| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Apps | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Schwinn AC Performance Plus Check Discounted Price | L:50" W:21" H:51" | 350 lbs | Magnetic | No | Frame: 10 years Mechanical: 2 years Wear: 6 months Labor: 1 year |
There’s quite a difference between indoor cycling bikes designed for home use and indoor cycling bikes made for commercial use. And this difference is not reflected just by the price. To put it simply, the commercial grade bikes are intended for 24/7 use. They’re highly durable, and excel in micro adjustability. They are bikes made to last, and to accommodate a wide range of users.
But nonetheless, commercial-grade indoor cycling bikes are available for everyone. Therefore, if you would like to invest in a gym-quality bike made for heavy spinning, one of the best and most popular, would be the Schwinn Fitness AC Performance Plus. As its name suggests, it’s made for performance, supplying the training setting required by pro cyclists. Offers quite an array of features, and there are several aspects that you ought to know about it, if you want it in your home gym.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 50L x 21W x 51H inches (127L x 53W x 129.5H cm)
- Assembled weight: 112 lbs (51 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 42 lbs (19 kg)
- Supported weight: 350 lbs (159 kg)
- Handlebars: Adjustable
- Seat: Adjustable
- Pedals: SPD clipless
- Drive mechanism: Belt
- Brakes: Magnetic
- Resistance: Adjustable
- Bottle holder: Yes
- Progress tracking computer: Not included
- Warranty: Frame 10 years / Mechanical 2 years / Wear parts 6 months / Labor 1 year
Frame
Apparently Schwinn has opted for aluminum not steel for the frame construction of this bike, and there are quite a few reasons for it. First of all, if the frame had been made of steel, the bike would have weighed at least 30% more. Even though aluminum is lighter, when assembled, this bike still weighs 112 lbs (51 kg), weight that gives it a lot of stability. Another aspect would be corrosion resistance. Aluminum resists better to corrosion than steel, but on top of that, the main part of the frame is powder coated with a very aesthetically looking, pearl-white, corrosion-resistant paint.
The main frame has several more joints than your average indoor cycling bike, which increase its sturdiness. Most of the joints in the frame are welded not attached together via screws, promoting strength and longevity. In other words, the main frame of the Schwinn AC Performance is built like a tank.
Like in most spin bikes, the frame on this Schwinn bike model features two bases, capped with plastic protectors. Each base has two, fairly large, adjustable, rubber levelers, promoting maximum stability on any type of flooring. Also, the front base is equipped with rollers, to facilitate the transportation of the assembled unit.
An important aspect regarding the frame of this bike, is the fact that its tubing is not cylindrical. This not only give the unit a more appealing aspect, it also supplies a superior grip to the seat and handlebar posts. In other words, no matter how hard your pedal, or how you move on this bike during your workout, you can be sure that neither the handlebar assembly, nor the seat will move sideways.
Overall, this bike doesn’t have an extremely large footprint. It occupies 50″L x 21″W of floor surface, and even if you intend to use it in your home, you should be able to have enough space for it.
Seat
Like most spin bikes, the Schwinn AC Performance Plus is not made for comfort. It’s a bike made to simulate a ride on a race bike. Therefore, the seat supplied with it, offers no more comfort than your average race bike seat. In other words, it’s furnished with a pretty slim seat, with a contoured design, and with slight cushioning. This being said, in case you’re not used to cycling, you should expect your buttocks to hurt after 30 minutes or more on the bike. However, after several sessions, your body should adjust, and pain should be less present after workouts, or inexistent.
When it comes to micro adjustability, this seat is designed for height and fore to aft. micro adjustment. This considerably increases the spectrum of postures the bike can provide. And when it comes to user size, this bike is made to accommodate users of most sizes. It’s made for users between 4’11” and 6’8″ (150 – 203 cm) tall.
Handlebars
The handlebar assembly supplied with this Schwinn model has a multi-grip design. On top of that, it offers superior micro adjustability, as it can be adjusted height-wise, for-to-aft., and the ErgoLoop aero bars also provide 12° incline adjustment. They’re also slightly flattened, in order to supply a better positioning and support for the elbows. Needless to say, the whole handlebar assembly is padded with rubber foam fabric, to prevent hands from blistering, and ensure a consistent grip.
Resistance and drive systems
The Scwhinn AC Performance Plus features a 6-magnet brake system. The magnets “hug” the flywheel from each side, not in a top-to-down manner, increasing the effectiveness of torque. The resistance adjustment is done manually, by turning the knob on top of the main tube of the frame. As you turn the knob from “-” to “+” to increase resistance, the magnets will hug a bigger portion of the flywheel, thus increasing resistance. Evidently, since the resistance system involves magnets, there’s no wear and tear to the flywheel or brake pads. Thereby, you don’t have to worry about lubricating these parts, or finding replacements.
There are no levels marked on the resistance knob. However, the highest resistance level is pretty tough, simulating a steep climb.
When it comes to the drive system of this fitness machine, it involves a pretty heavy flywheel, with a weight of 42 lbs (19 kg). The flywheel is made of anodized aluminum, with a perimeter-weighted build, supplying a high-quality momentum, and promoting a smooth pedaling motion. Since the resistance is magnetic, the flywheel is pretty slim, similar to the one on the Keiser M3.
The flywheel is powered by a high-torque belt drive, using Carbon Blue technology. It’s actually a belt with a construction combining polyurethane and carbon fiber, with a modified, curvilinear profile. Not only this belt is made to last a lifetime, it also promotes a quiet operation of the bike, and eliminates any maintenance that a chain would require.
The crank assembly is a 3-piece, steel component. Crank arms are solid enough to support a user at the maximum specified weight, in complete upright position. In other words, the crank system can really take a beating, you need not worry that it will break during a stand-up, consistent workout.
Last but not least, the pedals furnished with this bike are clipless, intended for use with spin shoes. They do not feature toe cages or toe straps. They have standard threads, and they’re easy to replace with other type of pedals, such as Look Keo for example.
Accessories
There aren’t many accessories included with this bike. The ones to be mentioned are the dual water bottle support, blended into the design of the handlebar, and the locking device for unapproved use or child safety.
Upgrade Possibilities
The Schwinn Fitness AC Performance Plus does not come with a performance monitor. It’s compatible though with several, including the MPower Echelon2 console. This console can track RPM, watts, calories, heart rate, stage time, total time, distance and power. It also has backlight for superior visibility.
Assembly and Maintenance
The assembly of this bike doesn’t require much at all. The flywheel, belt and crank, along with the resistance system, are already mounted in place. Therefore, the assembly only requires you to attach the handlebar, seat, pedals and the bases of the bike. Tools and assembly manual come with the box. A mat is not included, but it’s recommended.
Maintenance for this bike is virtually inexistent. There are no parts to grease, and no brake pads to change. Just keep the bike clean.
The Pros
The Schwinn AC Performance bikes are top-shelf fitness machines. Naturally, they’re crowned by an impressive array of pros. Some of them have been mentioned so far, but just in case you’ve missed them, here’s a summary:
- Aluminum frame, lighter than steel;
- Extreme sturdiness and stability;
- Rectangular tubing for seat and handlebar posts, preventing slippage;
- Bases with adjustable, rubber feet;
- Silicone transport wheels;
- Seat adjustable height-wise, and horizontally;
- Handlebar adjustable height-wise, horizontally;
- Adjustable aerobars, with an incline possibility of 12°;
- Flattened grips for better positioning of elbows;
- Supports a wide range of users, height and weight-wise;
- Replaceable pedals with cleats for spin shoes;
- Magnetic brake, with 0 friction, and 0 wear and tear;
- Belt-driven, promoting a smooth and quiet pedaling motion;
- Heavy flywheel for a consistent momentum;
- Extremely easy to assemble;
- Virtually no maintenance.
The Cons
The only downside that can be mentioned regarding this Scwhinn heavy-duty bike, is the lack of console. Other bikes within this price range do include at least a basic performance monitor. Other than this, there simply isn’t anything else to be mentioned.
Final Word
No matter what fitness machine you’re looking at, if it has “Scwhinn” written on it, you can be sure of its quality. The AC Performance Plus does not make an exception. And since it’s an indoor cycling bike meant for 24/7 spin classes, is definitely solid piece of fitness equipment. It’s a bike designed for pro athletes, but it can surely be used by cyclists of any level. It’s a bike that can supply a consistent training, great for muscle toning, cardio, and most definitely weight loss. It’s definitely not a cheap bike, but you do get what you pay for.