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Schwinn have been at the forefront of Bike Technology ever since the company was founded in 1895. In 1977 Schwinn launched their first Airdyne model, now it has advanced to the Schwinn AD6 Airdyne exercise bike.
This is the bigger brother to the Schwinn AD2 Exercise Bike reviewed here and represents a consolidation of the range, with the AD4 and Evo models being discontinued.
In the table on the tab below you can see a full comparison of the AD2 vs the AD6 to see the differences. Which ever version you choose you won’t be disappointed.
Our Full Review of the Schwinn AD6:
Out of the Box
While some home assembly is required, the good news is that this bike will take you less than an hour to setup. This is easy to do with just one person, probably because it does not need a large fly wheel its very light at just 115 Lbs.
The instructions are reasonably clear and all you need to do is add pedals and arms etc, no major building needed.
Resistance
At the heart of the AD6 is the large fan. This is the unique way that the Airdyne provides resistance. You power this fan faster and faster using the pedals and handles, as it speeds up it becomes harder to turn. So you are the one controlling the resistance, not some on board computer.
This has a number of advantages:
- It prevents you riding too fast and injuring you joints
- There is less to go wrong, no magnets or computers to fail
- Fewer components means the Airdyne is very reliable
In the end you have a highly effective workout system, pedal faster and make it harder. You cannot go wrong, simplicity itself.
Build Quality
The reputation for Schwinn Quality is carried on with the AD6. With this bike Schwinn have put their money where there mouth is and backed it with a great 15 year frame warranty. If Schwinn say their bike is “virtually indestructible” then who are we to disagree!
Comfort
By splitting the load over the handles and the saddle you are in a very comfortable position on this bike. You might not even need that gel saddle with the integrated thick padded seat (just one of the many improvements over the older versions!)
Due to the large fan at the front you will find that during your workout there is a great flow of air over your body which is neat! If you still find yourself too hot then you can also attach a water bottle to the front of the bike within easy reach.
All in all this is one of the most comfortable bikes on the market, with its upright position and cooling air flow.
Arm and Leg Workout
The Airdyne is almost like an elliptical trainer with its unique moving arms. These combine with the pedals to give a head to toe workout, with both your arms and legs getting an even workout.
If you like you can just power the bike with arms or legs only giving targeted training to any body part. Once you get the feel for the bike you will find yourself trying different combinations and making your workouts more varied.
Console
The onboard computer can feedback all the stats you need to keep your workout on track. It can show:
- RPM
- calories burned
- Watts
- workload level
- distance
- time
- heart rate
If you do want to track heart rate then you will need to buy a separate heart rate monitor like a polar chest strap.
Warranty
As we looked at earlier the Warranty on the AD6 is very good:
- Frame: 15-years
- Parts: 3-years
- Electrical: 2-years
- Labour: 6-months.
What are other reviews saying about the Schwinn AD6 Airdyne Exercise Bike?
“5.0 out of 5 stars”
“The next iteration of Schwinn’s Aerdyne bike is a good one. High quality and attention to detail.”
“This model (AD-6) is a real improvement over the older model, it’s MUCH quieter and compact”
The replacement for the incredibly popular AD4 has to be good, and the AD6 seems to have nailed it. Receiving over 90 reviews its a popular bike averaging 4.1 stars out of 5 overall. There is really little wrong with this bike. Most users like the ease of adjustment, quick assembly and compact form.
This is a big step forward from the older version!
Click here to read more pros and cons >>> Schwinn AD6 Airdyne Exercise Bike Reviews
Any Issues?
Not really, a couple of users commented that a noise came from the fan. When isolated it looked like the cage had been knocked out of line and it took no time to fix.
The Airdyne Exercise Bike is simply smart. Wind resistance is exponential, so the harder you pedal, the higher the resistance becomes. The console is designed to show key data all at once, and it has a unique RevMeter gauge that’s perfect for interval training. The Schwinn® AD6 Airdyne Bike is a must-have cardio machine for any home gym.
Schwinn Comparison Table
Our Verdict on the Schwinn AD6, Should you buy it?
If you are looking for a comfortable and unique way to burn those few extra calories this is perfect. Used by everyone from military vets for rehab, to the elderly wanting a simple workout the Schwinn AD6 is hard to beat. We would recommend using Amazon to buy, as they offer free delivery and the best price (under $600 last time we checked!) just don’t forget to add the batteries to your order!