Tips Archive:

Hot Tip of the Month- December 2005: "Top load pads vs. Dual pads"

Most of the new bikes come with a single resistance pad that creates the load on the flywheel. Schwinn continues to use dual pads that contact on each side of the flywheel. The top mount pad certainly is easier to deal with from a maintenance standpoint. It almost never needs attention. Sure, you have to make sure the connection points are tight. And if you over tighten the connection hardware you could strip the thread barrels of the frame and your bike would be toast! What about Schwinns continued use of dual pads? You simply cannot beat the “range” of applied resistance that comes from using dual felt pads. Many of the top load pads give you the “from a flat to a Mt. Everest “ feel with just a couple of turns. Of course, the Schwinn dual felt pads MUST be maintained, or it’s a big problem. Like everything else on these bikes, the bike only works as good as its maintenance program.