Peloton Bike+ review: The encapsulation of Peloton’s mission and dilemma

A few years ago, Peloton’s stationary exercise bikes saw a meteoric rise in public discourse, with demand well beyond the company’s capabilities. But soon after this success, sales plummeted, stifling interest and hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue as the world began to recover from the pandemic and people returned to the gym.

Despite pausing production of exercise bikes and treadmills due to unsold inventory, the company is still working on new devices. and the long-rumored Peloton Row rowing machine, but starting at $1,995, the pricier Peloton Bike+ offers the most versatile experience available on the platform.

Its large, rotating touchscreen display is designed for easy access to Peloton’s diverse library of workouts. And Bike+ epitomizes his Peloton mission and its dilemma. Can the company continue to expand its hardware offering while proving itself to be a worthy fitness platform without expensive equipment? do you

We used the Peloton Bike+ for extended periods of time to see if it was the best machine in Peloton’s arsenal, and also evaluated Peloton’s standalone streaming fitness platform.

Top notch design, but not perfect

The Peloton Bike+ is widely regarded as a top-notch exercise bike, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s heavy, sturdy, whisper-quiet in operation, and has a beautiful look that fits in with your living room environment thanks to its smooth, matte look.

I only have two nitpicks about it. First, Peloton bikes require you to use a specific type of bike cleat called a “Look Delta” to clip your shoes to the pedals. It’s not Peloton proprietary, so if you already have a compatible pair, it should work fine. If not, you will need to purchase one as it does not come with your bike. Peloton has options starting at $125, and while prices are on par with other cycling shoe brands, I can’t help but think they should be included on your bike. There are third-party conversion kits that allow you to use regular shoes, but they are not endorsed by Peloton and may not be the safest option.

Peloton bikes have fixed gears, so you can pedal backwards without resistance, instead of “freewheeling”. As a newbie to aero bikes, I learned this the hard way. When I tried to backpedal while cycling, the full weight of the inertia of the flywheel fought against me, forcing me to propel my clipped-in foot forward. It was shocking, but it was for the best that my legs were locked during this snafu. Otherwise there is a risk of injury.

Hopefully future designs that allow for unclipped riding (i.e. toe cages) and the kind of freewheel that many people are accustomed to on traditional geared bikes. Freewheeling e-bikes are less common, but some manufacturers offer bikes with both a clip-in option for regular sneakers and a toe cage on the opposite side of the pedals. This helps lower the already high barrier to entry, especially when multiple people want to use the bike.

In general, though, it was an easy adjustment to adjust to the lock-in procedure and slam the big red brake knob to a stop. What lingered, though, was my discomfort with unclipping the shoe—having to squeeze the brakes, step off the bike, and partially rotate my ankle. It’s awkward and uncomfortable (though not exactly painful) every time.

My second trick is with the seats. Peloton’s one-size-fits-all bike seat or saddle may not fit your body properly. The company’s bikes accommodate everyone from 4’11” to 6’4″ and up to 297 pounds. Naturally, there are many variations between these body types. My bony rear took a few rides to get used to the slight discomfort, but if after 10 or so rides it’s still unbearable, consider padded bike shorts or a saddle swap. recommended. Unfortunately, Peloton doesn’t sell them, so you’ll have to size and source them yourself.