Have you ever wondered what all the hype surrounding the Peloton Bike is about or whether it is actually worth the money? You’ve come to the right place.
I’m going to give you all the nitty gritty about each version of the infamous Peloton Bike as well as discuss the biggest elephant in the room- the cost.
Review in a Nutshell
Pros:
- Extremely easy to use
- Spin classes in your home– no need to drive to the gym to get a good workout
- A huge variety of classes on demand along with live classes to choose from
- You can have multiple accounts set up under one membership
- Big touch screen with sound bar in the front
- The screen rotates for strength/cardio/yoga workouts
- Pairs easily with Apple Watch
- The saddle is extremely comfortable– no need to wear a chamois. Read our What to Wear to Spin Class article to learn all about indoor cycling attire
- Lots of options when purchasing- you can get only the bike OR you can buy the bike, shoes, mat, and weights
- WebCam on the screen so you can have an interactive workout with your friends
- You can change the pedals to ones you’re comfortable using
Cons:
- Monthly membership is expensive ON TOP of the cost of the bike
- The handlebars only go up and down- no adjustability to bring the handlebars closer to you
Price and Where to Buy:
How Does the Peloton Bike+ Compare To A Spin Class
I have been taking spin classes at gyms for nearly half my life now and one of the biggest differences between taking a class in person and taking a class on the Peloton is the fact that I do not have to leave my house. If you’ve ever taken a Soul Cycle or CycleBar class, you know that it can be extremely difficult to find a bike with your favorite instructor, and sometimes the class times don’t align with your schedule.
The nice thing about the Peloton Bike is the fact that I can get on any time of the day and do an on-demand class with my favorite instructor.
One of the BEST things about having a Peloton in my house is that I can hop on when my kids go down for a nap. I don’t have to worry about getting a babysitter and I get a great workout while they snooze.
Because there are so many classes on the Peloton, I’m not limited to JUST classes on the bike.
So Many Class Options
Not only do you have several different types of cycling classes, but you also can take a yoga, strength, cardio, tread, stretching, or even meditation class. All of these are included in the subscription.
They even offer audio classes for running outside or on a treadmill. These are great coaching classes without having to purchase the Peloton Tread.
When you turn the bike on, the easy-to-use platform displays a variety of classes tailored to what you have chosen in the past. You can also look through the entire library of classes and filter out what you might be feeling up to that day.
Some days I’m feeling a little more tired than others, so I will opt for a hip-hop ride or a low-impact ride. If I want to get my butt kicked, I’ll choose a HIT and hills ride or a tabata ride.
I can also choose the time length of the class. They range from 5 minutes to 90 minutes.
Sometimes I will plan to work out for an hour on the Peloton and choose 3 different 20-minute classes to break it up a bit.
Having these options is one of my FAVORITE things about the Peloton Bike+.
Main Differences Between the Original Peloton Bike and Peloton Bike+
If you look at Peloton’s website, you will see there are 2 different types of bikes: Peloton Original and Peloton Bike+. Both are great options, but it is important to know the major differences.
Peloton Bike Original
– Starts at $1,445.00
– You can tilt the screen up and down to accommodate your height.
– 21.5” touchscreen with 2-channel speakers.
– Small footprint (4’ x 2’)
– Resistance knob to manually adjust how hard or easy your ride is.
– Access to all of Peloton’s classes.
Peloton Bike+
– Starts at $1,995.00 (refurbished) or $2,495.00 (new)
– The screen rotates 360 degrees so that you can transition to strength, yoga, or any other workout with ease.
– 23.8” touchscreen with 4-channel speakers
– Small footprint (4’ x 2’)
– Resistance knob that you manually adjust OR enable auto-resistance, which changes the resistance to the suggested range.
– You can pair your apple watch directly to the bike and have it track all of your metrics.
– Access to all of Peloton’s classes.
As you can see, there are a few significant differences and the primary reason I decided on the Peloton Bike+ was the ability to move the screen and pair my Apple watch.
With that being said, you CANNOT go wrong with either bike. I have owned both versions and they are both great bikes for training and working out. I just like the fact that I can pair my Apple Watch quickly and turn the screen for bike boot camp classes.
Is There Enough Adjustability?
One of my biggest gripes with the Peloton Bike is the lack of adjustability in the handlebars. They only go up and down but NOT in and out.
I don’t like this because I have neck problems and when the handlebars are further away from me, my neck tends to flare up. I wish that Peloton would have made the bars able to move either closer to you or away from you so there is more customization, like adjusting handlebar stem length on a normal bike.
Extremely User-Friendly Platform
When you turn the Peloton screen on, you’re prompted to log in to your account. Once you do, it is so easy to scroll through and decide which workout you want to do.
It has a section called “recommended for you” that offers classes based on other classes you’ve taken, or you can opt to join one of their training programs. If none of that tickles your fancy, you can search for a class using different filters like time, instructor, and class type.
Once you decide on your class, you can then look at the metrics. You will learn how hard the class is, how many climbs and sprints there are, and all of the music being played.
When you start riding, the instructor will let you know what the “road map” of the class is going to be and you will adjust your resistance using the big red knob in the middle of the bike. The screen will have the cadence and resistance ranges on them in case you don’t hear what the instructor suggests.
One of the nice features about the Peloton Bike+ is that you can have the resistance automatically change to what the instructor says without having to touch the knob at all. The original bike does not offer that.
There will be three numbers on the bottom of the screen: your cadence, power output in watts, and resistance. Your output increases the harder your resistance is and the faster you move your legs.
If you take an FTP test (functional threshold power), your zones will show up under the output and you will be able to do specific zone training classes. These are great ways to focus on specific cycling training.
Once you finish your class, you will be able to rate the class and then Peloton suggests other classes for a cooldown or stretch. When you’re finished, you just hit the power button and shut it down. It couldn’t get any easier than that.
How Does it Compare to Other Spin Bikes and Trainers?
Compared to my Wahoo Kickr bike trainer*, the Peloton is much easier to use. I don’t have to worry about hooking up my bike to the trainer and calibrating it before each ride and I don’t have to think about a training program on Zwift or Trainer Road.
If you’re a serious cyclist who WANTS tailored training, then a Wahoo trainer (or something similar) might be the perfect fit for you instead of the Peloton because programs like Trainer Road are specifically designed to make you a better cyclist- NOT just give you a good workout.
When I was training for Steamboat Gravel 140, the Wahoo trainer was my best friend. I used Zwift and created a training program to help me with long endurance rides. It was a great and less expensive way of training that was tailored to me and my goals, BUT I hated having to put my bike on the trainer and pairing Zwift every single time.
Once I decided that long endurance rides weren’t my jam, I sold the Wahoo Kickr and purchased the Peloton Bike+. I love the ease of the Peloton and with two little kids, it is the best option for me at this stage of life.
Now, what makes the Peloton Bike+ better than other spin bikes like the NordicTrack S22i or Kaiser Bikes? My personal opinion is that Peloton offers MORE variety when it comes to their classes and the overall experience of the classes and bike are far better than its competitors.
If you want an in-depth comparison, check these out: Peloton Bike+ vs NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle Comparison and Peloton vs. Echelon: Which Exercise Bike Is Best for You?
A Well-Built Luxury Machine
Peloton makes an extremely sturdy Bike+ that is made of welded steel and only weighs 140 pounds. There is no rocking back and forth when you ride the Peloton Bike+ so you can really hammer down and not feel like you’re going to break the bike.
They also put wheels on the front of the bike so moving it around is a breeze. It might seem like an insignificant detail, but when you’re constantly rearranging your furniture like I do, it’s important.
There are two water bottle holders up front and a weight cage in the back for your arm workouts. Peloton put plastic covers on the wheel and chain to protect them from all the sweat you’re about to lose.
I also like that there is enough space to put a small fan on the monitor arm. Tiny details like that make this a luxury item in my eyes.
What All Does Peloton Offer Their Members?
Peloton not only sells a spin bike, but they also sell their interactive Tread, Row, and Guide. If you decide that you don’t want ANY of the equipment and only want to have access to the classes, you can subscribe to the app and have endless class options that you can use on your own treadmill or spin bike. They also will deliver and set-up the bike for FREE when you purchase it.
If you do decide to purchase the bike or one of their other workout equipment, you will get a 5-year warranty on the frame and a 12-month warranty on the screen and components.
Customer service is extremely helpful and friendly. When I purchased my first Peloton Original Bike, I had problems calibrating the resistance.
When I called and explained the situation they walked through everything with me and took the time to explain how the bike works. That’s a big plus in my book.
Peloton also offers their customers interest-free financing for 12 months through Affirm. Also, you get a full 30 days to decide if you like your equipment. If you do not like it, they will pick it up for free and you will get a full refund.
The Cost: Is it Really Worth the Expensive Price Tag?!?
Ultimately, this is such a personal decision, BUT if you are in the market for a spin bike or trainer, the Peloton Bike+ should be on your list of contenders. When looking at purchasing a bike, it’s also important to consider the membership costs associated with the bike and whether or not you’re going to finance the purchase.
Here are a few different options and how they compare to the Peloton Bike+.
| Peloton Bike+ $2,495 Monthly membership $44 | Wahoo Kickr Smart Trainer $1,299 Zwift monthly membership $14.99 | Echelon Connect Bike EX-5s-10 $1,199.99 Monthly membership $34.99 | NordicTrack S271 $2,499 Monthly membership $39 (only for family plan) | Freebeat Lit Bike $1,199 Monthly membership $39 |
These are just a few options for you to look at. Deciding what is going to be best for your training and workout needs while also not breaking the bank is crucial.
The Peloton Bike+ comes in at one of the most expensive bikes on the market, BUT it is worth it for MY workout and training needs and allows me to be flexible around my kids which is the most important factor.
Bottom-Line: The Peloton Bike+ is a Great Addition to Maximize Your Time and Training
Yes, it is pricy…there is no arguing that, BUT the flexibility and class choices make it a great option to consider. Having a spin bike like the Peloton Bike+ will allow you to train or workout whenever YOU want and do any length of ride with any intensity.
Having endless options and flexibility is one of the biggest factors in why I chose the Peloton Bike+, so taking the time to write down your workout/training goals and your financial goals will allow you to see which spin bike will work best for you.
About The Reviewer
Malorie Gage has been mountain biking, road, gravel cycling for many years. She lives in Colorado where she’s raising two tiny humans and balancing biking and motherhood.