NordicTrack Tour de France Indoor Bike Review | Train Elite

Dimensions/Storability

The NordicTrack Tour de France Indoor Bike measures 56.4” long, 21.8” wide x 65.1” tall.

However, keep in mind that the exact dimensions will change depending on the handlebar and saddle settings.

Of all the exercise bikes that I move around, the NordicTrack incline bikes tend to be the most difficult. They are heavy with large screens that jut out. I can certainly move them on my own, but I have to be careful not to knock the screen into anything as I go through a doorway or turn a corner. Fortunately, it has transport wheels to make the process a little easier.

At 205 lbs, the Tour de France Indoor Bike is one of the heavier studio bikes we have in our studio.

There are two leveling feet on this bike. If your floor is uneven, it’s important to make sure the bike is level and stable before training. It feels sturdy, but it’s always a good idea to prevent any potential wobbling when you are working hard.

Because the bike inclines and declines, you want some extra space around it to ensure that the screen won’t knock against anything as it tilts.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

NordicTrack equipment pairs with iFIT, and there are only a few training options available without a subscription. I recommend this bike only for cyclists who want a premium training service, as it is tricky to access the manual training mode without at least a free iFIT account. With this account, you can also take a featured iFIT class.

To train in manual mode without iFIT, connect to Wi-Fi and create a free iFIT account.

iFIT

With an active iFIT subscription, you get so much more. There are thousands of on-demand iFIT classes with professional coaches. Each class automatically adjusts your incline level to match the class’s terrain. While other NordicTrack bikes also adjust your resistance, the Tour de France Indoor Bike puts the control in your hands with the handlebar shifters.

iFIT classes showcase beautiful outdoor locations from all over the world.

In addition to single classes, you can also join series for ongoing training. Most series are centered around a goal, exploring a location, or a theme. For example, there are Halloween-themed series and Tour de France-inspired workouts.

The Train for a Tour Series includes classes led by Tour de France winners and coaches.

You don’t have to take an iFIT class. There are several different training options in addition to the iFIT classes. The newest addition is Ergatta, which provides virtual cycling courses where you can compete against other iFIT users.

Ergatta races are not real-time, but pit you against the past performances of iFIT subscribers with a similar fitness level to yours.

The iFIT feature unique to this bike is the Constant Watts/Erg mode. You can use this setting in the manual training screen. The bike’s resistance will then automatically adjust to keep you at the selected wattage level. The range is 50 to 400 watts. Make sure to begin pedaling before turning this mode on, or the resistance will max out, and it will be very hard to pedal.

I like using the Erg Mode to do long zone 2 rides while watching one of the entertainment apps.

You can also take structured workouts on the Tour de France Indoor Bike or create your own. This option includes the ability to create your own Google Maps routes. Then, you can cycle in Street View or the overview along the real-world course of your choosing. The incline will adjust to match the real grade of the course as closely as possible.

I’m always looking for entertainment on my cardio machine. Trainer-led workouts are great, but I’m not always in the mood for them. An iFIT membership gets you access to a variety of third-party apps, but you need your own subscription to them. So, for example, to use Netflix, you need an iFIT membership and a Netflix subscription.

Watch TV or listen to music using the apps provided on this NordicTrack bike when you have an active iFIT subscription.

Console

The touchscreen is 24”. It’s got great quality and tilts/pivots for better viewing on and off the bike. It’s a great way for NordicTrack to showcase the iFIT training content and entertainment apps.

I had no problems reaching and interacting with the screen while I was cycling.

There are no physical buttons on the console. The only off-screen controls are the handlebar shifters. So many features are automated, so you really don’t have to worry about interacting with the screen very much, aside from getting your workout or entertainment queued up.

To complete the workout and entertainment experience, the Tour de France Indoor Bike had to have solid audio options. A speaker bar sits beneath the touchscreen, and the quality and volume range are good. You can also pair headphones via Bluetooth to the console to listen quietly. Bluetooth also allows you to connect a heart rate monitor.

If at any time you want to connect another device, adjust your volume, or change other settings, a menu is available in the bottom right corner. This settings menu also lets you control what metrics and controls display on your screen. You can add widgets for the music app you are listening to and more.

Keep your phone nearby on the console.

For storage on this bike, there’s a cup holder on the frame. Then there’s a small platform which could hold your phone. There’s even a USB-C charging port if you want to charge your phone while cycling.

Since this bike is more geared toward road cycling, it does not have a dumbbell rack like many studio bikes.

There’s a fan on this bike, which you can use to cool yourself down while training. The controls for the fan are located on the touchscreen in the main menu, which is accessible from every screen.

Check Best Price

Build Quality

Considering the price of this bike (about $3k) and the official licensing of a well-known brand, I had high expectations for the build quality. Honestly, I think the NordicTrack Tour de France Indoor Bike lived up to my expectations, though there are a few minor things I want to point out.

Frame

This bike is built on a steel frame that is super similar to the NordicTrack X24 Bike. These days, if I had to pick a category of cardio equipment where NordicTrack really shines, I’m actually leaning towards their bikes. There’s very little that can be improved upon them. The build quality is very, very nice.

What I love most about this bike’s frame is its unique colorway, which is an ode to the four Tour de France jerseys.

The weight capacity is 350 lbs, which is a nice rating. The bike is pretty adjustable, so it suits many statures. I will get into specifics of the adjustability in the saddle and handlebar sections of this review.

Since this bike inclines and declines, it’s really important that it feels stable. It has two floor stabilizers. One of them has adjustable feet to help keep the bike level. I felt comfortable and secure the entire time I used this bike, regardless of the inline level.

Drive System

Though the Tour de France Indoor Bike mimics a road bike, it uses a belt drive. This design keeps the bike quiet and smooth, two features that work really well for indoor cycling. While there’s a tiny amount of noise generated by the magnetic resistance adjustments, it’s minimal compared to the grinding of a chain-driven bike.

The smooth belt drive makes pedaling a joy and cuts down on disruptions to others in your household.

While I don’t have the numbers for the flywheel’s exact weight, it is a heavy flywheel. Unlike most NordicTrack bikes I’ve tested, it doesn’t have a brake on the frame. Instead, it allows for free-wheeling. You can stop pedaling at any moment without the heavy flywheel dragging your legs around, and the flywheel will keep spinning independently.

The free-wheeling mechanism improves the road bike feeling of this indoor bike.

The pedals are hybrid, with SPD cleat compatibility and flat pedals with toe cages. You can also swap the pedals out for another set of road bike pedals, allowing you to customize this bike even further.

Custom Gear Configurations

Since this bike is designed to mimic road racing, it allows you to set a virtual front chainring and cassette option. This feature tailors the resistance you feel while pedaling to you. If you want a bike that replicates your outdoor cycling experience, this is a great option! It feels even more realistic since the Tour de France Indoor Bike inclines and declines.

These are the rear cassette options available on this bike.

If you have no idea where to start with gear configurations, the default setting on this bike is perfectly fine to use. You can then test out different options to find what suits you best.

Incline

NordicTrack bikes stand out on the market with the incline mechanism. The Tour de France Indoor Bike has an incline range from -10% to 20%. The bike doesn’t merely tilt up and down when the incline changes; it impacts the resistance to the flywheel. Going uphill gets harder, while going downhill makes pedaling easier.

Switch gears using the handlebar shifters to conquer the uphills and cruise downhill.

When you follow a NordicTrack workout, you can turn on the Smart Adjust to let the class automatically adjust your bike’s incline settings. Your bike will incline or decline to match the terrain your coach encounters on the real-world trail. It makes the training experience feel even more immersive.

The bike’s incline and decline may feel strange at first, but you get used to it quickly.

Handlebars

As someone who is very familiar with NordicTrack’s studio bikes and many others, the handlebars were one of the most surprising changes. They are thin with drop bars, which is common among road bikes, but a big departure from the typical cycling handles.

I cycle on more traditional indoor bikes most often, so it took a bit to get used to these sporty handlebars.

The handlebars are wrapped in yellow. This wrap will likely wear and become discolored with heavy use. You may need to rewrap it eventually. The shifter covers can be peeled back, allowing you to access the wrap and secure it underneath.

Rewrap the handles if they show signs of wear or if you just want a different color.

Because the screen is attached to the handlebars, you can only adjust the handlebars up and down. The range is nice. They adjust by about 6 inches.

Saddle

The NordicTrack Tour de France is sporty but comfortable. It’s not too hard but not overly plush either. The yellow covering could show wear a little sooner than the traditional black saddle, but I really like the look of it.

The black and yellow saddle is another unique component on the NordicTrack Tour de France Indoor Bike.

You can adjust the saddle up and down as well as forward and backward. The saddle adjusts in height by about 13 inches and moves forward/backward 2.5 inches. I’m 5’4” tall, and I have the bike on the second-lowest setting, so I’m confident this bike can accommodate cyclists over 6’ tall.

Warranty

The NordicTrack Tour de France Indoor Bike has a 10-year frame warranty. Parts are covered for 2 years, while the tablet and labor are covered for only 1 year. Keep in mind that this exercise bike is not designed for storage or use in the garage. To keep your warranty valid and your bike running well, do not place the bike in your garage. It should be used indoors only.

Should You Buy the NordicTrack Tour de France Indoor Bike

The NordicTrack Tour de France Indoor Bike is a premium studio cycle with features tailored toward delivering a road bike-like experience. You can choose a custom gear ratio and shift using the handlebar shifters. There are also drop bars, a belt drive, and a freewheeling feature.

I recommend this bike for cyclists who want to subscribe to iFIT. If you are looking for guided training, it’s hard to find a service that’s better than iFIT. It’s fully integrated with this bike, offering automatic incline adjustments, clear audio, and customizable features. With iFIT, you get classes, entertainment apps, and more.

With a stylish design that readily evokes the most well-renowned road bike race, the NordicTrack Tour de France Indoor Bike is impressive and a highly effective workout.

Check Best Price

NordicTrack Tour de France Indoor Bike Q&A / FAQ

Is NordicTrack better than Peloton?

NordicTrack uses the iFIT training platform, which is slightly more affordable than Peloton. It’s $39 per month compared to $44 per month for Peloton. iFIT has more outdoor content, while Peloton’s specialty is studio classes. In particular, the NordicTrack Tour de France feels a lot more like road cycling than the Peloton Bike+.

Is the NordicTrack Tour de France Indoor Bike worth the money?

The NordicTrack Tour de France Indoor Bike is a premium studio bike with custom gear sets, a sturdy frame, and high-tech features. I recommend this NordicTrack bike for anyone who wants to subscribe to the iFIT platform because the features are limited without a membership. iFIT has thousands of on-demand classes and several entertainment options.

Can you use the NordicTrack Tour de France Indoor Bike without iFIT?

You can use the NordicTrack Tour de France Indoor Bike without a paid iFIT membership, but you need a free account and an internet connection to train in manual mode.

Is this a paid review?

No, this is not a paid review. NordicTrack sent us the NordicTrack Tour de France Indoor Bike in exchange for an honest review. They did not get any say in our review process or ratings. However, we do earn a commission if you choose to purchase this bike using the links we’ve included. It won’t change the cost of the bike for you.

We work with many fitness brands, so we are not incentivized to steer you toward one product or another. This review should help you decide if the NordicTrack Tour de France Indoor Bike is right for you, or if you are better off with another bike we’ve tested.

Check Best Price