NordicTrack X24 Bike Review: Our New Favorite Bike?

Dimensions/Storability

While I typically turn to exercise bikes as a recommendation for exercisers with small spaces, I can’t do so with the NordicTrack X24. It weighs 205 lbs as it comes shipped in the box, making it nearly 200 lbs on its own. The large touchscreen is an additional feature that makes moving the bike around more challenging than others.

Watch out for the large touchscreen when moving the NordicTrack X24 around in your home.

Still, it’s only 56.4” x 21.8” x 62.7”, which is much more compact than many treadmills. It also has transport wheels to allow you to lift it by the rear stabilizer and roll it around. Pro tip: Remove the included dumbbells before transport to avoid dropping them.

Though some exercise bike shoppers may view the NordicTrack X24’s larger size as a con, it makes the bike very stable and allows it to do some pretty incredible things.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

iFIT owns NordicTrack (and ProForm and Freemotion). Thus, the NordicTrack X24 fits seamlessly into the iFIT training ecosystem. It would make a great exercise bike for anyone who already has an iFIT subscription through another machine or is interested in subscribing to the training service.

It costs $39 per month, or you can subscribe for one year or multiple for a discount. An iFIT Pro subscription supports up to five users—distinct profiles for everyone in the family! You only need one subscription for all your compatible iFIT equipment, including your phone, tablet, or smart TV!

iFIT

With thousands of classes, you will never run out of iFIT classes to take on the X24 bike.

Now that you have a decent background on iFIT, how does it work with the bike? Well, a typical iFIT class on the X24 follows an iFIT trainer as they cycle along a route somewhere beautiful. iFIT has recorded classes on all seven continents, so there are many to choose from. Your iFIT coach provides training advice, personal anecdotes, and information about the location.

With SmartAdjust, the X24’s resistance levels automatically adjust to suit your fitness level. The bike learns your training level when you override the preset levels. iFIT will adjust your current and future workouts accordingly.

I always turn on SmartAdjust when it is available to ensure the classes are not too easy or too hard for me.

I noticed a unique feature with the X24 bike that has the potential to be great but was a little too distracting for me. If you pedal slower or faster than the recommended rpm, a SmartAdjust message will appear on the screen saying your resistance has been adjusted.

I didn’t notice an actual change to the resistance level, but the message appeared regularly. Given that I have a hard time consistently staying at an exact rpm, these messages appeared almost constantly. I wish the X24 wasn’t quite as sensitive and gave you more room for error before sending this message.

The incline adjusts, too, matching the terrain shown on the screen as closely as possible. Every hill your iFIT coach ascends, you will ascend, too. The incline isn’t just a change in resistance or a fun tilt to the bike itself; it’s both!

There are even more iFIT features beyond the trainer-led classes. You can create a structured workout or a route using Google Maps integration. With Google Maps, you will see your route with a marker indicating where you are on the course. The bike’s incline adjusts to match the displayed route as closely as possible.

Create custom interval workouts and Google Maps routes, or try a template workout.

The entertainment apps on the X24 include Netflix, Prime Video, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, iHeartRadio, and PlutoTV. You can use these apps while in an iFIT class or while using the other training options. I love watching Netflix while on the bike because it makes me feel less guilty about my binge-watching habit.

iFIT has a nice selection of entertainment apps: Amazon Music, Audible, Netflix, PlutoTV, Prime Video, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.

Onboard Workouts

If you do not subscribe to iFIT, you can still use the X24 Bike. There are onboard training programs when you pair the bike to Wi-Fi and create a free iFIT account. However, you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. If you don’t create an account at all, you can use the bike in manual training mode, where you have manual control over the resistance and incline.

If you don’t subscribe, you can train in the manual mode and manually adjust resistance and incline.

Unfortunately, there are no onboard preset workouts without a free iFIT account. Without an iFIT subscription, you cannot access Netflix or other third-party apps either.

Console

The console focuses on the touchscreen, but it has a few other features to offer indoor cyclists.

The X24 Bike has very little in the way of a console outside of the touchscreen. One of the biggest differences is the buttons on the ends of the handlebars that control the resistance and incline. Most studio exercise bikes have a spinning knob for resistance. Since the X24 also includes an incline, this method is preferable and convenient for making adjustments.

The X24 has a 24” touchscreen, hence the name. Most of the controls, including additional controls for the speed and incline, are on screen. The screen also rotates so you can view it and interact with it more easily when doing a mat class or other workout. Technically, you could even use it as a bonus TV to watch Netflix.

The 24” touchscreen is the perfect way to watch your favorite shows or movies, and the screen pivots, allowing you to view it when not in the saddle.

The screen also tilts up and down slightly to help you get a better angle while training. I sometimes feel a little close to the screen, especially when I come out of the saddle. However, the large screen size does help you engage more with the classes.

The iFIT viewing experience would not be complete without audio. The X24 has speakers just beneath the screen, which face the cyclist. This positioning makes it easier to hear the audio clearly. You can also adjust the speaker volume on the screen and control the iFIT trainer and entertainment volume separately.

Pair a heart rate monitor and headphones through the Bluetooth section on the bike menu.

If you don’t want to disturb others with the audio, you can pair headphones via Bluetooth to the X24.

Bluetooth also allows you to pair a heart rate monitor. The bike doesn’t support heart rate-based training, but if you want to record all of your metrics in one place and view it on the screen, you can. My Garmin broadcasts my heart rate to the X24, but it does not import any of the bike’s metrics.

The X24 has a few storage areas. There are two dumbbell holders in front of the handlebars. The dumbbells are included with the bike and weigh 3 lbs each. The X24 has two water bottle holders for a standard-sized cycling bottle. Finally, there is a small tray between the dumbbell holders to rest a phone or other small items.

The two water bottle holders sit just beneath the handlebars in front of the brake.

One thing that sets the NordicTrack X24 apart from other exercise bikes is the fan. I like having a fan because I get really hot when training. The X24’s fan is effective at cooling me off, and it has an auto feature that adjusts the fan speed as your intensity changes.

Finally, there is a USB-C charger on the side of the console.

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Build Quality

The build quality of the NordicTrack X24 is nice. It feels like a premium bike with a sturdy construction and a 350-lb weight capacity. This bike can endure hard daily training, which is what we want to see in a bike at this price point.

Frame

Ride in the saddle or out of the saddle—the frame feels sturdy regardless.

A steel frame gives the X24 the structure it needs to support its extensive incline range. The front and rear stabilizers are chunky, so you don’t have to fear the bike tipping as it inclines and declines. The rear stabilizer also has adjustable leveling feet to ensure the bike doesn’t wobble even if your floor is uneven.

Flywheel

Though NordicTrack does not specify the flywheel weight, it feels heavy and creates a smooth pedaling motion.

NordicTrack chose not to disclose the flywheel weight for the X24. However, given its incredible similarity in construction and performance to the S22i, I have to speculate that it’s about 32 lbs. It certainly performs like a heavy flywheel, and regardless of its true weight, I like it.

The X24 uses magnetic resistance instead of friction resistance. Magnets move closer or further from the flywheel to increase and decrease resistance. There are 24 magnetic resistance levels, but the incline further modifies the resistance levels so that level 24 resistance at 20% incline does not feel the same as level 24 resistance at 0% incline.

Motor

The X24 Bike inclines to 20% and declines to -10%.

Though most exercise bikes don’t have motors, the X24 does! It allows the bike to incline and decline through its -10% to 20% range. The motor is pretty quiet and adjusts at a reasonable speed. I noticed that the bike didn’t always have to adjust to the right grade during very short intervals, but I don’t mind that. It would be worse if this thing operated like a mechanical bull.

Some of you might think the incline is a bit gimmicky. However, I think the resistance adjustments that accompany the incline make it useful because you feel like you are going uphill. When the bike adjusts for the downhill, the resistance decreases relative to the resistance level you are at, again creating a more realistic experience.

I also think the incline is just fun. It kept me more engaged with the rides I took with iFIT trainers and the Google Maps integration.

Drive System

The X24’s belt drive is covered by a plastic shroud to keep debris from damaging it.

The X24 uses a belt drive instead of a chain drive, which helps the bike stay quiet and smooth. It also reduces the maintenance needed by the bike.

NordicTrack also designed the X24 with hybrid pedals, another feature I really appreciate. You can clip in with SPD cycling shoes or train with any athletic shoe. The toe cages are easy to adjust to your foot size with metal clips that adjust the nylon strap.

Pedaling on the X24 feels nice and smooth thanks to the thoughtful and durable design.

Handlebars & Saddle

The handlebars have plenty of grip options as well as convenient resistance and incline controls.

The handlebars and saddle can make or break an exercise bike’s design because they impact comfort greatly. Fortunately, the X24’s handlebars provide plenty of grip options. They are bullhorn-shaped with an additional ring center grip. The texture of the handlebars allowed me to keep my grip even when I got really sweaty during more difficult workouts.

NordicTrack upgraded the saddle on the X24 from what the old S22i and S27i offered. The saddle on those bikes was our biggest complaint, but the X24’s saddle is much softer and far more comfortable.

As for adjustments, the X24 has quite a bit of adjustability. The saddle height and reach adjust. I’m 5’4”, so I sat toward the bottom of the bike’s saddle height range, but it can definitely suit even shorter riders. Much taller cyclists (up to 6’5”) should also be comfortable. The horizontal adjustment was sufficient for me, too. The reach adjusts from about 15.5” to 17”.

The bike saddle is comfortable and very adjustable, so it should accommodate most cyclists well.

The handlebars only adjust up and down. I struggled to make this adjustment on my own because the touchscreen was so heavy, which caused the handlebar post to get stuck. If you have a friend or family member who can help you with this adjustment, it will be a lot easier with another set of hands.

Warranty

The X24 Bike has NordicTrack’s traditional warranty of 10 years on the frame, 2 years for parts, and 1 year for labor and the tablet. Do not store the bike in your garage or you risk voiding the warranty. The bike is for residential use in a climate-controlled environment.

Should You Buy The NordicTrack X24 Bike?

After testing and reviewing the NoricTrack X24 Bike, I have to admit that I think I like it more than its predecessors. The saddle is more comfortable, the touchscreen quality has improved, and iFIT now has more features than ever before. With access to apps like Netflix and Spotify, paying for an iFIT subscription to go with the X24 makes sense.

The standout feature of this bike is the incline range of -10% to 20%. The NordicTrack X24 has automatic incline and resistance adjustments when you train in an iFIT class, or you can manually control either setting from the buttons on the end of the handlebars. It’s an immersive experience that brings the outdoors to your home.

I recommend the NordicTrack X24 for cyclists of all abilities thanks to the powerful magnetic resistance with 24 levels. Rides with iFIT are tailored to your fitness level with SmartAdjust technology. It’s as fun as it is effective.

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NordicTrack X24 Bike Q&A / FAQ

How do NordicTrack’s bikes compare to Peloton?

NordicTrack’s bikes, like the X24, are similar to Peloton Bikes. They have touchscreens and subscription training content. The training content is primarily outdoor filmed. A trainer guides you through the workout in various locations.

Peloton mainly has studio-filmed trainer-led workouts. The Peloton Bikes are standard indoor cycling bikes, whereas NordicTrack’s bikes incline and decline. The frames tilt up and down to simulate the experience of riding up and down hills. This makes for a more realistic indoor cycling experience compared to other standard bikes like Peloton.

Do you need a subscription to use the NordicTrack X24 Bike?

The X24 Bike doesn’t require a subscription to use. When you create a free iFIT account, you can access manual mode, onboard workout programs, and a few featured iFIT classes.

Keep in mind that the touchscreen doesn’t have much functionality without a subscription to iFIT.

Is this a paid review?

NordicTrack did not pay us to create this review. NordicTrack sent us the X24 Bike to test, but this doesn’t influence our thoughts or opinions. We work with several brands to test various equipment, including exercise bikes. That way, when we recommend a machine, we know it is one of the best, if not the best.

We are affiliates, and we make commissions with our affiliate links. This allows us to make reviews. If you use one of our links, there’s no additional cost to your purchase, but it does help support us.

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