Last Updated: April 28, 2023
One of the latest exercise bikes to join Echelon’s lineup is the Smart Connect Bike EX5. Echelon has continued to expand their exercise bike inventory as the manufacturer looks to reach a more competitive footing with the NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle and the Peloton Bike. And, as we reviewed this bike, it is clear that the EX5 is a sturdy and affordable contender you may want to consider as your next home exercise bike.
While the focus of Treadmill Reviews is naturally on treadmills, we like to test out other machines that can help supplement treadmill workouts, and the EX5 fits the bill. One of its more appealing features is the price point. As a competitor of Peloton and NordicTrack, the EX5 offers an affordable price with an included Echelon Fit personal training app subscription. The demand for at-home training has increased, and this bike seems to offer an affordable alternative.
However, there are some areas where the affordability shows. For one thing, the bike itself is fairly bare-bones—there are no incline or decline features, knob resistance rather than digital resistance, and probably most notably, there is no included display. You will need to supply your own tablet and sync it with the EX5 to access the Echelon Fit app.
Depending on what you are looking for in your next home exercise bike, you may find that these drawbacks aren’t dealbreakers for you.
Echelon EX5 Pricing Package
When considering purchasing the EX5, there are three different purchase package options for you to choose from.
- $1,239.98
- Smart Connect Bike EX5
- Monthly subscription
- No financing available
- $1,599.98
- Smart Connect Bike EX5
- Annual subscription
- Free shipping
- Financing available
- $1,799.98
- Smart Connect Bike EX5
- 2-year subscription
- Free shipping
- Financing available
There are other add-ons you can include with your purchase of the EX5, ranging from shoes to water bottles as well as extended warranty plans.
The Echelon EX5 Is A Great Tool For:
- Quality low-impact cardio exercise
- Stream personal training classes
- At-home cross-training
- Homes with limited space
Standout Features:
- Bike is lightweight and durable
- Variety of purchasing options
- Echelon Fit personal training app subscription
- 32 levels of knob adjustment resistance
Machine Specs:
Footprint – 54” L x 20” W x 53” H
Weight – 112 lbs
User Experience:
No Display – Though the photos of this bike often show a display, there is actually no tablet or display included with the purchase of the EX5. Occasionally, there is a promotion on Echelon or through other sites that allow you to receive a free tablet when you buy this bike or another Echelon bike, but these promotions are not always available. So, you should count on having to supply your own tablet to use with the EX5 if you decide to buy it.
Tablet Holder – There is a tablet holder included with the EX5. It isn’t great at holding smartphones in place if you were considering using one as your workout tablet, but you can perch your phone on it if needed.
Echelon Fit App Subscription – Part of how Echelon is working to compete with the exercise bikes from NordicTrack and Peloton Bike is by providing the Echelon Fit app subscription. There are various levels of subscription to the Echelon Fit app, as shown below:
- Unlimited Monthly FitPass Classes ($19.99)
- Unlimited Monthly FitPass + Live Classes ($39.99)
- Unlimited Yearly FitPass Classes ($199.99)
- Unlimited Yearly FitPass + Live Classes ($399.99)
- Unlimited 2-Year FitPass Classes ($399.99)
- Unlimited 2-Year FitPass + Live Classes ($599.99)
32 Resistance Levels – Using a knob resistance system, you can adjust the resistance on the EX5 to make your workouts more intense. It can take a bit of time to get used to using a knob as your resistance control, especially if you are used to using digital resistance. But, after a few workouts, you should be fairly comfortable changing your resistance level with the knob.
Flywheel Weight – On the EX5, there is a 28-pound flywheel. With a weighty flywheel, you can get a more realistic workout in, even when cycling indoors. The flywheel will operate nearly noiselessly, so you don’t have to worry about bothering anyone when you want to workout.
Pedals With Toe Cage – For those who don’t have cycling specific shoes, you can use the adjustable toe cages on the EX5. Most workout shoes should be able to fit into these toe cages, allowing you to pack in a good workout. If you do have clip-in cycling shoes, you can flip the pedals over and clip in, rather than using the toe cages.
Adjustable Bike – There are many excellent points of adjustment on the EX5, allowing you to shift multiple areas of the bike to better fit you. The seat height and horizontal position can be adjusted, as well as the height of the handlebars and tablet holder. You can also adjust the horizontal position of the handlebars; however, there have been some consumers who have been unhappy that the handlebars themselves could not be adjusted.
Weight Capacity – The weight capacity for the EX5 is 300 pounds. As a fairly lightweight bike, users who are on the higher end of the weight max maybe a little uncomfortable, especially with the thin cycling seat.
Warranty – One thing we don’t like as much is that all Echelon bikes come with the same standard 1-year warranty. Usually, as the price tag increases, the warranty length should go up. It likely doesn’t though because there are two extended warranties, one for an extra year for $99, and one for three extra years for $199.
Extras – There are a few extras that come with the EX5. For one, there is a pair of handlebar-mounted water bottle holders. There is also a weight rack attached behind the seat, with a pair of 2-lb weights included.
Power Requirements – To power the EX5, it requires a voltage of 100V-240V, which is easy enough for most homes and apartments.
Ease of Use – Even as a more advanced Echelon bike, the EX5 is a fairly minimalist bike. With less to mess with on the bike, it is relatively easy to use this exercise bike. However, if you are not used to using a knob to adjust your resistance, you may need to practice a little to get used to how the resistance levels work. Also, some users have reported trouble pairing the app with their bike, so you may want to consider that issue.
Machine Assembly – Some of the assembly issues found in earlier Echelon bikes seem to have been corrected in the EX5. It does help that the EX5 comes mostly assembled when you take it out of the packaging. It is a bit heavy to take out of the packaging on your own, so it is best if you have someone else with you to help shift the EX5 into position. Once it is upright, this bike is easy enough to tilt and roll (unless it’s on thick carpeting).
Overall, we found the Echelon Smart Connect Bike EX5 to be a small improvement on the earlier Echelon bikes. However, we aren’t sure if that improvement is enough to justify the jump in price, especially when you still have to provide your own screen. If you really want an Echelon bike, you may be better off with one of the more affordable variations or going for the sleek EX5S. But, if you aren’t committed to choosing an Echelon stationary bike, there are other exercise bikes that come with more features at the same (or a little lower) price points.
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