Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 235
 Best elliptical under $1000 September 1, 2007
X-Ray Vision (Southeastern United States)
39 out of 39 found this review helpful
INTRO:
Shopping around for ellipticals, I look at the range of $150 to $5000. Obviously the fitness club versions are great, with the quiet operation, range of resistance, electronic analysis, durability, comfort and range of adjustments for stride. After shopping for several months (6 to be exact - riding dozens of machines), the MOST IMPORTANT thing to realize is that you have to be comfortable with the stride of an elliptical. This varies in 'orbit' from one manufacturer to another. The stride length is another consideration (ride it for at least 10-15 minutes to get a true feel). If you're not comfortable, it will become a $800-$5000 towel rack. Next, you need a machine that is solid and stable for your body weight.
As a homeowner, more important features were durability, quiet ride, comfort, general data about exercise (i.e. calories, speed, distance, cadence), and saving space.
I ordered from Amazon and it originated out of Pennsylvania. It took a week for delivery and delivery is only to your door. I was contacted when the shipment arrived and the delivery was on schedule. The condition of the box was good and there was no damage to the cosmetics of the machine when I received it. The box is massive and heavy (200 lbs) and it is difficult to push on high grade pile carpet.
SETUP:
After reading the reviews from this site, I decided to take a chance. After unpacking, I checked that all parts were correct and present. Outside of some inconsistencies with a couple of lines on assembly, the setup was easy and clear for 98%. The supplied tools made the job even easier (I was ready with my huge toolchest to decide on what I needed).
APPEARANCE:
Enameled coated frame, plastic housing for the brake, and pedals. The pedals are hard plastic and I would have preferred a higher grade pedal with rubberized grips. The handles are covered with comfortable 'rubber'. The heart rate monitor is only on the console handlebar but that doesn't bother me (I don't need constant instantaneous heart rate monitoring). The electronic monitor is lightweight plastic which is where the materials kind of skimp for the price.
The electronic display is well organized allowing simultaneous data to be displayed (Interval/time, RPM/watts, speed/calories). The caveat is that the display is not backlit but who wants to exercise in the dark? The water bottle holder is a nice touch but practically out of the way during the operation to be useful when riding.
The footprint is small (62" long x 27" wide) and there are rollers on the front to allow easier navigation if it has to be moved. This was the main attraction of this model over the more expensive Schwinns (saving space).
USE:
Quick start is a nice way to start using your machine. You can push the various parameters to display what you want. I personally find that the RPM (your cadence), calories, and time to be most important.
This is an extremely quiet machine for operation outside of the loud beeps that arise from the electronic console. The operation is smooth and comfortable, and I found it quite enjoyable. Being 200 pounds, I found the machine to be stable and did not rock or squeak, unlike many models in this price range and lower.
Warranty for labor is 6 months but, hey, you put it together. How can they cover your work?
SUMMARY:
For the price and features, given the smooth operation, features and solid feel (with the exception of the plastic pedals), I believe this machine is worthy of consideration. Like a golf club or even a shoe, the equipment has to fit the person: make sure that the stride length and elliptical motion fit you.
UPDATE:
After some use it started to squeak. My first thought was "You get what you pay for". I got off of the machine and tried to localize the sound but it only occurred with weight on the pedal. However, I adjusted and tightened two bolts and loosened one other on the left pedal, and it went back to quiet operation. Assembly is the first thing to consider if it starts to make noise. Localize where it is coming from and then adjust the screws. Keep the handle tools that came with the machine to make your adjustments. It is so smooth and so quiet, I cannot justify spending any more money unless you weigh more than the limits of the machine. Any more electronic features is just a wasted luxury.
 Good, Cheap Elliptical September 23, 2007
Gatorowl (Florida, USA)
23 out of 23 found this review helpful
This is the third elliptical that I've owned.
First, I was an avid distance runner (2:30 marathon best, 2:44 at 40) until a knee injury forced me to seek alternative exercises about 3 years ago. I have been cross training for about 12 years and started using elliptical trainers in the health club about that time. As I've gotten older, the need to get a good non-pounding exercise has increased. Elliptical trainers by providing a weight-bearing, non-impact aerobic exercise is superior to exercise bikes, treadmills and stair climbers.
The first elliptical was a Reebok elliptical (built by another company) purchased about 8-9 years ago. This machine was a first generation home machine that cost about $3000. It was a piece of crap. After 2 or 3 40+ minute hard workouts it creaked shook and parts rubbed. I replaced it with another that was no better. Fortunately, I got my money back.
My second elliptical was a $2000+ SportsArt elliptical with variable stride length (17"-26"), and adjusters in the moveable hand levers. The screen is very bright and has a heart rate monitor, which only occasionally works with my Polar chest strap. There is an occasional "hitch" in the stride especially around 19"-20" stride length. Other than that, this has been a great machine. I tend to run it at level 5 and warm-down at 3 or 4. It suspect that it has 10-15 levels, but beyond 6 is like running through quicksand, so I've never pushed it beyond 7. Overall, I'm very happy with this near-commercial-quality machine. It is more than 3 years old, and I suspect it will last at least 3-5 more years.
My job requires me to be away from home for extended periods, so I decided to get a cheap compact elliptical for my apartment. I purchased the 430 after reading the reviews. I wanted to avoid repeating my Reebok experience and knew that most sub-$1000 machines are crap. I know that buying a sub-$1000 treadmill is almost a complete waste of time. Treadmills are motor-driven, and inevitably, the difference between a cheap motor and an expensive motor will reveal itself. However, the elliptical trainer (ET) reviews suggested that with the passage of time there may have been improvements with the build quality. ETs don't rely on electrical motors. The fly-wheel or similar mechanical mechanism provides the resistance, so there is not as many parts to wear out or breakdown.
Now to the 430. Building it was a lot harder than the SportsArt. I was amazed at how small the 430 box was. The SportsArt package was much larger primarily because most of it was already assemble. With the 430, only the flywheel container was pre-assembled. I assembled it alone while watching TV. I suspect that it took me 3+ hour to assemble it. Fully focused, I suspect it would have taken at least 2.5 hours.
The fit and finish is not up to the level of the $1500+ machines. Some parts screw in easily, some parts take a bit of force. The manual would be one of the best I have seen for a product of this complexity if not for the mistakes. Each page illustrates the assembly of two or three pieces. The illustrations are good and the part identification is also quite good. However, too many of the bolts are mis-identified. For example, the manual tells you to put in certain bolts into the movable handle bars, then place a round cap over them. After releasing that the caps do not fit, I realized that I need to use the flat-head hex bolts here. After making the replacement, the caps fit like a charm. At the conclusion of assembly, I needed 2 additional short bolts and had 2 extra long bolts. Going back through the manual, I suspected that two bolts that connected the foot assembly to the fly wheel required long bolts rather than short bolts. I made the exchange and was done!
Working out on the 430 is great. It feels rock solid. No squeaks yet (just 2 workouts, however). The motion is as smooth as the SportsArt and there is no hitch. I'm not sure what additional benefits one gets for the extra 20lbs of weight in the 438. I'm about 6', but I like a shorter stride length. The 18" stride length feels a bit long by my taste, and I miss the ability to shorten or lengthen the stride, but I can live without that.
The computer screen is awful. Very difficult to read in low light. Also, the bicycle icon in the lower right corner is disconcerting (I tripled checked that the dip switch was pointed at ET rather than bike). However, rpm's, speed, heartbeat, and other info that I don't use, are all presented.
The heart rate mechanism seems usable. I didn't have my Polar chest strap, so I had to rely on the hb handle bars. The 430 doesn't work with the polar strap. The 438 does. However, I usually rely on my watch and the strap rather than the machine's computer to record heart rate. The machine takes a long time to register your hb. It always starts at about 70 then slowly climbs to about 110. If you are working hard enough, it then jumps to about 128 then slowly increases to your hb. I was working in the 130s. If you regularly get your hb higher, I suspect that there would be other jumps as well. I can't vouch for the accuracy of these bars, but given how I felt, these numbers seemed reasonably accurate. However, the 30-50 secs it took to triangulate struck me as long.
Looking at the design, it appears that the only thing likely to break down is in the flywheel compartment (the black box). Everything else seems solidly built and should last. Do keep the wheel tracks clean and occasionally squirt with silicon lubricant. The others who suggest adding grease to some of the moving joints are correct. Also, check bolts for tightness on a regular basis.
Overall, this machine is much superior to the Reebok and is not far from the SportsArt. I definitely would take the SportsArt over this machine, and I'm not sure if the 430 would hold up to the intensity that I worked out at 8-10 years ago. But, for a mid-level workout, this is a great buy.
Smooth quiet ride February 10, 2007
A. Losey (Laveen, AZ United States)
22 out of 23 found this review helpful
The Schwinn 430 arrived promptly and was a breeze to put together - took about 2 hours (1 person for most of the time, 2 people to lift the heavy fly wheel). Unfortunately one of the parts right at one of the last steps was malformed and wouldn't go together. After three calls to Schwinn (call right when they open unless you want to be on hold for 40 minutes) and three different parts being shipped we finally got the right one and had the machine together in less than 10 minutes. The first two times I called, Schwinn insisted on just sending the bushing rather than the entire right foot assembly. On the third try I told them I couldn't get the bushing they kept sending into the right foot assembly - probably a machine does this step in the factory - so then they finally sent me the part I'd originally wanted! They were always very polite whenever I called - just didn't want to send the biggest part first I guess.
As for the machine itself - the ride is very smooth - your heel does come off the foot holder as you exercise but this doesn't bother me. The machine is also really quiet - I could watch TV with it on normal volume. There are definitely enough programs to keep me entertained for quite a while. Lastly, the machine takes up less space than a lot of other elliptical machines - the foot print is smaller than most. I currently have it in the living room and it takes up a lot less space than the love seat.
I would definitely purchase this machine again - despite the malformed part and it taking a month to get the right part from Schwinn. I gave 4 star only because it took so long to get the right part.
Can't say enough good things about the Schwinn 430 July 12, 2007
M. A. Garver (South Texas)
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
If you've read some of the other reviews here, you're likely already pretty convinced the Schwinn 430 is a great machine. I can't add much to the praise already posted by others, but I can certainly agree with them and tell you that I (a 45 year old woman) had NO problems putting the machine together by myself. It did take about 3 hours, but that was taking a couple breaks and a phone call in between. Just do what the manual suggests and make sure all the parts are there before you begin (they were) and lay them out in order. Then just follow the directions.
One piece of advice: When you're installing the Console Handlebar (Step 4), cover the hole in the console mast with a piece of packing tape or just tape a piece of paper over it to block it. In attaching the handlebar, I fumbled one of the screws and of course it rolled right into the console mast, which meant I had to remove six bolts in order to remove the mast to reach the screw. Fortunately it got caught on the little metal lip and didn't drop down into the main unit.
My unit is virtually SILENT - no sqeaks, clicks or any other noises. I'm pretty close to the weight limit for the 430 model and was a little apprehensive about that, but the machine doesn't feel at all wobbly - it feels quite sturdy/stable.
I spent a month researching ellipticals, reading reviews and looking at different machines and wish now I'd just gone ahead and ordered this one. I whole heartedly recommend it to anyone in the market for an elliptical trainer.
 Nice machine if it worked from the box**Updated*** March 1, 2007
M. Colley
16 out of 21 found this review helpful
I ordered this when Amazon had this in the gold box special for $499 plus free bowflex mat. It was delivered via a shipping company which was great.
We opened the box and everything was packed very secure in the box. My husband started putting it together and all the parts were there and he said the directions were very easy to read. We found the right foot pedal was broken. The plastic was in 3 pieces. I called Schwinn and they are sending the new part. After 1.5 hours my husband got it all put together and now the flywheel is rubbing in the housing. It makes this awful rubbing/grinding noise. I will post what happens in the near future.
The noise worked itself out in a day. This is a great machine. We love the size. It is in the bedroom. I love the programing features. I have used it everyday since we put it together. We were actually looking at spending over $1000 for a machine but this one is great for half the price.
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