Peloton Bike+
Peloton Bike+ holds the market-leader position for smart connected exercise bikes thanks to its premium hardware, deeply integrated live and on-demand class ecosystem, and polished user experience; the rotating touchscreen, auto-follow resistance and large instructor community justify its higher upfront and subscription costs. Compared with NordicTrack, Bowflex, Echelon and ProForm, Peloton delivers the strongest content library and resale value, making it the top choice for users prioritizing studio-grade classes and long-term community engagement despite higher total cost of ownership.
Live leaderboard — friendly rivalry
Auto-resistance — hands-free hype
Live leaderboard — friendly rivalry
Auto-resistance — hands-free hype
Review Summary
"Users praise the Peloton Bike+ for its premium build, large instructor-led class library and smooth integration with the Peloton ecosystem; common complaints center on the high upfront cost and ongoing subscription requirement."
Rotating display — mirror-ready
23.8-inch rotating HD touchscreen with premium audio for studio-style classes.
Rotating display — mirror-ready
23.8-inch rotating HD touchscreen with premium audio for studio-style classes.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Peloton Bike+ holds the market-leader position for smart connected exercise bikes thanks to its premium hardware, deeply integrated live and on-demand class ecosystem, and polished user experience; the rotating touchscreen, auto-follow resistance and large instructor community justify its higher upfront and subscription costs. Compared with NordicTrack, Bowflex, Echelon and ProForm, Peloton delivers the strongest content library and resale value, making it the top choice for users prioritizing studio-grade classes and long-term community engagement despite higher total cost of ownership.
Live leaderboard — friendly rivalry
Auto-resistance — hands-free hype
Rotating display — mirror-ready
23.8-inch rotating HD touchscreen with premium audio for studio-style classes.
Auto-follow resistance and detailed performance metrics (power, cadence, output).
Live leaderboard — friendly rivalry
Auto-resistance — hands-free hype
Rotating display — mirror-ready
23.8-inch rotating HD touchscreen with premium audio for studio-style classes.
Auto-follow resistance and detailed performance metrics (power, cadence, output).
NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle
The NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle is best-in-class for simulated outdoor riding thanks to motorized incline/decline and a responsive display that pairs tightly with iFit route-based classes, offering a technically distinctive ride experience in the smart connected bike category. Financially it can be a more attractive studio alternative to Peloton when bundled with iFit, delivering broader terrain simulation and family-friendly subscription options, though its hardware finish is generally a notch below Peloton's premium build.
Incline/decline — hill party
iFit coaching — trainer-at-home
Incline/decline — hill party
iFit coaching — trainer-at-home
Review Summary
"Riders like the NordicTrack Commercial S22i for its powerful incline/decline, sturdy feel and immersive iFit classes, though many reviewers cite ongoing iFit subscription costs and occasional connectivity or software glitches."
Quiet drive — smooth climbs
22-inch rotating HD touchscreen with iFit live and on-demand workouts.
Quiet drive — smooth climbs
22-inch rotating HD touchscreen with iFit live and on-demand workouts.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
The NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle is best-in-class for simulated outdoor riding thanks to motorized incline/decline and a responsive display that pairs tightly with iFit route-based classes, offering a technically distinctive ride experience in the smart connected bike category. Financially it can be a more attractive studio alternative to Peloton when bundled with iFit, delivering broader terrain simulation and family-friendly subscription options, though its hardware finish is generally a notch below Peloton's premium build.
Incline/decline — hill party
iFit coaching — trainer-at-home
Quiet drive — smooth climbs
22-inch rotating HD touchscreen with iFit live and on-demand workouts.
Motorized incline/decline for realistic hill simulation (steepness control during classes).
Incline/decline — hill party
iFit coaching — trainer-at-home
Quiet drive — smooth climbs
22-inch rotating HD touchscreen with iFit live and on-demand workouts.
Motorized incline/decline for realistic hill simulation (steepness control during classes).
Echelon EX-5s Connect Bike
The Echelon EX-5s Connect Bike is the value leader among smart connected exercise bikes, providing flexible subscription tiers, third-party app compatibility and a community leaderboard at a significantly lower entry price than premium rivals. While it lacks Peloton-level screen polish and NordicTrack's incline mechanics, Echelon’s lower upfront cost and competitive software features make it an attractive choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want live classes and connected metrics.
Budget-friendly — wallet smiles
Community classes — squad vibes
Budget-friendly — wallet smiles
Community classes — squad vibes
Review Summary
"Buyers appreciate the Echelon EX-5s as a value-priced connected bike with a solid frame and good class variety, while reviews note a smaller display, a less-polished app experience and some long-term durability concerns."
Space-smart design — studio-small
21.5-inch HD touchscreen streaming Echelon live and on-demand classes.
Space-smart design — studio-small
21.5-inch HD touchscreen streaming Echelon live and on-demand classes.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The Echelon EX-5s Connect Bike is the value leader among smart connected exercise bikes, providing flexible subscription tiers, third-party app compatibility and a community leaderboard at a significantly lower entry price than premium rivals. While it lacks Peloton-level screen polish and NordicTrack's incline mechanics, Echelon’s lower upfront cost and competitive software features make it an attractive choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want live classes and connected metrics.
Budget-friendly — wallet smiles
Community classes — squad vibes
Space-smart design — studio-small
21.5-inch HD touchscreen streaming Echelon live and on-demand classes.
Smooth belt-driven magnetic resistance and Bluetooth heart-rate compatibility.
Budget-friendly — wallet smiles
Community classes — squad vibes
Space-smart design — studio-small
21.5-inch HD touchscreen streaming Echelon live and on-demand classes.
Smooth belt-driven magnetic resistance and Bluetooth heart-rate compatibility.
Bowflex VeloCore 22
The Bowflex VeloCore 22 stands out for its unique leaning, core-engaging design that creates a more dynamic and immersive ride experience among smart connected exercise bikes, combining a sturdy frame and quiet magnetic resistance with a distinctive mechanical advantage. Technically this tilt capability differentiates it from Peloton, NordicTrack, and ProForm and justifies its mid-to-high pricing for riders seeking a hybrid balance/core workout, while its content and subscription ecosystem (JRNY/partners) competes closely on variety rather than volume.
Lean mode — surf the ride
Solid frame — rock-steady
Lean mode — surf the ride
Solid frame — rock-steady
Review Summary
"Owners praise the Bowflex VeloCore 22 for its unique leaning mode, stable ride and robust construction, but some users find the lean feature gimmicky and report occasional connectivity and subscription frustrations."
Core-engaging — balance bonus
22-inch HD touchscreen with JRNY-enabled streaming and personalized coaching.
Core-engaging — balance bonus
22-inch HD touchscreen with JRNY-enabled streaming and personalized coaching.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
The Bowflex VeloCore 22 stands out for its unique leaning, core-engaging design that creates a more dynamic and immersive ride experience among smart connected exercise bikes, combining a sturdy frame and quiet magnetic resistance with a distinctive mechanical advantage. Technically this tilt capability differentiates it from Peloton, NordicTrack, and ProForm and justifies its mid-to-high pricing for riders seeking a hybrid balance/core workout, while its content and subscription ecosystem (JRNY/partners) competes closely on variety rather than volume.
Lean mode — surf the ride
Solid frame — rock-steady
Core-engaging — balance bonus
22-inch HD touchscreen with JRNY-enabled streaming and personalized coaching.
Unique leaning mode that tilts the bike for immersive, banked-turn simulations.
Lean mode — surf the ride
Solid frame — rock-steady
Core-engaging — balance bonus
22-inch HD touchscreen with JRNY-enabled streaming and personalized coaching.
Unique leaning mode that tilts the bike for immersive, banked-turn simulations.
ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22
The ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 is a strong mid-range option for smart connected exercise bikes, offering motorized incline, a large adjustable touchscreen and frequent iFit bundle promotions that deliver competitive pricing and family access. Technically similar to NordicTrack in platform and class content but typically positioned at a lower price point, ProForm provides solid studio features for buyers who want a capable connected experience without paying Peloton-level premiums.
iFit routes — world rides
Commercial feel — gym vibes
iFit routes — world rides
Commercial feel — gym vibes
Review Summary
"Users see the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 as a cost-effective studio-style bike with solid hardware and iFit integration, though many complain about the recurring subscription, screen issues and uneven customer support."
Quiet belt-drive — late-night stealth
22-inch rotating HD touchscreen with full iFit interactive studio and outdoor classes.
Quiet belt-drive — late-night stealth
22-inch rotating HD touchscreen with full iFit interactive studio and outdoor classes.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
The ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 is a strong mid-range option for smart connected exercise bikes, offering motorized incline, a large adjustable touchscreen and frequent iFit bundle promotions that deliver competitive pricing and family access. Technically similar to NordicTrack in platform and class content but typically positioned at a lower price point, ProForm provides solid studio features for buyers who want a capable connected experience without paying Peloton-level premiums.
iFit routes — world rides
Commercial feel — gym vibes
Quiet belt-drive — late-night stealth
22-inch rotating HD touchscreen with full iFit interactive studio and outdoor classes.
Multiple digital resistance levels and heavy flywheel for smooth, consistent rides.
iFit routes — world rides
Commercial feel — gym vibes
Quiet belt-drive — late-night stealth
22-inch rotating HD touchscreen with full iFit interactive studio and outdoor classes.
Multiple digital resistance levels and heavy flywheel for smooth, consistent rides.