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Indoor workouts aren’t new, but fitness equipment like Peloton has changed the concept entirely. Workouts aren’t confined to ordinary squats or push-ups. Now you have on-demand classes, Yoga, and meditation sessions to improve your mental health and, above all, communicate with fellow members at Peloton.
Both indoor bikes are fantastic equipment to keep you healthy, whether you are using Peloton or Peloton plus. However, if you are new to Peloton, it can be challenging to choose the right one between the two. Although both indoor Peloton bikes are similar in many ways, there are some major differences too.
I will take a look at each aspect in this Peloton bike vs. Peloton+ comparison article to help you find the perfect match for your needs.
Peloton Bike Vs. Peloton Plus – Revealing The Features
Before diving into Peloton bike and Peloton bike plus, let’s take a look at a brief intro of Peloton.
What is Peloton?
Innovative fitness equipment with thousands of online classes, the first Original Peloton bike was released in 2014. The journey started in 2012 when John Foley, the CEO of Peloton, realized that instructor-led workouts were providing better results than self-led trips in the gym.
In 2013, the prototype bike was designed, which was presented in their Kickstarter video.
In 2014, Peloton opened its first fitness studio in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood to allow spin instructors to record their workout classes.
2015 was the most challenging year for Peloton as the company was getting popular, and they had to deal with new problems. They hired a delivery team to bring their bikes to the consumer. The company also spent about $75 million on the software engineering team.
In 2016, Peloton started unlimited live and on-demand classes at a monthly price. This was the game changer as Peloton members were allowed to ride along with or without their Peloton bikes.
Peloton Products
Peloton makes indoor gym equipments, exercise app and also produces workout videos that users can live-stream through the Peloton products. Following are the Peloton products till date.
- Peloton Bike
- Peloton Bike+
- Peloton Tread
- Peloton Tread+
- Peloton Original Bike
Peloton Bike Specifications
| Size | 59” X L 53” H X 23” W |
| Height range | 4’11” to 6’4” |
| Bike weight | 135 lbs |
| Weight limit | 297 lbs |
| Frame material | Welded steel, ED and power coated |
| Display | 21.5” HD touchscreen |
| Drive | Belt |
| Resistance | Magnetic with manual knob |
| Flywheel | 38lbs |
| handlebars | Adjustable vertically |
| Seat | Vertical and horizontal adjustable sport series saddle |
| Sound system | 2-channerl back-facing stereo system |
| Live programming | Yes |
| Subscription | $39 monthly |
| Warranty | 12 months touchscreen, pedals, labor and components
5 years frame |
| Pedals | Delta-compatible aluminum |
| Extra tech | Microphone, video camera, headphone jack & microphone |
| Price | $1195 |
| Connectivity | Ant+ & Bluetooth |
Assembling
Peloton bike doesn’t have a complicated assembling process, and you can easily assemble the bike after delivery. Remember, delivery and setup cost an additional $250, which is automatically tacked onto the buying price.
Size
Measuring 23 inches wide, 53 inches high, and 59 inches long, the original Peloton bike has a 4’ X 2’ footprint. If you have limited space, the Peloton bike is a perfect option for you.
However, the company recommends a ceiling height of 8 feet with 24 inches on all sides of the Peloton for the best riding experience.
Portability
There are two durable wheels added to the front of the Peloton bike for convenient portability.
Durability
Overall, the Peloton bike is sturdy fitness equipment that can facilitate rider weight up to 297 lbs. The 38 pounds flywheel helps provide an ultra-smooth riding experience.
Ergonomics And Performance
Thanks to the magnetic resistance system, each tiny twist of the knob offers ultra-smoother riding. According to many users, they felt the riding experience was smoother than contemporary bikes.
However, you have to buy Peloton cycling shoes or Delta-compatible cleats for clipping into the pedals.
When it came to the seat, I wasn’t satisfied with the comfort level. If you want to improve comfort, try a padded seat cover over the top. If you are a beginner, it may take some time to get used to the hardness of the seat.
You can adjust the seat both vertically and horizontally. On the other hand, handlebars allow only vertical adjustment.
Design And Display
Overall, the Peloton original bike looks and feels sleek. The frame is manufactured with powder-coated welded steel. The magnetic resistance system is smoother and needs less maintenance compared to friction resistance. You can easily adjust the resistance system with an ergonomic resistance knob.
Also, the belt-driven drive system is super-smooth with less maintenance than a chain drive. The aluminum pedals are durable. The bullhorn design of the handlebars adds to the ergonomic of the ride.
Classes
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the Peloton bike is the classes. However, you have to pay $44 monthly to get an all-access membership to the Peloton app to enjoy thousands of live and on-demand Peloton classes on the bike.
You can take classes like running, strength, yoga, strength, and cycling. The best thing is each member can have their own profile.
When it comes to Peloton instructors, they are certified athletes with a great fitness community. It is recommended to take some time to find the best Peloton instructor for your fitness needs, as it has a significant impact on your overall journey.
You can see different metrics during the class, such as Cadence, Resistance output, and total output. Peloton instructors keep you motivated throughout the class by guiding you in different ways.
If you have purchased all-access membership to the Peloton app, you can easily use it on your iPhone or Android devices to complete Bootcamp, strength, yoga, and running workouts. However, if you don’t own a Peloton bike but want to utilize the Peloton app for classes or you have a different bike, you have to pay a $12.99 monthly fee.
Other Notable Features
The Peloton bike has two water bottle holders that are small and can’t hold large water bottles. There are dual dumbbell holders on the back of the bike.
Useful Guide:- Can The Peloton Water Bottle Go In The Dishwasher?
The Media shelf is missing as there is a touchscreen available for you. If you want to place your smartphone, you have to buy a separate phone mount.
Also, there is no fan, and you have to buy a fan for the Peloton bike online.
Peloton Bike Technology Benefits
The Peloton bike has been created around technology and connectivity. The bike is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled with 21.5 inches HD screen to display your workouts. Additionally, you can tilt the screen up and down according to your convenience. A two-channel stereo speaker system is available to let you enjoy your favorite tracks and communicate with your Peloton instructor.
There is a built-in front-facing camera along with a microphone to help you chat with fellow Peloton members during a class. Remember, the Peloton instructor can’t see you during class, and only those who you are video chatting with are allowed to see you through the camera. For your peace of mind, there is a privacy screen added to slide over the camera.
The bike has a headphone jack and USB port for charging and plugging in external devices.
Pros
- Easy to navigate
- Comfortable riding experience
- On-demand and live classes
- Large touchscreen
- Impressive sound quality
Cons
- High price
- Rear-faced speakers
Peloton Bike Plus
Released in September 2020, Peloton bike plus is an upgraded version of the original Peloton bike. You won’t find any difference at first glance, but there are a few additional features that are different between the two bikes.
The Peloton bike+ features a 23.8 inches screen with 360-degree rotation, an auto-follow function to adjust resistance, and a better audio system. Also, the bike+ comes with a digital resistance calibration to enjoy an ultra-smooth ride.
Peloton Bike plus Specifications
| Size | 59” X L 59” H X 22” W |
| Height range | 4’11” to 6’4” |
| Bike weight | 140 lbs |
| Weight limit | 297 lbs |
| Frame material | Welded steel, ED and power coated |
| Display | 23.8” HD touchscreen with 360 rotation |
| Drive | Belt |
| Resistance | Magnetic with digital adjustment |
| Flywheel | 38lbs |
| handlebars | Adjustable vertically |
| Seat | Vertical and horizontal adjustable sport series saddle |
| Sound system | 2.2channel front-facing stereo system |
| Live programming | Yes |
| Subscription | $39 monthly |
| Warranty | 12 months touchscreen, pedals, labor and components
5 years frame |
| Pedals | Delta-compatible aluminum |
| Extra tech | Microphone, video camera, headphone jack & microphone |
| Price | $1995 |
| Connectivity | Ant+ & Bluetooth |
Assembling And Size
The size of the Peloton bike plus is almost similar to the original Peloton bike. Assembling isn’t different from the former bike.
As mentioned above, both Peloton bikes share almost similar features like 100 levels of micro-adjustable magnetic resistance, 38 pounds flywheel, and easy adjustment of handlebars and seat. However, the riding experience on Peloton bike+ is smoother than the original Peloton bike.
Fitness experts say that an auto-calibrated resistance system is responsible for the smoother rider as it adapts to user resistance changes over time. This feature isn’t available with the Peloton bike.
Rotating Screen
Peloton bike plus has a rotating screen to make your workout sessions comfortable and convenient. You can adjust the screen according to your convenience thanks to 360-degree rotation.
Automatic Resistance Adjustment
This feature is extremely useful during on-demand classes when your Peloton instructor instructs to increase or decrease the resistance. The best part is you don’t need to turn the resistance knob for adjustment, as the Peloton bike+ automatically adjusts the difficulty for you. If you want to change the resistance manually, you can turn off the automatic resistance adjustment from settings.
Sound System
The Peloton bike plus features front-facing speakers combined with rear-facing woofers to create a surround sound system. The sound quality is better than the original Peloton bike because it has rear-facing speakers.
Pedals And Portability
Peloton uses Delta-compatible aluminum pedals, which need cycling shoes or cleats. For your convenience, you can easily swap out the pedals with those that can be utilized with athletic shoes.
The Peloton bike plus has 140 lbs weight. Thanks to the transport wheels, you can easily move the bike from one place to another.
Durability And Construction
The Peloton bike plus has a durable powder-coated welded steel frame that can facilitate a rider weight of 297 pounds. There is no question about the durability of the Peloton bike+, but still, you have to take care of the bike for the best results.
Classes
Peloton has hired some of the best fitness instructors in the industry. Peloton bike+ offers the same classes as the Original peloton bike. You can enjoy all-access membership to the Peloton app for $44 a month, including cycling, strength and conditioning, Bootcamp, Pilates, yoga, and more.
If you don’t have a Peloton bike but want to get access to Peloton classes through the app, you have to pay $12.99 per month.
Pros
- 360 touchscreen rotation
- Front-facing stereo speakers with rear-facing woofers
- Upgraded front-facing camera with a privacy slide
- Automatic resistance adjustment
- 23.8-inch HD touchscreen
Cons
- High price
Similarities Between Peloton Bike And Peloton Bike+
Here is a quick look at the same features shared by both Peloton bikes
- Peloton bike and Peloton bike plus have the same size (1-2 inches of plus is added).
- The Peloton app is the same for both indoor bikes.
- Both bikes can hold up to 297 lbs.
- These bikes can accommodate a rider height of 4’11” to 6’5”
- High-quality sound
- Both screens allow tilting up and down
- Smooth riding with comfortable positioning
- On-demand and live classes with Peloton instructors
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PELOTON BIKE AND PELOTON BIKE PLUS
Here are the features which make Peloton bike+ different from the original Peloton bike.
- The Peloton bike+ has 180 degrees screen rotation with a maximum tilt range.
- The Peloton bike+ is 5 pounds heavier than the Peloton bike
- The Peloton bike+ has been equipped with an automatic resistance system
- The Peloton bike has a 23.8” HD touchscreen with the privacy shield
WHICH IS BEST, THE PELOTON BIKE OR PELOTON BIKE PLUS?
Both Peloton bikes are ideal fitness equipment for staying active and healthy without going to the gym. However, choosing the best Peloton bike is one question that needs careful consideration. To be honest, it depends on your fitness needs and budget. Let me give you a quick idea about choosing the right Peloton bike for your needs.
Choose a Peloton Bike if
- You are planning to take indoor cycling classes only
- You want to save money
- You already have this version
- You prefer riding a road bike outside
Select Peloton Bike+ if
- You want to enjoy premium sound quality.
- You prefer high-end features.
- You are looking to attend other Peloton class options, including strength training or Pilates.
- You want to spend money on upgraded features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is Better, Peloton Bike or Bike Plus?
Both are excellent Peloton bikes, but the Peloton bike plus is better with upgraded features like automatic resistance management and a 360-degree touchscreen.
How Much Space Does a Peloton Bike Plus take?
Peloton bike has a foot print of 59” x 22” x 59,” and it takes 4’ x 2’ to place the Peloton bike plus in your home.
Can I Wear Regular Sneakers on The Peloton Bike?
You can wear regular sneakers on your Peloton bike, but it is essential to attach toe cages to the pedals before using them.
Final Words
There isn’t any question about the incredible impact of Peloton on indoor workouts. World-class fitness instructors are available for your guidance; you can demand any desired class, and above all, you can communicate with fellow Peloton members to stay motivated.
Peloton bike or Peloton bike plus, both are great indoor fitness equipment. There are few upgraded features in Peloton plus compared to the original Peloton bike. I recommend going with the Peloton bike and then upgrading to the Peloton bike plus.
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