The two criticisms of the 418, and the upgraded 438, were the weak warranty and the single wheel rail design. These are front drive ellipticals that roll on rails. The single wheel design makes for a less stable feel. There is often a left to right shift. The new Schwinn 430 has a concave wheel that reduces the shifting. Testing both the 418 and the 430 side by side, you could really tell the difference.
The other feature I liked on the Schwinn 430 was the 18" stride. You won't find a comparable elliptical at this price range with as comfortable a stride. Overall, the elliptical motion felt very smooth and fluid.
Note: Horizon and various Icon products, like ProForm and NordicTrack, sell cheap ellipticals. Several of their models in the $600 price range are suppose to have 18" strides. I've found a real contrast between the strides of various machines. For example, many Horizon ellipticals with 18" strides feel bouncy and restricted. That is in comparison to 18" strides on Smooth, New Balance and the Schwinn 430, where you get a long, smooth elliptical motion.
The Schwinn 430 comes with 16 levels of resistance. When you shift from one level to another there is a gradual change. That is in comparison to the 418 that only has 8 levels. The machine weighs 152 lbs., which contributes to a sturdy and stable feel. The comparable Proform SpaceSaver weights approximately 115 lbs.
The 430 also has articulating footpedals, pedals that angle with the elliptical motion. This further reduces stress.
My one criticism is the warranty on the 430. It comes with a 90-day service warranty. After three months if you have any problems, it is going to cost you to fix it. Although you get a 2-year parts and 1-year electronics warranty, and ellipticals are less likely to have service problems in comparison to treadmills. Still, I recommend you consider the 2 year extended service option. Last I checked it was $59 on Amazon.
Our Review - Schwinn 430 Elliptical
Overall the Schwinn 430 is an excellent value. That is why it is the #1 selling elliptical trainer on Amazon.com. There is no question it is a better buy than comparable Icon and Horizon products. The price and the quality is making this a hot seller.
I would not recommend this elliptical if you plan to use it for strenuous workouts, are over 6", have multiple users or weigh over 200 lbs. You need to consider a model in the $1,000+ range.
No comments:
Post a Comment