Schwinn IC3 vs IC4: What Is The Smarter Choice?

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The IC3 and IC4 are two popular exercise bikes from Schwinn. Their names imply differently but these options vary in a lot of ways.

More specifically, the main differences between the Schwinn IC3 and IC4 are that the Schwinn IC4 is slightly sturdier, uses magnetic resistance, has resistance levels with number settings, includes a one-year JRNY Workout App Membership, has Bluetooth connectivity, and has longer warranties.

The main benefit of the Schwinn IC3 is that it is more budget-friendly. Some people also prefer the precise resistance adjustment possible with the friction pads.

Also keep in mind that you can still follow cycling workouts with the Schwinn IC3. You just don’t get any feedback from the bike through Bluetooth.

If the weight limit is still high enough, you don’t mind the lack of Bluetooth-connected workouts, and like the precise resistance adjustment of the friction pads, the Schwinn IC3 can still offer solid exercise sessions and save you money.

That being said, you will likely prefer investing just a bit more into the Schwinn IC4 and its sturdier frame, more silent magnetic resistance which requires less resistance, and more deluxe workouts.

This article will also give an overview of all of the less important differences and common features. Some of the differences are also explained in more detail to get an idea about how important they are for your personal situation.

Most important differences Schwinn IC3 vs IC4

The Schwinn IC3 and IC4 are from the same brand and product line but they have a variety of differences that will influence your choice.

Some of these differences are more important than others. In the first table below, you can find the ones that are most likely to matter to you.

FeatureSchwinn IC3Schwinn IC4
Weight Limit300 Pounds (136 kg)330 Pounds (149 kg)
Resistance TypeFrictionMagnetic
Resistance LevelsInfinite (No Precise Settings)100 Levels
Workout ProgramsNot Included1-Year JRNY Membership Included
Bluetooth ConnectivityNot IncludedYes
Warranties*5 Years Frame Warranty, 2 Years
Mechanical And Electrical Warranty,
1 Year Labor Warranty
10 Years Frame Warranty, 3 Years Parts
Warranty, 1 Year Electrical Warranty,
90 Days Labor Warranty
Price Category**$$$$$
Check Current PriceCheck Current Price
Most important differences Schwinn IC3 vs IC4

*Warranties can vary from seller to seller

**Price category at the time of writing

Other features Schwinn IC3 vs IC4

Before deciding on one or the other, you may also want to know about the smaller differences and common features between the Schwinn IC3 and Schwinn IC4.

FeatureSchwinn IC3Schwinn IC4
Dimensions45″ L x 23″ W x 49″ H48.7″ L x 21.2″ W x 51.8″ H
Flywheel Weight40 Pounds (18.1 kg)40 Pounds (18.1 kg)
Handlebar StyleElevated BullhornElevated Bullhorn
Handlebar AdjustmentHeight & Fore/AftHeight & Fore/Aft
Adjustable SeatHeight & Fore/AftHeight & Fore/Aft
User Height Range54 to 78 Inches
(137.2 cm to 198 cm)
54 to 78 Inches
(137.2 cm to 198 cm)
ScreenLCD Display With Speed, Time,
Distance, Calories, And RPMs
LCD Display With Speed, Time,
Distance, Calories, And RPMs
Heart Rate MonitorDisplay On Screen With Your
Own Bluetooth Measuring Device
Bluetooth Heart Rate
Armband Included
Device HolderYesYes
Weight100 lbs (45.4 kg)106 lbs (48 kg)
PedalsDual-Sided with Toe Cage
& SPD-Compatible Clips
Dual-Sided with Toe Cage
& SPD-Compatible Clips
Transport WheelsYesYes
Seat/Saddle StyleVented CompetitionVented Competition
DumbbellsNot IncludedTwo 3-Pound (1.4 kg)
Dumbbells Included
Bottle Holder1 Large2 Large
Check Current PriceCheck Current Price
Other features Schwinn IC3 vs IC4

Differences Schwinn IC3 and IC4 explained in more detail

If you know about exercise bike features and what you want in them, the overview of differences and a quick look at the prices can be enough to choose between the Schwinn IC3 and IC4.

On the other hand, it may be unclear what exactly certain features mean, why they matter, and to what extent they should influence your choice in what situations.

Weight limit

The weight limit is a straightforward feature but important in many areas.

First of all, the Schwinn IC3 has a weight limit of 300 pounds (136 kg). The Schwinn IC4 is slightly sturdier with a weight limit of 330 pounds (149 kg).

One reason why you don’t want to go over these numbers is simply that the exercise bikes could break down. However, even if this does not happen, going over the weight limit can speed up wear and tear and void the warranty.

Additionally, even if you and none of the other users are nowhere close to the weight limits, they do still show to some extent how sturdy the materials and construction are of each stationary bike.

The Schwinn IC4 is just a bit better than the Schwinn IC3 in this area.

Winner: Schwinn IC4

Resistance type

Similar to other forms of workouts, exercise bikes are used to challenge your body in sufficient amounts. By doing this, you start a variety of internal processes that can make you healthier and happier in the long term.

This principle is part of any good exercise bike but the way to achieve this can be different. As the Schwinn IC3 and IC4 show.

The Schwinn IC3 uses friction pads to make pedaling harder. As the name implies, this means pads physically rub against the flywheel. This type of resistance is mainly good in the sense that it is budget-friendly.

One small downside to keep in mind is that you may need to replace the friction pads every few months.

The Schwinn IC4 uses magnetic resistance where, as the name implies, magnetic power makes turning the flywheel harder.

Some of the benefits of magnetic resistance include that it is more silent, does not require any special maintenance, and has precise resistance levels.

Whether you prefer friction or magnetic resistance ultimately depends on your budget and preference. That being said, most people will like the silence and reduced maintenance of magnetic resistance more.

Winner: Schwinn IC4

Resistance levels

Another area where exercise bike resistance can vary is the number of resistance levels available.

Having more or fewer resistance levels can mean things like having more precise adjustment options, offering a more challenging workout, and/or offering lighter workouts.

Which options apply varies from exercise bike to exercise bike. Differences in these options can make an exercise a better or worse choice for your personal situation and fitness level.

The Schwinn IC3 has an “infinite” number of resistance levels due to the friction resistance. You turn the knob one way or the other until you reach the desired resistance. This can be done very precisely.

On the other side, the Schwinn IC4 has 32 magnetic resistance levels. The low number of customer complaints about the resistance range implies that this area is fine.

That means the main difference between the IC3 and IC4 is precision vs a quantifiable resistance setting.

Being able to adjust the resistance precisely is great in the sense that it allows you to easily find the area where your workout is challenging enough but not too challenging.

On the other hand, being able to put a number on your resistance setting with the Schwinn IC4 requires less searching around.

Instead of adjusting until the resistance feels right, you can remember (or write down) the numbers from previous workouts and go straight to that level. This saves you some time and effort.

Winner: Schwinn IC3 if you like very precise resistance settings

Winner: Schwinn IC4 if you like resistance setting numbers

Workout programs

Riding an exercise bike can offer many benefits but there are many ways to approach this. Certain sequences of time and intensities can offer more health benefits than others.

Switching these things up can also simply be more fun.

The Schwinn IC3 does come with a device holder but it does not have Bluetooth connectivity. That means you can follow external videos from places like Youtube but your tracking does not connect in any way.

On the other hand, the Schwinn IC4 does have this option and comes with a one-year JRNY app membership subscription.

You still need your own screen to connect to the Schwinn IC4 but once you have that, you can follow workout class videos with instructors, follow scenic rides from around the world, and just follow other types of workouts.

These can make your workouts more enjoyable and in turn, improve consistency with your exercise routine.

In short, you can “follow” workouts with both the Schwinn IC3 and IC4.

However, the Schwinn IC4 comes with a long free trial for the JRNY app and allows you to connect your exercise bike to many workout apps. This improves tracking and can make workouts more immersive.

How important the extra features in this area from the Schwinn IC4 are depends on your personal preferences and whether you already have a device to connect to the stationary bike.

Winner: Schwinn IC4

Warranties

Warranties are how long a brand is willing to replace certain parts of its products when any defects arise after normal use. These durations are different for the Schwinn exercise bikes in this article.

More precisely, the Schwinn IC3 has 5 years frame warranty, 2 years mechanical and electrical warranty, and 1 year labor warranty.

The Schwinn IC4 has 10 years frame warranty, 3 years parts warranty, 1 year electrical warranty, and 90 days labor warranty. This is a good amount longer in important areas.

Even if you will never have to make use of the warranties, they are somewhat of an indication of how much Schwinn stands behind the quality of each exercise bike.

You can actually see the results of this to a certain extent in the customer reviews. There are just a few more mentions about defective parts in the reviews of the Schwinn IC3.

Additionally, you may just feel a bit more secure with the warranties of the Schwinn IC4.

Winner: Schwinn IC4

Price

There are some personal preference areas but the Schwinn IC4 tends to be better in features than the IC3. Something to keep in mind is that the choice between two exercise bikes also often depends on their prices.

Exactly how much the Schwinn bikes vary depends on where you buy your models and can change over time. Even so, at the time of writing, the Schwinn IC3 is a decent amount more budget-friendly than the Schwinn IC4.

Additionally, if you want to keep using the JRNY workout app after the one-year trial included with the Schwinn IC4, you will have to invest extra.

Winner: Schwinn IC3

User reviews

When comparing two similar exercise bikes from the same brand like the Schwinn IC3 and IC4, looking at the features typically offers an objective comparison.

That being said, sometimes customer reviews uncover unexpected downsides or quality control issues. In the case of these Schwinn exercise bikes, customers tend to be just a bit more positive about the IC4.

The main reason for this seems to be that there are just a few more quality control issues in the Schwinn IC3. Similar to most cardio machines, the IC4 also has a few of these but to a lesser extent than the IC3.

Besides the few exceptional issues, overall, customers do tend to be happy with both Schwinn bikes.

Is the Schwinn IC3 or IC4 better for you?

In short, the Schwinn IC4 is slightly sturdier, uses magnetic resistance, has resistance level number settings, includes a one-year JRNY Workout App Membership, has Bluetooth connectivity, and has longer warranties.

On the flip side, the Schwinn IC3 is a decent amount more budget-friendly and offers more precise resistance adjustment with the friction turning mechanism.

Also keep in mind that you can still follow cycling workouts but the Schwinn IC3 just does not give feedback through Bluetooth.

If you still weigh less than the weight limit, don’t mind the lack of Bluetooth-connected workouts, and like the precise resistance adjustment of the friction pads, the Schwinn IC3 can be good enough for your exercise sessions and save you money.

On the other hand, many people will prefer investing just a bit more into the more silent magnetic resistance which requires less maintenance, the more deluxe workouts, and the sturdier frame of the Schwinn IC4.

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Matt Claes founded Weight Loss Made Practical to help people get in shape and stay there after losing 37 pounds and learning the best of the best about weight loss, health, and longevity for over 4 years. Over these years he has become an expert in nutrition, exercise, and other physical health aspects.