Exercise bikes have undoubtedly come a long way from the model my grandma had in the corner of her basement when I was young. Not only has the functionality of bikes improved, but the best exercise bikes’ features have provided fitness enthusiasts an home gym experience they can actually enjoy. (And we all know that’s half the battle of getting a workout done.) In this article, we’re pitting two of the top contenders in the exercise bike arena against each other — Peloton vs. Echelon.
Peloton might hold the title of being the “OG” of premium exercise bikes, but Echelon has gained steady traction in the market by offering many of the features Peloton owners have gone ga-ga over — and at a lower price point. Who will win the battle of the bikes, Peloton or Echelon? It won’t be a TKO, but we’ll help them duke out their differences so you can choose the best exercise bike for you.
What is Peloton?
Peloton had somewhat humble and slow beginnings in 2012 with its concept of combining high-quality exercise equipment with interactive cycling classes. Whether the rise of Peloton was inevitable or fueled by the pandemic is debatable, but the brand remains a household name in culture and a favorite among cyclists and fitness enthusiasts.
The brand’s two bikes, the Peloton Bike and the Peloton Bike+, both offer a high-quality build, a large HD touchscreen, a magnetic resistance system, integrated stereo speakers, and some of the most motivating online classes known to (wo)man. While the Peloton Bike is a premium bike, the Peloton Bike+ is premium on steroids. We’ll venture into the details later, but you can also read more in our Peloton Bike review.
The Peloton Bike pedals can be switched out with SPD-compatible options.
In addition to Peloton’s ever-so-popular bikes, they’ve extended their product lineup to include treadmills and rowing machines, although those products haven’t quite gained the same amount of traction.
But above all else, much of Peloton’s continued success can be attributed to something that has absolutely nothing to do with the bike — the content. Peloton’s classes and instructors are top-notch, and when you combine that with the real-time leaderboard to connect and compete with others, it’s a dopamine hit like no other.
What is Echelon?
Echelon differs from Peloton in that it offers a broader range of high-quality fitness equipment at differing price points. Echelon’s cardio product lineup consists of the Stride (a treadmill), the Echelon Rower, the Echelon Ellipse (an elliptical), a stair climber, and the Echelon Reflect (a smart mirror that offers interactive fitness classes and real-time feedback).
A BarBend tester riding the Echelon Connect EX-8s.
We’ll be stacking up three Echelon Connect bikes — the Echelon EX-5, the Echelon EX-5s-22, and the Echelon EX-8s — against the Peloton bikes. As far as the motivation factor, Echelon offers a subscription service with a wide variety of live and on-demand classes. And just like Peloton, their app integrates with their equipment to enhance the workout experience.
Echelon bikes rank are among the best types of exercise bikes we’ve tested and are a laudable Peloton alternative. They offer a quality product both in content and the products themselves but with a lower price tag than Peloton for certain models. (We’ll get to the bottom of why.)
Peloton Vs. Echelon Bikes: At a Glance
Many of Echelon’s offerings seem similar to Peloton’s however, there are differences both in price and product.
Peloton vs. Echelon Bikes: The Nitty Gritty
Now that we’ve looked at the overall specs from a bird’s eye view, let’s zero in on how those specs can impact your workout — and your wallet.
Pricing
If you’re comparing prices between Echelon bikes, Peloton bikes, or some of the best Peloton alternatives, make sure you’re comparing similar models. Peloton has a reputation for being pricey, but depending on the Echelon bike, you could pay more than a Peloton bike. Take the Echelon EX-8s for example, coming in roughly $500 more than the Peloton Bike+.
Although Echelon offers a range of bikes at different prices, I’m picking Peloton bikes as the winner on pricing. The price difference between the Echelon-EX5 and the Peloton Bike is roughly $145. In my opinion — though it might be contested — the heavier flywheel, the 100 micro-adjustable magnetic resistance levels, the warranty, and the HD touchscreen make those extra dollars worth it.
The Winner: Peloton
[Related: Best Cycling Apps]
Construction and Durability
In terms of construction and durability, Echelon bikes may take the cake. (Although it’s close.) Generally speaking, product reviews (from sources like Amazon, the Echelon website, and our testers) consistently note the heavy-duty steel frame, ease of assembly, and stability during intense workouts.
“The durability factor is an A+,” says our tester of the Echelon EX-5s. “There was no noise and I felt stable while standing in the ride position and riding at high speeds. There was some instability when I was manually shaking it to test this out, but it was easily adjusted with the floor stabilizers. The floor stabilizers are a key aspect of this machine when it comes to the smoothness of the ride.”
A BarBend tester riding the Peloton Bike.
Peloton bike frames are constructed with a powder-coated, welded steel frame which should make anyone feel warm and cozy. However, they’ve had significant issues with the seat that resulted in a recall of 2.2 million bikes (with model number PL01). (1)
But don’t let that deter you from purchasing a Peloton. Randall Colburn, BarBend editorial member, shares “I’ve had my Peloton Bike for years and think it’s an extremely well-built machine. The only issue I’ve had is an annoying creak when the bike’s been sitting in one spot on my fitness mat for too long. It’s a pain to readjust it, but it does the trick.”
The Winner: Echelon
Display and Technology
All Echelon Connect bikes and Peloton Bikes come with Bluetooth connectivity. You can put on your favorite playlist, monitor your heart rate, and integrate the best fitness trackers and health apps. The display and technology built into exercise equipment can also be a key factor in motivation.
Our expert and certified personal trainer, Amanda Capritto, says, “People who struggle to find the motivation to exercise can benefit greatly from a bike with a TV screen. Being able to watch a television show, documentary, or movie while exercising can make it something to look forward to (and make time seem like it’s flying by).”
The Peloton Bike in the BarBend gym.
While the Echelon EX-5 doesn’t come with a touchscreen, the EX-5s has a 22-inch screen. The Echelon EX-8s, meanwhile, boasts a curved 24” HD touchscreen. But does it matter?
Here’s what our reviewer of the EX-8s (our pick for one of the best bikes with virtual courses) has to say: “As for the display itself, it’s quite large at 24 inches, which is bigger than the screens on the Peloton and S22i by 3.5 and 2 inches, respectively. We found the size to be cumbersome, with our tester noting that the screen wobbled slightly during rides. And while studies suggest that curved screens can be easier on the eyes than flat screens, we didn’t find it that much more immersive during our rides.” (2)
The Echelon Connect EX-8s exercise bike with its 24-inch curved display.
Here’s a key feature that may be a selling point for some: Echelon Connect touchscreens can rotate for off-bike workouts. This feature is only available on the Peloton Bike+, not the Peloton Bike. It’s a useful feature, since both the Peloton and Echelon apps boast on-demand strength and mobility workouts in addition to spin classes.
In summary, if you want the rotating screen, you’ll have to fork over the extra money for the higher-end models no matter which brand you choose.
The Winner: A tie
[Related: Exercise Bike Buying Guide]
Adjustability
Adjustability is an important factor, especially for those who are on the shorter side. Most Echelon bikes come with four-way adjustable handlebars that can make a big difference in your ride. This means you can adjust the handlebars vertically, horizontally, at an angle, and tilted, resulting in a more comfortable, ergonomic ride.
Unfortunately — and somewhat surprisingly — this feature isn’t offered on the Peloton bikes.
Our tester gripping the bullhorn-style handlebars of the Peloton Bike.
“I’ve commonly found exercise bikes offering horizontal settings for the handles, so I was surprised to see this option left off the Peloton Bike profile,” says our tester. “I definitely struggled to find that optimal setup at times, particularly when hopping on for a ride after my husband had just used the machine.”
The Echelon EX-5, meanwhile, received glowing reviews about its adjustable handlebars from our tester. “The grip placements might be my favorite part of the ergonomics of the bike. Not only are they comfortable with a texture making the grip easy to hold on to, there are also multiple different holds you can use while switching positions, making the ride that much more enjoyable,” they say.
[Related: Best Exercise Bikes for Tall Riders]
Also notable in the adjustability department is the pedal design. Little costs can add up, so take note that you’ll need specific shoes for a ride on a Peloton.
“Do not expect to hop onto this Peloton Bike with your favorite pair of cross-training shoes, as the pedals are designed for cycling-specific footwear,” reads our review of the Peloton Bike. “This does mean that in order to get the most out of your workout experience, you’ll need to pay a little extra for a pair of Delta-compatible cleats, which Peloton sells for $125.”
The hybrid pedals on the Echelon Connect EX-5.
Echelon Connect Bikes, meanwhile, are compatible with SPD shoe clips, but also include toe cages for those who’d rather ride in their sneakers.
And lastly, let’s talk about the bike seats. If I’m being honest, I think even good bike seats get a bad rap sometimes because indoor cycling can be just plain uncomfortable (especially if you’re new to it). Based on product reviews, our tester reviews, and the above-referenced seat recall, Peloton seats could use a little tweaking. Echelon seats, on the other hand, are built for adjustability and comfort with padding and/or ventilation. This can make a big difference on longer LISS cardio rides.
Here’s what our tester of the Echelon EX-5 says of the seat: “The bike seat was moderately comfortable with good padding and squish. I noticed the seat was considerably more comfortable in a leaning position as opposed to an upright position. The bike seat was easy to adjust forward and back, and up and down with no problem.”
The vented seat and dumbbell rack on the Echelon Connect EX-5.
Overall, Echelon wins for adjustability with its options for adjustments, as well as the ease of making them. “I thought all of the adjustment points were easy to find,” says our tester. “The actual adjustments were smooth and easy to twist without being too tight or too loose. Compared to other bikes I’ve tried, the Echelon was one of the most user-friendly and straightforward.”
The Winner: Echelon
Peloton App vs. Echelon Fit: At a Glance
Peloton didn’t rise in popularity because people love staring into space while they ride on their indoor bikes. It’s fair to say that the Peloton app is the reason indoor cyclists fell in love with the brand. Let’s see how the Echelon Fit app stacks up against the Peloton app.
Peloton App vs. Echelon Fit: The Nitty-Gritty
On paper, the two apps appear to be pretty similar. Both offer hundreds of options to get your workout in and provide multiple formats to keep you motivated in your at-home workout.
Our expert, certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto, explains the motivation factor of fitness apps like the Peloton App and the Echelon Fit app: “Fitness apps help guide you to reach your goals. They can keep fitness fun and interesting, expose you to types of training you may not have thought of yourself, and at the same time, keep things simple so you don’t get distracted by all of the noise around fitness online.”
Pricing
For $12.99 a month, you can get Peloton’s basic membership, which allows access to strength, yoga, outdoor running, and HIIT workouts that don’t require a cardio machine. The App+ tier ($24 a month) also offers cycling, rowing, and treadmill workouts and more detailed metrics. Both of these tiers, however, can only be accessed via a compatible mobile device — they are not compatible with Peloton machines.
If you own a Peloton machine, you’ll need the All-Access membership to integrate the app with the equipment. This premium membership gives access to all live and on-demand classes on the Bike, Bike+, Tread, Tread, and Row), as well as multiple user profiles, gamified workouts, and special features like detailed metrics and leaderboards. The All-Access membership costs significantly more at $44 a month but is ranked among the best fitness apps.
The Echelon Fit app’s basic membership is comparably priced at $11.99, with the premium membership costing $39.99. As with the premium Peloton membership, expanded class access, enhanced metrics and tracking, and equipment integration are all additional perks of the premium Echelon Fit membership.
The Winner: A tie
Workout and Instructor Variety
As noted above, the specs on paper seem to be pretty comparable. However, the workout and instructor variety is likely where most users will say Peloton wins — hands down.
Our Peloton bike review sums it up nicely: “While we don’t think the Peloton Bike is the greatest exercise bike on the market, the biggest reason we’d recommend this spin bike over another is the level of quality across the available live and on-demand fitness classes. Every instructor brings a unique sense of energy to the screen, and we think just about any Peloton newbie will be able to find a trainer that makes them want to tune in for a sweat session day in and day out.”
The dashboard of the Peloton app, including classes and workout stats.
That’s not to say that the Echelon Fit app has nothing to offer. The content library has great variety, but may not have the wow factor that the Peloton classes and instructors have acquired over time.
Here’s what our tester from our Echelon EX-8s review had to say about the app and Echelon classes: “As for the Echelon Fit app, it evokes the Peloton and IFIT fitness apps with its own library of live and on-demand cardio, strength, yoga, HIIT cardio workouts, and Pilates classes. We like the app’s variety — 30-plus instructors and more than 40 daily live classes a day — and how it tracks workout metrics like speed, distance, and calories burned. We do, however, struggle with the cluttered feel of the metrics as they’re presented onscreen. In general, we find the production design and overall sense of immersion provided by the Echelon Fit app to fall short of what you’ll get from Peloton and IFIT.”
The Winner: Peloton
Gamified Workouts
Generally speaking, Peloton’s gamification features are more extensive and integrated into the overall user experience. Peloton excels in detailed leaderboards, a wide variety of badges, and lots of interactive features that encourage competition. In particular, we like Peloton’s Lanebreak, a video game where your score corresponds to your effort. While Lanebreak is only available on the Bike, the rest of Peloton’s interactive features are available on the Peloton Tread and Peloton Rower as well.
Echelon also has a gamified racing platform in Worlds, which can get your blood pumping as you try to best your high score. However, features like leaderboards, badges, and challenges aren’t as immersive and interactive for the user.
The Winner: Peloton
Live Classes and Community Features
Both apps offer live classes and community features, but most users who’ve tried them both will tell you that Peloton’s system is more elaborate and personal. Peloton excels with its clubs and special interest groups, providing more opportunities for users to join communities based on shared interests. And don’t forget those virtual high-fives.
A Peloton cycling class on the Peloton app.
“Peloton is all about community. In the live workouts, I love that there’s a leaderboard with everyone else from the class who you can high-five during the workouts,” says our tester. “You can also friend people so you’ll be notified if your friend is on at the same time, or you can schedule a workout together. The challenges are another huge motivator for me because I love having the little badge collection to represent my hard work.”
The Winner: Peloton
FAQs: Peloton vs. Echelon
What is the difference between Echelon and Peloton?
Choosing between Peloton and Echelon will depend on your budget, preference for equipment features, and the importance of specific community and app features in your fitness routine. Both models of the Peloton bike come with a built-in HD touchscreen. Not every Echelon model does, but they do come with a lower price tag. There are also plenty of Echelon discount codes available.
Does Echelon have a monthly fee?
The monthly fee for the Echelon Fit app varies based on the level of membership you choose. The standard membership provides basic features and Echelon classes, while the premium membership offers additional access and classes, and enhanced metrics. Prices range from $11.99 to $39.99 per month.
How much is Peloton per month?
The Peloton basic membership is priced at $12.99 per month and is ideal for users who do not have Peloton fitness equipment. The Peloton All-Access membership costs $44 per month and provides full access to Peloton’s classes with their equipment, along with additional features for multiple users.
References
U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (2023, May 11). Peloton Recalls Two Million Exercise Bikes Due to Fall and Injury Hazards https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Peloton-Recalls-Two-Million-Exercise-Bikes-Due-to-Fall-and-Injury-Hazards
Na, N., Suk, H., Jeong, K. (2015). Do Curved Displays Make for a More Pleasant Experience?. Proceedings of SPIE – The International Society for Optical Engineering. 9394. 10.1117/12.2078102.
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