Nordictrack S22i - Best Bang For Your Buck

The Wahoo Kickr – Best Trainer For Zwift Virtual Riding

Best Bang For Your Buck (And The One I Own) - Nordictrack S22i

Nordictrack S22i Review

If you're looking for an indoor cycling experience that boasts total luxury in every single way, from the hardware to the build quality and even the tech behind it all - then the Nordictrack S22i Studio Cycle is a bike that should definitely be on your radar.

This model ships with an amazing 20" touch-screen HD display, which together with the stellar iFit platform makes the S22i an absolute legend when it comes to interactive training options.

So people looking for an exercise bike with a screen won't be disappointed. 

Overtop of this and the bike's awesome feature kit - one of the things that really made the deal for me was the fact that this bike can actually tilt for an increased challenge thanks to its clever and unique angular frame design.

This simulates uphill and downhill cycling, adding that much more realism to the ride feel and giving you a fair bit of diversity in the workouts you'll be doing.

But what about the build quality? Here's a fun fact - the S22i was built with the commercial environment in mind, so it's basically bullet-proof.

With an all-steel design and some minimalist yet fully functional creature comforts - this bike is absolutely rock-solid, able to withstand just about any degree of exercise you throw at it.

What I Don't Like

This bike is quite pricey, clocking in on-par with the Peloton, making it somewhat out of the financial comfort zone for most folks.

The assembly is rather complicated compared to most other bikes on this list - though, you are able to purchase an at-home installation for an additional $250.

The S22i requires you to pick up at least 12-months of iFit Coach membership, while cheaper models make the subscription optional.

Warranty Options

Nordictrack provides a lifetime coverage policy on the frame while various parts get 3 years of coverage and the labor on the bike is backed by a 1-year warranty.

In addition to this, prospective buyers are able to purchase an extended warranty policy on parts and labor, before their coverage runs out.

Assembly Time

On their marketing materials, Nordictrack mentions that the S22i should take roughly half an hour to set up. However, just as with the Peloton, in reality - you should probably carve out an hour or so to get the job done.

Compatible Apps & Virtual Platforms

Unfortunately, the Nordictrack S22i comes locked into the iFit platform and the integrations it features (it hooks up with Zwift and a few other apps that we haven't covered).

But while the lack of live virtual classes may be a bit of a drawback for some, their extensive library of pre-recorded programs and modules features just about anything you could think of from yoga to incline cycling and more.

Proform Studio Bike Pro (S15i) - A Cheaper S22i Alternative

Proform Studio Bike Pro Review

Next up on the list, we've got a high-performance bike that packs a gracious helping of high-end features, the latest tech, and total affordability into one well-presented package - all of which makes the Proform Studio Bike Pro an exercise bike that you should definitely get familiar with.

From the stylish aesthetics to the near-impeccable build quality and the awesome innovative tech that comes built into this bike, the Studio Bike Pro has garnered quite a following since its initial release.

And when you consider the fact that it comes with a year's worth of iFit Coach Plus, at a cheaper price point, this bike is one of the best options to get the most out of what the world of virtual training has got to offer, without breaking your budget.

What I Don't Like

• The iFit Coach Plus membership is something you'll have to pay for yourself after the first year that comes with the bike.
• ProForm isn't exactly known for top-notch customer service and their warranty policy can be a bit confusing at times.
• Doesn't feature any sort of media tray or built-in fan, which many comparable (and cheaper) models do.

Warranty Options

Just like with the S22i, the Studio Bike Pro comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame, 3 years on parts, and a single year on the bike's labor.

Assembly Time

This bike comes partially assembled out of the box, so finishing the job should only take you around 30-35 minutes.

Compatible Apps & Virtual Platforms

Unfortunately, this is another bike that's "platform-locked" into the iFit Coach system. While it does have some basic connectivity settings aside from the iFit integrations, you won't be able to run any third-party or unsupported apps.

Cheapest Virtual Training Bike - MYX Bike

MYX Bike Review

Lovingly nicknamed the "Un-Peloton", the MYX bike is a new player in the interactive cycling market that stands to give just about every hyped-up bike a good run for its money, on a total budget, mix this bike with a pair of cheap dumbbells and you have a nice mix of exercise equipment that can work a lot of muscle areas in your body.

This one is also a fantastic exercise bike for beginners.

First off, the build quality is basically impeccable, with an all-steel frame, a solid magnetic resistance system, and a crystal-clear 21.5" HD display.

However, the real selling point of this bike lies in the awesome interactive training experience that's perfectly on-par with Peloton.

From a swiveling touch-screen console to universal SPD pedals and even a heavier better-balanced flywheel, there are a plethora of differences that put the MYX toe to toe with the Peloton, at a surprisingly low price.

What I Don't Like

• The MYX bike comes with a far shorter warranty coverage in comparison to other popular brands in the category.
• The interactivity between cyclists and instructors in virtual classes is a little more limiting than what Peloton offers, though still far ahead (or at least on-par) with the other live virtual class options we've covered.

Warranty Options

Just like the Peloton, there's only a single year of coverage for the MYX bike - which is kind of silly in contrast with the otherwise stellar feature offering of this bike.

Assembly Time

The real-life assembly time for the MYX bike is around 40 minutes according to online reviews and feedback from current owners. This is in-line with the assembly time they advertise.

Compatible Apps & Virtual Platforms

Much like other high-end bikes in the virtual training category, the MYX bike comes locked into the MYX Fitness library.

And while the 500+ workouts the library boasts may seem a tad behind the thousands offered by Peloton et al - the modules that are there are more than enough to suit the needs of just about anyone, from total fitness beginners to professional athletes.

Best Trainer For Zwift Virtual Riding - The Wahoo Kickr

The Wahoo Kickr Review

While other options focus on a broader interactive training approach, as one of the best virtual training apps to come out in recent years - Zwift has definitely carved out its own niche in the space.

Now, when it comes to awesome bikes that work great with Zwift, the Wahoo Kickr is definitely the one you should opt for!

First of all, it's important to note that this isn't an actual bike in its traditional form - it's actually a computer-driven training module that allows you to take your bike and transform it into the perfect interactive cycling machine.

And here's the real kicker - there's no need for any sort of calibration or crazy overhead tech in order to get started with it either.

What I Don't Like

• Not an actual full-fledged exercise bike in itself, so you'll have to buy your own road bike to mount to the Kickr.
• Costs a pretty penny, even when compared to some high-end exercise bikes.
• No console or display to further control your workouts, it all works around your physical road bike.
• Short warranty term in contrast with other options, even among comparable trainers.

Warranty Options

The Wahoo Kickr comes with a single year of limited warranty covering the labor and certain parts of the trainer.

Assembly Time

There's next to no assembly required, so at most, the setup should take you around 20 minutes for the actual trainer. Though, you may want to carve out a bit of time in order to fully hook up your bike.

Compatible Apps & Virtual Platforms

According to Wahoo's website - there's a fair number of apps that the Kickr is compatible with.

Some of these apps include Zwift, Wahoo Fitness, Trainer Road, and Kinomap, though there are reportedly more integrations that I wasn't personally able to verify.

The Expresso Go - Great Realistic Virtual Training Option

Expresso Go Review

Advertised as a revolutionary interactive experience, the Expresso Go certainly makes a solid case for itself as a relatively affordable and effective exercise bike focused on virtual training.

The cool thing about this bike lies in the fact that it's built to offer a super realistic riding experience, in an indoors virtual training setting.

With the Go, you're the one in control. From user-controlled steering to shifting gears, braking, and more - this bike offers an incredibly realistic ride across a wealth of virtual courses and chases that will have you flying past your fitness goals in no time.

What I Don't Like

• The whole virtual experience feels a little dated, as does the tech that ships with this bike, which doesn't really match the price compared to other bikes in this category and price range.
• The warranty is absolutely abysmal to the point that you could even call it non-existent.

Warranty Options

The Expresso Go comes with only a meager 90 days of warranty coverage - that's it!

Assembly Time

The Go comes mostly assembled out of the box, so all you'll have to do is follow a handful of steps in order to get it ready for riding, which should take around 15 minutes of your time.

Compatible Apps & Virtual Platforms

This bike comes with its own virtual training app pre-installed. This app allows you to compete against other riders (or your own best times) across 30 virtual levels, with 4 difficulty settings for you to choose from.

However, the Go doesn't offer any sort of connectivity outside of this app, and given the somewhat dated tech they've used, there's basically no integrations to speak of either.

The Peloton - Best Integrated Virtual Training Experience

Peloton Review

If you're someone who's in the market for the absolute best of the best when it comes to the quality of the interactive cycling experience you'll be having - then the Peloton is most likely the right bike for you. 

This bike offers native connectivity with one of the best interactive training platforms in the entire world, offering thousands of workout programs, a myriad of live instructor-guided classes streamed around the clock, and an absolutely amazing rich indoor cycling experience. And all you've got to do to get started is put the bike together, log in and pedal away.

Hardware-wise, the Peloton features a really impressive build too. With an all-steel design that utilizes carbon steel for life-long durability, while keeping the bike entirely lightweight and portable.

However, the one potential drawback that you'd find with the peloton would be the fact that its price tag is even more jaw-dropping than its feature kit.

What I Don't Like

• It's quite expensive compared to most other options and you'll have to opt into a monthly membership to actually make proper use of the bike.
• The ergonomic pedals it ships with are designed to provide a good fit only for Peloton's own branded shoes, which you'll have to buy separately.
• No built-in fan or tray to hold small items like your phone or keys while you work out.

Warranty Coverage

Off the bat, you'll get 12 months of coverage. However, prospective owners do have the option to opt into a paid extended coverage option that bumps your warranty up to a total of 39 months.

Assembly Time

This bike is advertised as a half-hour assembly project. Though, in reality, following the 22-page instruction booklet it ships with, you'll probably need to carve out around an hour to get the entire job done, despite the fact that it comes partially put together.

Compatible Apps & Virtual Platforms

Unfortunately, at the moment, the only apps you'll be able to access with the Peloton is their own Peloton app along with the small number of integrations they support.

However, while this may seem like a drawback on paper - the Peloton platform offers such an incredible wealth of content that it's almost like having all of the other apps in one, for only $39 per month.

We recently compared the Peloton to the Bowflex C6 and also compared the Peloton to the Schwinn IC3 & IC4, if you want to see how it compares to these specific bikes and more generally to bikes in the same league, I highly recommend these articles

The Echelon EX5s - A Cheaper Peloton Alternative

Echelon EX5s Review

At the top of the Echelon Smart Connect Series lineup - the EX5s brings a very solid build, a stellar feature kit, and an absolutely amazing interactive training experience to the market, at a very decent price.

From a swiveling 22" HD console powering immersive and challenging workouts to some very high-end performance features powering this bike's backbone and a near-endless treasure trove of workout programs designed to keep you moving on and off the bike - there's plenty to enjoy and rave about with the EX5s.

What I Don't Like

• The belt-driven resistance just isn't as smooth as a modern magnetic resistance setup.
• The HD console features no other apps aside from Echelon Fit, even when it comes to basic comforts like Spotify or Netflix.
• This bike runs around $200 cheaper than the Peloton, which is still a lot more expensive than most bikes, and I'm not convinced that the feature kit really warrants this sort of price tag.

Warranty Options

The EX5s comes with a single year of warranty on parts and labor, which isn't exactly outstanding compared to other popular brands and comparable models.

Assembly Time

According to Echelon, the assembly time falls right dab-smack between 20 and 30 minutes. However, from my experience with this bike, as well as online reviews, the real setup time is closer to the 40-45 minute mark.

Compatible Apps & Virtual Platforms

The EX5s comes with the Echelon Fit platform built-in. However, there isn't much over top of this, not even basic utility apps or any sort of entertainment.

That being said, the Echelon Fit platform is one of the richest and best-developed out there, so as long as you're willing to pay the monthly subscription - you'll have access to a wealth of interactive training modules, instructor-guided live classes, and other off-bike fitness programs they offer.

Best Zwift - Compatible Recumbent Bike - Sole R92

Sole R92 Review

While the bikes we've covered so far have been upright models, with the exception of the Expresso Go which offers a recumbent model - it's time to nominate the best virtual-training-compatible recumbent bike available on the market in today's day and age.

This bike provides a comfortable and relaxed take on indoor cycling with a low-impact design that reduces joint stress without taking away from the effectiveness of your exercise.

And here's the best bit - the Sole R92 is actually compatible with Zwift, making for a fantastic virtual training experience, minus the stress and discomfort of an upright bike.

What I Don't Like

• No modern HD console that goes beyond basic fitness indicators.
• Doesn't come with any accessories like dumbbells or even a heart-rate monitor.
• Very narrow selection of workouts (only 10 options that come pre-programmed).

Warranty Options

This bike comes with a lifetime guarantee on the frame, as well as 3 years of warranty coverage for electronics and parts as well as a single year of coverage for labor behind their at-home installation service.

Assembly Time

Unlike most other bikes that we've covered so far, the assembly for this bike is significantly more complicated. Despite the fact that Sole has an entire playlist of helpful step-by-step videos to guide you through the process, the entire job takes up 1-1.5 hours of your time from start to finish.

Compatible Apps & Virtual Platforms

The R92 uses BlueTooth technology for its connectivity platform. This makes it perfectly compatible with the Sole Fitness App suite, as well as a handful of third-party apps like Zwift.