Peloton Bike Review – 2024
Reviewed by TreadmillReviews.com
Let’s take a closer look at the exercise bike that started the craze in this updated review of the Peloton Bike.
The best treadmill reviews you can trust
The best treadmill reviews you can trust
Let’s take a closer look at the exercise bike that started the craze in this updated review of the Peloton Bike.
Updated: August 20, 2024
The Peloton Bike introduced us to a new category of at-home fitness. The Peloton Bike has decreased in price since its release. Compared to competitors, the Peloton Bike doesn’t seem quite as premium as it once did. Yet, the Peloton platform remains one of the best fitness platforms on the market even if the subscription is an additional expense. It could be well worth it for the right shopper. This review of the Peloton Bike decides how it holds up now that it has more competitors than ever before.
The Peloton Bike has had a few updates since its release. Most notably, Peloton has updated the seat post that was recalled to be safer. The frame is covered by a 5-year warranty which does not reach the industry standard (10-year frame warranty). Parts are only covered for 1 year, as is labor. Overall, the build quality is nice, but it is clear that you are spending more for seamless connectivity with the Peloton training service.
The Peloton Bike has a welded steel frame with a corrosion-resistant powder coating. When we have the Peloton Bike and the Bike+ side by side, I can easily identify the Bike+ as the more refined bike. The Bike’s branding and clear plastic components make it look cheaper. That quality is not reflected in the performance of the Bike compared to the more expensive Bike+. When I compare it to bikes that are closer to its price point like the Sole SB1200 and the Freebeat LIT Bike, the Peloton Bike fairs a lot better. It is a great midrange exercise bike with a lot of value.
The Peloton Bike weighs 135 lbs. It has transport wheels and can be easily rolled around. Just mind the screen. The Peloton Bike doesn’t take up too much space.
The Peloton Bike’s saddle is sporty and moderately firm. If you are an experienced cyclist, the seat is comfortable enough. It is significantly more comfortable than the NordicTrack studio cycles’ seats, but beginners may still need additional cushioning.
The saddle adjusts vertically and horizontally. The post has been updated to be more secure. There’s a ton of variability in the seat height, allowing the Bike to accommodate a user between 4’11” and 6’4”. It can also support a maximum user weight of 297 lbs–just 3 lbs short of the industry standard.
The handlebars are bullhorn handles. The Bike also has a curved bar in the middle connecting each handle. The handlebars adjust up and down. I had a little trouble getting the post to adjust. A common problem with handlebars with screens attached is that the post gets stuck, especially if you haven’t adjusted it in a while. I had to wiggle it around to get it unstuck. The handlebars do not adjust horizontally.
The Peloton Bike uses aluminum Delta pedals. If you want flat pedals with toe cages, you will have to reach out to Peloton to get the bike retrofitted or replace your pedals after purchasing the bike. You need Delta cycling shoes if you want to use the built-in pedals. While I think cycling shoes are a great option for committed cyclists, most exercise bikes come with hybrid pedals with clipless and toe clip options.
The steel crank arms are 170mm. I felt comfortable with the Peloton Bike’s Q-factor. It did not feel too wide or too narrow.
The resistance is magnetic. There are 100 levels. The resistance is quite challenging at the upper levels. I struggle to pedal the bike at the top level. The easiest levels are beginner-friendly. The flywheel weighs around 30 lbs, and the drive system uses a belt. This makes the bike feel very smooth regardless of the resistance level.
The Peloton platform is one of the best cycling platforms. It has great classes. The Peloton Bike really shines when you consider the features because they are made for the content. If you want the complete Peloton experience, you need a Bike or Bike+ with the All-Access Peloton membership.
The console is very streamlined. There are only a few physical buttons on the Peloton Bike. It does not have quick-adjust buttons. You have a traditional resistance knob on the frame that you can twist to switch levels or push to brake the flywheel. The other controls are a gray power button behind the screen and volume buttons on the side of the screen.
The screen is 21.5 inches. It does not rotate like other bike screens. If you want to view off-bike classes, you can set up your mat behind the bike, or the Peloton app is available on many smart TVs, phones, and tablets.
The screen quality is fantastic. The screen is super clear and doesn’t show a lot of glare. It is a touchscreen and is very responsive. The screen size is great and the positioning of the screen makes it easy to interact with while training.
The audio quality is excellent on the Peloton Bike. It sounds clear, not muffled. Peloton consistently ranks at the top when it comes to audio and screen quality. Music is really central to the Peloton experience, so it was wise of Peloton to put good speakers on the Bike.
If you don’t want to listen out loud, you can use Bluetooth headphones to connect with the Peloton Bike. You connect headphones using the settings menu. Bluetooth also allows you to pair a heart rate monitor. Using a heart rate monitor gives you access to your Strive Score, which is a measurement of your effort level.
Peloton connects with apps like Strava and Apple Health. You can also connect to Spotify to view a Peloton playlist of songs you liked during classes. The connectivity is really nice for building community and discovering new music.
The camera on the Peloton Bike isn’t used for very much. You can take a profile photo with the camera. This isn’t abnormal; most touchscreen exercise equipment has a camera.
The Peloton Bike has a few storage compartments. There are two plastic water bottle holders. There’s no phone or tablet holder, but you can keep your phone in one of the bottle holders. There is also a weight rack on the back of the bike seat. This rack is designed to hold the 3-lb Peloton dumbbells. They are included if you buy one of the Peloton Bike packages. Sometimes there are deals where the Starter Package is actually cheaper than just the Bike alone.
I enjoyed cycling on the Peloton Bike. There was nothing super special about the construction that wowed me while I was training, but neither was there anything that annoyed me and took me out of my zone. The classes and tech are what keep me coming back to Peloton. If you aren’t going to subscribe, I think there are better value options available. Yet, the full Peloton package is worth it to me.
As someone who has tried the Bike and the Bike+, I think the affordability of the Bike makes more sense. The Bike doesn’t have a rotating screen or automatic resistance adjustments, but I didn’t find myself missing those features, even though they are standard on a lot of other bikes.
The Peloton training service is essential for the Peloton Bike. Without a subscription, you can train in three featured classes or on the manual screen. Your workouts are not recorded for future review. You can still connect headphones and a heart rate monitor, but all other features are restricted. What Peloton offers without a subscription has varied over time, so don’t count on these features remaining the same.
With a subscription, the Peloton Bike is fantastic. You need an All-Access subscription which is $44/month. You get access to all of Peloton’s training content. The Bike has studio cycling classes. They are set to music that powers the workout. There are so many different trainers with fun personalities and different music tastes so it’s not hard to find someone who suits your training style.
In Peloton classes, you can high-five other members and climb the leaderboard. The leaderboard is divided into all-time and members currently in the class. There are live and on-demand classes. If you happen to be in a live class, the instructor could give you a shout-out, especially if you have reached one of the big milestones. Milestones are when you reach a certain number of classes (e.g., 100, 500, 1000).
In addition to the studio classes, there are scenic rides. The Lanebreak game is another fun way to switch things up. You can train on a blank manual screen. You can watch entertainment streaming content if you have a subscription with Netflix, Max, Disney+, YouTube TV, and the NBA apps. There’s even a section for original Peloton entertainment content.
The Peloton Bike is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a studio bike with premium content. Its current price is reasonable for the features it provides. The Peloton content is some of the best available. Peloton excels in music-driven, trainer-led, studio content. Alternatively, you can play the Lanebreak game while cycling or catch up on your favorite TV shows and movies. There are 100 magnetic resistance levels, enough for a great workout regardless of your experience level.
