Echelon EX-5s-22 vs. Peloton Bike+: King Of The Leaderboard

Dimensions/Storability

The Echelon EX-5s-22 is slightly more compact and lightweight than the Peloton Bike+. The Echelon is 58” L x 20” W, versus the Bike+, which is 59” L x 22” W. The design of these bikes differs the most because of the flywheel placement. I’ll get into this more later.

The Echelon EX-5s-22 is 124 lbs.

The Peloton Bike+ is 140 lbs.

Both bikes have transport wheels on the front, so when you lift the back end, the wheels engage to move them around. Even though the Echelon is lighter, the rear flywheel makes it a little harder to move since it’s at the end of the bike that you need to lift to move it.

But both bikes are fairly easy to move. I just wouldn’t try to haul them up or down flights of stairs often.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

Peloton and Echelon are popular for their training content. Both bikes come with attached touchscreens and subscription training content.

While both bikes can be used without subscriptions, the content offered is very limited. We recommend purchasing either bike only if you’re ready to commit to its training content. Otherwise, there are plenty of exercise bikes to choose from that don’t have subscription content and let you stream from your own device.

Echelon EX-5s-22 vs. Peloton Bike+ Content

Echelon’s premier membership is $39 per month, and Peloton’s All-Access Membership is $44. They’re both similar in price and what they offer.

Echelon Premier Membership

The bulk of Echelon’s membership is studio-filmed trainer-led content. These feature an instructor on an exercise bike or other piece of fitness equipment guiding a workout in front of the camera. Often, the background has a unique design that’s visually appealing.

There’s a leaderboard to compete against other members on the left side of the screen. Instructors will shout out your username during class for milestones, and your metrics will be across the bottom of the screen for a clear view.

The classes are live and on-demand.

Plenty of cycling classes exist, and you can cross-train by doing mat classes. Each workout features a curated playlist the instructor selects to listen to during the class. That’s where the partnership with Pitbull comes in. There are several Pitbull-themed rides, as well as other musicians.

There are scenic rides filmed outdoors, too. These feature a camera that moves through different remote locations.

Echelon also offers gamified workouts. In these, you can race against other members, the computer, or yourself through virtual landscapes.

Finally, you can access streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Spotify on the EX-5s-22 with Echelon’s Premier Membership. Streaming apps have become more popular on fitness equipment.

Peloton All-Access Membership

Peloton offers essentially everything that Echelon does, but it’s different. Peloton is so popular, thanks to its instructors. I can’t name an Echelon instructor, but I can name several of Peloton’s. I even follow some on social media. They’re like mini-celebrities, and this has worked for the brand to gain a strong following of members.

Peloton has a live schedule of daily classes and thousands of on-demand workouts, like Echelon.

Each workout features an instructor who guides you while you ride a bike in a studio. Peloton offers outdoor workouts, some with and some without an instructor. Compared to the studio ones, there aren’t many of these workouts.

Every workout has a curated playlist selected by the instructor. Peloton’s music is the other element that makes it stand out. The music is fresh and exciting. It also doesn’t hurt that every once in a while, there’s a workout where the musician comes into the studio with the instructor and participants in person.

Peloton’s leaderboard is on the right side of the screen. When you hit a milestone, the trainer will give you a shout-out. Sound familiar?

For gamified rides, Peloton has Lanebreak. These feature different lanes that your avatar (a wheel) moves down hitting targets. By changing the resistance and keeping specific cadences prompted on the screen, you earn points. These workouts have curated playlists that were selected by a couple of Peloton instructors.

You can also stream from apps like YouTube TV, Netflix, and the NBA app. This is all available with Peloton’s All-Access Membership on their equipment.

Echelon EX-5s-22 vs. Peloton Bike+ Console

The consoles primarily consist of the touchscreens and resistance knobs on these bikes. Here’s what each console is about.

Echelon Ex-5s-22 Console

The Echelon has a 22” touchscreen. It tilts up and down and rotates to either side for off-the-bike training.

Everything is clear and easy to see and reach on this screen.

The overall quality of the screen isn’t the same as Peloton’s anti-glare screen. It works just fine, though. We also haven’t had any problems with the screen wobbling while riding.

The resistance is adjusted with the resistance knob in front of the saddle.

The knob is easy enough to get to specific resistance levels. On the most recent version of the EX-5s-22, a Bluetooth resistance controller comes on the handlebars for even easier adjustments.

The speakers are front-facing to project at you. They aren’t as clear, crisp, and loud as Peloton’s, but this is a budget bike, remember?

Also on the console are two plastic water bottle holders and weight cages behind the saddle. The dumbbells are sold separately.

Peloton Bike+ Console

The Peloton Bike+ has a slightly larger 24” tilting and rotating touchscreen. It has an anti-reflective and anti-smudge coating, which enhances its overall quality. This is one of the nicest touchscreens we’ve used on fitness equipment.

Considering how pricy the Bike+ is, you’re getting what you’re paying for.

The knob is pretty sensitive, which makes it a little difficult to adjust to specific resistance levels. If I turn it too quickly, I tend to go way over the level that I wanted to adjust the bike to.

The Bike+ also has a resistance knob.

The Bike+ has auto-follow that adjusts the resistance based on the instructor’s cues in the workout. This is available with Peloton’s membership.

The front-facing soundbar is clear and has a wide range of volume. There are also two plastic water bottle holders and rear-weight cages. You have to pay extra for the 3 lb pair of dumbbells.

Neither bike has a device rack to hold your phone or tablet to stream content from. You are more locked into the content on the touchscreens, instead.

Build Quality

When testing both bikes’ durability and functionality, they were stable. Although they have different designs, they’re both quiet and smooth to ride.

They have 300 lb weight limits, so they handle users up to this weight.

Echelon EX-5s-22 vs. Peloton Bike+ Frame

These bikes have steel frames. The frames support the bikes’ bases with two-floor stabilizers on each. Neither bike wobbles. The Echelon’s frame is a little shorter than the Bike+’s, but it supports the bike well.

The Echelon EX-5s-22 has four adjustment points versus the three that the Bike+ has. The seat adjusts forward/backward and up/down, and the handlebars adjust forward/backward and up/down. The Bike+’s handles only adjust up and down.

A large range of heights can fit just fine on the Peloton Bike+; Peloton rates it for users from 4’11” up to 6’4”. Our tallest reviewer, Matt, is 6’5”, and it fits him well. The saddle doesn’t adjust quite as high on the Echelon Bike. Matt can fit on it, but he has more room to adjust the saddle up on the Bike+.

We appreciate that the handlebars adjust horizontally on the Echelon.

For shorter folks like me, I’m only 5’1”; I can move the handles back a little bit to reach them better.

Echelon EX-5s-22 vs. Peloton Bike+ Flywheel

The main structural difference between the Echelon EX-5s and the Peloton Bike+ is that the Peloton features a traditional cycling frame with a flywheel under the handlebars, while the Echelon EX-5s has a rear-flywheel design with the flywheel under the seat.

Functionally, there’s no difference in how either bike feels. Proponents of a rear flywheel claim that moving the flywheel to the back of the bike removes it from the “sweat zone,” eliminating moisture that could drip down on the wheel.

A rear flywheel also creates a V-shape on the bike, amplifying the reach when you raise the seat and handlebars.

This makes the Echelon EX-5s a good option for many riders, especially those who may want more space between the seat and the screen.

However, the Peloton Bike+ is equally well-sized, and either one can be adjusted for riders of most sizes. It also has a long handle and seat post.

The Peloton Bike+ has 100 resistance levels, magnetic resistance, and auto-follow. The flywheel’s fluid motion is impressive, and I love the division of 100 levels. Since 100 is an easy number to understand, you can quickly assess your current position in relation to total resistance.

Also, the auto-follow on the Peloton Bike+ is a game changer. It allows you to ride hands-free without having to adjust the resistance. Additionally, Peloton has incorporated a range of resistance into the auto-follow feature, so you aren’t regulated to a single level but can set a range to stay within. I love this innovative thinking.

The Echelon has 32 levels of resistance. Resistance levels can be subdivided into any increment since resistance isn’t a preset metric (like speed). The magnetic resistance is silent, and the top resistance level provides plenty of torque for strong riders. There is no auto-follow feature, but the resistance knob is large and easy to use, as I mentioned.

Echelon EX-5s-22 vs. Peloton Bike+ Drive System

The pedals on the original Peloton Bike and the Peloton Bike+ are both Delta LOOK cleats. We opted to add the optional toe cages on the Bike+ that clip directly into the Delta LOOK cleats. With the toe cages, you can wear tennis shoes. Delta cleats are a little more rare than SPD cleats.

The Echelon has hybrid pedals. We prefer these on indoor bikes. Toe cages are on one side, and SPD clips are on the other. This way, you can clip in or wear tennis shoes.

Both bikes have belt drive systems. A belt connects the pedals to the flywheel, so resistance is felt when you pedal. This keeps the bikes smooth and quiet.

Echelon EX-5s-22 vs. Peloton Bike+ Handlebars & Seat

The handlebars on the Peloton Bike+ include a flat bar at the top of the handlebars. I love the wide elbow support on the Echelon EX-5s-22.

The Peloton Bike+ has standard handlebars with an elongated horizontal bar.

The horizontal bar allows riders to lean forward and rest their arms on the vertical grips along the sides.

The handlebars on the Echelon EX-5s-22 Bike offer multiple grip positions to keep you comfortable while riding.

The saddles are narrow and lightly padded, making them great for long-distance riding. Exercise bike saddles aren’t the most comfortable and can take some getting used to, but these saddles are a little more comfortable than other bikes we’ve tested.

Echelon EX-5s-22 vs. Peloton Bike+ Warranty

Neither Echelon nor Peloton offers great warranties, but Peloton’s is better. The Bike+ comes with a 5-year frame and 1-year touchscreen, components, and labor warranty, while Echelon only includes a 1-year warranty with the EX-5s-22.

Should You Buy The Echelon Ex-5s Or The Peloton Bike+?

The Peloton Bike+ and Echelon EX-5s are both quality indoor exercise bikes that will provide a comfortable and engaging experience. The Bike+ has some impressive upgrades, but each buyer will have to decide if these changes are worth an extra $1000. Our opinion is that if you can afford it, you should get the Bike+.

The updated features definitely enhance your experience. However, if you are on a budget, the Echelon EX-5s is a great option at a lower price. You don’t get the same quality or overall ride experience, but at $1000 less, it’s certainly a great budget option.

Echelon Ex-5s-22 vs. Peloton Bike+ Q&A / FAQ

Can you watch Netflix on the Echelon Bike?

Yes, Netflix and other streaming apps are available on the EX-5s-22 when you subscribe to Echelon’s Premier Membership.

Can you stream Peloton on an Echelon Bike?

You can’t stream Peloton’s content directly from any other bike other than Peloton’s. The same is true with Echelon’s content. You can use the Peloton app on your phone to stream classes, but you can’t stream Peloton’s content from the EX-5s-22’s touchscreen.

How does Echelon compare to Peloton?

Echelon offers many of the same features as Peloton. With the membership, you get access to trainer-led workouts, app streaming, gamified workouts, and outdoor rides like Peloton. The bike is also stable and similar in size to Peloton’s bikes.

However, the Echelon EX-5s-22 is cheaper than Peloton’s bikes. The streaming content is not quite at the same level as Peloton’s, but Echelon is a good budget option.