Echelon Fit Bike Vs Peloton – Which is better? An In-depth Review


Echelon joined the interactive cycling industry with their X5 models. They are among the top sporting brands with a great reputation.Compared to Peloton, which bike is better?

Craig is my name and I have been cycling actively and on a daily basis for the past two years or so. I had gotten tired of the gym scene and the cycling classes I had signed up for failed to meet my expectations.

As a proactiveindividual, I decided to buy myself a stationary bike for my home gym use. Just recently, I had the pleasure of trying on the Peloton bike over at my friend’s house. As cool as it was, I found the price to be on the higher side.

So, when I came across the Echelon Fit Bike, I was excited to make a comparison of the two bikes. Here are my findings.

What are the key differences between Echelon Fit Bike and Peloton?

 
Echelon Fit Bike 
Peloton
Handlebars
Movable Aero Competition
Movable
Pedals
Toe-cage design- SPD Compatible
Clip-in design – cycling shoes
Flywheel
29 pounds
30 pounds
Resistance
Magnetic with 32 levels
Magnetic with up to 100 levels
Weight Supported
300 lbs
297 lbs
Training App
Echelon Fit
Peloton
Screen
None
22-inch LED
Price

Echelon Fit Bike vs Peloton – How do they compare?

Construction

To start off, the pedals on the Echelon feature a toe-cage option and a clip-in option when flipped. This makes it convenient for you to use your normal gym shoes and if you have a pair of cycling shoes, you can try them on the bike as well.

Handle bars on the Echelon can be adjusted along the frame by forward or backward motion to make room for various body proportions and provide varying levels of comfort. This is possible on the Peloton as well.

The seats on Fit Bike are wider than the Peloton which have been built to resemble race bike seats. If these seats don’t fulfill your comfort goals, you can always swap them out for more padded options.

The Peloton requires special cycling shoes because the system provided in the pedals is SPD compatible only. Otherwise, to use a regular sport shoe, you need to buy new pedals and swap them out.

The versatility of Echelon’s pedals is what makes it better in build than the Peloton which requires special cycling shoes.

Performance

Fit Bike has up to 32 levels of resistance for you to choose from to keep giving yourself new and exciting challenges. There is a feature that allows you to take a ride simulating an outdoor cycle in virtual fashion.

Fit Bike’s 29-pound flywheel is run by magnetic currents that provide a smooth and quiet yet powerful riding experience. The resistance can be adjusted effortlessly with the knob that is placed right below the monitor or screen holder.

Peloton’s 30-pound flywheel also operated by magnetic resistance has up to 24 levels of resistance and this can be adjusted by use of a knob as well.

Both bikes can hold two water bottles and they have the provision of dumbbell holds though the Peloton requires you to buy your own dumbbells.

While the Peloton offers 24 levels of resistance, the Echelon bumps this up to 32 levels giving riders a wider range of resistance.

Riding Experience

Echelon Fit Bike doesn’t provide you the luxury of a display screen. It only provides a phone holding rack on the bike’s frame and using the Bluetooth connection, you could pair your device and stream workouts or access the Echelon Fit App for a variety of workouts.

The Peloton features a screen that displays your vital information and gives you a clear picture of the training programs and on-demand live streaming classes. With Peloton’s 22-inch, you are able to screen cast this display to another device.

To replicate this on the Fit Bike, you need to connect your device to a fitness App like Echelon Fit and you will get access to all available workouts. Off-bike workouts are available too which adds to variety.

Echelons ability to flip the device holder 180 degrees gives it a leg up over the Peloton which you can’t even swivel.

Echelon Fit Bike vs Peloton – A Comparison Overview

Echelon Fit Bike   – Overview

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This bike rides on a magnetic resistance mechanism to push a 29-pound flywheel with 32 levels of adjustable resistance. To make resistance adjustments, use the knob provided that is easy to operate and easily accessible mid-training.

it is built on a sturdy steel frame with a sophisticated design finish and powder coated. This frame holds up a 6-inch lever style adjustable seat built with as much comfort as is found on race bikes.

Pedals are both compatible with SPD shoes and they are designed to flip over to the other side which is fitted with toe cages to secure any size footing. To track your performance, vitals and progress in training, you must connect the bike’s Echelon App to your mobile phone to see that information.

Handlebars on the Fit Bike use the Aero system which allows for more movement for enhanced comfort and performance. A device mount is featured as well as water bottle holder just underneath for quicker access mid-training.

Unique to the Fit Bike is itsprovision of a touchscreen holder that can swivel 180 degrees and Echelon Fit App is filled with a variety of workouts other than cycling. By getting of the bike and flipping the screen, you can proceed to try out other workout techniques such as yoga meditation and Zumba.

Pros

  • Durable steel frame build
  • Compact and transportable
  • Magnetic resistance with 32 adjustable levels
  • 29-pound flywheel
  • Handlebars of Aero system provide great movement
  • Pedals are SPD compatible and fully adjustable

Cons

  • Limited Functions with the Echelon Fit subscriptions
  • No other apps are compatible other than Echelon Fit

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Peloton – Overview

Echelon Fit Bike vs Peloton

This bike has a sleek steel frame and it carries a 32-pound flywheel. This wheel runs on magnetic resistance with 100 levels to adjust to.

This adjustment is done manually or through the touchscreen but because of the wide range, it may be hard to feel a difference or even quickly adjust your settings mid training.

Handlebars are soft but a little too thin though they do give a comfortable cushioning with their stacked design.

The pedals on this bike may be problematic and present an extra cost to anyone who does not already own a pair of cycling shoes because they use the clip-in mechanism. This is ideal because with a securely locked in footing, you can then pull up in the cycling motion much easier which is great for glutes and hamstrings.

Unfortunately, the Peloton bike is fixed and does not move meaning there is no chance to incline or decline the bike for a more exciting cycling experience.

Pros

  • Ergonomic handlebars
  • Light in weight
  • Comfortable seat
  • Engaging App with live classes
  • Can sync with Bluetooth

Cons

  • Adjustment knob not accurate
  • No incline or decline
  • Adjustments done manually
  • Doesn’t give you weights
  • Needs new training shoes with 3 cleats or Replace pedals
  • Need to buy a heart rate monitor which has a problem pairing

Verdict: So, which is better, Echelon Fit Bike or Peloton?

Because the Echelon Fit Bike  has the ability to flip the screen and has unlimited access to pre-programmed training sessions, this makes it better than the Peloton bike. The lack of an LCD screen also makes the bike much more affordable for many.