Peloton Bike+ Review | Worth the Price Difference?

Dimensions/Storability

The Peloton Bike+, like most studio exercise bikes, does not fold. It has dimensions of 59” x 22” x 59”. It weighs 140 lbs and can be rolled on its transport wheels by lifting the bike by the rear stabilizer. It’s fairly easy to move around; just watch out for the screen, so you don’t knock it against something.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

Peloton Membership

In our opinion, what really makes Peloton what it is is the content. It is $44 per month for an All-Access Membership. This gives you access to Peloton’s full library of classes and profiles for everyone in your household. We’ve found the number of profiles to be unlimited.

I find Peloton’s library to be pretty easy to navigate. There’s a navigation bar on the bottom, as well as a filter search feature that lets you find specific classes. There is a wide variety of classes that are available on and off the bike.

You can take cycling, bike boot camp, strength, yoga, cardio, audio classes, treadmill, treadmill boot camp, meditation, and outdoor classes.

You can take classes from your phone or Peloton-enabled equipment like the Peloton Bike+, the original bike, and the Tread. There’s also a piece of equipment for taking strength classes called Peloton Guide.

The majority of Peloton’s classes are filmed in an indoor studio and feature an instructor guiding you through the workout.

The indoor classes are where Peloton shines because their instructors are fun. They’re also considered to be mini-celebrities because they’ve become so well-known. If you’ve taken some classes, you probably have a favorite or a few.

What also helps make Peloton’s classes feel engaging is the music. Each class has a curated playlist designed by the instructor. This way, you’ll hear the music as the instructor intended, just like in a studio cycling class. For cycling, the music often determines the pace and can help drive up the intensity.

Peloton is known for its leaderboard, and in our experience, you either find it motivating or intimidating, or maybe a combination of the two. You can also connect with other members on the leaderboard by using hashtags and giving “high-fives” to other riders.

Peloton offers live and on-demand classes. There is a live schedule of classes daily, and you can take an on-demand class whenever you want. These are available to bookmark or schedule ahead of time. Shortly after a class premieres live, it will become available on demand.

When you take a live class, the instructor might give you a “shout-out” by saying your membership name. These are often given to those who have a birthday that day or have reached a milestone, like 500 rides.

Peloton does have some outdoor rides filmed in real locations. There are some that feature no instructor (scenic rides), as well as trainer-led outdoor classes. However, we recommend Peloton more for users who really enjoy studio workout classes rather than outdoor cyclists hoping to get a similar experience to riding outside.

If you do want to take a break from trainer-led classes, you can check out Peloton Lanebreak.

Lanebreak is located in the “experiences” section of the library. It is a game that features six lanes and targets to hit as you pedal. You must be within a certain cadence to collect points. The number of these games available is growing. Peloton also stays true to its top-notch music by preselecting playlists for each game. Many are curated around a specific artist.

Without Peloton’s content that comes with the monthly subscription, there isn’t much functionality of the bike. You can change the resistance and view your resistance level from the login screen, but that’s it.

Console

The 24” touch screen on the Peloton Bike+ really enhances your class experience. The screen is extremely clear and can be tilted for better visibility. The screen also pivots 360 degrees side to side for taking classes like yoga and bike boot camp. We really like this upgrade from the original Peloton Bike.

We really like how sleek and clean the screen looks on the Bike+. Instead of having cables hanging loose on the original bike, the wires are tucked out of the way from getting snagged on something.

The screen also has an anti-smudge coating to prevent your fingerprints from leaving smudges when you touch it.

The screen is close enough for me to reach while sitting. I’m pretty short, and some bike screens are too far away for me to reach while riding, like the BowFlex Velcore Bike. If you’re taller, though, the screen might be a little too close for comfort while you’re out of the saddle. All of our reviewers can see our metrics clearly, and the screen resolution is impressive.

We also like all of the metrics that are displayed. In the metric bar at the bottom of the screen, you’ll see your cadence, training zone, resistance, and output in kilojoules. The zone is a reflection of your output and effort, so the harder you work, the higher the zone you’ll be in. You can also see your speed, distance, and calories, too.

The screen is where a lot of your controls for the Bike+ are. There’s also a resistance knob below the screen that you can turn to increase and decrease your resistance. The knob feels really nice and is easy to use. It isn’t impossible to reach a specific resistance level, yet you don’t have to turn the knob several times before you feel any tension on the flywheel.

The Peloton Bike+ has plenty of resistance for even the strongest riders.

There are 100 levels of resistance. Peloton also has an auto-follow feature that will adjust the bike’s tension within a range that the instructor cues. This way, you can just ride along with the instructor and not have to worry about adjusting your resistance.

The resistance knob is easy to reach and adjust.

The front-facing soundbar projects sound right at you. We really like these new speakers and that you can cover the camera while riding. There are volume adjustment buttons on the right side of the screen to quickly adjust the volume. We found the volume to go pretty high, too.

As far as storage, you’re not going to find any on the Peloton Bike+. There are two plastic water bottle holders below the handles and two holders for the included two light weights that sit behind the saddle.

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Build Quality

Not only does the Peloton Bike+ look really sleek, but it also is very solid. It feels super stable because of its hearty construction and the fact that it weighs 140 lbs. It also has a 297 lb weight limit which is comparable to the Echelon EX-5s. Users up to that weight limit should be able to get a lot of use out of the Bike+.

Frame

The steel frame and components on the bike are all black. The Peloton Bike+ will look nice in your home. The steel frame also provides a lot of stability to the bike. There are two adjustable leveling feet under each of the two stabilizers, so you can prevent the bike from rocking. There are also front-mounted wheels that let you move the Bike+ as needed.

We are impressed with the adjustability because it allows for riders ranging from about 4’11” to 6’4”, according to Peloton. We agree with this. During our testing, all of our reviewers, ranging from 5” to 6’5” were able to find a good bike fit and comfortable positioning.

There are three adjustment points on the Bike+, which is pretty common for bikes with attached touch screens.

Saddle

The saddle can be adjusted forward/backward and also up/down. The handlebars can be adjusted up and down. We didn’t find that we needed the handlebars to be moved forward or back.

The narrow, contoured saddle is about as comfortable as exercise bikes’ saddles come.

The saddle has a little bit of padding and a slim design, which makes it perfect for riding for long periods of time. Beginner riders will most likely have to get used to the saddle and might find it uncomfortable at first.

Flywheel

The flywheel is around 30 lbs. This weight keeps the pedal stroke smooth and ensures a consistent rotation as you pedal. On a bike of this quality, we expect a heavy flywheel like this. A heavy flywheel also helps make the bike feel more sturdy, too.

The Bike+ uses quiet magnetic resistance, and it’s practically silent. This type of resistance doesn’t require much, if any, maintenance, and it can be calibrated to show which resistance level you’re at. Magnetic resistance is usually more expensive than friction resistance. There are 100 levels of magnetic resistance, which just makes sense.

Other bikes, like the Echelon EX-5s, use 32 levels, while both the NordicTrack bikes have 24 levels of resistance. 100 is a nice number that allows plenty of range for you to pick various tensions to train at.

Drive System

The Bike+ comes with Delta Look pedals. We requested toe cages on our bike, but you will have to reach out to Peloton directly for this option. Alternatively, you can buy compatible Delta cleats or third-party compatible pedals.

The addition of the toe cages is really nice because it makes the bike accessible to more users.

Delta-compatible pedals aren’t as common as SPD pedals that are found on the Echelon EX-5s, BowFlex Velocore, and both NordicTrack X24 and S24 Studio Bikes. So, in order to use the Delta-LOOK pedals, you’ll need to purchase Peloton shoes that have compatible cleats.

Another factor that makes the Peloton Bike+ so quiet to use is the belt drive system. Belts connect the pedals to the flywheel rather than chains, making for a very smooth, silent pedal stroke.

Handlebars

The handlebars on the Peloton Bike+ have a nice coating that doesn’t get slick when you’re sweaty. They also offer a lot of grip options. The horizontal bar on the handles isn’t as curved as the handles on the original bike. We like this because it allows you to get a more comfortable grip in the second position. The handles are slim enough to wrap your hands around, too.

I wish the handlebars had a central grip, but they are otherwise comfortable.

Warranty

Peloton offers a more limited warranty than other brands. They include a 5-year warranty for the frame and a 12-month warranty for the touch screen, components, pedals, and labor when you purchase the Peloton Bike+. However, delivery and set-up are included in the price. Peloton will have their professionals set up your Bike+ in your home, so you don’t have to.

Should You Buy the Peloton Bike+

The Peloton Bike+ is sleek and performs as you would expect from a high-end exercise bike. The magnetic resistance keeps it quiet during use, and we found it to fit all of our reviewers well. We liked short and long rides on the Bike+ because it’s so comfortable.

Peloton’s library of classes is mainly filmed in indoor studios with top-notch instructors who are like mini-celebrities. To access the full library and get the full functionality of the bike, you’ll need to pay for the monthly subscription, though.

The Peloton Bike+ is ideal if you are looking for the full Peloton experience—automatic resistance included. If you’re a lover of Peloton’s classes or if you love taking studio cycling classes, then we suggest checking out the Peloton Bike+.

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Peloton Bike+ Q&A / FAQ

What is the difference between the Peloton Bike and Bike Plus?

The Bike+ has (optional) automatic resistance adjustments in Peloton classes. The tech features have also been upgraded, including a larger screen.

Can you use the Peloton Bike+ without a subscription?

Yes, you can use the Peloton Bike+ without a subscription, but we don’t really like it without one. It has very limited features. You can cycle while on the login screen without any metrics. We wish that Peloton would allow you to cycle in manual mode with your time and distance displayed, at least.

Can I upgrade my Peloton Bike to the Bike Plus?

While Peloton has run a trade-in program before, you cannot currently trade in a Bike for a Bike+. The camera’s only function is to take a profile picture.

Does the Peloton Bike+ have a camera?

Yes, the Peloton Bike+ has a camera. The camera has a sliding privacy cover you can use for peace of mind.

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