NordicTrack s15i Exercise Bike Review – Pros & Con’s (2024)

The NordicTrack s15i is a great exercise bike for interval training. The s15i has a 14” touchscreen with a wide bevel that houses quick touch buttons for both resistance and incline. Like the s22i, this bike has a motor on the rear stabilizer that creates a -10% decline to +20% incline. The s22i features 22 digital resistance levels with manual controls for both on the extension grips. With a fantastic sticker price and lots of great tech, this is a phenomenal buy! We highly recommend the s15i.

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Who It’s For: Cyclists looking for an economic studio bike with tech that rivals more expensive models

The s15i includes some great features that make it a good option for new cyclists:

• Economically priced for a great at-home training experience
• The bike is very quiet so you can ride any time of day
• Automated Incline/Decline automatically lifts the bike while you ride
• Includes iFit coaches, classes and outdoor routes for all levels of training
• Comfortable design with three adjustment points so you can find the right fit
• Offers a good combination of features provides new cyclists great tech on an affordable bike

Our Video Review

In-depth Review of the s15i Studio Cycle

Construction

Steel Frame

• The base, stabilizers and posts on the s15i are all steel. Handlebars are coated with a soft grip material. Black plastic molding protects intersecting joints and post shafts. Some serious engineering went into designing this bike. Wires and cables are internal, the drive train is quiet, and the frame is surprisingly solid for a bike that pivots up and down.
• Points of Adjustment are well-designed. There are three adjustment points on the s15i to help different size riders find proper bike fit:
  • Forward/Aft adjustment on the seat carriage moves the saddle forward and back.
  • Up/Down adjustment via the stem post lifts and lowers the seat carriage.
  • Up/Down adjustment in the handlebar post lifts the handlebars to the appropriate height.
  • You can tilt the seat slightly up or down by loosening the bolt on the seat carriage. Retighten when you find the right angle. This adjustment requires a wrench.

Geometry

• s15i Studio Bike geometry resembles a road bike. Handlebars are designed to be in line with the saddle. Rather than angle up at a 120 degree angle, the s15i handlebars extend forward parallel to the floor and so riders lean forward while riding rather than sit up. This position might seem uncomfortable initially, but it facilitates greater hamstring and glute engagement as opposed to a repetitively quad-dominant downward stroke. It also more similarly mimics outdoor road bike riding.

FlyWheel: 32 Pounds, Inertia-enhanced

• The 32pound flywheel is a good weight and size. The heavier a flywheel is, the more momentum it will develop as it spins. This inertia keeps the pedal motion smooth. The inertia-enhanced feature on the s15i means the flywheel utilizes this extra rotational energy so you get a clean pedal stroke without any jerkiness as you ride.
• Benefits of Magnetic Resistance:
  • No need to replace parts. There are no brake pads or friction points on the belt or flywheel with magnetic resistance. This reduces the need to replace parts that wear out due to friction.
  • Magnetic resistance is practically silent. Because there is no contact or friction, the flywheel doesn’t make noise while spinning or braking. Conversely, flywheel resistance from either wind resistance or brake pad contact produce substantial noise.
  • Magnetic resistance can be specifically calibrated and measured. This enables the s15i to provide 24 levels of resistance that are always the same.

Saddle: Adjusts forward/aft and up/down. Replaceable.

• Comfort: One area the s15i could use a bit of improvement is in saddle comfort.
  • Typically, on an indoor bike you want a narrow, very slightly padded seat with a smooth surface to prevent moisture build-up. A narrow design allows the leg to move freely with each pedal rotation without too much thigh friction from the saddle itself. Overly wide or padded saddles feel better initially, but they are more likely to cause friction sores on the inside of the thigh due to increased surface area.
  • The saddle is designed well, but it feels a little stiff. Comparatively, the Peloton bike has a more comfortable seat.
• Compatibility: Saddle can be replaced with any compatible bike seat.

Pedals: Flat with cages. Replaceable

• Included pedals have a flat surface with cages for secure foothold
• Pedals can be swapped out for clipless pedals (road or SPD) if desired

Console/Controls

Screen: 14″ Touchscreen

• • Size: I like the size of the s15i screen. Although it is slightly smaller than the s22i, it retains the QuickTouch controls on the bevel which are easy to see and reach. The tilting motion makes it so you can eliminate any overhead glare.
  • Screen Movement: The tilting motion makes it so you can eliminate any overhead glare. It also swivels 360 degrees so you can stand to the side of the bike while doing weights or other iFit classes.

• Resolution: The screen features crisp graphics and bright resolution. You can adjust screen settings in the touchscreen menu. Resolution is factory set to match a moderate-speed internet, so if you have quick WiFi, turn the resolution up when you set up your bike.
• Touchscreen: Touchscreen capabilities are responsive. Even with sweaty hands or while riding, I found the touchscreen controls to be easily navigable. Occasionally I had to tap something twice, but it wasn’t often or inconvenient.
• Functionality: The combination of good screen size, crisp graphics, and touchscreen capability makes the overall functionality of the touchscreen top notch.

Handlebars: Adjust up/down. Multiple grips

• Design: The handlebars have a horizontal grip bar, tri-position resting loop, and grip bar extensions that angle up gently on either side.
• Comfort: The handlebars are coated with a spongy grip material that is soft on hands and arms. The overall design and comfort of the handlebars facilitates good position while riding.

Accessories

• Fans: The fans attached below the screen produce good air flow. You can adjust the direction of the fans by tilting the screen. I’ve read reviews about the fan producing a squeaking noise, but I didn’t notice this. My fan is pretty quiet in general.
• Weights: Two, 3 pound weights are included with the bike. These rest on a tray in between the handlebars and screen.
• There is no Tablet Holder or shelf for phone storage. You could try to rest a phone in one of the water bottle cups, but it might bounce out. Best option is to set a phone gently to the side while riding.

Storage

• Storage Cups: Two storage cups are positioned just underneath the handlebars. These will hold a moderate-sized water bottle.

Functionality

Incline / Decline range

The +20% incline and -10% decline is innovative tech. While most spin bikes use resistance to simulate grade, the s15i will actually pivot to match the grade while you ride. There are three benefits to this:

• You can ride without having to constantly adjust the resistance and incline. One of the complaints I read frequently with other bikes is, if a rider misses a cue or doesn’t hear the trainer, they don’t know what level they are supposed to be working. With the automated incline/decline and resistance in iFit, the bike will adjust for you so you can just ride along without having to constantly listen for the trainer to tell you what to do. iFit coaches inform you what is coming up, but you don’t have to make all the manual adjustments.
• The auto incline/decline feature more closely simulates outdoor riding. Rather than have to create a hill incline, the s15i pivots so you ride up a real incline while the bike selectively increases the resistance to match. This means you can focus on maintaining cadence and proper form rather than be distracted with continual adjustments. It is a much more
• The combination of incline and resistance (as opposed to resistance alone) offers more training variables and more intense strength training. Level 22 resistance on a +20% incline is more challenging than a 22 resistance on a flat road. Thus, the s15i provides greater training combinations and more advanced resistance combinations than standard indoor bikes that stay level.

Resistance Levels

• 22 Resistance levels offer abundant training combinations. The digital resistance is also consistent each time at each level for more accurate metrics. Magnetic resistance is frictionless and quiet and doesn’t cause as much wear on the bike.

Pre-programmed workouts

The s15i features onboard workouts that are not a part of iFit.

• Manual Workout: A white track and stat bar display stats and distance. You can manually adjust the incline and resistance to create your own workout.
• Maps: Select from an array of full-color Google map images. Display options include: Street View; Map View; Satelite; and Rotate (which toggles between views). The images update every few seconds as you ride. There is no audio included, so these are a great option when you want to listen to your own playlist or podcast.
• Interval, Strength, Speed, Calorie Burn: Pre-programmed workouts display a graph of the overall routine. The bike will adjust incline and resistance to match your selected workout. These are of varying length and intensity.

iFit Subscription

iFit is included free for the first month with up to five profiles. The iFit library is diverse and the graphics on the outdoor rides are excellent. Workouts include the following:

• Indoor Trainer-Led Cycling Classes: These classes feel like you’re taking a spin class virtually. They take place inside a studio with an instructor and often other participants are taking the class with the instructor in person. As you’re riding, the resistance level and incline level will change with the instructor’s cues, or you can change it yourself at any time. There are a wide variety of classes that have different goals such as tabata, HIIT, hill training and more. There are both live and on-demand indoor classes available. You can also compete on a leaderboard to see how you rank against other members who are taking and have taken the class (if you aren’t taking it live). The music plays from set radio stations of your choice. Each station has a preset list of classes in that genre. We wish that the music was integrated into the indoor cycling classes, because they often are in in-person cycling classes. This way the instructor can play songs that coordinate with what is happening in the class. Such as faster songs for sprints, and slower, intense songs for hills. We miss this in iFit’s indoor cycling classes.
• Outdoor Trainer-Led Cycling Classes: We are constantly impressed with iFit’s outdoor content. You can take classes in areas all over the world. In the cycling classes, a trainer rides a bike and is followed by a camera. The camera will also pan to the surrounding landscapes as well. These classes also use auto adjust to change the resistance/incline on the bike for you. You can override this at any time. These classes are our favorite to take because the graphics are clear and it makes it feel like you’re there. Plus, the trainer will often talk about the location and provide some fun facts about it, too. The music in these classes are from the same set of stations as the indoor classes, so it’s a background component also.
• Studio-Based Combo Classes: These classes let you get a total body workout. Part of the class is spent on the bike and part of the class is on a mat sometimes using weights or just bodyweight exercises. These are filmed just like the other full-bike indoor cycling classes.
• Classes Off Of The Bike: In addition to cycling classes, there are also classes that you can take on other equipment from NordicTrack and ProForm such as treadmill, rowing, and elliptical classes. Plus, there’s classes off the equipment like yoga, meditation, and strength training. You can take these on the bike or on the app from your phone or TV.

Noise Level

• • When pedaling: The s15i is remarkably silent. The magnetic resistance doesn’t create much noise at all while pedalling or when braking.
  • When adjusting incline: There is a motor noise when the bike adjusts incline, but this isn’t constant and it isn’t too loud. I would compare it to the noise made by a treadmill when it inclines or declines.
  • Speakers: The speakers produce good volume, which is nice when riding, but it could be loud to others in the room, especially since the speakers are in the back of the screen. Play around with the volume a little initially to determine where you want to place your bike. Positioning the bike facing a c

orner will mitigate how much volume you project into the room.

Storage / Folding

The s15i does not fold up, but it does have wheels on the front stabilizer. The bike is a bit heavy, but you can pivot it forward and roll it out of the way if needed. It also has a relatively compact footprint so you can slide it alongside a wall or tuck it in a corner. My only recommendation would be to make sure and remove the weights prior to tilting and rolling the bike. I forgot to remove the weights once when attempting to move the bike and they both fell off, barely missing my toe and the screen.

Items of Note

Aside from a slightly stiff seat, I found the s15i to be sturdy and well-designed. You can swap out the pedals and the seat with a different set if desired.