INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
The A20 is the replacement for the Active Series 20 and Amazon has now corrected their product description to show the correct information for the A20. I haven't seen the Active Series 20 so I can't really draw a comparison and trying to get comparison info (I was trying to decide which one to buy) from the sales staff at Schwinn was impossible since the person I talked to hadn't even seen an actual working model of the A20 (let alone sat on one) and his information was limited to that which was presented on the website. I decided on the A20 since it did appear that they tried to make some improvements plus there's the issue of being able to get parts if needed in the future.
I received the A20 yesterday and both my wife and I have used it once. I will update in the future.
SET UP: There are very few parts to deal with plus all necessary tools were included and this was a pleasant surprise. I laid them out and checked then against the list given in the assembly instructions before starting assembly. Everything was present. I was able to put it together by myself but having two people would be a nice option. It took about an hour to put it together and the instructions were easy to follow with words and diagrams.
FIRST TIME USE; The seat adjustment was easy which was nice since I share the use of it with my wife (I'm 5'9" and she is 5') Both of us had an easy time using it so height wasn't an issue. Some of the new items included with this new model were the water bottle holder (which I don't use) and a book platform which is now part of the lcd platform (doubtful I will use it but if you do, you'll need a way to keep the book open as it rests on a fairly shallow lip). It also has an added built in fan and I agree with the previous reviewer that it's totally useless unless you stick your face within a couple of inches of it (what were those engineers thinking???)but at least you can turn it off. The lcd panel still doesn't have back lighting which was a complaint with the Active Series 20. I'm not sure if the newer one differs in size but it's okay to read with at least some light (window,lamp,etc). The lettering isn't very bold on the lcd which makes it a little more difficult in low light. A fairly easy solution would be to attach a book light to the lip of the book holder. The operation during use is very quiet and with solid stability. The seat and back are padded and was fine during my initial use. The resistance levels were very easy to adjust as were the different courses. The monitor takes 4 D size batteries(not included) but there is an optional power adapter (9v,500ma) you can get from Schwinn for about $25 (including shipping) Might be worth looking into this or some generic adapter and saving batteries and bucks.
This was my first time on a recumbent exercise bike and I loved it. It did exactly what I was looking for in an exercise bike. I think it's a great exercise bike and the price is very reasonable. One reason I bought this bike was because of the Schwinn name (I think Nautilus owns Schwinn and Bowflex)and so far I'm not disappointed.
4 stars because of the lcd (lack of bold lettering and back light)and useless fan. These are very minor complaints which don't affect performance.
UPDATE 5-20-2011 - I've now been using this machine for a few months and without problems. There was a brief time when it made a small weird clicking noise coming from the pedal assembly but this stopped after awhile and hasn't been heard in weeks. Still a real mystery. Much of my previous review still holds. My biggest praise is for the ease of use and seat adjustment along with with the overall durability of the unit. Mechanically is does what it's supposed to do and very quietly (excluding that brief period previously noted). My biggest gripe is the display panel. It's often difficult to see in low light because primarily of the small lettering (although some back light might also be helpful). Hopefully Schwinn will address this issue in later models and thus make this model truly worthy of 5 stars. Schwinn A20 Recumbent Bike
The bike was easy to setup the first time I put it together excepting that it didn't work. The bike did not respond to the control panel. The exercise-programs didn't work at all. It took about 80 minutes with Nautilus Tech Support on the phone to take apart the central part of the bike- the middle factory-assembled piece with the pedals, flywheel, and magnet-positioning motor. The technician concluded that the positioning-motor or the cable to it was bad. I was sent another motor. It was sent 3-day Fedex. I installed the motor. It didn't work. I called back. The new technician thought it was the control panel (called the console) and she sent that 3 day Fedex. I was worried that the bike would never work, so I chatted with Amazon and they told me that I would be given extra time to return the bike because I was working with the vendor. As mentioned in some of the other feedback, the replacement console solved the problem. (By the way connect the motor to the console and be sure it all works before re-installing.) Luckily I took photos of the bike as I took it apart. Because I had replaced the motor I had to re-adjust three different nuts to bring the bike into alignment. Whew! It all works great now. Maybe I should have just told the technician "I can't take the factory assembled piece apart," do you want me to send that piece back? But even that would have been a lot of trouble. Maybe it just doesn't make any sense to buy big things over the Internet.
I ride it every night. It is very sturdy and dependable and it also does not take up too much space. Sitting in this position riding for 30 minutes is a pleasure. It is quiet so I can ride it at night with out aggravating my wife. The levels work perfectly.
All the important stuff works great but you can forget the fan and the heart rate indicator. The fan can only be felt 1 inch from the surface. The heart rate indicator was way off in my opinion. For example, I am riding it now as I type with over 20 minutes on the timer at a decent pace. According to the monitor presently my heart rate is 78, just not possible.
Also, the laptop/book holder is okay for my small laptop. Typing is difficult right now but I am usually playing chess while I ride so that is not bad. Continuous typing would be painful this way. Additionally, I am 5'4" and could never use this for reading. it is too far away and at the wrong angle. I do highly recommend and feel like it will last a long time. - Exercise Bike - Recumbent Bike - Schwinn 240 - Stationary Indoor Bike'
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