Peloton’s turned its own home gym into a piece of culture. But choosing a Peloton machine have never been easier, or harder. If you’ve stood in a showroom and stared at the shiny black frames, it comes down to this: two very different machines.
On one side: the Bike that began a movement. On the other: the Bike+ (the new version featuring a bigger screen and swiveling display). It’s not cheap so the $1,000 price gap can be the deal-maker when deciding which one best suit your lifestyle.
Before you plunk down money on one or the other, know what you’re shelling out for. The most frequent mistake people make when buying a Peloton Bike is assuming the Bike+ is just a slightly faster version of original. They end up spending too much money on something they won’t ever use.
Key Differences Between Peloton Bike And Bike
The Core Riding Experience
Both bikes has the same core ride experience, which comes down to their magnetic resistance system. You can pedal on the new frame or the old one. You will still feel the same tug at your thighs as you pedal out another spin.
Where it differs is what the machine do within its surroundings. Knowing this can help guide your decision to choose the right bike for your home and wallet. First, there’s the screen.
Screen Features and Display
On the Bike+, it’s a 24-inch rotating touchscreen that can swivel left and right so you don’t have to crouch down in front of console to follow along with meditation, yoga or strength classes while you’re stepping off bike. The original Bike has a fixed 22-inch screen that just faces forward. So if you’re only interested in cycling on this thing then the rotation feature isn’t adding much value here.
It’s a luxurios feature built for the all-purpose subscriber looking for one hub for everything. If you’re strictly pedaling, then you’re paying for a feature you won’t use. The other major update with the Bike+ comes with the screen: the new version rotates.
And that matters. The screen is far brighter and sharper than the one on regular Bike, with improved color contrast too. That make all the difference when you’re attempting to follow your instructor’s cues in a darkened room, or see where you should put your feet for a tricky drill.
While the original screen absolutely works fine, it look quite dated next to this newer model. If you’ve spent some time with a high-end smartphone or tablet lately, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Better visuals increase immersion.
This can help keep you focused as you push through the difficult last few miles of a workout. Another reason it is worth paying more for the Bike+ is its connectivity options. For starters, the Bike+ has an integrated headphone charging dock and supports Bluetooth audio.
Connectivity and Audio Options
Now you can connect your wireless headphones directly to the bike, freeing you from managing your phone or dealing with tangled cords. It’s simply there, connected to the bike, no fiddling required. That convenience also add to the experience.
It eliminates the little things that can derail your flow when you’re trying to power through a high-intensity interval workout. It’s one less thing to think about. That said, convenience comes at a price.
And here we see it. The new one tracks metrics better, but it’s the same data. Without even glancing down, you can see power and cadence in realtime while riding, right on display screen.
Metrics and User Interface
The old bike does that as well, but it seem to respond just a little less quickly and is laid out different than before. That doesn’t matter at all to casual cyclist. Either way you’ll know your pace and how hard you are working.
But if you’re someone who gets caught up in output zones and wants to stare at those numbers constantly, I think the instant feedback from the Bike+ makes it feel more naturaly. It’s not a game changer; it’s a small UI improvement. And the cost between the two models; even when subscribed to the service; tends to be significant, sometimes hundreds of dollars.
That’s a lot of money up-front, which will dissuade many people from buying. Is it worth spending more for the swivel screen and audio? If you’re a rider with limited space, the cheaper standard Bike make more sense.
Choosing the Right Bike
It performs the core task excellently. However, the Bike+ makes more sense for others who want a central hub for all things health and exercise beyond just their lower half. Ultimately, the decision between those two machines boils down to what you need.
If you’re looking for something simple and reliable. If you ride just because. The original Peloton Bike is still a beast of a machine.
But if you’re looking for a versatile, high-end piece of fitness hardware that doubles as a well-rounded health center, then you’ve come to the right place. In a vacuum, neither option is naturaly better. It’s the one that suits both your budget and your habit.
Think about where you exercise now. Imagine how you want your workout experience to be. Then, spend your money based off that vision.
The perfect fit is the one that fits into your lifestyle, not necessarily the one with the prettiest screen. You should of considered it all before buying.
