Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike Review (2025): Great Hardware in Need of Software Upgrade

The way I see it, most cardio machines fall into one of three categories: those that are great pieces of workout equipment but lack technology features; those that have great technology features but aren’t great exercise equipment; and those that strike a balance between the two. 

In our Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike review, we’ll let you know which one this exercise bike falls into. We’ll also go over who should look into a recumbent bike in the first place, and compare the 270 to some of the other best recumbent exercise bikes out there. 

The Cycle-ology of Garage Gym Reviews 

We pride ourselves on personally testing most of the exercise bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, and other cardio machines you can find on our website. And we’ll tell you if we haven’t had our hands or feet on a certain piece of exercise equipment. Because like you, dear reader, at the end of the day everyone at GGR is someone who’s just a little obsessed with home gym equipment. 

In fact, we love it so much ,all of us have become certified personal trainers, CrossFit-1 or weightlifting coaches, or even competitive lifters. We use our expertise to help explain how certain exercise equipment can affect your training and help you make the best decisions for your home gym.

Looking for An Alternative to the Schwinn 270?

Since the Schwinn 270 is no longer in production, our recommendation is the Schwinn 290 which offers a ton of similarities but with a few extra bells and whistles.

Schwinn 290

Schwinn 290 Recumbent Bike

GGR Score: 3.9

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Product Highlights

• Compatible with JRNY app and Zwift
• Padded and ventilated seat
• 1-year free trial to JRNY app
• Transport wheels

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Ventilated seat prevents sweat buildup
• Transport wheels
• Compatible with Zwift and JRNY
• One free year of JRNY app
• Under $1,000

Cons

• Relatively low number of cycling apps
• Basic LCD console
• Not compact

Bottom Line

One of the best recumbent exercise bike that comes at a relatively low price point.

A Quick Look at the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike

The Schwinn 270 recumbent bike is, as its name suggests, a recumbent bike, which means the pedals are placed in front of the user’s torso instead of underneath it as they would be on an upright bike like the Peloton. This position puts less stress on your joints and makes for a perfect low-impact workout. 

The Schwinn 270 recumbent exercise bike gives you even more comfort with a ventilated and contoured seat and backrest that also comes with lumbar support.

The exercise bike has a walk-through design, which means users can walk directly in front of the seat and sit down instead of hopping onto a seat as you do on an upright bike. 

There are 25 levels of quiet eddy current magnetic resistance and 29 built-in workout programs. But as we’ll get to in a bit, the software on this bike is in need of a major upgrade. The screens offer nothing except displaying your metrics, and there are numerous complaints about the bike’s wiring crapping out on customers. 

RELATED: Recumbent Bike Workout

My Tips

• Find a Schwinn coupon code to help you save money on your order.
• Although this bike is relatively lightweight, I’d still recommend finding a dedicated place for it in your home gym before you hit the purchase button.

Is the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike Worth It?

Of the three categories I mentioned at the start of this review, I’d say the Schwinn 270 recumbent bike falls into the “good exercise equipment that lacks technology features.” Some people are OK with that type of equipment, while others prefer a balance or may be more tech-y. There’s no wrong answer, but each has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. 

Here’s who we think would like the Schwinn 270 recumbent bike, and who might want to look for something in the other two categories.

Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike Specs

What It’s Like to Ride the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Exercise Bike

We asked Garage Gym Reviews founder and expert product tester Cooper Mitchell to test out the Schwinn 270 recumbent exercise bike. As someone who’s tested more stationary bikes, studio cycles, and smart exercise bikes than probably anyone else out there, Coop knows a thing or two about quality home gym equipment. 

And though he’s not a fan of the recumbent exercise bike in general (he just prefers the feeling of an upright bike), he said it’s undeniable that the Schwinn 270 is a comfortable exercise bike. 

The padded, adjustable seat is capable of supporting people up to 300 pounds, which is about the industry standard. The backrest is ventilated, which will reduce sweat from accumulating on your back during more intense workouts, and also contoured to provide lower-back support. 

RELATED: Best Bike for Exercise

Some recumbent bikes have the monitor so far in front of you that you need to stretch to clearly see what’s on the screen. That’s not the case with this bike, Coop says. Same goes for the handlebars, which are pretty easy to grasp if needed. 

The bike utilizes a form of magnetic resistance called eddy current resistance, but there’s nothing special about it compared to regular magnetic resistance. “The 270 may feel slightly smoother [than exercise bikes with magnetic resistance], but I don’t think it’s a major difference,” Coop explains.  

Additionally, the bike only has a 13-pound flywheel so you’re not going to get the most challenging cardio workout on this thing. But then again, most recumbent bike users aren’t training for a bike race and enjoy the more leisurely pace it offers. It also has a belt-drive system, which like magnetic resistance is a great feature for those who want a quiet exercise bike. 

Display 

It should be said that most recumbent exercise bikes only come with a basic LCD console, and that’s just about the case with the Schwinn 270. It actually has what are called  Schwinn DualTrack™ backlit LCD screens, which is fancy marketing lingo for two blue backlit LCD screens that show your metrics (time, intensity, heart rate, distance traveled, etc.).

Although basic in what they display, the monitors are bright and easy to read, which isn’t always the case with some recumbent bikes. 

Again, some people may be OK with this and some may want a little more. We’ll have some suggestions for the latter group in a bit. 

Technology Features…Or Lack Thereof

Recumbent bikes are also not known for being loaded with technology features. The Schwinn 270 recumbent exercise bike has 29 built-in workout programs (fitness tests, heart rate programs, and quick start); Bluetooth connectivity; the ability to create four user profiles; and compatibility with external chest straps, and the Explore the World and MyFitnessPal apps. 

Even though there are many people who are OK with that, we would’ve liked to see a bike in this price range at least be compatible with other fitness apps. The Schwinn 230 recumbent exercise bike, for example, can be used with Zwift, which offers additional indoor cycling workouts, and some Nautilus products (Nautilus is Schwinn’s parent company) are compatible with just about every fitness app. 

The bike also has a USB port that you can use to plug in any smartphone or MP3 player to play music through the speakers. 

Software

The Schwinn 270’s technology woes don’t end with the screen. While we haven’t experienced any such issues, we found several customer reviews stating the bike’s software isn’t the best. This includes complaints of users being unable to change resistance levels, the screen going entirely blank, the odometer not working, and more. 

If this is something that concerns you, you should know the bike only has a one-year warranty for the electronics. 

Footprint and Portability 

The Schwinn 270 recumbent bike measures 64 inches long, 27.7 inches wide, and 50 inches so it’s not going to take up a lot of space, but it’s not the most compact piece of exercise equipment either. Luckily, it only weighs 86.6 pounds and has front-facing transport wheels, so it should be easy for most able-bodied people to move it if necessary. 

Durability

The Schwinn 270 recumbent bike’s frame is made with carbon steel, which is pretty durable, and some plastic parts that should hold up just fine so long as they’re treated with care. 

Although it only weighs 86.6 pounds, it’s incredibly stable during use and meets the industry standard user weight limit of 300 pounds. 

Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike vs Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike

Schwinn 230

Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike

GGR Score: 4.25

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Product Highlights

• Recumbent bike comes with 16 levels of magnetic resistance
• Highly adjustable, contoured and ventilated seat
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Costs $500
• Made with lots of plastic
• Display isn’t great

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Ventilated seat to keep you cool during long workouts
• Easily adjustable for people of all heights
• Lightweight, at only 80 pounds
• A great value in the $500 price range (with free shipping)

Cons

• Sells out frequently (you may be able to find it on Amazon)
• Made with a lot of plastic
• The console is not backlit

Bottom Line

The Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike offers a great value with 16 levels of magnetic resistance and plenty of built-in features. And all at $500.

The Schwinn 230 recumbent bike is the Schwinn 270’s recumbent bike’s little sibling. The difference between the two is the 230’s seat isn’t padded (but the backrest is ventilated), it has fewer resistance levels and workout programs, and its screen is not backlit. Strangely, the 230 is compatible with the Zwift training app while the 270 is not, and it has fewer software complaints than the more expensive model. 

Want to know if the Schwinn 230 is for you? Read our full Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike review to find out. 

Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike vs NordicTrack Commercial R35

NordicTrack Commercial R35

NordicTrack R35 Recumbent Bike

GGR Score: 4

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Save up to $1,000 on smart machines and up to $1,500 on bundles before pric See Details

Product Highlights

• Like other NordicTrack offerings, the R35 is compatible with the iFIT training platform for on-demand workouts.

• The NordicTrack R35 Recumbent Bike can support athletes up to 350 pounds.

• The step-through frame can make it easy to get on and off this bike for training.

• Per our tester, the R35’s seat features an oversized design and lumbar support for improved in-ride comfort.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High weight capacity
• Interactive screen
• 2 digitally amplified speakers with Bluetooth capabilities
• Ergonomic pedals and lumbar support
• Quiet and smooth ride

Cons

• Large footprint
• Not easily transported
• No pre-programmed workout options

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a recumbent bike that offers immersive training, NordicTrack’s R35 is a high-quality one worth considering.

If you’re someone who’d rather strike a balance between good exercise equipment and technology features, then go for the NordicTrack Commercial R35. It comes with a 14-inch HD touchscreen display with iFIT programming, all the comfort features as the Schwinn 270 recumbent bike, and optional automatic tension control. 

All those extra technology features come with a higher price tag—and in the case of the NordicTrack Commercial R35 that means a $1,499 price tag. Whether that extra cost is worth it is up to you. 

Our NordicTrack Commercial R35 review has our full, uncensored thoughts on this cardio machine. 

Warranty, Financing, Returns

The Schwinn 270 recumbent bike has a 10-year frame warranty on the frame, two years of parts coverage, one year for the electronics, and 90 days for labor. That’s about standard for most recumbent bikes, but many people complain the electronics give out shortly after the bike’s one-year mark. 

Schwinn offers financing plans for the Schwinn 270 recumbent bike that start at $37 per month. 

Nautilus, Schwinn’s parent company that also owns Bowflex, gives you six weeks from the date of delivery to return your item for a full refund, minus shipping and handling. All returns must be approved by a Nautilus or Schwinn Fitness customer service representative.  

Ordering and Assembling the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike

The Schwinn 270 recumbent exercise bike is fairly popular, so you might find that it’s frequently out of stock on Schwinn’s website and Amazon. If you manage to get it, the assembly is pretty painless according to customer reviews. If you’re opposed to trying to assemble it, there are professional assembly services available for an additional cost.

Customer Reviews

As of this writing, the Schwinn 270 recumbent bike has a 4.5 average rating, out of 5, with 308 reviews. Most customers love the bike’s comfort, ease of use, and built-in workouts. 

The negative complaints centered around bad software and wiring, along with some reviewers saying Schwinn’s customer service representatives were unhelpful in addressing the problems. 

Final Verdict of Our Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike Review

Some people are still OK with their exercise equipment being just that—exercise equipment. If you fall into that camp, the Schwinn 270 recumbent bike would be our recommendation for you. It’s easy to use, has engaging but not challenging resistance, and enough built-in workout programming to give you variety in how you use the bike.

But if you’re someone who wants a pretty display and more workout capabilities, then we’d suggest the NordicTrack Commercial R35. 

Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike Rating

Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike

Our Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike review will let you know if this low-impact exercise bike is the right fit for your home gym.

Product Brand: Schwinn

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 549.99

Product In-Stock: SoldOut

Editor's Rating:
3.7

Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike FAQs