NordicTrack S22i Studio Review: A Cyclist’s Indoor Dream?

Dimensions/Storability

The S22i has transport wheels that allow you to roll it around as needed. It weighs nearly 200 lbs and the large screen protrudes from the front, making the bike cumbersome to move around. It has dimensions of 61″ x 22″ x 58″, and you’ll want a little extra space around the bike to use it.

The NordicTrack S22i is easy to lift and move around as needed.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

iFIT

iFIT is an interactive fitness app that features over 16,000 classes. iFIT supports five user profiles. With a subscription to iFIT, you’ll have full access to the library. We think that iFIT’s programming is a very valuable addition to the NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike.

The cycling classes on iFIT are filmed indoors and out and feature a trainer who guides you through the workout.

If you’ve ever taken an in-person spin class, then you’ll be familiar with the format of iFIT’s studio classes. The camera shows multiple angles of the instructor and often other class attendees. These classes include sprints, hill climbs, HIIT, or even boot camp, where you train on and off the bike, usually with weights. The S22i is perfect for all of these types of classes.

iFIT also features a wide variety of outdoor rides. These are filmed in real locations all around the world across a multitude of landscapes. You follow the instructor as they lead you up mountains, through cities, across dirt and gravel roads, and through real-life races. The videography constantly impresses me in these classes because they’re of such highly professional quality.

If you don’t want to always follow an instructor, you can create your own routes using the Google Map feature. This lets you draw a route in any area of the world so you can explore on your own.

In addition to cycling classes, iFIT also has classes for enabled equipment like treadmills, rowing machines, and ellipticals. There are also plenty of classes without equipment too. These include strength training with free weights, Pilates, yoga, body weight, and meditation classes.

So, with a membership to iFIT, you’re not just getting cycling classes led by an instructor but an entire training program to ensure your workouts are balanced to work your whole body and mind.

iFIT has on-demand classes to take whenever. There’s even a calendar for you to schedule classes ahead of time.

iFIT’s library is pretty straightforward to navigate.

I find it really helpful to use the search bar and filters. You can filter by duration, trainer, workout type, intensity, target area, continent, environment, other equipment, completed classes, and language. This way, if you’re looking for a certain class or a specific type of class, you can easily find it.

There are also challenges and series if you want a bit of extra motivation. Both of these include groups of classes that are goal-focused and revolve around a certain theme. There are series that feature the same instructor and/or are in the same location and are meant to be taken over a period of time.

iFIT’s music consists of a list of different genres of music that you can pick between. Each genre has a preselected list of songs that can be played in the background of any class. This leaves you in control of the music selection to an extent. You can’t skip ahead with the song list, but you can switch music stations at any time.

Although the songs are updated periodically, they can feel a bit generic at times. We do wish iFIT offered some studio cycling classes where the playlist is generated by the instructor to hear it with them during class.

Another great thing about iFIT is that you can download the app on your phone and television. This way, if you’re away from your S22i, you can still train.

Onboard Workouts

There is one featured iFIT class to take without a membership. Of course, there’s also the manual mode, which allows you to just ride and do your own thing. Manual mode is accessible among the pre-programmed workouts and in iFIT’s full library.

Console

The console on the NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike primarily consists of the 22″ touch screen. This is where a lot of the functionality of the bike is built. The adjustability on the 22″ touch screen is very handy to get the right position of the screen for you when you’re on and off the bike. It tilts upward and pivots 360 degrees from side to side.

The fact that the screen pivots makes classes off the bike really easy to see, and it makes the screen even more functional.

In comparison, the Peloton Bike+ has a slightly larger 24″ touchscreen. We didn’t notice much between these screen sizes, though. However, the NordicTrack S27i has a gigantic 27″ touch screen that is noticeably bigger and is said to be currently the largest screen attached to an exercise bike.

The 22″ touch screen is plenty large for us and doesn’t wobble as much as the S27i because it is lighter in weight. We do notice a tiny bit of screen shake when we are on light resistance levels out of the saddle or if we shift our upper bodies from side to side. However, the screen’s movement has been significantly improved from the previous model.

Any movement of the screen can be minimized if not completely eliminated when practicing correct positioning on the bike.

Compared to the previous 2021 model, the screen on the 2022 model has all the same functionality, but it is a little slimmer and sleeker because it doesn’t have any cords poking out on the back.

Another improvement that we love to see is the front-facing speakers on this new model. The speakers are just below the screen, and they point right at you.

There are volume buttons next to the speakers below the screen on the new model. They were previously on the side of the screen, so having them on the front makes them more accessible. You can adjust the volume on the screen within iFIT, too. This is where you can choose to balance the volume levels between the trainer’s voice and the music provided by iFIT.

I’m glad there’s still a fan built into the console. It is smaller than the 2021 S22i because of the new front-facing speakers. It generates the same amount of sound but the air output is less due to the more compact size. It’s still effective and hits my neck and face while riding.

Although there isn’t a device holder on the S22i, there is a tray to place your phone and/or keys. Because of this, you’re pretty tied into using the touch screen, but you can have your phone or any personal item within reach.

The NordicTrack S22i still comes with 3 lb weights that are stored in between the handlebars. These allow you to do some upper-body training while you ride. The two cupholders below are sturdy and hold my 22oz water bottle in place and within reach. They are larger and more stable than all of the other cupholders on bikes we compared the S22i to.

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Build Quality

The S22i is very quiet and stable to use. It also has a hefty 350 lb weight capacity that is among some of the highest that we see on exercise bikes. This is a bit heavier than the BowFlex Velocore and the Peloton Bike+, making it more suitable for larger riders.

The NordicTrack S22i has the same construction and frame that we love.

Frame

The base, stabilizers, and posts on the S22i are all steel. Some serious engineering went into designing this bike. Compared to other indoor cycling bikes that look like someone bought a spin bike and attached a TV to the top, the s22i has been designed from the ground up.

Wires and cables are internal, the drive train is quiet, and the frame is surprisingly solid for a bike that pivots up and down. I feel very stable as I ride in and out of the saddle.

We are impressed with the adjustability of this bike. I’m 5’1″, and here is the seat, which handles all the way up.

The S22i has three adjustment points: the saddle moves up/down and forward/back, while the handlebars can move up and down. These adjustment points also have a wide range to accommodate riders of all sizes.

The reach (nose of the saddle to base of the handlebars) ranges from about 15″-18″ from when the saddle is all the way forward and back. The leg span (top of the saddle to top of the lowest pedal) measures about 28″-41″ from when the saddle is all the way down and up. The leg span is your inseam length. These measurements indicate that this bike can handle a range of users.

Flywheel

The flywheel on the S22i is 32 pounds, which is a good weight for a home-use indoor studio cycle. Commercial bikes used in gyms have flywheels that weigh closer to 50 pounds. In general, a large, heavy flywheel creates smoother movement and better resistance on a stationary bike.

However, because the S22i has both an inertia-enhanced flywheel and magnetic resistance, it can produce fluid motion with minimal noise and ample resistance — all while weighing less. This makes it easier to move while maintaining functionality.

The flywheel on the NordicTrack S22i is smooth and silent.

The S22i uses magnetic resistance, which is a more expensive type of resistance because of the materials and mechanics involved. It is usually found on higher-end models. The NordicTrack S22i’s magnetic resistance makes it very quiet and suitable for most home spaces. You’ll see your resistance level and watt output displayed on the screen.

There are 24 levels of resistance compared to the 100 levels of resistance that the BowFlex Velocore and Peloton Bike+ have.

Motor

The S22i uses a DC motor that inclines and declines the frame of the bike. This simulates the experience of riding up and down a hill. It is located on the back of the bike above the rear stabilizer. The maximum incline is 20%, and the maximum decline is -10%.

The exercise bikes from NordicTrack are the only bikes we’ve tested with a motor attached.

When compared to the previous model, the S22i’s motors generated the same amount of sound and had the same level of responsiveness and speed. While the motor does make a little bit of noise when you’re inclining and declining, it does not produce a significant amount of sound. It is quieter than a treadmill motor, which still makes the bike suitable for shared spaces.

On top of shifting your positioning on the bike as though you’re going up and down a hill, this feature makes it feel like you’re riding through various grades. When the bike is inclined, you’ll get additional resistance no matter what resistance level you’re at. Alternatively, when the bike is declined, the resistance will feel lighter than when you’re inclined or even just at a 0% grade.

The motor on the S22i really adds value to create not only a more realistic and fun riding experience, but it makes the 24 levels of resistance feel harder and more variable. For reference, I can sit and pedal while on level 24 at a flat grade. However, when I have the bike completely inclined to 20% while on level 24, I can’t sit in the saddle and pedal.

Drive System

One of the upgrades to the 2022 model is the addition of hybrid pedals. One side of the pedals has toe cages that are compatible with any kind of athletic shoe. They have an adjustable strap and they’re deep enough to hold a wide range of shoe sizes. We found them to be more comfortable than the toe cages on the Peloton Bike+ which feel too shallow.

The other side of the pedal has a clip for SPD cleats.

SPDs are the most common type of clip, so most road cyclists can use their shoes to clip in on the S22i. We like that these pedals have been included on the S22i because it makes it more accommodating to users with different riding preferences.

The S22i uses a belt drive system to connect the pedals to the flywheel. This keeps the motion of the bike very quiet and smooth.

Handlebars

The handlebars feel very secure and hearty to use. They’re thick enough in diameter to wrap your hands around and wide enough for users of all sizes to feel comfortable. They offer three different grip options so you can mix up your hand positioning while riding. They have a spongy coating that doesn’t get slick, too.

On the ends of either handle are buttons to adjust the resistance (right) and incline/decline (left).

These buttons make adjusting the bike convenient, so you don’t have to always reach for the touch screen to adjust it. These buttons also make it easy to land on specific increments because the speed buttons adjust by one, and the incline buttons adjust by 0.5%.

This makes it easier than using a resistance knob on the Peloton Bike+ and Velocore Bike from BowFlex. Turning the knob to get to a specific resistance level can be a bit more challenging on these bikes. The knob below the handlebars on the S22i is a brake that can be pressed to immediately stop the flywheel when you’re pedaling.

Warranty

We highly recommend having two people set up the NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike. This way, you’re able to have a smoother setup process than with just one person. The warranty that comes with the S22i is pretty standard. NordicTrack offers a 10-year warranty for the frame, a 2-year warranty for parts, and a 1-year warranty for labor.

Should You Buy the NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle

Based on our testing, the NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike is the best bike on the market. It holds the best overall exercise bike of 2024 on our best exercise bike list. Its hearty construction, innovative features, and technology make it not only suitable for riders of all sizes, but it’s fun to ride, too!

We appreciate the new, thoughtful upgrades to this model, like the hybrid pedals, sleeker touch screen, and front-facing speakers. The saddle isn’t our favorite, but all of the other components and adjustability make this a comfortable, quiet exercise bike.

We love the incline and decline feature, as well as the 22″ iFIT-enabled touchscreen. This makes the bike feel realistic for riding outdoors, and iFIT has so many classes we know you won’t get bored! You can’t go wrong with the NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike and all it has to offer!

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NordicTrack S22i Q&A / FAQ

Can you use the NordicTrack S22i without a subscription?

Yes, you can use the NordicTrack S22i without a subscription in manual mode and with one featured iFIT class (if you have a free account and Wi-Fi).

How much does the S22i studio bike weigh?

It weighs 205 lbs as it comes shipped. The S22i should weigh under 200 lbs net.

Are NordicTrack bikes any good?

NordicTrack exercise bikes are great for indoor cyclists who want to feel like they are training outdoors. Very few exercise bikes have incline and decline functions, but the S22i and the S27i do. You’ll need an iFIT membership to make use of all the fun features like on-demand classes and Google Maps route creation.

Can you use the Peloton app on the NordicTrack S22i?

No, you cannot use the Peloton app on the NordicTrack S22i. iFIT is the training app on the S22i.

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