Peloton Bike vs. Bike+: Who’s At The Top Of The Leaderboard?

Dimensions/Storability

When you look at the Peloton Bike and Peloton Bike+ next to each other, they look very similar. They’re also practically the same size.

The Bike is 59” L x 23” W x 53” H.

The Bike+ is 59” L x 22” W x 59” H. It has a larger screen, which is why it’s taller.

The Bike+ only weighs about 5 lbs more than the Bike.

The Peloton Bike weighs 135 lbs, and the Bike+ weighs 140 lbs. They are pretty similar for moving around. You have to lift up the back of each bike to engage the front two wheels. From there, you can wheel both bikes around fairly easily.

For floor space, you’ll want to factor in the dimensions above while being sure to include a few extra feet surrounding whichever bike you choose so you can comfortably use it. If you want to utilize the Bike+’s swiveling touchscreen for off-the-bike training, you should keep one side of the bike clear so you can put down a yoga mat.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

In my opinion, Peloton is what it is because of the workout classes. I started using the Peloton app for mat workouts long before I even sat on one of the bikes.

You can use both bikes without the membership, but the membership is what makes these bikes. Sure, they’re smooth and comfortable to ride, and you can track your metrics and access a few featured Peloton workouts without the subscription, but to get the full Peloton experience, you need to be a member.

Peloton All-Access Membership

The Peloton All-Access Membership is where you’ll find all of Peloton’s training classes. The instructors are the reason Peloton’s workouts are so popular. Whenever I take a ride, I feel like I’m working out with a friend who happens to be a personal trainer.

Peloton has outdoor rides, but the indoor studio classes are the bulk of the content.

You can access Peloton’s workout library on the Peloton app. That’s why, if you don’t mind missing out on the following features, using the app with another bike brand is a good alternative. The Bowflex C6 is one of my top recommendations for budget bikes.

With the All-Access Membership on both Peloton bikes, you get metrics tracking and the leaderboard. It’s on the right side of the screen. You’ll see the thousands of people taking the class live with you and who have taken the workout if you’re taking it on-demand.

The leaderboard is where Peloton encourages community among its members. You can give and receive virtual high-fives, check out everyone’s unique usernames, and hear the instructor give people shout-outs for hitting milestones.

There are live classes every day and thousands of on-demand classes to take at any time. Along with a general class schedule, there are workout programs and collections of classes. These feature usually the same instructor or group of instructors with a series of classes that focus on the same training goal or feature music from the same musician.

Speaking of music, this is the other aspect (in addition to the instructors) that makes Peloton’s content so good. Each workout class has a curated playlist that’s hand-selected by the instructor. This allows you to ride to the beat and adds to the overall experience and energy.

When you want to mix it up and not follow along with your favorite instructor, Peloton Lanebreak is a fun feature. These workouts are gamified. They feature six lanes that your avatar moves down with the goal of hitting the targets in each lane.

You change your resistance to change lanes and hit the cadence goal to earn points.

These are structured as complete workouts with their own playlists of music.

Peloton also offers the ability to stream from certain apps on each bike, with their subscription, of course. Netflix, YouTube TV, NBA League Pass, and others are available. This is becoming more popular on fitness equipment with video training content.

Peloton Bike vs. Bike+ Console

Peloton’s equipment has nice-quality touchscreens. The Bike+’s screen has a slightly higher resolution, but both screens are good overall.

The Bike+ has a larger 24” touchscreen.

The original Bike screen is 21.8” and has good resolution.

However, the rear-facing speakers were always irritating because the volume projects away from the rider. The new Bike+ has a front-facing sound bar along the top, providing high-quality sound directed at the rider.

While most people may use wireless headphones, not everyone does, especially when riding at home. You may need to hear ambient noise like a phone, doorbell, or children. A speaker bar at the top of the screen is an excellent update.

The Bike+ screen also rotates 180 degrees to either side, so you can view workouts off the bike. The screen rotation is handy for yoga, boot camp, or strength-based workouts.

Both bikes have plastic holders for your water.

Unfortunately, the 3 lb weights are not included, but there are cages behind the saddles to hold them.

Other than that, there isn’t a place to put your phone to stream other content, so just keep that in mind if you want to read a book while you cycle.

Build Quality

To be honest, they feel very similar. The original Bike is solid and always has been. The frame is stable and doesn’t shake. It can handle up to 300 lbs (297 lbs, to be exact) and supports riders from 4’11” to 6’5”. The Bike+ does the same.

Peloton Bike vs. Bike+ Frame

Thanks to the larger touchscreen, the Bike+ is a few inches taller and an inch narrower, but otherwise, the frame updates are mostly cosmetic. If you are looking for a stable, solid ride, you’ll find it on either Peloton bike.

Both bikes have the same frame, weight capacity, and size parameters.

The frames are made of steel and powder-coated to help prevent corrosion. They each have two floor stabilizers and adjustable leveling feet so you can plant them on the floor. The adjustable leveling feet help prevent rocking if your flooring is a little uneven.

Peloton Bike vs. Bike+ Flywheel

Both the Bike and the Bike+ have 100 magnetic resistance levels. The resistance is adjusted with a resistance knob on each bike. The knobs on both bikes can be a little sensitive, and hard to get to specific resistance levels, but they work fine.

I love the use of 100 levels. This range of resistance levels allows you to find your perfect resistance on either bike. When cueing a class, the instructors usually provide a range of 10 or 20 levels so riders can find the right spot somewhere in the middle. This range is more helpful than a preset level, which may be slightly too easy or challenging for different riders.

With Peloton’s membership, the Bike+ also has auto-resistance. So, when you’re in a class, the resistance automatically adjusts to match the instructor’s cues.

Additionally, the magnetic resistance is virtually silent, so regardless of your level, it doesn’t generate any noise. Magnetic polarity generates resistance against the flywheel’s motion, so there’s no friction between the magnets and the flywheel.

The flywheels weigh 30 lbs each, which is what we expect for bikes of this price range and overall quality.

They are engineered to have heavy flywheels, and we like the flywheel to weigh at least 20-30 lbs.

Heavy flywheels like these make for smooth and consistent pedal rotations. The flywheel’s weight can improve the bike’s overall quality and stability.

Both flywheels make these bikes smooth and quiet to use.

Peloton Bike vs. Bike+ Drive System

The original Peloton Bike and the Peloton Bike+ pedals are both Delta LOOK cleats.

We opted to add toe cages on the Bike+.

Delta LOOK clips are only on the Peloton Bike, so you’ll need to buy Peloton’s if you don’t have compatible cleats. The Bike+ has an option for a clip-on pedal with cages.

Using clipped pedals has several advantages. 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).

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

Most indoor exercise bikes have SPD-compatible clips, so it is frustrating that Peloton uses clips that aren’t as popular.

We love the updated hybrid pedal clip-on option on the Bike+. The toe cages allow anyone to ride a bike with any athletic shoe. While this feature is nice, be aware that this pedal does not hold your foot as securely as when you clip in.

Even with the strap, you can’t “pull” up on the backside of the stroke like you can when you ride clipped-in. The toe cages are a little too shallow for our liking, too.

The belt drive system that connects the flywheel to the pedals on each Peloton bike helps make it quiet and smooth.

Peloton Bike vs. Bike+ Handlebars & Seat

The handlebars on the Peloton Bike+ include a flat bar at the top instead of an arrow bar, as on the original Peloton Bike.

The Bike has slightly more of an arc in the center. The Bike+ has the same general feel, with a more elongated horizontal bar. The horizontal bar allows riders to lean forward and rest their arms on the vertical grips along the sides. It also makes riding in position two much more comfortable for larger riders.

There is a slight modification from the Peloton Bike bars: less curvature in the middle, a slightly wider span, and an opening for the screen to rotate from side to side. Otherwise, it is the same.

The saddles are basically the same.

They’re lightly padded with nice contouring. You can ride long distances without having to worry about saddle sores. They’re comfortable for bike seats.

Both bikes feature three adjustment points. The seat moves up and down and forward and back, while the handlebars move up and down only. This is typical for most bikes with touchscreens.

Peloton Bike vs. Bike+ Warranty

Peloton doesn’t have the best warranty we’ve seen. It includes a 5-year frame and 1-year screen components warranty, as well as labor warranties for each bike. We like to see frame warranties of at least ten years or more.

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

I’m a budget gal who loves getting the best deal possible. Given how similar these bikes are, if you’re like me and you don’t want to spend thousands on a bike, then you’ll do just fine with the Peloton Bike.

Now, let me tell you what you’re missing out on. The Peloton Bike+ is nice. It’s not only the sleeker of the two, but it also has auto-resistance, a slightly larger screen with a higher resolution, and front-facing speakers.

It also has completely integrated wiring, so no covered wires poke out of the back of the screen. The handlebars are also a little more comfortable for broad-shouldered folks, but the Peloton Bike’s handles and seat are plenty comfortable, too.

If you have the money, yeah, I’d go with the Bike+. But, most people will enjoy the Peloton Bike.

Peloton Bike vs. Bike+ Q&A / FAQ

What is the biggest difference between the Peloton Bike and Bike+?

The biggest differences between the Bike and the Bike+ are the larger, rotating touchscreen, auto-resistance, and front-facing speakers. These are found on the Bike+, not the original Peloton Bike.

Are Peloton bikes useless without a subscription?

You can use both Peloton bikes without a subscription. There’s a manual mode and a few featured Peloton workouts that are available without a subscription. However, we recommend subscribing to Peloton’s training content. Peloton is so popular because of the training content, and if you’re into trainer-led workouts, it is the platform to use.

Can you use the same Peloton membership on two bikes?

You can’t use the same All-Access Membership count on two bikes. You can use the same account on one of the bikes and one of Peloton’s other types of equipment, like the Tread or Row.