Peloton is the fitness revelation sweeping the nation! Celebrities rave about it, and athletes endorse it. Peloton is everything you love about group spinning classes but in the comfort of your home.
Paired with a monthly subscription, Peloton riders can choose between 20, 30, 45, 60, and 90-minute workouts and a choice of workout styles, difficulty, and music. You are free to join a class or work out on your own – it’s your choice.
Before you order your Peloton bike, read through the following to determine if this popular workout is right for you.
Peloton Bike Review
Key Features
The heart of the Peloton workout is the bike. After all, it doesn’t matter how good a spinning class is; if the bike is uncomfortable, you won’t enjoy your workout and won’t go back for more. This is even more important if you buy a bike for home use. A poor-quality bike will just end up gathering dust in your garage.
The good news is that the Peloton exercise bike is worth its hefty price tag.
The frame is made from welded carbon steel and powder coated for durability and longevity. It’s designed to last and is backed by a five-year guarantee. Despite being sturdy and stable, the Peloton bike is surprisingly compact, and it looks good too. The thick, rounded tubes are striking, as well as being strong but light.
The bottom of the frame is fitted with twin wheels to make moving it much easier. Just tip it and roll. There are height adjusters in each corner of the bike frame to prevent it from wobbling even if you have an uneven floor.
For resistance, the Peloton bike uses state-of-the-art electromagnetic resistance. Combined with a large flywheel and transmission belt drive, this produces a smooth and even pedaling action with no slipping and very little noise. With fewer moving parts, the braking system will not need adjusting or wear out as friction brakes can. Changing gear is as easy as tapping the adjustment knob, which is also the emergency brake. Resistance is graduated from 1-100.
The bike itself has been designed to accommodate a wide range of riders, from 4’11” to 6’5” and up to 300 lbs. It’s easy to move both the saddle and the handlebars to accommodate multiple users. This bike is ideal for family use.
The saddle and handlebars are fully adjustable and can be moved up and down, and forward and aft. The handlebars offer several different hand position options and are padded for comfort.
There is a rack behind the seat designed to hold hand weights (sold separately) and a water bottle cage on the main downtube. The saddle can be removed and replaced with your own saddle if required, as can the pedals.
All of the movable parts have been chosen for durability. The bike is supplied with Delta clipless pedals, and all the bearings are industrial grade to keep everything running smoothly. All moving and electronic parts are covered by a 12-month warranty.
The most obvious difference between the Peloton bike and its competitors is the large 1080p 21.5″ full-color touchscreen on which workouts and pedaling stats like time, speed, RPM, and duration are displayed. The console features a 2.0 GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal flash storage, ANT+ wireless, Bluetooth 4.0, and a 5-megapixel forward-facing camera.
This console is also fitted with twin 10-watt speakers but, with Bluetooth technology, you can also connect wireless headphones for a more discreet, quiet workout. There is also a 3.5mm jack for wired headphones. Bluetooth also means you can connect a heart rate chest strap to your display and see precisely how hard you are exercising.
The touchscreen has full internet connectivity so you can use the built-in app and follow any of the on-demand spinning classes available with your monthly subscription. Of course, this means that you’ll have to connect the Peloton bike to a power outlet.
On the downside, there are no built-in workout programs on the Peloton bike. If you don’t stay subscribed to the app, you’ll have to make up your own workouts or find another source for your workouts – such as YouTube.
Dimensions
Not sure if you’ve got space for a Peloton bike in your home? Here are the dimensions and other important measurements:
- 59” long, 23” wide, and 53” high
- Footprint – 4’ by 2’
- 19” flywheel
- Total weight 135 lbs.
- Power requirements – 100v to 240v
Peloton bike pros and cons
One of the main advantages of spinning bikes over other types of exercise bikes is that they are straightforward to use. Once you have adjusted the seat and handlebars to your liking, you just hop on and start pedaling. There are no programs to select or metrics to enter. It’s simple!
The hardest part about owning a spinning bike is knowing what to do to get a good workout. Just pedaling without focus or guidance can soon get old. That’s why spin classes are so popular – your instructor tells you what to do.
Peloton has eliminated this problem with its online workout platform and subscription service. You have access to about 12,000 live and recorded workouts and, because Peloton bikes are linked, you are essentially part of a huge class – even though you are working out at home. In live classes, you can compete against other cyclists, and your trainer may also give you a personal shout-out. It really is like being in a spin class!
This degree of interactivity makes working out on a Peloton bike entertaining, engaging, and motivating too. You have unlimited access to a range of workouts and coaches with your app subscription and can exercise as often and as long as you want. Each peloton bike comes with a free one-month app trial.
Peloton riders can also select scenic routes, riding along looking at the beautiful countryside or exciting cityscapes. Alternatively, you can “just ride’ and use a Peloton bike like any other spin bike, albeit with a much better display!
This plus is also the Peloton bike’s biggest downside; it is designed to be used alongside a monthly subscription to the app. This means that, as well as your initial purchase costs, you’ll also have to pay out each month to keep your subscription active.
However, the subscription is not too expensive – especially if you are used to paying a gym subscription or for spinning classes. Also, you only need one subscription per Peloton bike, so it covers multiple users.
Assembly
When you buy almost any other spinning bike, you will have to put it together yourself. Some bikes are supplied with assembly tools, while others are not. Either way, you’ll need to spend an hour or so putting your new bike together. It may even take you longer if you lack the technical know-how.
In contrast, all Peloton bikes include full home delivery and assembly service. While you can opt-out of this service, saving you $250, given the price of the bike, it’s only a small saving. It may be better to accept the fee and have your bike assembled and set up by a professional, who can then show you how to maintain and operate your bike.
Bottom Line
Peloton bikes are not cheap, but they are high-quality products. The bike itself is built to last, and the interactive console and workout app means you can enjoy all the benefits of a group spinning class without leaving your home. However, that does mean there is an ongoing cost on top of the already high initial outlay – something you should consider before buying a Peloton bike.
If you are looking for more than just a home spinning bike and want the support and motivation you can usually only get from a spinning class, Peloton has got exactly what you need. However, if you just want a spinning bike and are happy making up your own workouts, this might not be the bike for you. Head over to our detailed Spin Bike Reviews for more options!
Patrick Dale is an ex-British Royal Marine and owner and lecturer for a fitness qualifications company. In addition to training prospective personal trainers, Patrick has also authored three fitness and exercise books, dozens of e-books, thousands of articles, and several fitness videos.
