Keiser and Schwinn are the two brands in the industry that have made a big name for producing one of the best indoor cycling bikes. If you have decided to empower your home gym with Keiser or Schwinn indoor spin bikes, you have taken a step in the right direction because both indoor bikes are amazing and best in their class. Now the only question left is which is the best indoor bike between Keiser M3I and the Schwinn AC performance.

Some people who are buying multiple indoor cycling bikes for their commercial gym often follow the hybrid approach to get the best of both worlds. But for those who want to consider one for their home gym, in this post, we will compare both bikes, highlight similarities and specify key differences to help users decide which one suits them best.

Flywheel

The major difference between both the bikes is the placement and weight of the flywheel. And this is the first thing one should keep in mind while choosing a home spin bike. A flywheel is a giant wheel placed at the front or back of an indoor cycle. It defines the riding experience for the user. The greater the weight of the flywheel, the smoother the motion. You can easily witness that when you cycle on both indoor bikes. M3I has a 8lb flywheel, while Schwinn AC performance has a 37lb flywheel. Therefore, Schwinn AC performance provides a smoother ride than the M3I.

But, the Keiser M3I spin bike uses the USP for its placement of the flywheel. The brand has placed the flywheel at the rear of the bike. The analogy used is by removing the wheel from the sweat zone; it lasts longer and maintains a shiny new look as it is not subjected to deterioration due to sweat. Thus, an M3I bike does not have frequent maintenance requirements and lasts for years. This gives the M3I bike an edge over the Schwinn bike in terms of maintenance and durability.

Drive system

There are two types of spin bike drive systems: chain-based drive systems and belt-based drive systems. Both the bikes have a belt-base drive system. The belt-based drive system is far superior to the chain-based one because it does not produce sound and has fewer maintenance requirements.

Schwinn AC Performance uses a Carbon Blue ™ belt drive system. It is made of a carbon fiber reinforced belt that performs like a chain. The major advantage of this system is:

• The belt never requires lubrication
• The tension never needs to be adjusted
• You get a real bike feel
• High-inertia drive train provides momentum and the feel of a chain drive
• A toothed belt provides rider feedback and a road feel

Keiser M3I uses a single Poly-V belt on a simple drive train. It produces the higher speeds necessary for a lighter-weight aluminum flywheel to provide the kinetic energy and magnetic resistance to simulate a good road-bike experience. The Poly-V belt transmits very high loads over very small pulleys. It is a quiet, durable and reliable belt drive system.

The Keiser M3I provides good cycling motion, but Schwinn AC Performance has that real bike feel.

Resistance 

You need to keep in mind two things while looking at the resistance of an indoor cycle: resistance mechanism and how you make resistance adjustments. Both the bikes use magnetic resistance but are different in the way you make adjustments. The M3I uses a lever at handlebar level, which is moved back and forth to increase or reduce resistance. In contrast, the Schwinn AC performance indoor cycle has a more traditional setup with a knob on the frame that increases or decreases friction. Both the bikes provide smooth and constant resistance but the way you make resistance adjustments are definitely better with M3I. 

Frame

The frame of the indoor bike is one of the most important considerations as it defines the durability of the indoor bike. Both Keiser M3I and Schwinn AC performance indoor bikes come with a 10-year warranty on the frame. So there is nothing to compare here. But there are a few factors you would want to consider, such as the weight of the bike, specifications of the bike, and weight capacity. 

For example, Schwinn AC performance has a maximum user capacity of 350 lbs. It is compatible with riders of 4'11" to 6'8" (150 to 203 cm) tall, whereas M3I has a maximum user capacity of 300 lbs and is compatible with riders of 4'10" to 6'5".

Console and Bike components

The bike's console is another important component that matters a lot for many users. They want to know the analytics. Fortunately, both bikes come with an amazing console. The M3I has a battery-powered console that comes with Bluetooth connectivity, whereas a Schwinn AC performance has a generator-powered console. The consoles of both the indoor bikes display the basic workout data such as speed, RPMs, the time elapsed resistance, and distance. Therefore, there is no big fuss in making a decision based on the console. However, you can get an upgraded console for an additional cost with Schwinn AC performance.

If we look at the other components, Schwinn AC's performance comes with double link pedals with SPD and a toe-clip combination. This provides an optional triple link pedal. The Keiser M3I comes with adjustable ShimanoTM combo pedals with toe cages and straps on one side, and the other side fits SPD specialist shoes with cleats. You get fully adjustable handlebars and seats on both bikes.

So, how do I choose my spin bike?

If you look at the biomechanics, Schwinn AC performance has the edge over the Keiser M3I. On the other hand, if you look at the maintenance requirements, Keiser M3I has the edge over the Schwinn AC performance. However, both indoor cycling bikes are amazing and provide a great riding experience. You have to decide what you prefer most.  Honestly, you can’t really lose with either bike.

You've been dreaming of the perfect fitness equipment for your home long enough! You deserve the absolute best in workout routines. Treat yourself by calling us at 888-412-8773 to speak with a fitness equipment expert today and setup the home workout of your dreams.