Peloton Bike+ vs. ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 | Our Verdict

Dimensions/Storability

The ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 is more compact than the Peloton Bike+ at 57” x 22” x 54”. The Peloton Bike+ is 59” x 22” x 59”. However, they weigh about the same: 140 lbs for the Bike+ and 144 lbs for the Pro 22.

Both bikes have transport wheels that allow you to lift and move the bike around. We’ve learned the hard lesson of needing to watch out for the screen as you move exercise bikes. Be careful not to knock the screen into a wall or doorway as you move it around.

The Pro 22’s transport wheels are located on its front stabilizer, just like the Peloton Bike+.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

Neither the Peloton Bike+ nor the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 has the best selection of onboard workouts. You need a subscription to train with iFIT or Peloton. They each have one or two featured classes you can use without an active subscription, but both brands have regularly changed and restricted what is accessible without a subscription.

Training Classes

The Peloton Bike+ uses the eponymous Peloton platform to bring trainer-led classes to the Bike+. Its training classes incorporate playlists chosen by the instructor to bring unparalleled energy to each class. I love taking Peloton classes for the instruction, as much as I enjoy discovering new songs and artists.

There are tons of instructors, classes, and music genres to choose from.

The classes are primarily filmed indoors and premiere as live classes. However, Peloton has been adding more and more outdoor classes on demand. All of the live classes became on-demand classes shortly after their premiere.

Peloton’s instructors help me stay engaged in the class while the leaderboard encourages me to work harder.

The ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 uses the iFIT platform to provide training content for the NordicTrack, Freemotion, and Matrix brands. Despite this bike’s name, most training classes occur outside on trails and cycling routes you may not have heard of before. But you will learn about them and how to be a better cyclist as you train alongside an iFIT coach.

While iFIT classes are not set to music, they can be paired with music from one of the available radio stations. Several genres are available, and the playlists are updated regularly with the latest hits.

Peloton classes are more competitive than iFIT classes because they incorporate a leaderboard. They are also more social, allowing users to high-five each other when they are in a class together. The Pro 22 is better for cyclists who want to focus on their improvement and not how others are performing.

In addition to classes, the Peloton Bike+ has the LaneBreak game and scenic classes. The ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 has Google Maps routes, allowing you to make a route anywhere you would like. Peloton and iFIT have both recently added streaming platforms, like Netflix. iFIT’s streaming apps are still in beta, while Peloton has more options.

Screens

The Peloton Bike+ and ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 have large touchscreen displays. The Bike+ display is a little larger at 23.8” compared to the 22” of the Pro 22. Neither bike has very many buttons. Both bikes use a resistance knob on the frame to adjust the resistance instead of quick-adjust buttons.

The Bike+ screen is easy to see while training.

The Pro 22’s screen pivots for easy off-bike viewing.

Peloton and iFIT has non-bike classes. You can use the bike screens to view yoga, strength, and other classes off your bike because both screens rotate. I find the Peloton screen easier to view because of its anti-reflective quality and crisper detail. However, both screens are easy to see on and off the bike.

Both screens have a camera at the top with limited functionality. Peloton includes a privacy cover for the camera, but ProForm does not.

Features

The Bike+ and Pro 22 share several features. They have dumbbell racks behind the seat. They have a place to store a water bottle. You won’t find a tablet rack on either bike, restricting your viewing to the built-in screen and its compatible content.

Two 3-lb dumbbells fit in the back of the Peloton Bike+.

This is the Pro 22’s water bottle holder, which can only hold one bottle whereas the Bike+ holds two.

Both bikes have Bluetooth connectivity. You can connect a heart rate monitor or headphones to either bike. Neither bike has Bluetooth speakers for playing your own music. As for the speaker quality, the Peloton speakers are better quality, partially because they are front-facing. I wouldn’t choose the Bike+ because of this, but it is something to add to the pros and cons list.

Build Quality

The Bike+ and the Pro 22 have quality builds. The Bike+ feels and looks higher quality to me, but in a way that doesn’t impact performance or functionality for most users. Where the Bike+ might be a better choice is weight capacity. It has a 297-lb capacity, while the Pro 22 has a 250 lbs.

Frame

Both bikes have steel frames with a protective powder coating. They feel equally sturdy, but the Bike+ has more adjustable feet on its two stabilizers. Hopefully, your floors are pretty even, but the Bike+ has more adjustability if that is a concern.

You can adjust the height and reach of the saddle as well as the handlebar height on either bike. The Bike+ should support most users between 4’11” and 6’5”. While ProForm does not state a specific height range for the Pro 22, our testing revealed that it did not have as much range as the Bike+. Taller users (6’+) will be better off with the Bike+.

Pedals

If you choose the Peloton Bike+, you might have yet another purchase in the near future—and I’m not talking about the recurring monthly subscription. I mean the pedals. The Bike+ comes with Delta LOOK cleats and no flat pedals in sight. The Pro 22 has flat pedals with toe clips for any athletic shoe on the other.

We convinced Peloton to retrofit our bike with toe cages so those of us who didn’t own Delta cycling shoes could use them.

If you don’t want to use Delta cleats with the Peloton Bike+, you will have to swap out your pedals or contact Peloton for more options.

Handlebars and Saddle

The Peloton Bike+ and ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 have almost identical handlebars. You get tons of grip options, so we are content with either bike in this category. As for the saddle, both are sporty and should be comfortable enough for most users.

The ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22’s handlebars feel comfortable to hold.

I like the velvety texture of the Bike+ saddle.

Flywheel

The Peloton bike has a 30lb weighted flywheel. Flywheels make the bike go round and round. If the flywheel isn’t heavy enough, the motion will be jerky and often heavy on the backend. The Peloton bike has a 30lb weighted flywheel, which is smooth and comparable with other bikes in this price range.

The ProForm Pro 22 has a 32-lb inertia-enhanced flywheel. The ProForm flywheel is comparable to the Peloton Bike+. Both feel smooth and fluid during riding. You can stand up out of the saddle and still have a consistent pedal motion that supports your weight and maintains a consistent spin while you ride.

Resistance

Both bikes use magnetic resistance. While the levels are not exactly the same on the two bikes, there isn’t one calibration that seems better than the other.

The Peloton offers 100 levels of resistance, which makes it easy to understand roughly where you are at at any given time. I also love the fact that the Peloton Bike+ has a resistance knob. Cadence, resistance, and other ride metrics are displayed on the touchscreen.

Stronger riders will have plenty of resistance on the Peloton Bike+. The top levels of resistance are extremely challenging. Even powerful riders should find themselves sufficiently challenged on the Bike+.

It is also quiet and can be ridden at any time of day or night. There is not a resistance knob, so all resistance adjustments must be made in the touchscreen settings. Cadence, distance, speed, and other metrics are displayed on the screen.

The maximum resistance on the Pro 22 is not quite as challenging as on the Bike+. However, most riders will find there is sufficient resistance with enough range in between the levels. Stronger riders may find the maximum resistance to be insufficiently challenging.

Warranty

The ProForm comes out on top with its warranty coverage of ten years for the frame, two years for parts, and one year for labor. The Peloton has a five-year frame warranty and just one year for everything else. Considering the Peloton Bike+’s higher price, seeing better coverage would have been nice.

Should You Buy The Peloton Bike+ or ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22?

Now that you have reached the end of our breakdown of each bike, you hopefully have a better idea of which bike suits your needs. In general, the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 is the better choice regarding affordability.

The Pro 22 has trainer-led classes, powerful resistance, and pedals anyone can use. It has comparable tech and storage features. The resistance adjustments are automatic and can be tailored to you when using iFIT’s smart adjust feature.

The exceptions to this ruling are for users who love Peloton’s content for the leaderboard, social interaction, and live classes. Additionally, the Bike+’s adjustability and weight capacity are more suited to your stature if you are a larger cyclist.

Peloton Bike+ vs. ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 Q&A / FAQ

Is the ProForm bike as good as the Peloton bike?

The ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 is a great alternative to the Peloton bike for shoppers wanting to save some money. The Pro 22 has a screen and a subscription service at a much lower price than the Bike+. It has a better warranty, too.

Are there any bikes better than Peloton?

Some of our favorite Peloton alternatives include the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 and Bowflex C6 for more affordable options. We also like the NordicTrack S22i and S27i, the CAROL Bike, the Bowflex VeloCore, and the Echelon EX-5s-22.

How much does the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 weigh?

The ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 weighs 144 lbs.

Can you use the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 without iFIT?

Yes, you can use the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 without iFIT. You can train in manual mode without iFIT.