The Schwinn 250 Recumbent Exercise Bike – An Upgrade of the 240

The Schwinn 250 recumbent exercise bike is the upgraded version of the 240. Schwinn has added a few more programs, a fan, an MP3 input, speakers, and a new design on the console.

The Bike

The black backlit LCD display has a multi-colored brickyard to show workout feedback that is switchable from miles to kilometers. The programs include 8 profiles, distance goal, 3 heart rate control, fitness test, 2 custom, and results mode. The specs of the Schwinn 250 recumbent exercise bike are:

• Eddy Current Brake system
• 20-lb Flywheel
• 16 Resistance Levels
• 18 Workouts; 2 User Profiles
• Hand Grip Heart Rate Monitoring
• Polar® Wireless HR Telemetry enabled
• Extra Wide Seat with Fore/Aft Adjustability
• Fore/aft and angle adjustable console
• Transport wheels, rear stabilizers, storage basket
• Retractable reading rack, 2-speed fan, water bottle holder
• Max user weight – 275 pounds
• Dimensions/wt: 63"L x 25"W x 46"H / 117 lbs
• Warranty: 5 years frame, 1-yr mechanical & electrical parts, 90-days wear parts & labor

The Buzz

UPDATE:  The 250 recumbent bike is no longer available. Check out our Schwinn exercise bike reviews to see the latest models.

The Schwinn 250 recumbent exercise bike has a thickly padded seat with lumbar support and side bolsters.

It has a 20-lb flywheel and a magnetic ECB brake system, 16 resistance levels, hand grips and a wireless telemetry feature for the heart rate control programs, a tilting console, step-through easy-mount frame, and transport wheels.

The console also has the Schwinn Advantage feature which includes 2 user profiles.

Reviews have been comparing the 240 and 250 and the new recumbent model is coming up short. They are nice exercise bikes for the price, but the new fan doesn’t work well, the MP3 dock is a simple plug-in with no controls, and you’ll likely prefer your own earbuds to the tinny speakers offered here.

The new console does away with the ugly red trim on the old console, and the Schwinn 250 has wireless HR monitoring where the 240 doesn’t, but those are the only real extras. If you can find the 240 for less, you will get a better deal by buying that model instead. Remember, they are the exact same bike otherwise.

Our Take

At $479, the Schwinn 250 recumbent exercise bike costs $30 more than the 240 as well as a cousin model, the Nautilus R514 recumbent at $449. (Nautilus is the parent company with distribution rights of Schwinn® Fitness bikes.)

The Nautilus bike has a better warranty and costs less even though these bikes are exactly the same frame, seat, and flywheel but with different consoles. There’s nothing wrong with the 250, but the Nautilus has a better value as long as the sale price lasts.