Peloton vs. Nordictrack S22i Review

Which Exercise Bike is the best choice for you?

Peloton Bike or NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle? That’s the question. To help decide which indoor bike may be a better fit, it comes down to a series of your own preferences. So, to help you make that maybe.yes.no decision, we cover what we believe are key parts to breaking down a comparison by examining these three areas: The Rider Experience, The Bike itself, and The Trainers.

1. PELOTON RIDER EXPERIENCE

Peloton Spin Classes

The Peloton Bike classes are energetic spin classes with two options: On-demand and Live. Music plays an important role in the experience and feel of each class – no two are alike as trainers select their preferred theme and song collections and inject their personality into a session. The leaderboard sets a competitive vibe showing you your class standing compared to others. Fellow riders will give you “High Fives” via your bike console and trainers call out individuals all to support, motivate and provide encouragement. The company celebrates your 100th ride with a coveted commemorative t-shirt and there's badges to achieve as you amass more rides and hit milestones. This group energy can seriously embrace you to achieve personal bests. Dedicated Peloton riders record weight loss and report feeling totally energized. The Peloton bike is more soul searching with enthusiastic cult-like community dynamics.

NORDICTRACK S22i RIDER EXPERIENCE

The Nordictrack S22i bike experience is powered by iFit and gives you many options to choose from with rides that vary by terrain, difficulty, trainer, length, and class type. S22i bike class options offered can be best categorized into four types: studio classes, road races, google maps (where you create your own routes), and global trainer-led mountain-path, trail, and spectacular scenic rides.

S22i Studio Classes:

Nordictrack’s bike Studio classes are group sessions that focus on HIIT interval training. These are not so much music experiences but are led by professional trainers that coach and work hard to keep you focused, motivated, and challenged. They inspire, push and keep the conversation going as you ride. There are some classes you can select with segments of the class you use weights or get off the bike for other cross-training for a total body workout. You feel the energy of the group, but it also feels like a one on one with a personal trainer – A Cool vibe for getting a serious work out!

S22i bike Road Races

This next type is very similar to an actual road race. You can select well-known races like the Tour de France, where you traverse on your bike as your trainer guides along the famous multi-stage course. There are varying levels of resistance and intensity created by hills, inclines, declines, and sprints. You can select the length and difficulty with Your trainer leading the way and working hard alongside you. The unique ability of the S22i bike to incline and decline sets it apart, providing a more immersive experience you feel like you are riding outside. 

We discuss more on this aspect further on, and about Live Trainer Control (AutoAdjust), where your trainer can dynamically adjust your incline, decline, and cadence so you can just focus on the workout.

Google Maps Routes with iFit

With iFit create your own via Google Maps to follow. You can build your own route you currently ride or would like to ride – pick a famous one like the Great Ocean Road, in Victoria Australia, or one from the old neighborhood you used to ride. These can be saved to build your own library. Many users in the community share routes with the iFit community board or on Facebook. Levels of difficulty can be as easy, hard or as crazy as you want! There are no trainers involved so this is more of “on your own” ride – where you can challenge other iFit members to ride along or on their own, then later share and compare results! A cool aspect is that the S22i bike will adjust incline or decline to match terrain elevation mapped out in Google.

iFit Trainer Led Destination Rides

The final type of iFit bike class is the trainer-led destination ride. These rides take you across the globe to interesting and spectacular locations. Trainers lead you on scenic rides or take you on actual road races, even off-roading through mountain roads, paths and bike trails. Your trainer cycles with you leading the way and setting the pace through varying inclines, declines and intensity while constantly dropping interesting location and training pointers along the way.

These are pro trainers, each with their own distinct personality and will definitely keep you engaged. It's a great option to get a solid workout in with loads of interesting destinations to choose from in Australia, Indonesia, Iceland, Switzerland, Italy and New Zealand to name some including many U.S. locales.

This is where the NordicTrack S22i really come to life – eye-popping vistas and picturesque locations look so crisp on-screen combined with iFit’s automatic Live Trainer Control of incline and decline which syncs to the terrain you're riding through – you get completely engaged in your workout.

NordicTrack is constantly releasing new workouts and has built complete progressive series of workouts across particular destinations or challenges that you can sign-up for and automatically be scheduled for you across several weeks - depending on the series length. Can’t wait to take a bike challenge with the great Michael Phelps who recently signed-up as an iFit Trainer and will be cycling along with other trainers.

Learn more about What Is iFit Pro

Our RECOMMENDED Experience Choice

The winner in experience between the two bike options is not easy to give as the two are so different. As mentioned at the start, it’s more a matter of your preference. If you want to ride your bike beyond studio classes, stay fit, or lose weight, go with the Nordictrack S22i Studio Cycle, powered by iFit. If you primarily are looking for music-themed group spin classes with class camaraderie like SoulCycle at-Home Bike, Peloton and Peloton digital offers, then they are probably more your speed.

2. THE BIKE EQUIPMENT

PELOTON BIKE

The Peloton bike is a classic spin bike with silent magnetic resistance and a 22” touchscreen. The resistance is controlled by turning a knob mounted on the cross bar. A popular feature of Peloton riders is the leaderboard which you can watch during both on-demand and live classes. All your stats from every ride are recorded and your progress easily viewed by the numbers and nicely presented charts.

Peloton Bike has a holder for weights, to be purchased separately. The pedals that ship with the bike support only Look Delta cleats, and you will have purchase cycling shoes to use this bike with bike shoes that support Delta Cleats. Or as many riders prefer, they swap out the pedals to those that support SDP cleat clip-in cycling shoes. We have pedal, cleat and shoe recommendations. See link below. You can even get a Delta to SPD pedal converter to allow your Peloton pedals to become dual clip-in pedals, supporting both SPD and Delta cleats.

The seat and handlebars can be 2-way adjusted both vertically and horizontally and there are dual water bottle holders.

The Peloton bike Warranty breaks-out out as follows:

- Frame: 5 years
- Screen: 1 year
- Parts: 1 year
- Labor: 1 year

NORDICTRACK S22i BIKE

Similar to the Peloton bike Nordictrack’s Commercial S22i offers additional features and options you may want to consider when comparing the two.

First, the NordicTrack S22i has a 360-degree rotating 22-inch touchscreen. You can also tilt and swivel the screen for off-the-bike when cross-training on a mat. This swivel feature allows you better viewing of on-screen trainers as you work out with them off-the-bike or on your mat. You can more easily watch and follow the trainer's yoga moves, stretches and other strength training classes. (This feature was just introduced into the Peloton Bike+ only but not the Peloton Bike)

Incline/Decline | AutoAdjust

Another major differential feature the NordicTrack S22i offers is a +20% Real-time incline and -10% decline built into the bike for realistic road simulation and definitely a more challenging workout. We found using this option with trainer-led iFit destination rides is addictive and fun.

Much more than a gimmick this is really an interesting option that adds another dimension and reality to your ride and training. Your heart will pump, and your legs will burn, we loved using the incline/decline option and the tight integration with iFit rides helps make this the S22i one of our top bike recommendations.

Additionally, iFit trainers with AutoAdjust can automatically adjust your resistance, incline, decline and speed in-effect adding real-time live trainer control so you can just concentrate on your workout. In fact, the bike syncs with the studio class or terrain you’re cycling through. Of course, you can choose to opt out and make your own adjustment decisions via touchscreen or the one-touch controls on the handlebars.

A frequently asked question is “does Peloton automatically adjust incline, resistance, or speed?” — the answer is no not on the Peloton Bike — but the Peloton Bike+ can adjust resistance, but not incline-elevation to sync with studio classes or destination ride terrain. ¹

¹ This feature will cost an additional $600 for the Peloton Bike+ trainer control resistance / speed control but does not have the incline / decline features to simulate hill inclines or downward slopes like the S22i Studio Cycle can. This is another feature set that made the NordicTrack S22i stand out over the Peloton Bike.

30 days of iFit family membership is included with the S22i bike – a $39 Value. Going forward, you can opt to continue iFit membership on a monthly or annual basis or cancel. If you pay for iFit annually, the cost is 396 ($33/month) saving you $72 or 15%. Otherwise, you can pay the regular monthly $39 cost for iFit which is about a dollar a day.

iFit provides an extensive choice of unlimited classes and trainer-led destination workouts, so it's really good value. Your iFit membership will also capture all your workout stats and record them into your profile for progress tracking simply accessed via the touchscreen. As with Peloton you can add additional users who can all track their own stats if you have multiple riders at home.

The Nordictrack S22i Studio Bike comes with a pair of 3lb weights for cross training. The S22i has dual water bottle holders and dual fans nicely designed under the touchscreen to keep you cool if you desire. The Weights holder has recently been modified with a small tray to accommodate a phone or other gadgets. See image below.

Additionally, you can easily adjust resistance or incline through one touch controls on the handlebars. Another benefit of this, more precise changes are achieved through the one-touch controls rather than by turning a knob as on the Peloton.

Like the Peloton you can adjust the NordicTrack S22i seat and handlebars in both horizontal and vertical positions to suit your cycling and viewing comfort.

The pedals on the Nordictrack S22i are dual-sided, SPD clip-in on one side with toe cages on the other, which allows you to ride without purchasing special clip-in shoes. Anyone can use the bike with regular sneakers. However, if you prefer you can simply swap out the pedals for dedicated clip-in pedals which can range from $40 to $119. But you will have to buy clip-in shoes which can range from $40 to $130 dollars and up depending on what you want. Follow this link to see 5 recommended cycling shoes you can find on Amazon.

Note: the earlier 2021 model of the S22i ships with toe cage type pedals but you can easily swap them out for SPD clip-in pedals.

The Nordictrack S22i Bike warranty is more comprehensive than what Peloton offers, and breakout as follows:

- Frame: 10 Years
- Screen: 2 Years
- Parts: 2 years
- Labor: 1 year

RECOMMENDED BIKE CHOICE

The NordicTrack S22i offers more value with iFit membership supporting a much wider variety of workout options, it includes a set of 3lb weights, provides a stronger warranty plus has a much wider variety of class type offerings.

If you are looking for a pure spin class workout, the Peloton Bike and Peloton Bike+ are the better choice. If you are looking for more workout variation of classes and value in your fitness equipment, then we would recommend purchasing a NordicTrack S22i or The S27i with an even larger 27-inch screen.

The NordicTrack S22i is the better bike for those riders looking for real road simulation with a 20% incline and decline, plus extensive road races, mountain and trail rides. If you are serious about off-the-bike cross training the swivel/pivot console on the S22i or the Peloton Bike+ is a much better option! The Peloton Bike+ costs $650 more than the S22i (which also comes with 30 days of iFit membership and weights included) — Follow this link to learn More about the Nordictrack S22i Bike Read our Full Review.

3. THE TRAINERS {a.k.a. Workout Content}

PELOTON TRAINERS

Peloton trainers are fitness professionals. Each has experience as a fitness trainer IRL.¹ The focus of the Peloton trainers is motivation, community, a little competition pulled together with music themes. The spin classes entertain with the music selection, there is lots of chatter to keep you engaged and they discuss techniques to help you achieve your personal best. The community has an active Facebook group for off-the-bike engagement. And the company offers special events, in-store rides, and special theme rides. The Turkey Trot last year had over 20,000 riders taking part in the 6 am live class streamed from its NYC studio.

¹ in real life

NORDICTRACK iFIT PRO TRAINERS

iFit trainers are successful personal trainers in their own right, spin class leaders and actual bike race champions. iFit trainers lead all the destination hill climbs, mountain-trail, and road-rides. There are also studio classes some combined with cross-training on and off-the-bike on the mat segments. The sessions are not dependent on music but are more trainer-led oriented rides. It feels more like a personal trainer is riding next to you driving and motivating you to hit your goals, gently providing useful breathing technique and, form tips as you go. The rides are really enjoyable, you get to see cool panoramic views from across a diverse range of locations. iFit workouts are all about challenging you to do a great workout.

OUR RECOMMENDED TRAINERS

If you enjoy music while you work out, like themes and community engagement, then consider going with Peloton. If you are also looking for a group experience to keep you motivated and challenged go with Peloton.

If you ride a bike outdoors during good weather and want to ride during the winter months to supports wellness goals for fitness or weight loss, choose Nordictrack S22i. If you are more into off-roading mountain paths and trails or road races, NordicTrack S22i is a better choice for you. If you want a realistic road simulation, choose the NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike. If you want more than a spin class on your bike, go with the NordicTrack S22i. If you want a personal trainer experience, the iFit trainers are definitely the best choice when it comes to challenging yourself.

SO IN THE END ── Our Final Thoughts

In the end, the Peloton bike and the Nordictrack S22i bike are very different purchases for your bike workout. It comes down to the content provided by the two companies. Peloton is more music, community / group engagement and the option to workout live with other riders. The NordicTrack S22i offers studio classes, but also offers OFF-ROADING trainer-led mountain, trail and road races and you can build your own routes using Google Maps that will allow the bike to dynamically incline or decline as you ride the google route. iFit trainers are more focused on a personal coach workout experience. The Peloton is more soul searching with enthusiastic cult-like community / group dynamics. They also offer some cool accessories.

We are frequently asked “does Peloton automatically adjust incline resistance or speed?” — the answer is no — The Original Peloton Bike model does not automatically adjust, resistance incline or speed to sync with studio classes or destination rides. However, the Peloton Bike+ (using the tech-patent licensed from Nordictrack) now does now provide trainers the ability to control resistance, but you will pay $650 more over the S22i bike.

The range of Interactive trainer control and the extensive variety of trainer-led destination classes makes the NordicTrack S22i bike stand out over Peloton. iFit trainers have the ability to dynamically adjust incline, speed, or resistance as well as hill declines of your bike to sync with on-demand studio classes or the terrain you’re cycling through. Based on reader / user feedback this is an extremely popular feature.

Finally, as an update, Peloton is starting to offer guided-scenic rides to its workout platform and as of this writing has 3 locations Big Sur, Hawaii, and New Mexico. Peloton seems to be taking a page from NordicTrack’s connected fitness platform, iFit, which already offers trainer-led global destination workouts filmed on location in 40+ countries across all seven continents with great Olympic athletes like Michael Phelps, and Team USA soccer star, Alex Morgan.

The best bike choice is your decision on what you would prefer when exercising. These bikes are both great solid options with motivating trainers.