The Schwinn A.C. Performance is the top of the line Indoor Cycle in the Schwinn A.C. (Authentic Cycling) commercial Indoor Cycle series.
If you are individual looking for an Indoor Cycle for your In-Home Workout Room, and like the features of the Schwinn A.C. series bikes, then you can get the same features that the Schwinn A.C. Performance bike has (with the exception of the aluminum frame) with the Schwinn A.C. Sport Indoor Cycle for about $300 less.
So the answer to the question in the heading above is, of course, if you own a business, fitness club or run indoor cycling classes where the bike is going to be used for many hours per day and exposed a significant moisture (sweat, water, etc.) then you would want the benefits of the aluminum frame.
The Schwinn A.C. Indoor Cycles are priced higher than most retail Indoor Cycles, but they are actually commercial grade products (that can be purchased online) and cost less than most other commercial indoor cycles.
Note: TheSchwinn A.C. Performance is is no longer available from this site or no longer for sale online.
Please see our Exercise Bike Ratings page for a full listing of the exercise bikes that are available with prices and ratings.
(was selling for $1,795 at Amazon).
The primary feature of Schwinn A.C. Fitness Bikes is that they all come with the lower maintenance, virtual contact resistance technology (magnetic vs. brake pad resistance).
In addition the the magnetic resistance, All Schwinn A.C. Bikes use a Chain Drive System, ISIS bottom bracket, have a 300lb weight capacity and are MPower Console compatible.
The Schwinn A.C. Performance (as well as the Sport model) then goes on to include the Smart Release feature, Performance Handlebars with a fort/aft adjustment, basket/SPD pedals and handlebar mounted water bottle holders.
The only significant difference between the Schwinn A.C. Performance and the Schwinn A.C. Sport (other than the color) is that the higher priced Performance model has an aluminum frame where the Performance model has a zinc plated steel frame.
The Optional MPower Console for the Schwinn A.C. Indoor Cycles:If you want to track your progress on the new Schwinn A.C. Indoor Cycles, you'll need to purchase the MPower Console separately.
Note: There are 2 different versions of the MPower Console and it is not always clear, on different websites, which one they are selling.
Both models track RPM (Cadence), Stage Time, Total Time, Telemetry Heart Rate, and Calories. The higher end MPower Console also tracks Watts, Speed, and Distance.
The lower end model is often referred to as the MPower Performance Console but I have seen website selling this model that omit the "Performance". The higher end model is sometimes (but not always) referred to as the MPower Performance Console. If you want to track these additional stats, just be sure that the console that you are looking at has them.
The MPower Console also has the option to upload your stats to your PC (and/or the internet) via a USB card. The output from the USB card is a simple CSV file.
Of the three Schwinn A.C. series Indoor Cycles, the Schwinn A.C. Performance is the best selection for individuals and businesses who want the benefits of the magnetic resistance technology and a chain drive system and need the 300lb weight capacity, the heavy duty components, the aluminum frame and the Schwinn name and warranties. In other words for those individuals who need it all.
If you want the option to track workout stats, then keep in mind that you'll need to purchase the MPower Console separately and you'll want to compare prices based on the price of the bike and the console. If you do not care about the console, then at least you are not paying for something that you don't need.
At the time of this review there were 2 customer reviews at Amazon and the overall rating was 2 of 5 stars. Both reviews mentioned that they were missing the Smart Release adjustment tool. Hopefully this has been resolved.
For the latest customer reviews or the latest price, See: Schwinn A.C. Performance Indoor Cycle
Schwinn A.C. Performance Features at a glance:
Warranty:
5 years on the frame
1 year mechanical/electronic parts
1 year for labor
6 months for wear parts
Note: We have made every effort to provide accurate warranty information for all fitness bikes referenced on this site. The warranty information provided above can be used for comparison purposes and/or as a guide for your exercise bike purchase but this information does not imply any legal warranties by this website and does not override the manufacturer or seller warranties provided with your purchase.
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