At-home cycling has two main types of bikes to choose from: the Peloton bike vs Bike plus. Both have unique benefits that make them ideal for different riders.
So, which is the better option for you? To help you decide, we’ve put together a comprehensive comparison of the Peloton and Bike Plus. BSXInsight will cover everything from price and features to exercise options and user reviews so that you can make the best decision for your needs.
Peloton Bike Plus
The newest generation of Peloton bikes, the Peloton Bike Plus, features all the bells and whistles a die-hard Peloton fan could ask for.
One of the standout features is the Auto Follow option on the resistance knob, which enables the instructor to adjust your bike resistance based on their recommendation.
This feature is in addition to an upgraded, slightly bigger rotating touchscreen that allows you to perform other Peloton workouts, like strength training, off the bike.
The bike offers access to both live and recorded lessons, and it has a leaderboard that shows you which other users are in the class alongside you. You may also access statistics like power, cadence, resistance, and heart rate during your rides.
The Apple GymKit and Apple Watch are also compatible with the Peloton Bike Plus, which connects your Peloton with your Apple Watch for integrated heart-rate monitoring.
Pros
- Larger screen 23.8-inch HD screen that turns
- The front-facing camera has been improved with a privacy slide
- The picture on the anti-glare screen is clear.
- There are stereo speakers in the front and woofers in the back.
- If you trade in your old bike, you can get money off a new one.
Cons
- Heavy compared to the first bike
- It costs more than the first one
Peloton Bike
The Peloton Bike is the original Peloton design, with fewer amenities than the recently updated variant. However, the original Peloton won’t disappoint you if you’re searching for a Peloton experience and want to save about $600.
The Peloton bike also provides data for each session and access to live and on-demand classes. Additionally, you will get access to the leaderboard, which enables you to observe in real-time who else is seated in your class.
The Apple Gym Kit integration is missing from the original Peloton Bike, but you can still attach Bluetooth accessories like headphones or ANT+-compatible heart-rate monitors.
Pros
- It’s easier to ride than most indoor bikes.
- a screen that draws people in
- Immersive sound of good quality
- Easy to navigate
- Moderate price
Cons
- The price may put some people off.
- Those who like studio rides the most (as opposed to on the road)
- The back of the screen is where the speakers are.
Similarities Between the Peloton Bike vs Peloton Bike+
Peloton Bike Plus vs Bike are both great exercise machines that can provide a great workout. Both bikes have a large screen that allows you to see your workout stats and follow along with the on-screen instructors.
The Peloton bike+ also has a built-in speaker so you can hear the instructors clearly, while the Peloton bike does not. Both bikes come with a set of earbuds, so you can still listen to the instructors if you choose.
Both bikes have a resistance knob that allows you to adjust the difficulty of your workout. The Peloton bike+ also has a dial that allows you to adjust the incline of your ride.
Peloton Bike vs Bike Plus: Six Major Differences
1. Screen
Difference between Peloton bike and bike+: The screen on the Bike+ is significantly bigger at 23.8″ against 21.5″ on the Bike, but I didn’t notice a significant difference until researching for this piece.
Peloton states that the Bike+ has a reduced-reflective and anti-smudge coating, but I couldn’t tell. The Bike+ remains a fingerprint magnet and is very shiny.
When comparing the displays, there is one significant difference:
- The Bike+ screen rotates and tilts 360 degrees, making it ideal for off-bike activities or guided stretching. The screen easily rotates and can be positioned at any angle.
- The revolving screen is the most notable new feature on Bike+, although there are plenty of other non-bike Peloton options. The rotatable screen provides absolute ease.
The screen on a conventional bike cannot be rotated or slanted up or down; however, there are two methods to simulate this experience:
- Swivel mounts from third parties. These attachments convert the fixed screen on your bike into a rotating screen. I can’t recommend these mounts/arms since I’ve never used them, and they will most likely breach the Peloton warranty, although some of them are well-reviewed.
- Cast to a TV using your Peloton or the Peloton phone app. If you don’t have a TV in a handy location, 32″ TVs are just $100, less expensive than the $750 upgrade.
- If you intend on doing a lot of off-the-bike Peloton sessions and want the convenience of the revolving panel, it’s a great feature, but it’s not worth the $750 price tag.
2. Speakers
The Bike+ features a 4-channel audio system with 23-watt tweeters and 210-watt woofers, while the Bike has a 2-channel audio system with a 210-watt sound system.
What exactly does this mean?
Because the speakers are just above the screen and facing you, the Bike+ sounds much better. The bass is deeper, and it no longer sounds like a tablet.
The original Bike speakers are loud enough, but they seem hollow compared to the Bike+, partly due to the speakers being angled away from you.
How poor is the audio quality? I had no problems with the speaker on my folks’ first bike for many years.
For roughly $100, the JBL Charge 4 or Megaboom 3 are excellent choices for improving the sound quality of your bike. Bluetooth and corded headphones may both be utilized.
3. GymKit
The Bike+ supports Apple GymKit, which was the feature that drew me in the most before purchasing it.
What exactly does this mean?
Peloton features an NFC reader and functions similarly to Apple Pay.
Bring your Apple Watch to the top of the screen (near the Peloton logo), and a message will display. Accept the connection. Connecting your Apple Watch to your Peloton instantly enters exercise mode and tracks the session. What’s the greatest part? On the left side of the Peloton interface, the heart rate from your watch is shown.
The Peloton interface will always tell you which heart rate zone you’re in, which is essential for power zone rides.
GymKit works around 80% of the time in my experience; however, occasionally, I hold my watch near the Peloton logo, and nothing occurs. Other times, I accept the notice on my watch yet get the message Unable to Connect. Resetting my Apple Watch solves the problem. However, it takes roughly three minutes. My wife’s Apple Watch has the same issue.
I tried different Apple Watch models and factory reset my peloton vs peloton plus for over a year, but nothing seemed to enhance the connection.
However, I have discovered that if I touch the “Done” button on my prior watch workouts before attempting to connect to the Peloton, I have a better than 90% chance of a successful connection. But it’s still annoying when my watch won’t connect, or I have to keep it close to the reader for 10 seconds.
Unfortunately, GymKit is still limited to riding routines. I’d want to set my watch next to the reader for core and other off-the-bike workouts and have it record the workout and display my heart rate, but it’s still not a thing after more than a year of Bike+’ existence.
What should you do if you already own an Apple Watch and want to purchase the original bike?
Begin an indoor bike routine and check your watch to monitor your heart rate.
However, if you want your Apple Watch’s heart rate to display on the Peloton screen, third-party software called BlueHeart for your Apple Watch should allow you to do so.
Without the Bike+ and Apple Watch, Peloton offers a heart rate band that wraps across your chest for $50. Alternatively, you may purchase a Bluetooth heart rate monitor. Simply searching “peloton heart rate monitor” on Amazon yields many third-party solutions. The Whoop wrist strap is also quite useful.
GymKit is my favorite feature of the Bike+, but it is inconsistent, does not enable off-bike training, and is not worth $750. Read more about treadmill vs bike
4. Resistance
The bike’s resistance may be adjusted mechanically. Turning the resistance knob causes the components within the bike to move, making it more difficult to pedal. The knob becomes more difficult to turn as resistance is added.
The resistance of the Bike+ may be adjusted digitally. When you turn the knob, the computer receives a signal to adjust the resistance. Because there is no end, you can turn the dial indefinitely. The dial is also more responsive. A slight touch may create a significant difference in resistance, but a complete spin on the bike is required to move it five points.
What does this mean during a ride?
The digital adjustment allows the Auto-Follow function, which works with any on-demand class that meets the specified parameters. Your resistance will automatically adapt as the resistance on the screen changes. You may disable this function at any moment by touching the lock symbol.
In principle, auto-follow sounds excellent, and younger riders tend to appreciate it, but I still feel that it adds more thought to my ride than riding without it since it doesn’t always perform as it should.
Sometimes the target measurements are not fully captured, and the resistance switch might also be delayed by a few seconds. Nothing is more frustrating than the teacher advising you to raise the resistance to 50 when the resistance mistakenly drops to 30. It catches you off guard.
The finest resistance control is manual, and novice riders should have no trouble learning how to use it.
5. Better Calibration
The Bike+ is calibrated with a load sensor programmatically and precisely.
While the standard Bike comes pre-calibrated, your output score becomes less accurate after a certain amount of time, and the Bike must be manually calibrated again.
Some ardent Peloton users argue that correct calibration from the Bike+ is critical, but it depends on how you want to utilize your Peloton dimensions.
It is unnecessary to have exact output scores if you use them as a motivational tool or to make training more enjoyable. Alternatively, if you only want to compete against your scores each ride, your erroneous output statistics will remain reasonably steady, so it doesn’t matter.
If you’re competitive and want to know where you stand on the scoreboard every ride, the Bike’s possible incorrect calibration might be a deal-breaker. However, if others use the ordinary Bike, you will constantly ride against people with erroneous scores.
6. Miscellaneous
Bike+ has five minor enhancements:
- It boasts double the RAM and a quicker CPU. Moving in and out of menus is quicker, but processing power isn’t as important when selecting a class is the main goal.
- The front-facing camera has been upgraded from 5 to 8 megapixels and now features a privacy cover. If you and a buddy are in the same class, you can video chat, but since the screen is so small, any gain in image quality is irrelevant.
- It contains a USB-C connector for charging your phone. How often do you need to charge your phone when riding?
- Instead of being on the right side of the bike, the headphone jack port is conveniently situated in front of the handlebars.
- Because it’s smoother and faster, it offers greater seat adjustability.
The Bike, however, has two minor advantages:
- The Bike features a metal rack that feels strong, but the Peloton bike vs bike+ has a plastic rack that feels cheap. Surprisingly, the plastic rack hasn’t shattered after a year of usage.
- The bolts for the Bike+ screen need to be tightened from time to time since the screen becomes loose, but this does not happen with the Bike.
Which One Is Right For You?
Price
The Peloton Plus is now roughly $550 more expensive than the Peloton Bike, which is not a significant price difference when considering the whole investment in a bike. If you already own a Peloton Bike, you may exchange it for a $700 refund when purchasing the new Peloton Bike Plus. As an extra benefit of the refund offer, the business is also giving a Yoga and Toning accessory bundle ($149).
Quality
So, when was peloton released? When it comes to quality, both motorcycles deliver. With slight variations, both feature essentially equal performance and construction metrics. One of the most noticeable modifications is the Peloton Bike Plus’s digital resistance knob adjustment, which includes the option for Auto Follow throughout the class.
Tech
Both bikes offer comparable tech features. However, the Peloton Bike Plus has 4GB RAM against the Peloton Bike’s 2GB. Both bikes have an inbuilt storage capacity of 16GB. The Peloton Bike Plus has a USB-C charging connector for charging gadgets while riding. A regular USB connection is included on the original Peloton Gen 3. Bluetooth is available on both bikes.
Features
The music system on the Peloton Bike is significantly less powerful, with a two-channel rear-facing stereo speaker system rated at 16 watts total output. The Peloton Bike Plus has a total power output of 26 watts, 2.2 channel front-facing stereo speakers, and 2.2 rear-facing woofers.
Size
The two bikes are around the same size and take up approximately the same amount of space. The bikes have a 4-by-2-foot footprint, and Peloton recommended that the space where you ride the bike have at least 8-foot ceilings. According to Peloton, you’ll also need roughly two feet of room around all four sides of the bike.
Display
Both bikes include touchscreens, albeit the sizes vary somewhat. The screen on the Peloton Cycle Plus is 23.8 inches, whereas the screen on the original Peloton bike is 21.5 inches. The spinning function is only available on the Bike Plus.
If you like completing Peloton exercises off the bike and want to rotate the screen to lift weights in another place near the bike, this may be a game-changer. The Bike Plus also includes a reduced-reflective and anti-smudge coating, which the standard bike lacks.
Delivery
As of March 1, both motorcycles have an expected delivery period of eight to ten weeks. The cost of shipping and assembly is included in the bike’s price.
Is The Bike+ Worth The Upgrade?
If you’re a fan of Peloton, the Peloton Bike+ is definitely worth the upgrade. The new features and improvements make it worth the investment, especially if you’re looking for a more immersive and challenging workout experience.
The new rotating display is a great addition, and the improved sound system makes it even more enjoyable to ride. The only downside is that it’s a bit more expensive than the original Peloton Bike, but if you can afford it, it’s definitely worth the price.
FAQs
What is TFD The Tray Compatible with Peloton Bikes Made in the USA?
Handlebar Adjuster for Peloton, The Adjuster is an aftermarket, add-on product adapter that lets you slide the Peloton handlebars closer to the seat. Top Form Design, maker of the Adjuster, now has multiple versions for the original Peloton Bike as well as the Bike Plus.
What are Pedal Converters for Peloton Bike & Bike+
Yes Seat Adjustment Horizontal and vertical Horizontal and vertical Max User Weight 297 lbs User Height 4’11”-6’4” 4’11”-6’4”
What is different: peloton bike+ vs nordictrack bike?
NordicTrack can be a little less expensive, but their navigation isn’t as solidified yet, and their products aren’t quite as sleek. However, they have a wider variety of classes and incline and decline features you won’t find on Peloton products. People looking for a better deal should probably opt for NordicTrack.
Conclusion
Assuming you are looking for a conclusion to a debate about which is better, a peloton bike or a bike plus, the answer is that it depends on what you are looking for in a bike. The peloton bike is the better choice if you are looking for a more affordable bike. If you are looking for a bike with more features, then the bike plus is the better choice.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
