Peloton Bike+ Review – 2024

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Last Updated: May 9, 2023

When you think of indoor exercise bikes most likely Peloton comes to mind. Everyone and their mom had to have a Peloton bike during the Pandemic. But, are their bikes worth all the hype? Is Peloton worth it? Well, in this Peloton Bike+ Review, I’ll go over everything you need to know and what we think of Peloton’s premium exercise bike model.

Overall, the Peloton Bike+ has a really sleek design.

Everything from the Bike+’s performance, comfortability, the subscription fitness content, and how it worked for our reviewers will be discussed in this comprehensive review. So, keep reading to find out if the Peloton Bike+ is for you.

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Awards: Best Expensive Bike With A Screen

Both of the Peloton Bikes are on our best exercise bike list. We’ve given the Peloton Bike+ a 4.7 out of 5-star rating because it is a high-quality bike that performs well and has impressive workout content at an additional monthly cost. We’ve awarded the Peloton Bike+ as the best expensive bike with a screen because of its capabilities, it is priced a bit high compared to comparable models. Unlike the BowFlex Velocore and the NordicTrack S22i and S27i Studio Bikes, the Peloton Bike+ is your typical stationary exercise bike. It doesn’t have additional features like leaning or inclining, like these other options. It is elegant, yet solid and we recommend it for any die-hard Peloton-lovers out there.

Why Trust Our Review Of The Peloton Bike+

When we test exercise bikes, we make sure to get our hands on the most popular bikes on the market. This way, we can compare bikes to one another and bring you thorough reviews so you can make informed decisions on which bike is best for you. We know all the ins and outs of exercise bikes, so know that we bring our experience and knowledge into every review.

We compared the Peloton Bike+ to the BowFlex Velocore, the Echelon EX5s, and the NordicTrack S27i, and S22i.

Video Review – Peloton Bike+

In-depth Review of the Peloton Bike+

Peloton App

In our opinion, what really makes Peloton what it is, is the content. It is $39 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. I do miss a search bar that another fitness platform, iFit, has. This lets you type in specific keywords to narrow your search.

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.

Another factor that can drive up the intensity, is the leaderboard. It is in every class when you’re on one of the bikes or the Tread. The leaderboard shows your ranking among other members, so there’s an added competitive element if you like competition. If it’s not your thing, you can swipe it off the screen. 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. These are available to bookmark or schedule ahead of time. 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, as well as trainer-led outdoor classes. Their library is growing, but it isn’t as lush as iFit’s outdoor content. 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 “more rides” section of the library. It is a computerized game that features 6 lanes and targets to hit as you pedal. The targets are determined by your cadence, and you must be within a certain cadence to collect points. The number of these games available is growing, as Peloton is slowly adding more. Peloton also stays true to its top-notch music by preselecting playlists for each game. Even though the playlist is preselected, they provide a similar feel as their studio classes because they’re picked by the instructors, too.

Outside of Peloton’s content that comes with the monthly subscription, there isn’t much functionality of the bike. Manual mode is only available without the subscription.

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 in and out of the way from getting snagged on something.

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

The screen is close enough for me to reach while sitting. Being 5’1”, I’m pretty short and some bike’s 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 resolution of the screen 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 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. 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 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 2 plastic water bottle holders below the handles and 2 holders for the included 2 light weights that sit behind the saddle. The plastic holders are fine but they aren’t as sturdy and reliable as the metal holders on the NordicTrack S22i. The S22i and NordicTrack S27i also have a tray to place your phone or another personal item, in between the handlebars. There’s no place to store your phone on the Bike+.

Construction Quality & Durability

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 because it really has a nice look. The steel frame also provides a lot of stability to the bike. There are 2 adjustable leveling feet under each of the 2 stabilizers, so you can prevent any rocking of the bike. There are also front-mounted wheels that let you move the Bike+ where you need to when the back stabilizer is tilted up.

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

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.

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 to use. 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 tension to train at.

Drive System

We really appreciate the upgraded pedals on the Bike+. You can choose from the Delta-compatible pedals or toe cages. The toe cages have an adjustable strap to secure your feet in place and they can be used with any type of athletic shoe.

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 S22i and S27i Studio Bikes. So, in order to use the Delta-LOOK pedals, you’ll need to purchase Peloton’s 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.

There are no adjustment buttons on the handlebars, like on the NordicTrack Studio Bikes.

Performance & Functionality

The Peloton Bike+ performed how we anticipated it would. Since it’s at a higher price point, we expected it to be stable, comfortable, and quiet to ride. The Bike+ is all of this and we like that it accommodates a wide variety of sized users. The adjustment knobs for all three adjustment points feel really nice, and make adjusting smooth and seamless. It’s also suitable for riders of all abilities.

Riding it feels intuitive with the comfortable adjustment knob, and the screen really makes for an interactive training experience.

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

It has a little bit of padding and a slim design which is 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. Compared to the saddles on the NordicTrack S27i and NordicTrack S22i, we prefer this one.

Something to be aware of on the Peloton Bike+, is that it functions as a standard exercise bike. Other bikes that are similarly priced have included touch screens as well as additional capabilities. For example, the Velocore Bike from BowFlex has a leaning feature where the bike tilts from side to side. Both the NordicTrack S22i and S27i, have an attached motor that inclines and declines the frame of the bike. This simulates the feeling of riding up and downhills. We find these features to be fun, however, if you prefer a more classic riding experience, the Peloton Bike+ will give you that.

Warranty

Peloton offers a more limited warranty than what we’ve seen from 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 is included in the price. Peloton will have their professionals set up your Bike+ in your home, so you don’t have to.