By Robbie Ferri, Cyclist, Personal Trainer, and Group Exercise Instructor.
When it comes to exercise, an indoor exercise
Before we start, it’s vital to understand that Bowflex and Schwinn are both the same bikes. They are just branded differently. Internally they are exactly the same, and the only difference is a few colors and the name on the side.
When we talk about the Sole SB900, we are talking about the latest model, which has a few key differences from the previous model. Make sure that you have the most recent version before you buy, as it is much better. You can tell by the LCD Screen buttons you want the ones with the black buttons, not the red.

In a hurry? You Should Know at Least the Following
Comparison Table
SB600 | Bowflex C6 / Schwinn IC4 | |
---|---|---|
4 Way Adjustable Handlebars | x | x |
LCD Data Monitor | x | x |
Belt Drive | x | x |
Magnetic Resistance | x | x |
Weights | x | |
Bluetooth | x | x |
Sole SB900 Review
Equipped with a 48lbs flywheel, this bike is going to be super silent and going to feel incredibly solid at all times, including when you're in a maximum sprint. It comes with Bluetooth connectivity so that it can be used with third-party applications such as Zwift or Peloton.
Specifications
- Traditional Spin
Bike Design - Magnetic Resistance
- Belt Drive
- LCD Monitor
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Upgraded Pedals
Design
I’m a huge fan of Sole as a company. They make an excellent product and the other bikes they have in their range are also very good. Let’s start by talking about the design. It’s a beautiful
The Sole SB900 can cater for cyclists from 5ft all the way to 6ft 2”. It’s not a vast range, but one thing I love that they have done with the
Assembly and Quality
The assembly of this
Resistance
The resistance system is incredible and works exceptionally. With many modern bikes, they are what we call a frictionless system. This means that the
This is also linked up with what we call a belt drive. A belt drive is what most modern spinning bikes have, and it is used instead of a traditional chain. It means the
LCD Screen
The screen on the Sole is very basic, and although they have updated it recently, it does look very simple still, but it isn’t designed to be compared to say a Peloton screen. It’s just a small training aid. It will give you all the data you need, power (estimate), rpm, distance, time, and heart rate. The new screen has Bluetooth connectivity, so you can link heart rate monitors and even link it to applications such as Zwift, which is incredible.
It does come with a tablet mount which I thought was a lovely touch. It’s easy to use and ideal for most tablets. I think bikes with a small monitor and accessibility for a tablet are the way forward because it just opens you up to more applications and gives you so much more flexibility for the experience you want.
SB900 vs. the SB700
There are lots of differences between these two bikes. The SB900 has magnetic resistance, and the SB700 doesn’t, and this is worth every penny extra, in my opinion. Also, you get Bluetooth connectivity and upgraded pedals on the SB900.
If you are interested in the SB900 and want some more info, you can check our detailed review of this excellent Sole indoor bike.
Bowflex C6 / Schwinn IC4 Review
An excellent alternative option to Peloton or other streaming bikes. A quiet magnetic resistance bike, proficient enough to link with the many available streaming devices such as Peloton® and Zwift®.
Comes equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to link to several apps such as Peloton® and Zwift®. The Schwinn really does offer excellent quality at a very affordable price.
Specifications
- Traditional Spin
Bike Design - Weights
- Magnetic Resistance with levels
- Belt Drive
- LCD Monitor
- Bluetooth Connectivity
The Design
I have always been a big fan of the design of the Bowflex C6 and the Schwinn IC4. It has a traditional spinning
The
Assembly and Quality
The assembly of the Bowflex isn’t the most challenging job, and most say it will take about an hour. Personally, I would allow a little longer and just take your time following the instructions and getting it right. The quality you can’t fault. There’s a reason these bikes are so popular, and it is not because they are excellent to ride, but it’s because they are well designed and built to last.
Resistance System
The resistance system, like the SB900, is a frictionless magnetic system, and it also uses a belt drive. You can expect a very quiet system that will provide you with lots of resistance and also require very little maintenance. The flywheel the Bowflex / IC4 uses is a 40lbs flywheel and is lighter than the SB900.
One thing I did like about the Bowflex is that fact on the screen, it gives you resistance levels, 100 to be precise, and I feel like this is an excellent feature as it really helps you track your progress and also gives you places to work where you know your putting a lot of effort in.
LED Screen
The screen is excellent on the Bowflex, and although it is not a Peloton HD screen, it isn’t trying to be that. It just wants to be a small monitor, and the tablet holder is there for your interactive entertainment. The screen will give you lots of data such as time, distance, rpm, resistance level, speed, heart rate, and calories. It also has Bluetooth connectivity so that it can link up to all your favorite applications, such as Zwift and Peloton.
The table holder is a lovely touch on this and perfectly holds a tablet such as an iPad. It opens the
How do the bikes compare?
If two bikes share considerable similarities, it’s the Bowflex C6 / Schwinn IC4 and the Sole SB900. What the companies have done is they have set out to make a mix between a traditional spinning
Design
In my opinion, the designs are very similar. They both have a traditional spinning
The Bowflex design also comes with weights, which is something the SB900 doesn’t. The SB900 doesn’t need to be plugged in for full functionality, but the Bowflex does. The Bowflex as a
Assembly and Quality
As far as assembly goes, you pretty much are doing the exact same process to build the bikes. I feel there’s very little in it when it comes to quality. The bikes are both made to an excellent standard, and they are both machines that I would be proud to own and know that they will last.
Resistance System
The bikes both use a magnetic resistance system and a belt drive. At the price they are, I would expect this, and when it comes to riding them, they will produce a very similar experience. The flywheels are large, and they will give you excellent resistance and work quietly and efficiently.
As far as the flywheel weight goes, there are 8lbs in it, and you’re not going to notice the difference between these two on this level. It’s common in modern bikes to use evenly weighted ultra-small 15lbs flywheels. So judging these bikes on the weight of the flywheel can’t be done.
LED Screen
In my opinion, this is where the Bowflex differs from the SB900. The screen on the Bowflex feels much higher quality and gives you those resistance levels, which helps you design workouts. Then you have the SB900, which has the power in watts which will be an estimation, but it’s something the Bowflex doesn’t have, and for me, this is something as a cyclist could be very useful. They both have fully Bluetooth connectivity and can go on applications which is excellent.
Which bike is for me?
The most important thing to understand about these bikes is that they are made to be capable of being an excellent basic spin
If you plan to use the
Conclusion
They are both excellent bikes, and either one will be ideal and capable of being a great indoor cycling machine or an excellent entertainment spinning system. Your money is well spent either way.