Best for hard rides
Schwinn IC3
FitScore for Exercise Bike For Home
- ResistanceFriction, stepless knob
- Max user weight300 lb
- Warranty5 year frame, 2 year parts
- Product weight100 lb
Choose it if you want an upright spin position, a 40-lb flywheel for standing climbs and a frame that fits riders from 5’1″ to 6’4″.
Best for back support
Horizon 5.0R
FitScore for Exercise Bike For Home
- ResistanceMagnetic, 100 levels
- Max user weight350 lb
- Warrantylifetime frame, 1 year p…
- Product weight123 lb
Choose it if you want a seat with a backrest, 100 resistance levels, a 350-lb rider rating and a lifetime frame warranty.
Overall winner for most home riders: Schwinn IC3, by 0.2 points (65.2 against 65) with the weights of our best exercise bike for home guide. It leads on performance, comfort and practicality. The Horizon 5.0R leads on durability and features.
Schwinn IC3 wins 3 rounds- Horizon 5.0R wins 2 rounds
Product photos from Amazon. FitScore weights are explained below.
Schwinn IC3 vs Horizon 5.0R: the IC3 is a spin bike with a 40-lb flywheel and stepless friction resistance; the 5.0R is a recumbent bike with a backrest, 100 magnetic levels and a 350-lb rating. Our FitScore for home riders puts them almost level, with the IC3 just ahead.
Head-to-Head Specs
Here are the two side by side. A check mark shows the stronger spec on each line. Check both warranties before you order: the FTC explains how to read a product warranty. The CDC recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week, which steady cycling counts toward. Harvard Health Publishing lists about 252 calories in 30 minutes of moderate stationary cycling for a 155 lb person.
| Specification | Schwinn IC3FitScore 65.2 | Horizon 5.0RFitScore 65 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Spin (indoor cycling) | Recumbent |
| Resistance | Friction, stepless knob | Magnetic, 100 levels |
| Flywheel | 40 lb✓ | 15.4 lb |
| Max user weight | 300 lb | 350 lb✓ |
| Size (length × width) | 54.6 × 30.7 in | 66 × 25.2 in |
| Product weight | 100 lb✓ | 123 lb |
| Rider fit | Riders 5’1″-6’4″ | Not stated |
| Seat and handlebar | 4-way seat, 4-way handlebar | 4-way seat |
| Console and programs | Basic LCD console (programs not stated) | 5 programs✓ |
| Bluetooth and apps | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Heart rate | Compatible with a chest strap (not included) | Pulse grips |
| Membership | Optional (extra classes) | Not stated |
| Storage and moving | No transport wheels listed, 100 lb | No transport wheels listed, 123 lb |
| Warranty | 5 year frame, 2 year parts | lifetime frame, 1 year parts✓ |
| Specs won | 2 of 14 | 3 of 14 |
Check Amazon for current pricing and availability.
FitScore Duel
Both scores use the weights of our best exercise bike for home guide (how we score). Durability (25%) counts most, then performance and comfort (20% each), features (15%) and practicality and affordability (10% each). The Schwinn IC3 ranks #1 in that guide. The Horizon 5.0R ranks #2 in that guide. The order flips with other weights: in our best recumbent bike guide the Horizon 5.0R scores 69.5 against 69.4 for the Schwinn IC3.
Key Differences
- Type: Spin (indoor cycling) on the Schwinn IC3; Recumbent on the Horizon 5.0R.
- Resistance: Friction, stepless knob on the Schwinn IC3; Magnetic, 100 levels on the Horizon 5.0R.
- Flywheel: 40 lb on the Schwinn IC3; 15.4 lb on the Horizon 5.0R.
- Max user weight: 300 lb on the Schwinn IC3; 350 lb on the Horizon 5.0R.
- Size (length × width): 54.6 × 30.7 in on the Schwinn IC3; 66 × 25.2 in on the Horizon 5.0R.
- Product weight: 100 lb on the Schwinn IC3; 123 lb on the Horizon 5.0R.
- Rider fit: Riders 5’1″-6’4″ on the Schwinn IC3; not stated on the Horizon 5.0R.
- Seat and handlebar: 4-way seat, 4-way handlebar on the Schwinn IC3; 4-way seat on the Horizon 5.0R.
Round 1 of 5
Schwinn IC3 vs Horizon 5.0R: Resistance and Flywheel
Schwinn IC3 wins this round
Here is how the two compare on the work the machine does.
Resistance: Friction, stepless knob on the Schwinn IC3, Magnetic, 100 levels on the Horizon 5.0R.
Flywheel: 40 lb on the Schwinn IC3, 15.4 lb on the Horizon 5.0R.
Performance score in this comparison: Schwinn IC3 85, Horizon 5.0R 78.
Round 2 of 5
Capacity, Frame and Warranty
Horizon 5.0R wins this round
Capacity and warranty are the stated measures of build.
Max user weight: 300 lb on the Schwinn IC3, 350 lb on the Horizon 5.0R.
Warranty: 5 year frame, 2 year parts on the Schwinn IC3, lifetime frame, 1 year parts on the Horizon 5.0R.
Durability score in this comparison: Schwinn IC3 79.4, Horizon 5.0R 87.3.
Round 3 of 5
Fit and Riding Position
Schwinn IC3 wins this round
Type: Spin (indoor cycling) on the Schwinn IC3, Recumbent on the Horizon 5.0R.
Rider fit: Riders 5’1″-6’4″ on the Schwinn IC3; not stated on the Horizon 5.0R.
The two bikes put you in very different positions: leaning forward over the bars on the IC3, seated against a backrest on the 5.0R.
Comfort score in this comparison: Schwinn IC3 76, Horizon 5.0R 74.
Round 4 of 5
Size, Weight and Moving
Schwinn IC3 wins this round
Size (length × width): 54.6 × 30.7 in on the Schwinn IC3, 66 × 25.2 in on the Horizon 5.0R.
Product weight: 100 lb on the Schwinn IC3, 123 lb on the Horizon 5.0R.
Storage and moving: No transport wheels listed, 100 lb on the Schwinn IC3, No transport wheels listed, 123 lb on the Horizon 5.0R.
Practicality score in this comparison: Schwinn IC3 28, Horizon 5.0R 23.
Round 5 of 5
Console, Apps and Extras
Horizon 5.0R wins this round
Console and programs: Basic LCD console (programs not stated) on the Schwinn IC3, 5 programs on the Horizon 5.0R.
Bluetooth and apps: both list bluetooth.
Heart rate: Compatible with a chest strap (not included) on the Schwinn IC3, Pulse grips on the Horizon 5.0R.
Features score in this comparison: Schwinn IC3 30, Horizon 5.0R 31.
Who Should Buy Each
Riders who train hard and like a spin position
Pick the Schwinn IC3 for intervals, standing climbs and a heavy, smooth flywheel; owners describe a quiet, solid ride, and the friction pads wear over time and need replacing.
Riders who want comfort and support
Pick the Horizon 5.0R if you want to sit back, step through the frame and ride longer at a steady effort; owners find it comfortable, sturdy and quiet.
Consider Instead
Schwinn IC4
If neither fits, look at the Schwinn IC4: it offers a higher durability and features score than the Schwinn IC3. It ranks #3 in our best exercise bike for home guide.
Final Verdict
Overall winner for most home riders: Schwinn IC3. Pick the Schwinn IC3 for a spin-class feel and hard intervals; pick the Horizon 5.0R for back support, a higher rider limit and the longer frame warranty.
Schwinn IC3 vs Horizon 5.0R FAQ
With the weights of our best exercise bike for home guide, the Schwinn IC3 scores higher: 65.2 against 65. It leads on performance, comfort and practicality, while the Horizon 5.0R leads on durability and features.
The Horizon 5.0R is a recumbent with a backrest and a step-through frame, which most riders with back or joint limits find easier. The IC3 puts you in a forward spin position.
Both run quietly. The 5.0R uses magnetic resistance with no contact, and the IC3 uses friction pads on a 40-lb flywheel, which stay quiet while the pads are in good shape.
No. Both connect over Bluetooth to apps of your choice, and classes are an optional extra.
Explore More Exercise Bike Guides
This article contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We do not show prices because they change constantly: product details and availability can change at any time, so please check the current price and details directly on Amazon. Learn more. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
