In this full Schwinn IC4 vs Sunny SF-B1805 comparison these two well-regarded exercise bikes are contrasted and compared in detail to help you make a fully informed decision between them.
There are similarities between them and this is where most of the cardio benefits of using the bikes are derived. You can have low intensity workouts through to high intensity interval training with easy resistance through to a hard level.
One has gone for providing the basics to get give a natural, fluid low impact cardio workout and the other has gone for that plus adding a number of extras to help enhance the experience.
Here is a summary of each bike’s features and benefits before looking at just how they match up with explanations to help with the deciding which makes the most sense for you.
Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike
This exercise bike appears to have been designed to be used by those who want to have feedback to help with their exercising or training and to be used with fitness training Apps like Peloton, Zwift and many more.
It has its’ own monitor that measures RPM, resistance levels and has a heart rate strap included to measure heart rate with Bluetooth to work with Apps.
It also has dual pedals for SPD and athletic shoes, dumbbells and cleats.
It can be adjusted to fit people between the height of 4 ft 6 ins and 6 ft 6 ins from customer feedback.
Reviews on the whole have been positive.
Read our thorough review here for an extensive examination of this indoor bike.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1805 Magnetic Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike
The Sunny SF-B1805 is a best-selling and well-regarded exercise bike.
It is in some respects a no-frills bike lacking many of the features of the IC4.
It seems to make up for this lack by providing the basics well.
It has a 44 lbs flywheel, magnetic resistance, belt drive and a sold build. These along with the 4 way seat and handlebars adjustment help it provide the platform for good low impact cardio exercise.
From reviews it seems it meets this requirement very well.
It’s quiet, low maintenance and can be used by a variety of body shapes and fitness levels. There is the option to add or swap items to enhance the experience too.
The Differences – The Facts
There are number of differences and similarities too, with the Schwinn IC4 and Sunny SF-B1805.
I go through the differences here (as I feel these are more important in choosing between them) and explain the impact they have on your exercise and fitness goals.
If you just want to see the features and specifications of the bikes side by side then please skip down to the comparison table further down.
Flywheel Weight The SF-B1805 has a heavier a flywheel at 44 lbs vs 40 lbs for the IC4. The extra flywheel weight should result in a more fluid motion in particular at the top range of the resistance with the momentum of the wheel helping to pull the pedals through the full pedaling cycle.
Magnetic Resistance Measures Both bikes have magnetic resistance. They are similar in terms of hardness and smoothness. The Schwinn IC4 advantage here is that you can see the level it is set on the console with it having 100 levels to use while exercising.
With the SF-B1805 you don’t have these measurements of magnetic resistance. You can use feel and the number of turns to estimate the level you have set it to (there are around 8 turns from easiest to hardest setting).
Console Only the IC4 comes with a console. It has most of the measures you want – heart rate, RPM, resistance level as well as time and distance. It doesn’t measure power (output) but you can get a calculated number with Zwift and other third party Apps.
The SF-B1805 leaves you to your own devices but you can add sensors or a monitor to get the measures you want except for resistance levels and Power. You can add cadence, speed, distance and time and heart rate.
Seat The IC4 has a more racing style seat with the SF-B1805 has a more padded and wider seat. Customer feedback is that the Sunny seat is much kinder to more people’s sit bones. With both exercise bikes you can change the seat easily.
Max User Weight The Schwinn IC4 is rated to cater for people up to 330 lbs and the Sunny SF- B1805 has a lower capacity rating of up to 300 lbs.
PedalsThe IC4’s dual pedals allow you to use SPD spinning shoes or athletic shoes to cater for people’s different requirements within a household.
You don’t have that choice with the SF-B1805 with the included toe cages fitting athletic shoes only. However, they can be replaced.
Bike BuildThese are both solid bikes. The SF-B1805 is the heavier bike at 125.7 lbs vs 106 lbs in a more compact design. Both provide a good stable platform for indoor cycling workouts.
Customer Height The Schwinn IC4 has a much wider range of height accommodation from customer being between 4ft 6 ins and 6 ft 6ins with the SF-B1805 being best suited for those between 5ft 2 ins and 6 ft 2 ins.
Q-Factor This is the measure between the pedal when measured horizontally – it is measure of alignment with the shorter the number the more aligned hips, legs and ankles are, which helps reduce stress on the joints. The Sunny SF-B1805 has the narrower one coming in at a respectable 182 mm.
Extras The Schwinn IC4 is out in front here. The Sunny SF-B1805 has the tablet mount and water bottle holder. The IC4 has those plus the dumbbells an holder, dual pedals, USB charger port, heart rate strap, Bluetooth and an App.
Media Tray The Sunny SF-B1805 tray is the better one for one reason. You lay it on the handlebars you don’t have to place it in hooks as you do with the Schwinn. You aren’t restricted as to the thickness of your tablet – you can leave on any protective case you have on it – to fit in the Schwinn you probably need to remove to use on the bike.
BluetoothThe Bluetooth compatibility of Schwinn IC4 allows you to connect a vast array of Apps for workout classes, motivation and measurement including Peloton and Zwift and there are many more you can use.
AppThe Schwinn IC4 comes with its’ own App Explore The World but feedback hasn’t been great. You are better with third party Apps.
Power Requirements The Schwinn IC4 needs to be plugged into a wall socket for the console to work. You can use the bike without it being plugged but the monitor won’t work including Bluetooth and charger. The SF-B1805 doesn’t have any power requirements everything is manual and there is no console.
Peloton Digital App If you are wanting to use a bike with Peloton Digital App these are two good choices with the Schwinn coming with the measures and compatibility to see your cadence and heart rate on the App as well as SPD compatible pedals and measured resistance. But you don’t need this to enjoy many of the benefits and you can add them as you go to the Sunny bike (except seeing resistance levels.
Price The Sunny SF-B1805 is normally less than the Schwinn IC4 and that reflects the back to basics approach. You are paying for the extras that the Schwinn comes with.
You can add many of the features to the Sunny except for resistance measures and the USB charging port and a dumbbell holder for the bike. You do need to pay extrea to add cadence, heart rate, dual pedals and dumbbells with extra to add speed sensors.
The Sunny allows you to get many of the benefits of indoor cycling on a bike with magnetic resistance and belt drive at a lower cost. You can add the extras as you are ready if you want. If you want those benefits it is easier with the Schwinn.
| Feature | Schwinn IC4 | Sunny SF-B1805 |
|---|---|---|
| Flywheel Weight | 40 lbs | 44 lbs |
| Resistance Type | Magnetic | Magnetic |
| Drive Type | Belt | Belt |
| Pedals | Dual Toe cages/SPD | Toe Cages |
| Bike Weight | 106 lbs | 125.7 lbs |
| Max User Weight | 330 lbs | 300 lbs |
| Min User Height | 4 ft 6 ins | 5 ft 2 ins |
| Max User Height | 6 ft 6 ins | 6 ft 2 ins |
| Handlebars Adjustability | Horizontal/Vertical | Horizontal/Vertiical |
| Seat Adjustability | Horizontal/Vertiical | Horizontal/Vertiical |
| Dimensions | Height 51.2 ins Width 21.2 ins Length 48.7 ins | Height: 45 ins Width: 23 ins Length: 48 ins |
| Console | Yes | No |
| Q Factor | 203 mm (est) | 182 mm |
| Gear | Fixed | Fixed |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| App | Yes | No |
| Media Tray | Yes | Yes |
| Transport Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Other Extras | Dual Waterbottle Holder Heart Rate Strap 3 lb Dumbbells Dumbbells Holder USB Charging Port Cleats | Single Bottle Holder |
| Rating | 4.0 | 4.6 |
Which One To Buy?
These are 2 quality bikes with the capability to meet the requirements of most for low impact cardio exercise to the intensity these want. It comes down to whether you will use the extras the Schwinn IC4 comes with and whether you feel they are worth the additional cost. If you want to use with Zwift the Schwinn is probably a better option but you do make sure the Power (output)number is accurate for competing in the races.
If you are starting out you may want the Sunny and you can add sensors etc when you are ready and want them.
I saw on the Dick’s Sports website that the Sunny bike exposes the rider to 1,3-Butadiene which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. What’s that all about?
It is to comply with California Proposition 65 – there is a little more about it on the Sunny’s site here https://sunnyhealthfitness.com/pages/california-prop-65
I feel like the sunny doesn’t have enough resistance. Does the Schwinn go higher in resistance?
I think most people are happy with the Schwinn IC4 resistance other than the “most hardened” customers.
The chick in the Schwinn image is much hotter than the one for the Sunny model, in your image above. I believe that should be a factor in the comparison.
Really?
What about the Sunny B1851?
I’ve reviewed the Sunny SF-B1851 here. I’ve yet to compare it in detail to either of these bikes. Is there one you’d like it compared to?
I like the sunny asuna 6100 and the schwinn ic4 the best. Which one would you pick?
I haven’t looked at the Sunny Asuna 6100 in detail – it has stylish looks and appears a good solid bike (I like Sunny bikes – they tend to have a quality build on the whole).
However, in this case I’d go with the Schwinn IC4 because of the monitor providing resistance level and being able to connect to various Apps including Zwift and Peloton or other Apps for workouts and tracking. The Asuna 6100 does have a better bottle holder position so your knees don’t bang your bottle.
I hope that helps. What are your thoughts on how they compare?
What is the q-factor of the Schwinn IC4? Also, it looks like this bike has larger/thicker than standard crank arms (manual says it needs a 25mm crank puller rather than 22mm).
The best I’ve been able to determine is that the q-factor is approximately 8 inches, according to Schwinn Fitness.