In this comparison the two popular fan bikes the Schwinn Airdyne AD2 vs Airdyne AD6 go up against each other.
When comparing them he most obvious difference when you first start looking at these bikes is the price.
In a lot of ways they are similar bikes, in particular they provide an upper and lower body workout.
So it does make you question if the price difference is justifed.
However, there are a number of differences that can help in deciding which is the right choice for you for your cardio workouts at home or in your home gym.
Before comparing these 2 bike here is a quick overview of each of the bikes:
Schwinn Airdyne AD2
This is a good solid bike from Airdyne and a no-frills one.
It does come with a console but this is basic with a small screen that allows display of one measure at a time.
Resistance is provided by the fan wheel at the front where the faster you pedal the harder it gets.
As well as getting a full body workout you can get either an upper body workout where you just work the handlebars or a lower body where you pedal while resting your arms by your side or on your thighs.
The fan does blow air about as you ride but most of it goes forward and you only get a slight breeze on you as you pedal no matter how hard you pedal.
The fan does make some noise but it isn’t loud. It is like an electric fan so the noise increases in the same way. You should be able to ride the bike without disturbing others in the home.
It is well regarded bike with positive feedback from customers.
Schwinn Airdyne AD6
This is a higher spec bike with a modern dual torque belt providing a smoother and more consistent ride. It has a very good 15 year warranty on the frame.
The console display is larger giving you the ability to see all your measures at once and set targets too. If you supply a compatible heart rate strap it will display your pulse too.
To adjust for different heights you can move the seat up and down using the adjustment knobs and pole to get it fit a person correctly for a comfortable and efficient workout.
It provides a great intense low cardio workout for the whole body as well as separately for the upper body and lower body when you want to just work on those areas.
It is one of the most popular air bikes available and on the whole it received positive ratings.
Where They Differ – The Facts With Explanations
Rather than compare the bikes line by line and going through the similarities I think it makes the post more concise to just go through where they differ as these are likely to be more important in deciding which one is the right choice. There is a comparison table that has them lined up side by side.
Accessories. The AD6 comes with a water bottle holder and there are 2 accessories you can buy separately – a reading rack and a wind screen. The AD2 does not have any accessories.
Console. The AD6 has a higher resolution LCD display (although it isn’t backlit which is just the same as the AD2 making difficult to read in poor light). It is positioned higher up making it easier to read with less looking down required.
The AD6 displays all the measures at once whereas the AD2 has a smaller screen and only shows one at a time scanning through them every 5 seconds. The AD6 can measure heart rate and watts in addition to the same measures as the AD2 which monitors RPM, time, distance, speed and calories burned. The AD6 does give you the ability to set targets for calories, time and distance.
Heart Rate. You can monitor your heart rate on the AD6 console, making it easy to your heart rate at any given time, if you have a compatible strap (an uncoded Polar compatible strap)
Weight. The AD6 will accommodate riders up to maximum weight of 300lbs which is 50 lbs more than the AD2.
Seat Comfort. The AD6 has wider and more padding in the seat which should make it more comfortable but this is really down to individual preference as with all bike type seats.
Dimensions/Weight. The AD2 is the smaller bike making it easier to store and fit into smaller homes. It does weigh less too that makes it
Warranty. The AD6 comes with a longer warranty for the frame (15 years vs 5 years, parts , electrical and labor.
The Price – A Big Difference
The AD6 costs more than the AD2 at present but has been built to a higher specification to withstand tougher workouts for more years. It is more solidly built of the two with the longer warranty reflecting that. It also has a better belt drive and console.
Which One Should You Buy
If you are over 250 lbs the better option is going to be the Schwinn AD6 as it has a maximum user weight of 300 lbs with the AD2 goes up to 250 lbs. Also if you want to be able see your heart rate in front of you rather than checking a monitor on your wrist then again the AD6 is the way to go.
With the display showing the measures all the time it is easier to do intervals and set yourself targets as you aren’t waiting for the console to move around all the time.
For most people the AD2 is a good choice as it provides you with the ability to intense cardio low impact workouts of the upper body and lower body which is one of the great advantages of these bikes. It will last for many years but it isn’t as strongly made. Unless you are an top athlete or are in very serious training this bike is going to be great.
If you are going to be many serious workouts and others in your household will workout seriously too, then the AD6 is better option as it is built to withstand more as evidenced by the heavier build and the longer warranty.
Side By Side Comparison
The table below compares the AD2 and AD6 side by side to give you a quick way to compare features, dimensions and specifications.
| Feature | Airdyne AD2 | Airdyne AD6 |
|---|---|---|
| Transport Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Resistance Type | Air | Air |
| Pedals | With straps | With straps |
| Bike Weight | 96 lbs | 115 lbs |
| Max User Weight | 250 lbs | 300 lbs |
| Min User Height | 5 ft 3 ins | 5 ft 3 ins |
| Max User Height | ||
| Handlebars Can Be Locked In Place | No | No |
| Seat Adjustability | Vertical | Vertiical |
| Dimensions | Height: 50 ins Width: 25 ins Length: 46 ins | Height 51 ins Width 26 ins Length 50 ins |
| Drive Type | Single Belt | Dual Belt |
| Accessories | None | Water bottle holder plus 2 you can buy separately |
| Console | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitor | No | Yes - need to supply strap |
| Frame Construction | Steel | Steel |
| Gear | Fixed | Fixed |
| Warranty | Frame 15 Years |
I hope you’ve been able to make up your mind as to which bike is right for you after going through the information. Please let me know below what you think.
I have an AD2, would the AD6 monitor be compatible with the AD2?
So if i bought a screen and fitted it then that would be a good upgrade?
I asked Schwinn about this. Their answer was “It is not possible to modify your machine. Doing so may also effect your warranty.”
That was not an accurate answer. WILL IT WORK?
I’d like to know the exact same thing. Can I upgrade the console. Did you ever get an answer?
Schwinn have said that the Schwinn AD6 console is not compatible.
No need to be an a-hole. If you need information about a product’s compatibility you can contact the manufacturer directly. Stop being a cheap bastard and just buy the AD6.
I am just shy of 5’2″ will IT be difficult for me to reach pedals effectively?
The manufacturer has stated that you should be okay as the Schwinn Airdyne AD6 is rated for people between the heights of 5ft and 6ft.