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Merach S26 Heimtrainer vs. Schwinn IC3.5 compared
Indoor Cycling Bike
At a glance
The key numbers for both devices side by side.
Overall rating
6969Solide
7070Solide
Value for money
90Excellent
57Okay
Best price
€189.99€209.99−10 %
€699.00€999.00−30 %
Price advantage
€509.01 cheaper
—
Offers
3 shops
1 shop
Rank in category
Rank 24 of 45
Rank 23 of 45
Rating
Sub-ratings compared
Merach S26 HeimtrainerOverall rating 69Schwinn IC3.5Overall rating 70
Merach S26 HeimtrainerSchwinn IC3.5
Ride feel & resistance62/10072/100
Ergonomics & adjustability60/10068/100
App & connectivity62/10068/100
Stability & noise84/10076/100
Build quality & ease of use72/10066/100
Ride feel & resistance
62
72
Ergonomics & adjustability
60
68
App & connectivity
62
68
Stability & noise
84
76
Build quality & ease of use
72
66
Specs
Specs compared
Key specs
Brand
Model
S26
IC3.5
Resistance systemBraking principle according to the manufacturer: magnetic (contactless, quiet), friction (felt or leather brake on the flywheel) or electromagnetic with motorized adjustment. Manufacturers also call the electromagnetic brake ECB or eddy current brake. If a motor adjusts the resistance – it adapts itself during a workout (auto resistance, auto-follow, control via app) –, this counts as “Electromagnetic (motorized)”, even if the manufacturer only speaks of a magnetic brake; “Magnetic brake” means adjustment via knob or lever.
Magnetic brake
Magnetic brake
Flywheel weightWeight of the flywheel according to the manufacturer, not the “effective flywheel weight”; convert figures in lbs to kg.
6 kg (13 lb)
DrivePower transmission to the flywheel according to the manufacturer; a belt runs quieter and needs less maintenance than a chain.
Belt
Belt
Max. loadMaximum user weight according to the manufacturer, not the unit’s own weight.
136 kg (300 lb)
113 kg (250 lb)
App connectivityAccording to the manufacturer, the bike can be paired with at least one training app (e.g. Zwift, Kinomap, manufacturer app).
Yes
Yes
Grade simulationThe app adjusts resistance automatically to match the route profile, e.g. in Zwift or Kinomap – requires motorized resistance adjustment
No
Ergonomics & comfort
Max. user heightMaximum recommended user height according to the manufacturer.
188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Min. user heightMinimum recommended user height according to the manufacturer.
142 cm (4 ft 8 in)
155 cm (5 ft 1 in)
Saddle adjustmentSaddle adjustment directions according to the manufacturer.
Height and fore-aft
Height and fore-aft
Handlebar adjustmentHandlebar adjustment directions according to the manufacturer.
Height only
Height only
Q-factorDistance between the pedals in cm according to the manufacturer – smaller is easier on the joints
20 cm (7.9 in)
PedalsPedal system included according to the manufacturer; combo pedals have a clipless side and a cage side. Look Delta is a separate clipless standard and not SPD-compatible.
With cages or straps
Combo pedals (SPD and cage)
Bottle holderWater bottle holder included according to the manufacturer.
Yes
Yes
Drive & resistance
Resistance adjustmentType of resistance adjustment according to the manufacturer: stepless via a knob or in fixed levels.
Stepped
Stepped
Resistance levelsNumber of resistance levels according to the manufacturer; leave blank for stepless adjustment.
100 levels
100 levels
Watt-controlledHolds a set power in watts regardless of cadence – ERG mode in training apps
No
Power supplyPower supply of the console according to the manufacturer.
Battery
Power adapter
Console & connectivity
DisplayType of built-in monitor according to the manufacturer; a plain tablet holder counts as no display.
LED
LCD
Displayed metricsValues the console shows directly according to the spec sheet, not just the app.
TimeDistanceSpeedCaloriesCadence
TimeDistanceCadence
Watt displayAccording to the manufacturer, the bike shows power in watts, either measured or calculated from resistance and cadence.
Yes
Yes
Power measurementHow the wattage is obtained: measured by a power meter or calculated from resistance and cadence – measured is more accurate
Calculated
Workout programsNumber of preinstalled workout programs
0
Compatible appsApps the manufacturer explicitly lists as compatible.
Manufacturer appZwiftKinomap
Manufacturer appPelotonZwiftKinomap
Bluetooth FTMSOpen Bluetooth protocol for fitness equipment – lets apps outside our list connect too
Yes
Yes
Wireless interfacesWireless connections of the bike according to the manufacturer.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Heart rate monitoringHow heart rate is measured; empty = no heart rate monitoring
Bluetooth chest strap
Bluetooth chest strap
SubscriptionWhether workouts and the screen are fully usable without a subscription (Peloton, iFit)
optional
optional
Tablet holderHolder for a tablet or smartphone according to the manufacturer; mark optional accessories separately
Integrated
Integrated
Dimensions & installation
Dimensions (L × W × H)Assembled, in cm, length × width × height at the lowest handlebar position – e.g. “150 × 68 × 117 cm”
101.6 × 55.9 × 114.3 cm (40 × 22 × 45 in)
115.5 × 53.5 × 109 cm (45 × 21 × 43 in)
Unladen weightWeight of the assembled bike without packaging according to the manufacturer.
26.8 kg (59 lb)
38.3 kg (84 lb)
Transport wheelsAccording to the manufacturer, the bike has wheels for moving it around.
Yes
Yes
Floor levelingHeight-adjustable feet to compensate for uneven floors according to the manufacturer.
Yes
General
Price segment
Budget
Mid-range
In the box
Hauptrahmen (vormontiert), Sattel, Lenker, Standfüße, Pedale mit Korb/Riemen, Kleinteile, Werkzeug, Anleitung
Netzkabel
Prices
Offers
Verdict
Pros & cons
Der Merach S26 ist ein leises Budget-Rad für Ausdauertraining mit offenem Bluetooth FTMS für Kinomap, Zwift und die Merach-App. Für ruhige Einheiten vor Tablet oder Fernseher taugt er gut, auch abends in der Mietwohnung. Der Haken: Den Widerstand verstellst du nur langsam am Drehknopf, und die Wattanzeige lag in einem Test über 25 % daneben.
Pros
- Sehr leiser Lauf durch Magnetbremse und Riemen, auch abends im Mietshaus
- Offenes Bluetooth FTMS für Merach-App, Kinomap und Zwift
- Stand in Tests auch bei hoher Trittfrequenz fest und wackelte kaum
- Zu etwa 80 % vormontiert, Aufbau in 30 bis 45 Minuten
- Tablethalterung und Flaschenhalter integriert
- Leichte Scheibe spricht schnell auf Tempowechsel an
Cons
- Widerstand am Drehknopf braucht viele Umdrehungen, ungeeignet für schnelle Intervalle
- Watt nur berechnet, in einem Test über 25 % Abweichung
- Display startete bei Schweiß neu, laufende Einheit ging verloren
- Sattelstütze ab etwa 190 cm in Tests zu kurz
- Nur 6 kg Schwungmasse, Tritt weniger rund als bei schwereren Rädern
Das Schwinn IC3.5 ist ein leises Indoor Bike für App-Fahrer mittlerer Größe: Magnetbremse und Riemen laufen ruhig, die elektronische Skala bis 100 lässt sich exakt wiederholen, und die Daten gehen per Bluetooth an Zwift, Kinomap oder Peloton. Den Widerstand stellst du aber selbst ein, denn eine Steuerung durch Apps ist nicht belegt. Dazu kommen nur 113 kg Belastbarkeit und eine knappe Ersatzteilzusage.
Pros
- Leiser Lauf durch Magnetbremse und Riemen, auch für dünne Wände
- Elektronische Widerstandsskala bis 100, Werte exakt wiederholbar
- Daten per Bluetooth FTMS an Zwift, Kinomap, Peloton und JRNY
- Steht laut mehreren Erfahrungsberichten auch im Wiegetritt ruhig
- Kombipedale für Turnschuhe und SPD-Radschuhe
- Kein Abo-Zwang am Rad selbst, Plattform frei wählbar
Cons
- Keine belegte Widerstandssteuerung durch Zwift, kein ERG-Modus dokumentiert
- Belastbarkeit laut Hersteller nur 113 kg
- Ersatzteilverfügbarkeit laut Handelsangabe nur ein Jahr zugesagt
- Konsole ohne Profile und ohne Speicherung der Trainingsdaten
- Für Fahrer um 1,60 m eher zu hoch
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