Would you like to shed some pounds by including some hardcore aerobics in your routine? Or maybe you need to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in check through exercise. Either way, indoor cycling is a must-try. It gets even better if you opt for a fan bike like the Schwinn Airdyne models.

Air bikes like the Airdynes have a large fan in place of the front wheel included in regular stationary bikes. Their joint handles and pedals move in sync, spinning the fan along with each movement. This fan offers unlimited resistance – the faster you work the pedals or handles, the more challenging it gets.

Below is a detailed Schwinn Airdyne models comparison, plus a brief history about old Schwinn Airdyne bikes. This will give you some insight on which exercise equipment is best for you.

Best Schwinn Airdyne Models 

1. Schwinn AD7 Airdyne Bike Review

If you need a state-of-the-art exercise bike with the latest air resistance technology, the Schwinn Airdyne AD7 has a lot to offer. This one is better in terms of durability as compared to the older models in the series, being almost as sturdy as the original Schwinn air dyne. It is a home version of the AD Pro with similar features.

With a heavy-duty steel construction, the AirDyne AD7 is quite stable and built to last. It features a single-stage magnetic belt drive for smooth and quiet functioning. The sleek, modern look is also impressive at first glance.

The  Schwinn AD7 has four-way seat adjustability which is more than what the other two Schwinn models have to offer. It offers built-in workouts, a small LCD display of your workout stats, and telemetric heart rate monitoring. It’s fairly easy to assemble and has more resistance than the other two models in the series. Dual handles (high and low) are present to accommodate people of different heights.

This air bike also comes with an air diverter in case of cold weather, and a water bottle holder too. It suits a wide range of body types, thanks to the padded, replaceable, and adjustable seat, and 350 lbs weight capacity. While it’s the most expensive in the series, it’s still worth the value, with everything needed for a safe and efficient exercise bike workout.

2. Schwinn Airdyne AD6 Fan Bike

The Schwinn AD6 is another sleek model, run by dual-stage torque belt drives. It has a progressive wind resistance system for powerful calorie-torching sessions.

The AD6 features a unique oversized seat with extra padding for comfort, unlike the previous model. However, unlike the AD7’s fore/aft adjustments, the seat is only adjustable in one dimension (up and down). An LCD console with a RevMeter RPM gauge can help with interval training, as can the heart rate monitor. Self-balancing pedals with foot straps enable you to stay in control.

Transportation wheels on this Schwinn Airdyne model ensure easy portability. A water bottle holder is another convenient addition to the bike. One complaint by a few customers though is a clicking noise while pedaling. It may even progress to a louder noise, although the bike will still be usable.

Another advantage of the Schwinn AD6 Airdyne is the warranty – 15-year on frame, 3-year on parts, 2-year on electronics and 6-month on labor.

The AD6 Air dyne, with its 300 lbs weight capacity, could accommodate most, if not all, people. It can offer some hardcore workouts, but cannot beat the AD7 in terms of durability and features.

3. Schwinn AD2 Airdyne Bike

While the AD2 is an entry-level model in the series, you can still reap the benefits of an Airdyne with this equipment. It’s easy to assemble as it has a good combination of features.

This one is the least expensive air bike in the series with a quiet single-stage drive system. It also has the least weight capacity of them all, at 250 lbs. It has the same sufficient warranty as to the AD7, but much lesser than the AD6. The AD2 lacks a water bottle holder as well.

It comes with a small LCD that displays your workout stats and stability that gets you cycling hard unless you weigh too much. Most complaints by unhappy customers are due to the uncomfortable seat. Another issue is that its parts are not as durable as the other models.

Overall, it could work well as for the budget if you can’t afford the other models at the moment.

If you are not comfortable with the Schwinn Airdyne models, here are some alternatives that you need to consider:

Schwinn Airdyne Exerciser History

AirDyne, being a registered trademark of Schwinn, is the exclusive first name of all Schwinn air bikes. All these stationary bikes have a large fan that can be spun by using the hand grips or pedals.

First introduced in 1979, the original Schwinn airdyne was named the ergoMetric Exerciser AD2-0. It was a no-frills model run by a chain drive, but was still efficient as it offered the dual motion that is unique to air bikes. Ever since then, around six successively upgraded models have been launched, each after a gap of some years.

In new and old Schwinn airdyne models comparison, the newer ones now have a belt drive instead of the chain drive in the vintage Schwinn airdyne bikes. They’ve also replaced most of the metal parts with plastic to bring down the price. This has led to a sleeker look with quiet functioning. However, it seems to have somewhat compromised the durability of the modern models as compared to the old Schwinn Airdynes.

The latest Schwinn Airdyne models include the Airdyne Pro or AD7, AD6, and AD2. If in case you still prefer vintage Schwinn exerciser bikes, used models may be available rarely in a few marketplaces. However, getting replacement parts is almost impossible for the old Schwinn Airdynes, so be mindful of the risk!

Conclusion

While all the Schwinn airdyne models seem pretty well made, the likelihood of facing functional issues is lowest in the AD7. It’s the most durable of them all and can help you work out in peace. The other two models can also be considered if you’re on a tight budget. With their powerful fans and infinite resistance, all models in the series can break some serious sweat.