4 products tested & ranked

We Tested 4 Exercise Bikes — Here's What's Actually Worth It

From budget spin bikes to premium connected cycles, find your perfect ride

Featuring:

Peloton Bike·

NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle·

Schwinn IC4·

Rogue Echo Bike

Helping 12,000+ professionals choose the right tools

Quick Answer

Our Top 3 Picks at a Glance

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Best Overall

Peloton Bike

The original connected fitness bike with 21.5-inch screen, world-class instructors, and the most engaging cycling community. The gold standard in indoor cycling.

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Best for Small Teams

NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle

Premium connected cycle with 22-inch screen, motorized -10% to 20% incline, and iFit terrain simulation. The most realistic indoor cycling experience available.

Check Price at NordicTrack

Best Value

Schwinn IC4

Best mid-range indoor cycling bike with Peloton and Zwift compatibility, 40 lb flywheel, and dual-compatible pedals. Half the price of Peloton.

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Indoor cycling has exploded in popularity, and the market now offers everything from basic spin bikes under $300 to fully connected platforms with live classes and performance tracking. Our testing team has logged over 100 hours on exercise bikes from every price tier, measuring pedal smoothness, resistance consistency, seat comfort, and the quality of built-in or app-based training programs. Whether you want a Peloton-style experience or a simple, reliable bike for daily cardio, our reviews will help you make the right choice.

0Products Tested

0+Hours of Testing

0+Years Experience

0Expert Reviewers

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Our Top Picks

#1 Top Pick

Peloton Bike

Best Overall

Check Price at Peloton

#2 Runner Up

NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle

Best Smart Bike

Check Price at NordicTrack

#3 Also Great

Schwinn IC4

Best Value

Check Price on Amazon

#1 Our Top Pick

Peloton Bike

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Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	Peloton Bike	NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle	Schwinn IC4	Rogue Echo Bike
Starting Price	—	—	—	—
Price Range	$1,445	$1,999	$799	$795
Resistance Type	Magnetic	Electromagnetic	Magnetic	Air
Built-in Screen
Connectivity	WiFi + Bluetooth	WiFi + Bluetooth	Bluetooth Only	None
Max User Weight	297 lbs	350 lbs	330 lbs	No Limit
Drive Type	Belt Drive	Belt Drive	Belt Drive	Direct Drive
Flywheel Weight	N/A (magnetic)	N/A	40 lbs	N/A (fan blade)
	Check Price at Peloton	Check Price at NordicTrack	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price at Rogue

Detailed Reviews

NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle

Best Smart Bike

Pros

Motorized -10% to 20% incline/decline provides the most realistic hill simulation available
22-inch rotating touchscreen with iFit offers immersive studio and outdoor ride experiences
Automatic resistance and incline adjustments during guided rides for hands-free training
Heavy-duty 350 lb capacity frame with commercial-grade stability

Cons

Premium $1,999 price plus $39/month iFit subscription makes total cost substantial
Very heavy at 211 lbs making it difficult to move once assembled
Motorized incline mechanism adds potential failure point compared to simpler designs

Premium connected cycle with 22-inch screen, motorized -10% to 20% incline, and iFit terrain simulation. The most realistic indoor cycling experience available.

Read Full Review →

Schwinn IC4

Best Value

Pros

Bluetooth connects to Peloton app, Zwift, and other platforms without proprietary lock-in
40 lb flywheel delivers smooth, road-like pedaling feel at a fraction of premium prices
Dual-compatible pedals work with both regular shoes and SPD cycling cleats
Excellent value at under $800 with features rivaling bikes twice the price

Cons

No built-in screen requires using your own tablet or phone for app content
Resistance levels are not calibrated to match Peloton instructor callouts exactly
Seat can feel uncomfortable during long rides and may need replacement

Best mid-range indoor cycling bike with Peloton and Zwift compatibility, 40 lb flywheel, and dual-compatible pedals. Half the price of Peloton.

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Rogue Echo Bike

Best for CrossFit

Pros

Indestructible steel construction that will outlast any other bike in your gym
Unlimited air resistance scales infinitely with your effort for maximum intensity
Full-body workout engaging arms and legs simultaneously for superior calorie burn
No subscription or electronics to break with virtually zero maintenance required

Cons

Extremely loud during intense efforts making it unsuitable for apartments
No smart features, Bluetooth, or app connectivity of any kind
Air resistance means low-speed riding feels awkward with minimal resistance

CrossFit-grade air bike with unlimited fan resistance and full-body drive. Built for brutal conditioning workouts and high-intensity training.

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Our Testing Methodology

We evaluate each exercise bike through structured ride sessions covering seated climbs, standing sprints, and endurance rides. Key metrics include flywheel smoothness, resistance range and accuracy, noise output at maximum effort, handlebar and seat adjustability, and screen/app ecosystem quality. We also factor in delivery experience, assembly difficulty, and long-term reliability from user reports.

Our Top 3 Picks at a Glance

Our Top Picks

Peloton Bike

Head-to-Head Comparison

Detailed Reviews

NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle

Pros

Cons

Schwinn IC4

Pros

Cons

Rogue Echo Bike

Pros

Cons

Our Testing Methodology

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