How to Choose Between a Peloton Bike and a Bike+
With some products, such as phones, you have a variety of options to choose from. But if you want to buy one of Peloton’s spin bikes, you only have two options : Bike or Bike+ (pronounced “bike plus”). This little “+” costs another thousand dollars , so is it worth it? Let’s dive in.
Overview of important functions
I’ll go into more detail below, but here’s the short answer: If you just want a Peloton, the regular bike is the original. This is the one that most people have, it’s cheaper, and it gets the job done. I have a regular bike and never felt like I was missing out on anything. The regular price for the bike is $1,445, but if there’s a good sale it can be found for closer to $1,000. If you want to look at used models , they can often be found in the mid to high triple digits.
Bike+ costs significantly more, so what are you paying for? The technical components have improved , so the on-screen experience will be a little faster and smoother. Beyond that, important features are automatic resistance (the bike will follow your workout without you having to turn the handle) and a swivel screen , so you can rotate it out of the way for things like strength training or guided yoga classes. The Bike+ has a list price of $2,495 and can sometimes go as high as $1,995 on deals. Refurbished and used models will, of course, cost a little less.
What do Bike and Bike+ have in common?
Most of the differences between the two motorcycles are related to technology, which we’ll get into in a minute. But first you should know what these two motorcycles have in common.
First of all, they are the same size. Both are the same area, 4 x 2 feet—Peloton recommends leaving 24 inches on each side of the bike and placing it in an area with at least 8-foot ceilings. This allows even tall riders to stand up and pedal. (If standing isn’t an issue for you, or if you’re shorter, you may be able to squeeze into a tighter space. I’m 5’6″ and have never had a problem with my attic’s 7′ ceilings.)
The controls and frame are the same, except that the original bike had a seatpost recall , while the Bike+ did not. (If you’re buying used, make sure the seatpost has been replaced.) Both have a wired 3.5mm headphone jack, although they’re probably more likely to use the built-in speakers or a Bluetooth headset rather than plugging in a pair of headphones. .
Both bike options can accommodate riders from 4’11” to 6’4″ and weighing up to 297 pounds. The Bike itself weighs 135 pounds, and the Bike+ weighs 140 pounds, largely due to the massive flywheel (on spin bikes, the heavier the flywheel, the better).
Both Bike and Bike+ have access to the same subscription options. For a $44/month All-Access subscription you get:
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Cycling classes are a classic offering with a charismatic instructor who will guide you through a structured workout (and often pepper it with motivational speeches).
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Scenic bike rides with Peloton Radio music (I usually turn the sound off and just play my music from my phone).
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Lanebreak (a type of video game) on a bicycle.
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Access classes through the Peloton app on your phone.
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Ability to create multiple profiles for family members so you can share a bike without additional subscriptions.
In addition to cycling classes, the bikes and app can also provide additional classes in strength training, stretching, yoga and more. You can also take cycling classes on your phone app, which is a handy feature when you have access to a spin bike but it’s not Peloton (like at the gym).
Now that we know what the similarities are, let’s dive into the differences.
The Bike+ has a swivel screen, but don’t buy it just for that.
The first thing you’ll notice about the Bike+ (and perhaps its only visually distinctive feature) is the fact that its screen rotates. This will allow you to set up a space next to the bike, such as a mat and dumbbells, for other types of workouts. Step out of Bike+, point the screen at your mat, and you can do yoga without craning your neck to look behind the seat.
The screen of a regular bike does not rotate, but tilts. This allows you to adjust it to the most comfortable angle or avoid glare while driving. However, if you want this swivel feature, you don’t need to shell out the extra cash on a brand new bike— an aftermarket swivel mount only costs about 50 grand.
The Bike+ has auto-resistance and a true power meter.
If the Bike+ has a killer feature, this is it. When your instructor tells you to set the resistance to 30, you don’t have to touch the knob—Bike+ will adjust the resistance for you .
You can turn this feature on or off during your ride by pressing the lock icon next to the resistance numbers. On normal rides, the Bike+ adjusts the resistance whenever the instructor announces a change in resistance; When riding in a power zone, it will adjust as needed to keep you in your power zone.
The catch is that auto-resistance only works for trips where “targets” are programmed. This includes most rides from Peloton’s back catalogue, but does not include rides you follow with a trainer in real time. After these rides, Peloton will add goals, but they say it may take up to 24 hours for the feature to become available for a specific ride.
The Bike+ also has a built-in power meter to let you know exactly how many watts you’re getting. (A regular bike will tell you the approximate power, but bikes may not be calibrated correctly and the power may be off.) While you can calibrate a regular bike, Bike+ always knows how hard you’re actually pedaling, and you can appreciate that extra precision. .
The Bike+ tablet uses better technology.
The screen on the front of your Bike or Bike+ isn’t just a screen; This is an entire tablet computer with its own processor, RAM and other electronic components. The underrated part of the Bike+ update is that everything on the tablet just got better, better, and faster. The screen itself is larger: 23.8 inches diagonal instead of 21.5 inches. Bike+ also includes:
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4 gigabytes of RAM instead of two
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Qualcomm 2.5 GHz processor instead of Mediatek 2.0 GHz.
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A 26-watt audio system with front and rear speakers instead of a 16-watt system with only rear speakers.
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Bluetooth 5.0 instead of 4.0
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A USB-C port that allows you to charge devices while riding (a regular bike has a charging port, but it’s micro USB, so most of us will need an adapter).
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A permanent finish that reduces light reflection on that big ol’ screen.
There are also two features that are better on paper, but for most of us that doesn’t matter. First, Bike+ supports GymKit, a protocol for connecting your Apple Watch to Bike+ to get heart rate data. (They briefly stopped supporting GymKit, as there is a Peloton app for Apple Watch that does most of what GymKit does, but received enough complaints that they brought it back .)
Secondly, the Bike+ has a better selfie camera: 8 MP versus 5 MP (and a protective cover for said camera). Wait, Peloton has a camera?? I hear you say. Oh, and according to Peloton, its only purpose is to take a selfie and use it as a profile picture. (You can also just take a photo with your phone and add it to your profile through the app.) However, Peloton users say they’ve used the camera for video chat , but no one seems to like the feature.
Ultimately, these features mean your work will be a little faster and smoother. Some Peloton riders say the more user-friendly technology means Lanebreak is less likely to experience random lag when changing lanes during a ride, and that the interface tends to be a little more responsive.
Bottom Line: Peloton Bike vs. Bike+
The bike is a solid choice that will make almost all your Peloton dreams come true. Bike+ has some useful features.
Buy a bike if:
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You just need a damn Peloton.
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You don’t want to pay an extra $1,050 for minor upgrades.
Buy Bicycle+ if:
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You want the fastest, smoothest technology experience.
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You’ll want the bike to adjust itself during (most) sessions.
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You’re a numbers freak, want to know the exact power and know the bike is perfectly calibrated.
Ultimately, both options are good choices. The exact price difference between the two models will depend on whether you can find your chosen bike for sale, used, or rented ( I’m crunching the numbers for those scenarios here ).