Low Price Schwinn 231 Recumbent Exercise Bike

After researching several home recumbent bikes and trying many, I bought the Schwinn 231. (This unit also happens to be the equivalent of the Sears SR23.) I had been using a "fitness center" level machine before and reasoned the cost of this unit would pay for an entire year at the center, after which I'd have a machine of my own and no dues to pay for every following year.
The carton arrived well packaged and the components were completely undamaged...be prepared to take a trunk-full of polystyrene blocks to your recycling facility. Assembly took about 2 1/2 hours, mainly because I used the wrong profile bolts to attach the stabilizers and dropped a washer into the flywheel housing. Recovery from both mistakes was easy, but took time. Lay out some padded cloths on a table top to assemble the seat components. It's awkward to work on because it never seems to stay upright/balanced in the best working position.
I've just begun to explore the exercise modes of the bike, but am impressed with the "Quick Start" and "Manual Program" functions. The fan does a very good job of keeping my face cool!
The unit has a great deal of adjustability so both my wife and I are able to use it. I'm 6' and she's 5'2". The only difficult adjustment is the pedal straps, but with time, I expect they'll loosen up a bit. The adjustable seatback is very helpful in getting one's back all the possible support needed for a comfortable workout.
Other reviews suggest problems have been encountered and have frustrated buyers. I found none so far.

Here's a July 24th update...
I've been exercising about 3-5 days per week and now have a steady 35 minute workout. The equipment has held up extremely well. I found a few bolts had become loose, but can't remember whether I never tightened them enough at the outset or if they got loose over time. The clue was a squeaking noise. It quieted down with the retightening. I suggest buying the recommended floor mat with the bike. It'll prevent the bike from moving during a vigorous workout.
The computer has worked since the beginning and I find the read-outs very usefull...especially the elapsed time/count-down. Don't be alarmed by the pulse counter. If your hands happen to move around during exercise, each time they lose contact with the "pads", that disconnection will be counted as a heartbeat, so the rate may show higher than it really is. Grab tightly with both hands for a few seconds and the rate will indicate correctly.
Finally, I found the hex wrench that came with the unit to be of very poor quality: it isn't hardened, so it'll be "rounded over" after set up is complete. You can either hacksaw off the damaged end or buy a 6mm (metric) replacement that's hardened to prevent damage.


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