Smart bikes like the Peloton - any thoughts?

[Spottybluepyjamas]

Hi all,

Looking to get an exercise bike, which is similar to the Peloton (in that it comes with a membership, a screen, and you can watch live or prerecorded classes).

The peloton seems to be the best out of them, but I've also seen others such as the Apex, and Echelon.

Peloton is the most expensive, but does anyone have any positive or negative opinions (such as what you get for your membership, the bikes themselves etc.) into Apex or Echelon? Or other smart bikes?

Thank you!

I guess the one thing to note is it isn't a 'smart' bike in terms of you still have to manually change resistance. A true smart bike which can change resistance so you can ride in zwift worlds etc is eg the watt bike atom next gen or a smart trainer like a tacx neo or wahoo kickt attached to your bike. If you don't mind changing resistance like you do in a spin class then peloton would work.

Kickr that should say!

I considered getting a Peloton but they're fricking expensive, and I was worried I'd get bored with it. As a compromise, I bought a reasonably decent spin bike (about £400) and got the Peloton app on my iPad, so now I just follow along. I bought a cadence monitor (about £20 on Amazon) and it connects with the Peloton app so I can see my cadence on screen. My heart rate monitor also connects to the app. It's obviously not as slick as the actual Peloton bike - I have to guess my resistance - but it's a pretty good compromise and cost about a quarter of what the Peloton does. Often I don't do a class but just cycle while I watch a TV programme on iPlayer - I would feel like I was massively wasting my money if I did that with a Peloton bike.

I love my Peleton and use it a lot but yes, it’s a huge outlay. My referral code (you get money off, I get credit for the Peleton store) is QEFGHN if useful.

For me, having the ability to exercise at home quickly and efficiently is amazing. You can do just 10 mins on days when you don’t have time, which is a great way to warm up too. I know lots of people have found alternatives to the Peleton that work for them tho. Good luck!

@Givemecoffeeplease

I love my Peleton and use it a lot but yes, it’s a huge outlay. My referral code (you get money off, I get credit for the Peleton store) is QEFGHN if useful.

For me, having the ability to exercise at home quickly and efficiently is amazing. You can do just 10 mins on days when you don’t have time, which is a great way to warm up too. I know lots of people have found alternatives to the Peleton that work for them tho. Good luck!

Thanks for the code. I've just ordered the Peleton bike and used it to get £100 off. Ended up going for the Essentials package as with the discount only £45 more than the basic package. Got to wait til 22nd Feb for delivery tho

Givemecoffeeplease

I've just used your code too - thank you 😊

I've got a code if anyone orders one I'd love it if you'd use my code as we both get £100 off. My code is FQQTNK. Thanks

Just to revive a slightly old thread, I've ordered an Apex bike, and it's arriving on Friday to kick-start my 2021 exercise! Never tried a Peloton bike or the app, so won't be able to compare the two, but could let you know how I get on.

I've not seen any posts from people with the Apex bike, so hope it's OK. Can only just justify its cost, so the Peloton, although tempting, was too much money.

I've just had a look at the Apex. Looks like a good lower cost option. Though at the moment you can only use the app on an iphone or ipad, not available on an android device.

Yes - that is true. Not an issue in this house as DH is a fully paid up devotee of all things Apple!

You can get an echelon, ride it in freestyle moss and use it with the peleton app (which is cheaper for non peleton members)

The Apex bike fly wheel is only 12kg so it doesn’t offer that much flexibility to progress. Great range of colours but really over priced for what it is. Peloton bikes are much sturdier and quieter, I use the app and have used the Peloton bike in a personal training gym. The issue at the moment seems to be stock availability I am looking to upgrade my 12kg flywheel spin bike because my fitness has increased and I am finding in classes when I keep increasing the resistance I hit the brake!

Well I'm 2 rides in on my Apex bike. It seems perfectly sturdy, and barely makes any noise. I'm new to spinning, so if my fitness increases so much that the 12kg flywheel is an issue, that would be a result! The app content is definitely not up to Peloton standards yet, but, for me, I don't think the extra £600 + £10 a month for a Peloton would have been worth, but only time will tell.