Peloton Bike+ vs. Wahoo KICKR Bike Comparison | Train Smart

Dimensions/Storability

One thing that stands out to me on the Wahoo KICKR Bike compared to every other exercise bike I’ve tested is its floor stabilizers. The KICKR has these long diagonal stabilizers that make it trickier to move around.

These stabilizers can be a tripping hazard, so ensure you have plenty of room to maneuver around the bike.

The Peloton Bike+ has a traditional exercise bike build, which I find easier to move around. The wheels are on the front stabilizer, allowing you to lift the bike by the rear stabilizer for transport. Just watch out for the screen!

The stabilizers have adjustable feet to level the bike wherever you place it.

Peloton Bike+ Frame

• Welded, powder-coated steel frame. Neodymium rare-earth magnet system with dynamic resistance control.
• Belt Drive: Poly V power transmission belt drive
• Bike weight: 140lb (125lb frame, 15lb console)
• Footprint: 59″ L x 22″ W x 59″ H
• Rider Size: 4’11” to 6’5″ tall
• Max Weight: 297lb user weight

Wahoo KICKR Bike Frame

• Frame: Aluminum & steel
• Belt Drive: Quiet belt drive
• Bike weight: 93lb
• KICKR Bike Frame: 48″ long x 30″ wide
• Standover Height: 37″ to 47″
• User Heights: Fits individuals from 5′ tall to 6’4″ tall
• Max Weight: 250lb user weight

Onboard Workouts & Apps

Peloton’s digital content sets the bar for the whole industry. The film production is professional. The division of volume control between the instructor and the music is useful. The music creates a user experience that sells this bike.

Riders see the Leaderboard in live and on-demand classes to compete against others. High-fives and Kudos allow riders to interact with each other. You can even set up groups with friends to complete the same rides. However, you don’t ever see the other riders in the class. Peloton mimics a studio spin class led by an engaging instructor with other class participants.

The KICKR Bike does not include a screen and allows cyclists to use whatever third-party app they prefer for training. What is impressive about the KICKR Bike is that it syncs with external apps to adjust the resistance based on the terrain (it gets harder when you ride up a hill) and includes automated incline and decline.

Screen

Peloton Bike+ has a gorgeous 24″ touchscreen. The new Bike+ has a front-facing sound bar along the top, providing high-quality sound directed at the rider. The new Bike+ screen also rotates 180 degrees to either side, so you can view programs off the bike. This is handy when doing a yoga, boot camp, or strength-based workout.

The screen graphics and resolution are unparalleled. Peloton excels at digital content and screen quality—no buffering delay. Excellent load times. Crisp screen and graphics. The Peloton screen will only display Peloton classes and content. You cannot access streaming apps, like Netflix, with a Peloton membership, but it does not pair with Zwift or other training apps.

The KICKR Bike is an ode to those who love competitive cycling apps. The bike does not have a screen—you bring your own! The KICKR Bike is Bluetooth enabled and will pair with cycling apps that can be downloaded on a Smart TV, computer, or tablet. You get to design your own “pain cave,” complete with a TV or computer screen and headwind fan.

Peloton AutoFollow

Peloton’s AutoFollow is a new feature added to the Bike+ not available on the original Peloton Bike. This allows riders to “lock” the resistance into a range so you don’t have to manually adjust it. For those following a class, this is helpful since you can’t see and respond to the outdoor terrain. I love the AutoFollow element on the Bike+ and feel that it adds a lot of value.

Wahoo Performance Features

When the KICKR Bike syncs with apps, it automatically adjusts based on the displayed terrain if supported by the app. Riding uphill increases the bike’s resistance to match the grade. This is extremely unusual for a bike without a touchscreen. The KICKR Bike allows riders to “lock” the settings to automatically adjust per the app, or you can “unlock” it for manual control.

The KICKR Bike also titls from 20% to -15% for an immersive feel. This enhances the nature of the ride even more! As with the automated resistance, the incline and decline will adjust to match your displayed terrain. The whole bike frame angles upward or downward, so it feels like you are riding those hills.

Build Quality

Okay, so here’s the thing: these bikes are extremely different. Comparing them is a challenge because they are marketed to different demographics and provide different riding experiences.

Frame

The Wahoo KICKR Bike doesn’t look like a standard indoor bike—at first glance, it may not even look like a bike! However, the KICKR Bike provides the most realistic simulation of outdoor riding of any bike we’ve tested. This is because the KICKR Bike was designed for outdoor road cyclists who want to train indoors in the off-season.

Training on another bike is counterproductive. If the fit isn’t right, the gearing system is different, or the saddle feels wrong, it can derail your plans for indoor training. Wahoo set the industry standard for indoor “trainers” that have supported road bikes for years. However, a while ago, Wahoo decided to venture into new territory and design a fully equipped, fully adjustable bike.

The KICKR Bike allows serious cyclists—who love cycling and talk about it all the time, have a bike for each day of the week, and have more medals than they have room for—to train indoors without hauling their road bike inside.

The KICKR Bike frame weighs 93 pounds and will support up to 250 pounds. The Peloton Bike+ weighs 140 pounds and will support 300 pounds. The KICKR Bike is lighter because it is made of aluminum and steel, doesn’t have a screen, and the flywheel is only 13 pounds. The Bike+ has a 15lb screen, 30lb flywheel, and is constructed of corrosion-resistant steel.

Adjustability

The Wahoo KICKR Bike, however, has so many adjustment points; just setting it up is a process! Be prepared to know either your personal measurements or the metrics from your recent bike fit to plug into the Wahoo app. This will then spit out the precise numbers needed for each adjustment point on the bike. This way, the frame can be tailored perfectly for each rider.

The Wahoo KICKR Bike has more adjustment points than your friendly neighborhood chiropractor.

The adjustment process on the Wahoo KICKR Bike is quite an ordeal. It is great for outdoor cyclists who really want to get things right, but others may find it tedious and annoying. If you fall into the latter category, a more traditional exercise bike, like the Bike+, might be right for you.

By comparison, the Peloton is simple to adjust. One or two quick tweaks, and you’re ready to ride. The Peloton Bike+ gets kudos for being easy to use and a cinch to ride. You can raise/lower the handlebars as well as slide the seat forward/back and raise it up/down. While it doesn’t have as many adjustment points, the Peloton Bike+ will accommodate riders from 4′ to 6’5″ – the same as the KICKR Bike.

Seat

I like the saddle the Peloton Bike+ has because I experienced no soreness while cycling. It feels sporty and has a nice texture to reduce sliding around. The Wahoo KICKR Bike also has a sporty saddle, but the biggest benefit to the KICKR is that you can easily swap out the saddle to match your road bike if you prefer.

The Peloton Bike+’s saddle is comfortable and sporty.

Handlebars

The Peloton Bike+ has standard handlebars with an elongated horizontal bar. This allows riders to lean forward and rest their arms on the vertical grips along the sides. The Peloton handlebars are very comfortable, with thick tubing and plenty of places to rest your hands and arms. The handlebars cannot be swapped out.

The Wahoo KICKR Bike has multi-grip handlebars with drops, gears, and brakes. You’ll notice the KICKR Bike handlebars look like regular bike bars with wrapped tape, a standard shape, drops, gears, and brakes. The handlebars can be swapped out for other road-bike-compatible bars if you are a triathlete and want aerobars, etc.

Pedals

By default, the Bike+ has Delta LOOK pedals. There are several advantages to using clipless pedals like these. They keep your feet firmly planted in the pedal, which reduces the chances of pedal strikes (when your foot accidentally slips out of the pedal, it spins around and whacks you in the shin).

Peloton Bike+ Delta LOOK pedals have an option for a pedal with cages.

Cycling shoes allow the rider to pull up at the top of the pedal rotation, which engages the glutes and hamstrings for more balanced workouts. Delta LOOK cleats are wide and allow for more “float” in your ankle and knee joints, reducing strain on them and allowing for a natural-feeling pedal stroke.

Cycling shoes & cleats are not interchangeable. If you have “spin” shoes that you’ve used for an indoor cycling class, chances are they are SPD cleats. This is a different setup from the Delta LOOK cleats on the Peloton Bike+. If you plan to ride the Peloton regularly – we highly recommend investing in your own pair of Peloton cycling shoes.

The Wahoo KICKR has flat plastic pedals.

Do not be dismayed at the simple plastic pedals on the Wahoo KICKR Bike. These pedals were not intended to be permanent. Most riders who opt for the KICKR Bike will likely replace the stock pedals with cycling pedals.

If you don’t have cycling shoes or prefer to ride without cleats, you can opt for an upgraded hybrid pedal or flat pedal with a cage. The option to add your preferred pedals is part of the overall setup on the KICKR Bike.

Flywheel and Resistance

To accommodate the strength of different riders, the KICKR Bike features ‘4 Dimensional Power’ tests, including a five-second, one-minute, five-minute, and 20-minute effort. These determine your Neuromuscular Power, Anaerobic Capacity, Maximal Aerobic Power, and Functional Threshold Power – all of which allow for specifically targeted training intervals.

The KICKR’s 13-lb flywheel is positioned at the rear of the bike.

The KICKR’s resistance is calibrated based on your cycling strength. Without the necessary metrics, it won’t feel right. I attempted to ride without adding my FTP wattage to the app, and the resistance was way too low. If you don’t have time to do all four tests before your first ride, start with your estimated FTP in watts, which will provide a good baseline.

Functional threshold power (FTP) is the wattage produced at your aerobic threshold or about 75% of your max power. For more experienced riders with a high FTP, the KICKR Bike will generate greater resistance within the lower gears. Novice riders will find the baseline resistance easier to power through tough sections with the appropriate resistance.

Peloton Bike+ 30lb Flywheel with magnetic resistance and Auto-Follow.

The fluid motion of the Bike+’s flywheel is impressive. I love the division of 100 levels. You can think of your resistance level as a percentage of the Bike+’s maximum resistance.

The new AutoFollow on the Peloton Bike+ is a game changer that allows you to ride hands-free without having to adjust the resistance. Additionally, Peloton incorporated a range of resistance into the AutoFollow feature, so you aren’t regulated to a single level but can set a range to stay within. I love this innovative thinking.

Gears

Peloton Bike+ has 100 resistance levels but no specific gears. Like most exercise bikes, ride intensity is based on speed and resistance. There aren’t any gears that allow you to downshift or adjust difficulty other than the magnetic resistance. However, we’ve had our strongest mountain bikers test the Bike+ and found the maximum resistance to be very challenging.

For the KICKR Bike to function properly, you must decide which gearing system to use. The bike will digitally adjust the gearing ratio (there are no actual gears) to match whatever specs you enter. This must be done in the Wahoo app, so you’ll need to download it and sync it with your KICKR Bike to set up your bike.

You can adjust the front chainring and rear cassette system using the Wahoo app. Options include 1, 2, or 3 chainrings and 9-12 rear cogs ranging from 10-26T to 11-32T. If you don’t know which gearing option to use, the default settings mimic the intensity of a regular bike.

If you want to dial in your ride experience, adjusting the gear system is supremely important. If you don’t care, this step is a pain and can be confusing to novice riders or those who just want to hop on and go.

Should You Buy The Peloton Bike+ or Wahoo KICKR Bike

Both bikes offer a customizable riding experience. However, they will appeal to different riders depending on certain preferences.

For ultimate adjustability, the Wahoo KICKR Bike comes out on top. Cyclists will love the customizations and the integrated resistance with external apps. Riders on the KICKR Bike can “lock” the resistance to match the terrain or unlock it for manual control. Incline and decline on the KICKR Bike add realism to the ride and take your ride experience up a notch!

The Peloton is easy to set up and easy to use. With the Peloton, you just jump on and go! We give it props for ease and convenience. While it doesn’t offer as many adjustment options, the Peloton Bike+ still provides enough leg span for riders from 5′ to 6’5″ and up to 300 lbs. Pretty much any rider will fit comfortably on the Bike+.

We are impressed with both the Peloton Bike+ and the new Wahoo KICKR Bike Bike! Depending on your riding experience and how you plan to train, either one is a great option for dedicated riders!

Peloton Bike+ vs. Wahoo KICKR Bike Q&A / FAQ

What spin bike is better than a Peloton?

The Wahoo KICKR Bike is a better bike for outdoor cyclists who want to replicate the outdoor cycling feel. Other bikes we like include the CAROL Bike, the NordicTrack S22i, and the Sole SB1200. Each of these bikes has abilities that are “better” than the Peloton Bike or Bike+ in at least one way. Still, the Peloton Bike+ is a good option for many indoor cyclists.

Which is better, Peloton or Zwift?

Peloton is better for exercisers who want studio cycling classes and music. Zwift is best for meeting up with friends in a virtual world and tracking cycling metrics.

Can you use Wahoo with Peloton?

No, you cannot access the Wahoo app on the Peloton bikes.

Do other bikes work with Peloton?

Some exercise bikes connect with the Peloton app in limited ways. A Peloton App+ subscription lets you access Peloton cycling classes on your phone, tablet, or TV.