provides most of the workout data will still be visible.

In case you’re wondering, the console is not Bluetooth enabled. It can only track pulse via the sensors incorporated in the handlebar. It doesn’t work with HR chest strap transmitters, such as the Schwinn 170.

Finally, the console unit is easy to operate. It features keys for gradual resistance adjustment (in increments of 1), and quick keys for the 1,3,5,7,9,12,14,16,18, and 20 resistance settings. A Pause function is also available, great to have if you alternate bicycle sessions with other types of workouts.

Assembly and Maintenance

The bike’s main frame, along with its drive and resistance elements, comes ready-assembled. All you have to add are the base tubes, the seat and handlebar tubes, the seat and handlebar themselves, the console and the pedals. This task shouldn’t take more than one hour. The manual supplied offers comprehensive step-by-step instructions, while the tools required for assembly are also included.

Maintenance doesn’t require much. The internal components come pre-lubricated from the factory and shouldn’t require any further lubrication. Basically, all you need to do is periodically check if the bolts still hold tight in their places, and wipe water or perspiration from the console if it’s the case.

The Pros

• Solid construction, able to support users up to 300 lbs;
• Elegant design;
• Contoured and cushioned seat;
• Angle-adjustable handlebar;
• Grip pulse sensors;
• 20 levels of resistance;
• 22 workout programs;
• Goal tracking;
• USB charging port for charging devices and transferring workout data to SchwinnConnect, MyFitness Pal, AppleHealth and other online apps;
• Various amenities, including sound system, 3-speed fan, tablet support and water bottle holder;
• Smooth and quiet drive;
• Narrow Q Factor, reducing lateral stress on the knees;
• Weighted pedals, with adjustable straps for extra stability;
• Basically maintenance free;
• Fairly easy to assemble;
• Excellent warranty.

The Cons

• A tablet or magazine placed on the media holder will cover the top display. However, the smaller display with most of the workout metrics will still remain visible;
• Seat only 2-way adjustable. Other upright bikes in this price range, such as the Best Fitness BFUB1 offer 4-way adjustability.

Summary

Schwinn offers top-quality fitness equipment and the MY16 130 upright bike doesn’t make an exception. It’s a bike designed for home use, offering the possibility to perform light to medium workouts. It features a motorized magnetic resistance system, with 20 tension settings, a console with 22 workout programs, goal settings, and several amenities, and a comfortable, padded seat. It’s a great fitness machine for cardiovascular exercise, muscle toning, regaining and maintaining stamina, and for losing weight. And finally, considering its wide array of features and the fact that it costs less than $300, it’s pretty safe to say that this Schwinn exercise bike offers an excellent price/value ratio.