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The ProForm Carbon CX and Schwinn IC4 are two indoor cycling bikes with many differences. Find out what the best option is for your personal situation.
Some of the main differences between the ProForm Carbon CX and Schwinn IC4 are that the Schwinn IC4 has a higher weight limit, more resistance levels, a heavier flywheel, a longer workout app free trial, forward-backward handlebar adjustment, and longer warranties.
On the other hand, the ProForm Carbon CX is a nice amount more budget-friendly and has the IFIT auto-adjust resistance feature.
Customers tend to be happier about the Schwinn IC4.
If you are on a tight budget, don’t mind the lower weight limit, and don’t plan to get an IFIT subscription, the ProForm Carbon CX could be the right choice. This is still a solid exercise bike that can offer helpful workouts.
That being said, you will likely prefer investing a bit more into the better features, longer workout app free trial, and longer parts warranty of the Schwinn IC4.
Most important differences ProForm Carbon CX vs Schwinn IC4
The ProForm Carbon CX and Schwinn IC4 are different in a variety of areas. This influences what exercise bike is the best choice for your personal situation.
Even so, not all differences are equally important. In the first table below, you will find the ones that are most important to most people.
| Feature | ProForm Carbon CX | Schwinn IC4 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 250 Pounds (113 kg) | 330 Pounds (149 kg) |
| Resistance Levels | 16 Levels (With IFIT Auto-Adjust) | 100 Levels |
| Flywheel Weight | 27.9 Pounds (12.7 kg) | 40 Pounds (18.1 kg) |
| Workout Programs | 30-Day iFIT Family Membership Included | 1-Year JRNY Membership Included |
| Handlebar Adjustment | Height | Height & Fore/Aft |
| Warranties* | 10 Years Frame Warranty, 1 Year Parts And Labor Warranty | 10 Years Frame Warranty, 3 Years Parts Warranty, 1 Year Electrical Warranty, 90 Days Labor Warranty |
| Price Category** | $$ | $$$ |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Warranties can vary from seller to seller
**Price category at the time of writing
Other features ProForm Carbon CX and Schwinn IC4
Before choosing the ProForm Carbon CX or Schwinn IC4, you may also want to look at the smaller differences and common features. These can sometimes make a difference.
| Feature | ProForm Carbon CX | Schwinn IC4 |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance Type | Magnetic | Magnetic |
| Dimensions | 52.5″ L x 22″ W x 51″ H | 48.7″ L x 21.2″ W x 51.8″ H |
| Handlebar Style | Elevated Bullhorn | Elevated Bullhorn |
| Adjustable Seat | Height & Fore/Aft | Height & Fore/Aft |
| User Height Range | “Engineered To Adjust To Fit Most User Heights” | 54 to 78 Inches (137.2 cm to 198 cm) |
| Screen | LCD Display With Speed, Time, Distance, And Calories | LCD Display With Speed, Time, Distance, Calories, And RPMs |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Not Mentioned | Bluetooth Heart Rate Armband Included |
| Device Holder | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 125 lbs (56.7 kg) Box Weight | 106 lbs (48 kg) |
| Pedals | Toe Cage Pedals | Dual-Sided with Toe Cage & SPD-Compatible Clips |
| Transport Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Seat/Saddle Style | Competition | Vented Competition |
| Dumbbells | Two 3-Pound (1.4 kg) Dumbbells Included | Two 3-Pound (1.4 kg) Dumbbells Included |
| Bottle Holder | 1 Medium | 2 Large |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
Differences ProForm Carbon CX vs Schwinn IC4 explained
If you have some experience with exercise bike features, a look at the differences and prices of the ProForm Carbon CX and the Schwinn IC4 can be enough to make a decision.
On the other hand, you may not be entirely sure about what certain features mean, why they matter, and to what extent they should influence your decision.
You can find some of the most important and confusing features explained a bit more below.
Resistance levels
The main goal of exercise bikes is to allow you to do workouts where you pedal against resistance. This starts a variety of internal processes that can make you fitter and happier in the long term.
On the other hand, these pedal sessions should also not be too hard. This can prevent you from having a good workout and potentially lead to injuries.
To make sure you can exercise at the right challenge for your personal strength level, stationary bikes typically have adjustable resistance levels. This is the same for the two exercise bikes in this article.
The ProForm Carbon CX has 16 resistance levels. Something special about these is that the IFIT App workouts can adjust this for you automatically.
A downside of the ProForm Carbon CX is that without this auto adjustment, the resistance buttons are buried under the devices you put on the holder.
On the other hand, the Schwinn IC4 has 100 resistance levels. This can mean that the Schwinn IC4 can go heavier lighter, and/or just has more precise adjustments.
The auto resistance adjustment option from the ProForm Carbon CX in combination with IFIT is a nice addition. However, most people will prefer the 100 resistance levels and resistance adjustment mechanism of the Schwinn IC4.
Winner: Schwinn IC4
Flywheel weight
The flywheels are the rotating disks in front of the ProForm Carbon CX and Schwinn IC4. Indoor cycling bike flywheels can vary in many areas, including weight.
First of all, the ProForm Carbon CX has a flywheel weight of 27.9 Pounds (12.7 kg). The flywheel of the Schwinn IC4 is a good amount heavier at 40 pounds (18.1 kg). Heavier flywheels are typically preferred.
The first reason for this is that heavier flywheels build up more momentum. This offers a smoother workout because the wheel is more likely to keep turning even if you don’t pedal at the optimal pace.
Additionally, the heavier flywheel is just a tiny bit more challenging to get and keep up to speed.
Most people will prefer the Schwinn IC4 over the ProForm Carbon CX in this area. The difference in flywheel weight is also relatively big.
Winner: Schwinn IC4
Workout programs
Riding an exercise bike typically offers health benefits. However, some sequences of speed and time are better for this than others. Additionally, switching between different workouts can keep things interesting.
Both the ProForm Carbon CX and Schwinn IC4 come with free trials of workout apps but the durations and other app connectivity options are different.
The ProForm Carbon CX comes with a 30-day iFIT Family Membership trial. The Schwinn IC4 comes with a 1-year (365 days) JRNY Membership Included.
These apps have similar goals that include offering cycling workouts, scenic rides, and other exercise workouts. For both bikes, you need your own device that can run the included apps.
Besides the big difference in free trial duration, the Schwinn IC4 has another advantage. It offers to connect to other workout apps like the Peloton App and the Zwift App.
For individuals who like these other apps, this can be a big advantage.
One benefit the ProForm Carbon CX does have is the auto resistance adjustment in combination with IFIT.
Even with that in mind, most people will prefer the longer free trial that comes with the Schwinn IC4 and the option to connect the exercise bike to more different workout apps.
Winner: Schwinn IC4
Price
Unless you really like the resistance auto-adjust IFIT function of the ProForm Carbon CX, the Schwinn IC4 looks to be the higher-quality option. Even so, when choosing an exercise bike, price usually matters too.
The exact difference will depend on where you get your exercise bike and can change over time. That being said, at the time of writing, the ProForm Carbon CX is a nice amount more budget-friendly than the Schwinn IC4.
If you are on a tight budget, this could make the ProForm Carbon CX the better choice. If not, most people will prefer investing the extra amount in the Schwinn IC4.
Keep in mind that the apps from both of the exercise bikes require an extra investment after the initial free trial.
Winner: ProForm Carbon CX
User reviews
The feature and price differences can help you get an idea about whether the ProForm Carbon CX or Schwinn IC4 would be the best choice for you.
Even so, looking at the customer reviews can sometimes uncover unexpected downsides or common quality control issues. These things can influence your decision.
Customers tend to be happier about the Schwinn IC4 than the ProForm Carbon CX.
Similar to other big cardio machines, both exercise bikes have a few exceptional quality control issues here and there.
On top of that, there are some mentions about the seat of the ProForm Carbon CX being uncomfortable and individuals who don’t like that the resistance adjustment is under any device you use.
Besides these things, ProForm Carbon CX customers are still relatively happy overall. The Schwinn IC4 customers are even happier.
Is the ProForm Carbon CX or Schwinn IC4 right for you?
In short, the Schwinn IC4 is sturdier, has more resistance levels, has a heavier flywheel, has a longer workout app membership trial, has forward-backward handlebar adjustment, and has longer warranties.
On the other side, the ProForm Carbon CX is a nice amount more budget-friendly and has IFIT auto-adjust resistance.
Individuals who don’t mind the lower weight limit and are on a tight budget can go for the ProForm Carbon CX. It is generally not as great in terms of features but still offers solid workouts.
That being said, most people will prefer investing a bit more into the better features, longer workout app free trial, and longer parts warranty of the Schwinn IC4.
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