Schwinn and Marcy make some of the most popular recumbent exercise bikes. We have an in-depth look at two of their most popular models, the Schwinn 230 vs Marcy ME-709 Recumbent Exercise Bike – which is the best for you?
Contents
- Schwinn 230 vs Marcy ME-709 – Specifications
- Schwinn 230 vs Marcy ME-709 – Similarities
- The Schwinn 230 and Marcy ME-709 both have a similar drive type
- Both the Schwinn 230 and Marcy ME-709 bikes have the same resistance type
- The seats for both the Schwinn and Marcy have a similar adjustment range
- Neither of the two bikes has adjustable handlebars
- Both bikes have the same maximum weight capacity
- Neither of the two is Bluetooth compatible
- The Schwinn and Marcy both have transport wheels
- Schwinn 230 vs Marcy ME-709 – Differences
- The Schwinn and Marcy have different unit weights
- When it comes to dimensions, both bikes differ
- Both offer a different number of resistance levels
- Only the Schwinn has built-in workout programs
- Both bikes feature different display types
- There is no water bottle holder for the Marcy
- A tablet holder is only available with the Schwinn
- Only the Schwinn has a built-in speaker
- Only the Schwinn has a heart rate monitor
- The Schwinn has more additional features
- Only the Schwinn has a built-in cooling fan
- Both bikes offer different warranties.
- Conclusion
- Related Articles
Schwinn 230 vs Marcy ME-709 – Specifications
| Schwinn 230 | Marcy ME-709 | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Unit Weight | 81.6lbs | 61lbs |
| Dimensions | 64″ L x 27.7″ W x 49.9″ H | 55.5″ L x25″ W x37.5″ H |
| Drive type | Belt | Belt |
| Resistance Type | Magnetic | Magnetic |
| Resistance Levels | 20 | 8 |
| Built-in workout programs | 22 | N/A |
| Adjustable Seat | Yes (Fore/Aft) | Yes (Fore/Aft) |
| Adjustable Handlebars | No | No (Built into seat) |
| Weight Capacity | 300lbs | 300lbs |
| Display (Type) | DualTrack 2 LCD | Single LCD |
| Bottle Holder | Yes | No |
| Tablet Holder | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth compatible | No | No |
| Built-in speakers | Yes | No |
| Transport wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate monitor | Yes (Contact) | No |
| Other Features | MP3 input, USB (charging only) | |
| Cooling Fan | 3-speed | No |
| Warranty | 10 years (Frame) 2 years (Mechanical Parts) 1 year (Electronics) 3 months (Labor) | 2 years |
| Cost (amazon.com) |
Schwinn 230 vs Marcy ME-709 – Similarities
The Schwinn 230 and Marcy ME-709 both have a similar drive type
- Both bikes are belt driven.
Both the Schwinn 230 and Marcy ME-709 bikes have the same resistance type
- Both bikes use magnetic resistance.
The seats for both the Schwinn and Marcy have a similar adjustment range
- The seats for both recumbent bikes are adjustable in two ways—front and back.
Neither of the two bikes has adjustable handlebars
- There is no handlebar adjustment option for both the Schwinn and Marcy.
Both bikes have the same maximum weight capacity
- Both the Schwinn and Marcy have a maximum weight capacity of 300lbs.
Neither of the two is Bluetooth compatible
- Both the Schwinn and Marcy do not have Bluetooth connectivity.
The Schwinn and Marcy both have transport wheels
- Both bikes have transport wheels for easy moving and storage.
Schwinn 230 vs Marcy ME-709 – Differences
The Schwinn and Marcy have different unit weights
- The Schwinn weighs 81.6lbs, while the Marcy is lighter at 61lbs.
When it comes to dimensions, both bikes differ
- The Schwinn has a length of 64”, a width of 27.7”, and a height of 49.9”, while the Marcy is 55.5” long, 25” wide, and 37.5” tall.
Both offer a different number of resistance levels
- The Schwinn has 20 resistance levels, while the Marcy offers 8.
Only the Schwinn has built-in workout programs
- The Schwinn offers 22 built-in workout programs you can choose from, while its rival does not have this feature.
Both bikes feature different display types
- The Schwinn features 2 DualTrack LCD screens, while the Marcy has a single LCD screen.
There is no water bottle holder for the Marcy
- Only the Schwinn has a water bottle holder, while the Marcy has none.
A tablet holder is only available with the Schwinn
- For convenience, the Schwinn has a built-in tablet holder. This feature is not offered with the Marcy.
Only the Schwinn has a built-in speaker
- The Schwinn offers a built-in speaker, while the Marcy has none.
Only the Schwinn has a heart rate monitor
- The Schwinn has heart rate contacts placed on its hand grips. This feature is not available with the Marcy.
The Schwinn has more additional features
- The Schwinn features an MP3 input and a USB port for charging your device, neither of which are available for the Marcy.
Only the Schwinn has a built-in cooling fan
- The Schwinn has a 3-speed cooling fan for ventilation during workouts.
Both bikes offer different warranties.
- The Schwinn has a 10-year warranty for the frame, two years for mechanical parts, a year for electronics, and three months for labor, while the Marcy has a 2-year warranty.
Conclusion
The Schwinn and Marcy are both reliable recumbent bikes. Choosing between the two will depend on your preferences.
Here are some notable differences you might want to consider:
- The Marcy is lighter and occupies less space than the Schwinn 230.
- The Schwinn 230 offers different features such as a water bottle holder, tablet holder, built-in speaker, and heart rate monitor that the Marcy lacks.
- The Schwinn 230 has more to offer and has a better warranty compared to the Marcy ME-709.