Sole SB900 Vs Schwinn IC4 | Which is the Winner?
The trend of home gyms has motivated many individuals and helped them step up their fitness games in the comfort of their homes. With this trend, many fitness brands have introduced high-performance indoor exercise bikes – and Sole and Schwinn’s bikes are among them. These brands are considered the giants of the fitness world who keep on introducing gym essentials and provide ease to fitness enthusiasts. Apart from offering versatility, these brands have confused people while making their best equipment choice.
Both Sole900 vs Schwinn ic4 are elite indoor cycle bikes ideal for indoor cycling, with great resistance levels, heavy flywheels, smooth pedaling experience, and other features. However, after using both, I had to prefer Schwinn over Sole.
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To find out which one is a better choice, keep reading
Sole SB900 Vs Schwinn IC4; Specifications
Before moving to the detailed comparison, let’s have a quick look at the specifications of both spin bikes.
Schwinn IC4 vs Sole SB900; Detailed Comparison
Frame and Design:
The design of both bikes is simple yet streamlined for indoor cycles. Both are heavy-duty indoor bikes and provide an impeccable cycling experience. However, a bike’s overall weight and capacity tell if it’s stable and secure enough.
The overall weight of the Sole Sb900 bike is 133 pounds, and the maximum weight capacity is 300 lbs. On the other hand, the assembled weight of Schwinn ic4 is 112 pounds, with 330 pounds of maximum weight capacity. The Schwinn exercise bike is more lightweight than the Sole and would not take up a lot of space in your home gym. In addition, Sole can only carry people with a maximum of 300 lbs weight while Schwinn’s weight capacity is much higher here. Adding 30 lbs can provide a great cycling experience for people with heavier weights.
Coming to the flywheel, Sole Sb900 has a 48 lb heavy flywheel, and Schwinn Ic4 has a 40 lb flywheel weight. Heavy flywheel gives a feeling of real cycling and imitates how a road bike performs. Although Sole’s flywheel is much heavier, both provide a smoother and more comfortable ride.
Both have heavy-duty steel frame construction with aluminum shrouds, which makes them durable and compatible.
So, according to me, no one wins in this category!
It’s a tie
Resistance Levels:
There is a clear difference between the resistance levels of these bikes. Although both bikes have a magnetic resistance system with belt drive, which provides a smooth and quiet pedaling experience. The difference lies in the levels.
The sole Sb900 exercise bike has no set number of resistance levels and offers an infinite magnetic resistance system. On the other hand, Schwinn ic4 provides 100 levels of magnetic resistance. Both spin bikes have manual adjustment knobs to set the level of magnetic resistance. With Sole sb900, you cannot have a visual representation of what resistance level you are on. Conversely, with Schwinn ic4, you can monitor your resistance level on the console, making it easy to repeat intensities.
The resistance system of Schwinn ic4 is better.
While using Schwinn ic4, I noticed that I could make micro-adjustments while riding. This allows you to make little increments and wind down slowly while riding. The transitions are smoother in Schwinn ic4 as compared to Sole sb900. But, the heavier flywheel of Sole sb900 eliminates the chances of jerkiness in the pedal stroke.
In this category, Sole sb900 will win as it has unlimited levels of magnetic resistance.
Winner: Sole Sb900
[irp posts=”1620″ ]Comfort and Convenience:
An exercise bike’s comfort level greatly builds our momentum and motivates cyclists. The seat should be adjustable and padded, adjustable handlebars must be supportive, and pedals must provide a light feel to the feet. Let’s see who wins in this category.
The Schwinn ic4 has urethane dipped handlebars with 4-way adjustment, a fully adjustable and nicely padded race-style seat, and dual-link SPD clip foot pedals with toe cages. Sole sb900, at the same time, also has a fully adjustable seat, SPD pedals with toe cages, and a supportive handlebar that can be easily moved up and down as well as fore and aft.
Both bikes have small integrated consoles and a tablet holder. The difference is that Sole’s display is not backlit, and we cannot see it in dark rooms. On the other hand, the Schwinn bike has a larger display with a full-color backlit simple console ideal for dark surroundings. Both consoles display speed, calories, heart rate, RPMs, and distance to conveniently read your ride metrics.
Apart from the tablet holder, the Schwinn bike has two additional water bottle holders.
Although there’s not much difference in both bikes regarding comfort and convenience, it feels great while riding on Schwinn ic4 using adjustable handlebars.
So, the winner is;
Winner: Schwinn ic4
Tech Integration:
The Schwinn ic4 bike is Bluetooth compatible, while the Sole sb900 bike is not. If you are looking for an exercise bike with more technology advantages, then the Schwinn ic4 would be the right option.
Its Bluetooth compatibility lets you connect with word class cycling apps like Peloton App, Zwift App, and Explore the World App for competitive training. This allows you to stream numerous indoor cycling classes at your homes which Sole sb900 lacks. Moreover, Schwinn ic4 also comes with a Bluetooth armband heart rate monitor through which you can effortlessly track your heart rate during an intense workout.
Furthermore, Schwinn ic4 indoor bike comes with a set of 3lb dumbbells, while the Sole sb900 bike does not.
As the Schwinn ic4 bike is fully tech integrated and stands right on the demands of today’s digital fitness goals, it would be the clear winner in this category.
Winner: Schwinn ic4
[irp posts=”1616″ ]Price range and Warranty:
There’s a clear difference between the price of both indoor bikes. The Schwinn ic4 bike costs $999, while the Sole sb900’s price is $599 on Amazon. It’s a big difference, but the price is justifiable, keeping in mind the tech integration, comfortable riding experience, and smooth transition of resistance levels.
When it comes to warranty, Sole’s warranty is a bit better.
Sole Sb900 bike warranty:
- Lifetime frame warranty
- Three years electronics warranty
- Three years parts warranty
- One-year labor warranty
Schwinn ic4 bike warranty:
- One year electrical
- Ninety (90) days of labor
- Ten years frame
- Three years parts warranty
Winner: Sole Sb900
Schwinn IC4 vs Sole SB900; Overall Winner
Both are impeccable indoor exercise bikes worthy of providing a great workout experience during indoor cycling. The durability, convenience, and quality of these bikes are commendable. The decision to choose one solely depends on one’s needs and preferences. If you are outdoor cyclists who want to work out using streaming apps for interactive training and have a fully tech-integrated bike, Schwinn ic4 spin bike is the right choice for indoor cycles.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a standard spin bike and can do without Bluetooth and other tech features, then the Sole sb900 spin bike is the affordable option for indoor cycles.
In my opinion, I’d go with the Schwinn ic4 bike for indoor cycles as it has impressed me with its features, looks, frame, and overall smooth ride experience. It is the best exercise bike, indeed.
Winner Schwinn ic4
Similarities and Differences at a Glance
To understand better, have a quick look at the similarities and differences between both spin bikes.
| Similarities | Differences |
|---|---|
| Both have magnetic resistance | Sole Sb 900 has heavier flywheel, and more resistance level than Schwinn ic4 |
| 10 years waranty ofavailable | Assembled weight of Sole Sb900 is more than Schwinn ic4 |
| Small LCD Console | Sole Sb 900 has more frame warranty (life time) than Schwinn ic4 (10 years) |
| Table holder and heart rate monitor is present in both bike | Schwinn ic4 has more app connectivity than Sole SB900 |
| Adjustable handle bars and seat are present in both machine | Schwinn IC4 is more expensive. |
