NordicTrack S27i vs. Peloton Bike+: The Better Bike Is…

Dimensions/Storability

When storing these exercise bikes, note that they don’t fold up, which is common for most indoor cycling bikes. However, they do have front-mounted transportation wheels, so you can lift up the back ends and wheel them around when needed.

The NordicTrack S27i is heavier at 217 lbs when it’s delivered in the box.

The Peloton Bike+ weighs 140 lbs.

The NordicTrack is heavier, so it can be a little harder to maneuver, but both are transportable.

They are both similar in dimensions. The S27i is 57” L x 28” W x 65” H versus the Bike+, which is 59” L x 22” W x 59” H. You’ll want to factor in the total dimensions plus add a few feet surrounding the bikes, to ensure you have enough room to use them in your home.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

iFIT and Peloton have many similarities and differences. Both have touch screens attached to subscription workout programming. You have to subscribe to their memberships to access the full library of classes.

iFIT vs. Peloton Memberships

Both bikes also feature resistance automation. The automatic resistance is where the bike adjusts with the instructor’s cues and/or with the outdoor terrain of the class, so you don’t have to worry about adjusting the bike yourself. The S27i and Bike+ offer this feature when subscribing to their respective memberships.

We recommend subscribing to the content on either screen to get full access to the screen’s functionality.

iFIT

I’m starting with iFIT on the NordicTrack S27i. iFIT has an impressive library of over 16,000 classes. Classes are on-demand and can be taken at any time, with more added regularly. In addition to cycling classes, there are treadmill, rowing, elliptical, strength, yoga, and mindfulness classes such as guided meditations and TED Talks. Compared to the Peloton App, iFIT offers a wider variety.

In our opinion, iFIT stands out with its outdoor classes. They’re offered in the variety of disciplines I listed. On the S27i, you can use the browse section to filter your search for a specific class by type, such as road cycling, mountain biking, and races. The races are real-life events like the Gran Fondo 55-Mile Race.

The main format of iFIT’s outdoor classes is you follow the instructor through the landscape

iFIT also offers high-quality indoor studio classes that feature the instructor in front of the screen on an exercise bike. Music is a huge part of these classes because it helps add energy. However, we wish music was integrated into these classes to make them feel more like typical studio spin classes.

Our only complaint about iFIT is the music. It features Feed.FM with preselected playlists of music split into different genres. It is nice to be able to change stations throughout the class; however, the music can get a little stale at times.

Another favorite part of iFIT is the SmartAdjust feature. This is where the S27i automatically adjusts for you while riding. You can, of course, bypass this and adjust the grade and resistance yourself, but this comes in handy when you’re taking an outdoor ride with a bunch of hills.

iFIT calculates an appropriate resistance and grade range depending on your previous classes. If the resistance and/or grade is too much or too little, iFIT considers that when you adjust the bike yourself.

When you want to take a break from trainer-led classes, iFIT has a Google Map feature that lets you create your own in areas worldwide. Once you draw your route, Google images of the area are shown as you ride.

Peloton All-Access Membership

Peloton has made a name for itself largely due to its content. Peloton features a lineup of star-studded instructors.

You’ve probably heard their instructor names, like Robin Arzon and Cody Rigsby, to name a few.

Peloton offers live and on-demand classes as well as indoor and outdoor classes. However, their indoor class list is considerably larger than their outdoor class list. Plus, their number of outdoor rides paled compared to iFIT’s outdoor library. The platform really shines in the indoor classes.

They feature the instructor on a bike in front of the camera. Sometimes, class participants are in the background, as with iFIT indoor classes. You can take cycling, treadmill, audio outdoor runs and walks, strength, yoga, boxing, and meditation classes. All classes feature a leaderboard so you can compete against other members and even give and receive virtual high-fives.

Peloton really stands out with its music. The instructors curate playlists for the classes so users hear each song along with the trainer. This is typical with studio spin classes. Peloton also has classes that feature specific genres and even artists.

Peloton has automation that lets you follow along with the instructor’s cues. This feature is only available on the Peloton Bike+. When switched on, it adjusts the resistance for you based on the structure of the workout. That way, you can ride hands-free if you want.

Another fun content choice is Peloton Lanebreak.

Lanebreak is Peloton’s gaming feature that displays a wheel that moves down multiple lanes to collect points. The object is to stay in a specific lane by adjusting your resistance, power, and cadence to certain levels.

NordicTrack S27i Console vs. Peloton Bike+ Console

The NordicTrack S27i has the largest screen on an exercise bike at 27”. It tilts up and down and pivots to each side so you can take iFIT classes on and off the bike. The Peloton Bike+ has a 24” touch screen that tilts and rotates side to side for those mat classes, too. They have some similarities and differences, so let’s get into the nitty-gritty.

The console on both of these bikes primarily consists of rotating touch screens.

NordicTrack S27i Console

I will say that this 27” touch screen is next level. It is so large that it makes me feel like I’m with the iFIT instructor. It definitely makes using iFIT feel more interactive. Navigating the screen and iFIT is also pretty straightforward. The screen can shake some, but with proper form, this can be minimized.

The NordicTrack S27i has front-mounted speakers that are clear and plenty loud. Adjustment buttons are below the screen and on the touch screen. A fan is also fixed between the speakers and provides ample airflow while riding. This is a nice touch that we appreciate having on the S27i. The Bike+ doesn’t have a fan.

Below the fan, between the handlebars, is a tray for your phone or other personal item.

Below the handles is a flat resistance brake that stops the pedals when they’re moving. There is also a plastic cupholder that is a little flimsy. We wish the cup holders were more stable as if they were on the NordicTrack S22i.

Peloton Bike+ Console

The 24” touch screen on the Peloton Bike+ is clear and really lovely to use. The graphics are crisp, and using the screen within the Peloton app is easy. The screen is very slim and remains steady, but it can feel a little too close when you’re standing out of the saddle in position three.

The front-facing sound bar sits at the top of the screen, and the speakers are loud and clear. Apart from the two cupholders below the handles, though, the Bike+ doesn’t have any storage.

The cupholders hold water bottles just fine, but they’re plastic and flimsy.

Both bikes have cages for the weights behind the saddle. However, the Bike+ offers the weights at a separate price.

Build Quality

Overall, both of these exercise bikes have excellent construction and are smooth and stable to ride. They’re suitable for users of all abilities and sizes. The NordicTrack can handle up to 350 lbs, whereas the Bike+ has a weight capacity of 297 lbs.

NordicTrack S27i vs. Peloton Bike+ Frame

The Peloton Bike+ is lighter and has a sleeker look than the NordicTrack S27i. However, it doesn’t have as many capabilities. The NordicTrack S27i has a motor attached to the rear stabilizer and weighs 217 lbs compared to the 140 lbs that the Bike+ weighs.

The S27i has stabilizers at the front and rear of the bike, as well as one under the bike that runs from the front to the back.

This design creates a very sturdy ride and allows the frame to pivot up and down when the grade percentage is changed. The Bike+ has a more classic design with a stabilizer on the front and back.

The Peloton doesn’t incline or decline but offers a standard riding experience instead.

NordicTrack S27i vs. Peloton Bike+ Flywheel

The flywheel indicates a well-built home exercise bike. A heavy flywheel of over 20 lbs points to a hearty bike that’s smooth to ride. This is true for both the Bike+ and S27i. Their flywheels are very similar in size and only weigh about 2 lbs different. The S27i has a 32-lb flywheel, while the Bike+ has a 30-lb flywheel.

When pedaling, we don’t notice a difference between the two. Both flywheels are inertia-enhanced, so they maintain consistently smooth pedal strokes.

Each of these bikes also uses magnetic resistance. Magnetic resistance is smooth and doesn’t cause wear and tear on the flywheel like friction resistance. The magnetic resistance is practically silent. The incline/decline motor on the NordicTrack S27i is also very quiet and quick to adjust, so it’s suitable to use in pretty much any home space.

NordicTrack S27i vs. Peloton Bike+ Drive System

The Peloton Bike+ and NordicTrack S27i use belt drive systems, which help contribute to how quiet these bikes are. Along with the heavy flywheel, this is a factor that aids in making the pedal stroke so smooth.

On the S27i, we are thrilled to see hybrid pedals.

One side of the pedal is a toe cage that allows users to wear any type of athletic shoe while riding. The other side has an SPD clip, so you can wear compatible cycling shoes and ride clipped in.

This makes the NordicTrack more accessible and accommodating to a wider variety of riders. SPD cleats are pretty common among indoor cyclists, so it’s easy to find a relatively affordable pair at most sporting goods stores.

The Peloton Bike+ comes with less common Delta-compatible clip-ins. Since they’re not as common, you’ll most likely need to purchase Peloton’s cycling shoes at a separate cost just to use the Bike+.

There is also an option to add toe cages to these pedals, like on our Bike+ here, but these are at an additional cost, too.

NordicTrack S27i vs. Peloton Bike+ Handlebars & Saddle

The horizontal bar on the Bike+ offers multiple grip options and gives a little bit more comfortability when riding with your hands in the second position. The rounded handles on the S27i feel a bit too narrow, especially for users with broader shoulders. We wish they were more of a horizontal bar like on the Bike+.

The Peloton Bike+ does have thoughtful handlebars.

The handles on the S27i have adjustment buttons that make changing the resistance and incline/decline easy.

The buttons on the right adjust the resistance, which includes 24 levels, and the buttons on the left control the incline up to 20% and decline to -10%. The Bike+ uses a resistance knob that’s placed just below the handlebars. With 100 levels of resistance, it is harder to land on a specific increment with this knob. It feels nice in your hand, but it is pretty sensitive.

The NordicTrack S27i is fun and engaging to ride.

The Bike+ is comfortable to ride.

Because the NordicTrack S27i Studio Bike and the Peloton Bike+ have large, attached touch screens, they only offer three adjustment points. The seat adjusts up/down and forward/back, while the handles only adjust up and down. This is pretty standard on exercise bikes that come with attached screens.

Although this can be unfortunate when users try to get a perfect bike fit, we found that both of these bikes offer plenty of adjustability. The seat and handles offer a wide range of adjustability. All of our reviewers, who range from 5’0” to 6’5”, fit well on both exercise bikes.

The saddles on the Bike+ and S27i are narrow with slight contouring to support your tailbone. The narrow design makes them perfect for long-distance riding because you’re less prone to developing saddle sores. The cushioning on the S27i’s saddle feels stiffer and less forgiving than the Peloton, although it can be swapped out for a different seat.

NordicTrack S27i vs. Peloton Bike+ Warranty

When comparing the warranty packages, NordicTrack offers more coverage. The S27i comes with a 10-year warranty for the frame, a 2-year warranty for parts, and a 1-year warranty for labor, whereas the Peloton Bike+ comes with a 5-year warranty for the frame, and a 12-month warranty for the touch screen, pedals, labor, and other components.

Should You Buy The NordicTrack S27i Or The Peloton Bike+?

In this head-to-head comparison, our pick is the NordicTrack S27i Studio Bike. While both bikes are on our list of best exercise bikes, the S27i offers more. First, the screen is 3” larger, and you can tell when you’re riding. It’s huge and makes you feel like you’re in all remote outdoor locations where iFIT films classes.

Peloton is growing its excellent-quality library of outdoor rides, but iFIT’s library is considerably larger.

While we prefer Peloton’s indoor classes because each class has a curated playlist and top-notch instructors, the NordicTrack S27i has more features. The bike has a motor mounted on the back that pivots the frame up and down, making it feel like you’re riding outside.

NordicTrack S27i vs. Peloton Bike+ Q&A / FAQ

How does Peloton compare to NordicTrack?

Peloton and NordicTrack both offer high-quality exercise bikes and subscription training content. Peloton nails its indoor studio workout classes, and its instructors are fun and engaging. NordicTrack has a more expansive library of outdoor-filmed workouts. NordicTrack’s bikes also incline and decline, whereas Peloton’s are standard indoor exercise bikes.

Do you need a subscription to use the NordicTrack S27i?

You don’t need an iFIT subscription to use the S27i. Without a subscription, you can access manual mode and a free featured iFIT workout.

Are there any bikes better than Peloton?

We consider NordicTrack bikes better than Peloton bikes. We rate the S22i and S27i higher on our best exercise bikes list than both Peloton bikes.