Is there a way to adjust the handle bars so I don't have to lean forward? I'm 5'5" and would have to have octopus arms to use this without leaning forward. I otherwise love the machine but am so disappointed by this. How are the other short ladies...
456043
I don't know of anyway to adjust the handles. You may be able to adjust the foot pads. I am only 5'8" and am comfortable and don't lean forward. It may just be the foot pad position but I don't know for sure.
1756005
My husband is 5'11" and he had to add a 3 inch riser to the handlebars and put the seat all the way up to make it fit....He wished he would have had a 4" riser instead of the 3". We both got the same bike, I am 5'4" and had to put in a new lower seat post. The suspension on the seat post didn't allow the seat to be low enough for me. We both got new saddles as the ones that came with the bike were very uncomfortable....All that being said, we are very pleased with the bikes after making the adjustments. Even the guy at the bike shop who went over the bikes after my husband assembled them said they were a good deal for the price. My husband is 5'11" and he had to add a 3 inch riser to the handlebars and put the seat all the way up to make it fit....He wished he would have had a 4" riser instead of the 3". We both got the same bike, I am 5'4" and had to put in a new lower seat post. The suspension on the seat post didn't allow the seat to be low enough for me. We both got new saddles as the ones that came with the bike were very uncomfortable....All that being said, we are very pleased with the bikes after making the adjustments. Even the guy at the bike shop who went over the bikes after my... » Read More My husband is 5'11" and he had to add a 3 inch riser to the handlebars and put the seat all the way up to make it fit....He wished he would have had a 4" riser instead of the 3". We both got the same bike, I am 5'4" and had to put in a new lower seat post. The suspension on the seat post didn't allow the seat to be low enough for me. We both got new saddles as the ones that came with the bike were very uncomfortable....All that being said, we are very pleased with the bikes after making the adjustments. Even the guy at the bike shop who went over the bikes after my husband assembled them said they were a good deal for the price. « Show Less
310475
I am 6'1" and this bike fits me fine. I have had to extend handle bars and seat to almost its fullest positions. The shifting of the gears on this bike could be better. It skips over second gear and I have had to tweak the adjustment screws on the derailer. But, it did not help. Next step is to bring it into a bike shop and see what they can do with it. the bike is a heavy bike, but for being a low cost road bike it was worth the money. I have put over a hundred miles on it and besides the shifting issue, everything else on the bike is good. Hope this helps.
1020789
Another question...anyone out there really small in stature and finds the bike comfortable? I am 102' and just over 5' tall. live in an area where there are no large sports shop to try things on, so to speak. thanks,arlene
36646
Elizabeth, may I ask how it's working out for you - IF - you are using this? I am very petite also, and am wondering how it will work, especially since it's pre-tied in the back? (if I'm not misunderstanding descriptions ;)Any further explanations and tips about how it works for you, would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you in advance! Blessings... :)
1816664
Yes,I agree with your concern;It's been almost 2+ months since I own this Schwin 170,it is an excellent bike & it's a smooth ride!!! but one thing I don't like it's the seat,it's not comfortable at all ...too cumbersome /Big.
205687
My question is similar to Paris French. Is this machine workable / comfortable for a 5'4" female? I had a rowing machine years ago, great workout, loved it. Don't want to buy a rower that won't fit.Thanks!
99504
Moving handle bars requires removing 4 set screws to reposition. Mine are set farthest back toward rider, which I prefer. My wife who is much shorter than I uses the same bar position. Most users will adjust to the setting of primary rider.
185124
The adjustment on the handlebar height is very limited. They can move a large amount front to back but not up and down. Hope this helps.
225150
I am also 5 ft tall and unfortunately do not find the Schwinn 431 comfortable. Maybe I have short arms! I cannot use the arms without overreaching and getting unbalanced. My husband is trying to modify it as I type. I urge anyone considering any kind of sports equipment to try it out and do so with the proper technique Before Buying! Every body is proportionately different even if you are the same size and weight! Good Luck!
804944
No, the handlebars do not adjust, only the seat adjusts. Since this isn't a spinning bike, or along those lines, you really don't need them to. A good deal of the time your hands won't be on them, or will be on the part that runs left to right in front of your body -- the part that runs perpendicular to the LED mounting post. This bike is a awesome, especially for the price. It is absolutely quiet and runs perfectly smoothly. I would definitely recommend it. I like it so much that I have been checking into purchasing an elliptical by this company as well. Hope this helps!
2101274
I am 5'8" and have no problem bending over into the handle--and the stroller is really easy to handle. I have had no trouble kicking the stroller but I think that is controlled by how far you push the stroller in front of you--controlled by your arms. I don't think you would have to adjust your stride. Also my dog is an 80 lb tripod so the stroller I have is the large one.I don't know if that makes a difference or not--but the stroller is great
1920539
i would say that's the biggest downfall of the machine- not so comfy, but i alternate and when bottom gets sore stand up for eliptical part, and when legs start burning sit down. the tilt part is fine for me i am 5'4". it's the padding i was speaking about. also my arms are not long enough to reach either set of handles to be comfortable when on the bicycle part. so i just have to dangle them
1726309
The handlebar does adjust. Its very easy. I am 5'2" and I am on #2 of 4. So, Im not quite sure, but I think it would be ok. You should get one as life would be so much more difficult without it. I use it all the time so I can take off the boot and still keep my foot protected. You should try to get an opinion from someone of similar height to see if this is the right model, though. Good luck!
1886288
I'm 5' 6" and I love using mine. If you flip the bar over, the grips are higher, flip it back and they are lower. So you can choose the side you want to use.
659787
I find it difficult to stear mine with one hand. The front wheel often gets stuck in one direction and if I need to push it in a different direction I either have to do a little back and forth pushing to get it straightened out, or I need to use both hands. It seems other people don't have a problem. This is one of my main complaints about this stroller. Perhaps it could be because I am 5'0, so a taller person may have less difficulty??
464523
They are not adjustable. I am also short (5'1)and find it only slightly inconvenient. It's also quite practical just to sit on the bike and pedal and not bother to hold on to the handlebars. Ideally I'd like it if the handlebars were either adjustable or not leaning so far forward to begin with, but I am still making good use of the bike.