Over the last few years, Peloton has become one of the most sought after indoor spin bikes. Their products are trendy, innovative and just downright fun to ride, but they come with a hefty price tag of $2245.
If you are on a budget, this list of the best Peloton bike alternatives will help you save money. The alternatives we selected are the top Peloton bike competitors and offer a similar experience at a more affordable price.!
In order to qualify as an alternative to the Peloton bike, the competing indoor cycles must at least be able to provide a similar workout experience.
Echelon Smart Connect Bike EX5s
Our Top Recommendation for Best Peloton Bike!
- Enjoy a FREE 30-day trial of the Echelon Premier Membership
- Sleek design, competition-style features and a new, 22” HD rotating screen make the EX-5s our most versatile bike yet.
- Two power ports to charge your phone or tablet while working out.
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8 Best Peloton Bike Alternatives Competitors
The items in the list below are ranked from the closest Peloton alternatives to the bikes that can offer the most similar ride experience. While all these competing models offer a similar riding experience, their price ranges vary depending on the features and specs. But they are all cheaper budget alternatives to Peloton.
In the following section, we’ll be doing a quick review of each option. Plus, we’ll also tell you exactly how you can get the Peloton app working with all the similar indoor cycles we listed.
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
Echelon Smart Connect Bike EX5s | • 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE • WARRANTY & SUPPORT • MUSIC | ||
NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle | • Automatic Trainer Control • SMR Silent Magnetic Resistance delivers a smooth, • 350-pound user weight capacity | ||
Sunny Health & Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike | • Sturdy Flywheel • Fitting & Adjustments • Levelers | ||
Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle | • Durability and Beauty • Industry’s First V-Shape Frame • M Connect | ||
Bladez Fitness Master GS Indoor Cycle Trainer | • Aluminum pedals • The oversized steel frame • LED console | ||
Marcy Club Revolution Cycle Trainer | • SAFE TO USE • DURABLE STEEL CONSTRUCTION • ERGONOMIC SEATING | ||
Sole Fitness SB700 | • The adjustable seat and handlebars • The integrated console displays RPM • Heart rate training zones | ||
Schwinn IC3 Cycling Bike | • Full color backlit LCD console monitors heart rate, • Dual link SPD foot pedals • Includes 1-Year JRNY Membership |
1. Echelon Smart Connect Bike EX5s
Of all the options we list, the Echelon Smart Connect EX5s is closest to the Peloton in all aspects. The overall design of is strikingly similar to the Peloton.
The only noticeable difference between the Peloton and Echelon is the rear flywheel on the Echelon Smart Connect bike. (see our full comparison between Echelon and Peloton) With the Echelon EX5s or EX3, you can get a similar workout experience that isn’t much different than the Peloton offers. Echelon also has its live class app that is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Their app features live classes and sessions from professional trainers, and are easy to follow. With the Echelon app you also get to ride free with scenic videos of different locations all over the world.
The Echelon app has a monthly cost starting at $19.99. While the app and its content aren’t ‘better’ than Peloton’s, it is still very sufficient for people just looking to stay fit at home.
Key Features of The Echelon Smart Connect Bike
- Echelon App – Grants access to Live spin classes and Free Scenic Rides.
- It has 32 Levels of Magnetic Resistance.
- This model offers has an ergonomic design with an adjustable seat and handlebar.
- It has double sided pedals – featuring one side for SPD cleated cycling shoes and a caged side for regular shoes.
- The Echelon Smart Connect EX5s has 2 Water Bottle Holders.
- It also has mounted Dumbbell Holders behind the seat.
- This indoor cycle is compatible with Bluetooth devices.
- Dimensions: Echelon has a 3 Feet 5 inches x 1 Foot 10 inches footprint and weighs 105 pounds.
2. NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle
The next option on the Peloton Bike Competitors List is the NordicTrack S22i. This option is a commercial quality studio cycle that features many of the things that you want live live classes. The most prominent feature of the NordicTrack that compares to the Peloton spin bike is the inclusion of a 22-inch HD Touchscreen display that is attached to the frame.
The NordicTrack S22i also offers similar resources for you to join interactive live classes led by trainers through the iFit coach app.
The NordicTrack app currently has a membership base of over 1 million users. Through the app, users can participate in live classes, create challenges, add friends, and track their progress over time.
Also, you can add up to 4 profiles for different people that use it. NordicTrack also has an outstanding incline and decline feature that allows digital adjustment of the incline levels. The incline level can be raised by 20% and decreased by 10%. Additionally, the levels can be controlled by your class instructor without you having to do anything!
Plus, it automatically inclines and declines while you do virtual rides and matches resistance to the current riding terrain. For even more details on how NordicTrack compares, see our NordicTrack vs Peloton review.
Key Features And Specs of The NordicTrack S22i
- 22 Inch Touchscreen Display.
- Live incline and decline control.
- 24 Levels of Resistance.
- Two 3lb Dumbbells Included.
- Adjustable Seat and Handlebar.
- Includes On-demand and live classes through iFit coach.
- It Includes a fan to keep you cool during workouts.
- 2 Water Bottle holders.
- It has a 55.0″ L x 21.9″ W x 54.8″ H Footprint.
3. Sunny Health & Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike
Sunny Health & Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike is currently one of the most popular Peloton alternatives. This Sunny Pro Indoor Cycle itself is pretty standard in all aspects, but it gets the job done well. Moreover, with just a few extra minutes of set up, you can get the Peloton app to work and start enjoying high-intensity live class workouts. The SF-B901 has all the necessities you’d expect a stationary bike similar to the Peloton to include. It has a 2-way adjustable seat and an adjustable handle that allows you to find your perfect ride position.
The handlebars are ergonomically designed and can be gripped in multiple ways, unlike some other models for the same price.
We found the only downside of the Sunny Health & Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike to be the Felt Brake Pad Resistance that it uses. While this resistance system is not as advanced, it can still effectively provide various tension levels during your workout.
Key Features of The SF-B901
- It has Adjustable Seats and a multi-grip handle.
- Adjustable Felt Resistance System.
- 40 lb flywheel for increased stability.
- The SF-B901 offers a Max User Weight Limit of 275 lbs.
- It has a dimension of 49L x 20W x 47H.
The price of the Sunny SF-B901 is where it truly shines as a Peloton competitor! It currently sells for a fraction of the cost that Peloton retails for, and there might even be a special discounted price available depending on when you purchase.
4. Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle
The Keiser brand has been around for a very long time and is another great Peloton bike competitor. They are among the few companies whose bikes come from the United States. As such they strive to guarantee customers premium quality products.
The Keiser M3i is designed uniquely in a V-Shape and features an entirely smooth and whisper quiet ride! To achieve such a smooth and silent ride Keiser utilizes a two-magnet eddy current magnetic resistance system linked with a poly-V belt and a rear flywheel.
This combination allows the Keiser M3i to simulate a more realistic road bike feel while maintaining silence and a smooth ride!
We included the Keiser M3i bike as an excellent Peloton alternative because of its digital display screen. The screen accurately tracks key workout statistics such as Watts, RPM, Heart rate, Distance, etc. and can transmit that data to indoor cycling apps through Bluetooth.
Key Features of The Keiser M3i
- It has an adjustable seat and handles.
- Includes a digital display that can pass information to third-party apps.
- It has a media tray for mounting a tablet or phone.
- The Keiser M3i has 14 Levels of Magnetic Resistance.
- It comes with a floor mat.
- The dimensions of the M3i measure 45 x 26 x 49 inches and has a weight limit of 300 lbs.
5. Bladez Fitness Master GS Indoor Cycle Trainer
If you still haven’t made your choice on the right alternative to the Peloton, then the GS Indoor Cycle Trainer is a great option. This bike has a 45 lb perimeter weighted flywheel that provides excellent stability and also uses a top-down brake pad resistance that provides realistic riding experience.
The seat and handlebar of the Bladez Master GS Indoor Cycle can also be adjusted to help you find the best ride position. Additionally, the Bladez Master GS also features an LCD screen to help track your workout statistics.
The Bladez GS is roughly more than a thousand bucks cheaper than the Peloton but still offers all the features that you’ll need.
6. Marcy Club Revolution Cycle Trainer
Marcy’s Club Revolution Cycle trainer is an excellent alternative that you won’t regret buying. It has a durable steel frame construction with comfortable seats and handles. Moreover, both the seat and handles can are easy to adjust to your preference. The Marcy Revolution Cycle uses a friction-based resistance system that is easy to adjust and reach. It isn’t as advanced as the Peloton’s resistance or the other models with magnetic resistance on the list yet it still does provide a similar feel to the Peloton exercise bike.
Both bikes offer a similar ride feel because of the same design in the belt drive and flywheel position. However, you do get what you pay for so don’t expect definite similarities in feeling.
Key Features of The Marcy Club Revolution
- It has a 40lb flywheel for ride smoothness and stability.
- Multi-grip adjustable Handle Bars.
- The Marcy Club Revolution Cycle Trainer has caged pedals that fit a variety of shoes.
- It has 2 Way Adjustable seat.
- Brake Pad Resistance.
- It only has one water bottle holder.
The best aspect of the Marcy Club Revolution is the extremely low price tag. Of all the options on our list, the Marcy Revolution stands out as one of the most inexpensive options to invest in right now.
7. Sole Fitness SB700
The Sole Fitness SB700 is another inexpensive alternative to the Peloton exercise bike. It has an ergonomic design with padded seats that provide exceptional comfort for long workouts. The SB700 bike also features an adjustable handle and seat that allows you to find your ideal ride setting. Sole Fitness SB700 has an easy to reach resistance knob and brake pads that increase the friction on the flywheel to increase ride difficulty.
It also has a 3 x 4 Inch display that shows the RPM, workout time, speed and distance of your ride.
Key Features of The Sole SB700
- It has an adjustable handlebar and a comfortable seat.
- The SB700 has caged pedals for riding with regular shoes.
- Knob Turn Resistance that uses brake pads to increase resistance.
- It has a 48 lb flywheel.
- The maximum User Weight Limit is 300 lbs.
- The dimensions are 42″ by 21″ by 40 inches.
- It comes with 2 Water Bottle Holders.
- You also get an LCD screen that tracks workout data.
While this option doesn’t have all the premium perks such as magnetic resistance or Bluetooth connectivity you can still set up the Peloton app and use it with the bike. Plus the price makes up for where this bike falls short.
8. Schwinn IC3 Cycling Bike
The last of the Peloton alternatives is the Schwinn IC3. This indoor cycling bike is a great competitor with all the other models we listed earlier. However, it’s a lot cheaper and has an impressive build quality.
It has dual sided pedals with SPD compatibility and a caged side. Full color backlit LCD console that lets you monitor heart rate, speed, time, distance, calories and RPM. Moreover it is fully compatible with all the popular cycling apps. It also comes with magnetic resistance and a 40 lb flywheel.
So if you want to save money and still get the same experience you would get on the Peloton then this is a great model to get.
Key Features of The Schwinn IC3
- Large Water Bottle Holder
- LCD Display
- Bluetooth Heart Rate Armband
- 100 Resistance Levels
- It has a 40lb perimeter weighted flywheel.
- Compatible with Peloton App, Zwift, etc.
What is Peloton’s Biggest Advantage?
Their most significant advantage comes from their app that grants access to over 5000+ on-demand classes. They also stream 14 daily live classes that air at different times of the day which you can freely join. Their live spin classes typically range between 15 – 90 minutes. Moreover, their app offers more than just cycling classes.
Their app costs only $12.99 per month, but considering all the benefits such as access to cycling, yoga, stretching, toning, and strength training classes, the app is well worth its price per month.
The good news is that the app can be downloaded and easily used without their products. Since the app is available without having any of their products, it makes choosing a Peloton bike alternative easy to do, as you can use their cycling App with any of the models we recommend with a few tweaks which we’ll discuss later.
What are Some Other key Features of The Peloton?
Apart from the app, their exercise bikes also have some strong points that the competing Peloton bikes need. The first is that Peloton indoor cycles feature a 22″ Touch screen display. At the time of writing this, the Echelon EX5 and the NordicTrack S22i have a screen the same size.
However, there is always a workaround to the screen which you don’t need attached to the bikes. Another strong point it has is the neodymium rare earth magnet resistance. This resistance is slightly more advanced than other competitors and gives a smoother ride and transition between resistance levels/percent. While the resistance system is excellent, the only minor downside is their simple belt drive train system. Their drivetrain allows the competition to catch up and provide a similar feel when cycling.
Everything else about the Peloton is pretty standard, and is present on many other products which better fit your budget. As such our primary focus areas when choosing bikes similar to Peloton is the price, ride quality, and the app.
How to Make These Alternative Bikes More Like the Peloton?
As we mentioned earlier, one key factor we used to determine the options we listed is how easy it is to get a Peloton-like set up using any of these bikes. For the setup, you’ll only need to purchase a few extra items and subscribe to their Digital app for $12.99. If you get these items, we’re sure that you’ll notice little difference between these indoor spinning cycles and theirs. Furthermore, your budget will thank you for saving several hundreds of dollars.
A Mat
The first item you’ll need to get is a floor mat to place your bike on as this will help with stability and keeping your floors free from sweat stains. The bike mat we recommend buying is this SuperMats Heavy Duty Equipment Mat.
Media Device Holder
The next item you’ll need to get if the option you selected doesn’t already have one is a tablet holder for the bike. The one that we recommend is this Expanding Tablet Mount or one from domain cycling. They’re inexpensive and should be able to fit almost any device that you plan to use.
Cadence Sensor
Another essential component that you’ll need is a cadence sensor. You’ll often hear their class instructors talking about this, so it’s something you’ll need to have to follow along in the classes. The cadence sensor that we recommend purchasing to track your RPM is the Wahoo cadence sensor.
Other Essentials
There are a few other accessories that you can consider purchasing, but they aren’t necessary. The first of which is a pair of 3-pound weights that you can use when the live class instructors say to use them. You can also consider changing your chosen bike pedals to SPD supported pedals if the bike you select does not have it. In addition to the SPD pedals, you may need to get yourself a pair of Peloton cycling shoes.
Moreover, if you want to get the best HIIT workout possible you could even grab one of these amazing heart rate sensors.
If you don’t want to use a tiny screen you can get yourself an Apple TV that will allow you to connect your stationary bike to your TV and get better immersion in your workout session.
By getting all the items we’ve listed, you’ll have everything you need to get the best Peloton-like experience. You’ll also be saving yourself a ton of cash in the process.
The Bottom Line
Peloton has set the standard for indoor biking solutions over recent years. However, you aren’t without a Peloton alternative after you’ve read this article.
The affordable items that we’ve listed can provide everything you need and allow you to get the best indoor workout experience possible.
So if you don’t have large pockets that allow you to buy a Peloton indoor cycle easily, then the alternatives we’ve listed are your best bet. And if you want an even more realistic cycling experience check out our article on Zwift vs Peloton!