Peloton Bike Review: Have the Years Changed Our Minds?

Dimensions/Storability

The Peloton Bike has dimensions of 59” long x 23” wide x 53” high. The Peloton Bike does not fold up.

There are wheels under the front stabilizer so you can tip the bike and gently roll it out of the way. Remove any weights before doing this! We made the mistake of rolling the bike without removing the weights first, and they came tumbling down towards the screen and our toes. Unfortunately, this is not unique to the Peloton Bike but a common issue across brands.

Also, watch the screen when moving the bike. You really have to pivot the bike forward to connect with the wheels, and this brings the screen low. Since the screen is heavy, you could accidentally dip or drop the screen if you’re not expecting the weight to shift forward. Be careful not to bump it into anything.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

There are no pre-programmed workouts on the Peloton. When you turn on the screen, you will be prompted to log in. Unless you have a Peloton account, the screen will not display any info or provide ride metrics. You have to subscribe to Peloton for any content. The pedals and resistance work, so you can still ride, but there’s no accompanying display content.

If you do not plan to use the Peloton app, do not buy this bike. There are other, much less expensive, well-built spin bikes for those who don’t want to pay for content.

Subscription Options

The Peloton Digital app costs $44/month for unlimited user profiles. This is nice because you only need one subscription per household, and if you own a Peloton Tread, you can use the same subscription.

The library of classes is easy to navigate.

The Peloton Digital app costs $44/month for unlimited user profiles, so you only need one subscription per household. If you own a Peloton Tread or Row, you can use the same subscription.

The digital content is where Peloton really shines. The Peloton app has created a virtual world of spinning enthusiasts who love to ride together, scale the Leaderboard, get and give “high fives,” and be a part of a community. While it is expensive, Peloton offers great workouts by fit, engaging trainers who make the time fly by.

Community-building features make Peloton stand out. The Leaderboard is one of Peloton’s most popular features. In a Live Class, riders are ranked by output (in kilojoules). The harder you work, the more you can climb the Leaderboard. In a recorded class, the Leaderboard displays all-time leaders and a ranking of riders taking the class at the same time.

In Live classes, the instructor can see the Leaderboard and stats on who may be taking their 100th ride or something and give them a quick “shout-out” by recognizing their efforts.

Riders can select the profile of other riders to give them a virtual “High Five.” It’s nice that the leaderboard isn’t just about being competitive. It’s also an opportunity to encourage other Peloton members and engage with the community.

Peloton offers classes, scenic rides, and more. It specializes in indoor training classes, but has started adding more and more outdoor classes and scenic rides.

Peloton has also added entertainment apps from Netflix, Max, Disney+, Kindle, and YouTube TV. You can also find original documentary-style content from Peloton. For another fun option, try the Lanebreak game. It challenges you to cycle hard while listening to music from one of your favorite artists.

Console

The Peloton Bike has a 21.5″ Android touchscreen. It is a nice-sized screen; if anything, it feels too large sometimes, especially when you stand up out of the saddle. However, the screen is easy to both see and reach when sitting in the saddle.

There are external wires at the back of the screen that are tethered to the mounting post with a velcro strap and then dangle loosely down the front of the bike before connecting under the driveshield. This external wiring is not our favorite. It’s not clean and could be dangerous.

The screen is slim and has minimal cords peeking out of the back.

The screen is securely attached to the bike, so it doesn’t rock or wobble while you ride. It also gently tilts up and down. However, it doesn’t swivel. So, when doing classes off the bike, you cannot move the screen to see it better. It would be really nice if the screen could swivel from side to side, but you can use the Peloton app on your phone, tablet, or smart TV.

As we mentioned above, this is the clearest screen on any spin bike. People love Peloton for the content, so it makes sense that the screen would crisply portray leaders and classes. It is easy to see your metrics, the Leaderboard, the trainer, and other riders in the studio. The screen is truly impressive.

Everything on the screen is well within view when riding.

As we mentioned above, this is the clearest screen on any spin bike. People love Peloton for the content, so it makes sense that the screen would crisply portray leaders and classes. It is easy to see your metrics, the Leaderboard, the trainer, and other riders in the studio. This screen is impressive.

Functionality is streamlined between the bike, the app, and the screen. It feels intuitive to just tap the screen while riding to change metrics or adjust resistance. I prefer to use the adjustment knob, as it helps me ride by feel and push myself a little harder when I have it in me.

Bluetooth

You can pair headphones if you do not want to play the audio out loud. It’s great for training in the same room as others.

Bluetooth also allows you to connect a heart rate monitor. Apple watches connect to Peloton equipment, which is nice. Many brands do not support the Apple Watch. I have a Garmin watch, and it connects easily when I broadcast my heart rate.

Other Features

There is no fan. There is also no place to rest a phone or a tablet.

There are two weight cages behind the saddle. It is the ideal position for the weights. The two cages behind the saddle aren’t hard to reach, and it makes sense to keep the weights back there since they won’t be used on every ride. Other bike brands store the weights on a tray on the handlebars, which can be intrusive when riding in a forward position.

Weights are not included and must be purchased separately in the basic package (which also includes shoes). Weights come in 1lb, 2lb, or 3lb options.

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Build Quality

Frame

This bike is sturdy and stable. It sits snugly on the floor and doesn’t rock, even when you stand out of the saddle. Sturdy stabilizers under the front and rear of the bike hold it securely. We are impressed with the overall construction and bike geometry.

The Peloton Bike is designed like a road bike with the saddle intended to align with the handlebars, so riders hinge at the hips and lean forward. This design may feel uncomfortable at first for riders who like to sit upright, with the saddle set lower than the handlebars.

This body position engages the glutes and hamstrings more while riding, and it feels like you are riding fast and hard outside. Since Peloton typically attracts competitive, athletic riders, this position fits the overall nature of the bike.

Adjustability

There are three adjustment points that should work for most riders. You can move the seat up and down, forward and aft; you can also move the handlebars up and down.

However, the lack of a fore/aft adjustment on the handlebar stem means taller riders cannot move the screen back away from their knees. While you can raise the screen, it may not be enough to reduce knee encroachment with the handlebars. Peloton states that the bike is best for users between 4’11” and 6’4”.

Pedals

Delta Look pedals come standard on all Peloton bikes.

You will need a cycling shoe with the attached Delta Look cleats installed. These are not hybrid pedals, so there is no option for an athletic shoe. However, you can contact Peloton for options for attaching toe cages. I recommend third-party pedals if you want to use toe clips, flat pedals, or SPD-compatible pedals.

Plug

The power cord plugs into the rear stabilizer and then into any standard wall outlet. You have to have the bike plugged in and Wi-Fi connected to run the Peloton app and use the bike.

Flywheel

At 19” in diameter, it gains and maintains speed nicely to keep a fluid rotation and a comfortable pedal stroke. There is no jerkiness when pulling the pedals upward and no heaviness in the backend of the rotation, as we see with lighter-weight wheels. The flywheel is housed in a protective casing to protect it from rust, dust, or other debris.

The 30lb Peloton flywheel is very smooth.

Resistance

Magnetic resistance creates frictionless resistance against the flywheel. This type of resistance is found on high-end bikes because they are quiet, there are no friction points, and therefore, there is less wear and tear on the flywheel and brake pads.

The resistance knob is located just below the handlebars.

There are no buttons on the console or bike. Instead, Peloton uses a resistance knob to increase and decrease tension. It does not have numbered resistance levels on the console. I don’t mind this design, as twisting the resistance knob is more reliable than buttons. Sometimes I have to press console buttons more than once, but I don’t have to worry about that on the Bike.

There is no automated resistance on the Bike. You would have to upgrade to the Bike+ for this feature. Still, I find that keeping control over my resistance allows me to follow along with the instructor and ensure the class is scaled to my abilities.

Magnetic resistance is quiet, and the Peloton is nearly silent when pedaling. Feel free to ride anytime, day or night—you will not generate any pedaling noise while riding or braking.

Saddle

As mentioned above, the Peloton does have a narrow, racing-style saddle similar to those found on road bikes. This reduces friction on the rider’s undercarriage. While spin bike saddles are notoriously uncomfortable, the Peloton actually gets high marks for having a remarkably comfortable saddle.

Kudos to Peloton for making what is typically the most uncomfortable feature tolerable for those long rides!

You can raise and lower the saddle as well as move it forward and aft. Ideal positioning keeps a gentle 25 to 35-degree bend in the knee with the foot flat in the pedal. Seat adjustment on the Peloton is adequate. The seat tube and the saddle have numbered measurements, so you can find the right setting each time. This is especially helpful for households with multiple riders.

I am 5’4”, and finding the right fit was easy. Another reviewer is 6’4”, and he had a much harder time finding enough room for proper leg extension. Tall riders may want to verify sizing before purchasing a Peloton.

Should You Buy the Peloton Bike

The Peloton bike is a solid spin bike with comfortable engineering. It has a sleek design that feels airy and looks cool sitting in the corner of your room. However, it is expensive and has limited features without an active Peloton membership.

In our opinion, the Peloton bike itself, while well constructed, isn’t really the draw. It is the subscription content and online community that Peloton riders love, and this is what you pay for. Besides the Bike+, you won’t get the full Peloton experience from another bike. We love Peloton and the lower price of the Bike compared to the Bike+.

As long as you are sure that you are committed to a Peloton subscription, the Bike is a good choice. The premium touchscreen and studio classes are hard to beat, though the Bike lacks automatic resistance adjustments. I recommend this Bike for indoor cyclists who want to bring the studio feel to their homes and engage with the Peloton community.

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Peloton Bike Q&A / FAQ

What are the negatives of a Peloton Bike?

The Peloton Bike has very limited features without an active Peloton membership. It does not have automated resistance adjustments. The Peloton Bike does not feel as refined as the pricier Peloton Bike+. It also lacks storage, especially for a phone or tablet.

Is the Peloton Bike worth it?

The Peloton Bike could be worth it for an indoor cyclist who enjoys Peloton’s training content. If you are going to use as many features as possible from the Peloton platform, the Peloton Bike is worth it.

How much does a Peloton Bike cost?

At the time of writing this review, the Peloton Bike costs $1,445.

Can I use the Peloton Bike without a membership?

You can use the Peloton Bike without a membership, but the features are very limited. Currently, the Peloton Bike allows you to adjust the resistance and see your resistance level while stuck on the login screen. No other metrics are visible.

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