🆕 Now Testing: Peloton competitors

An exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at our testing [Wirecutter logo]( Sarah Kobos The [Peloton]( bike is arguably the most popular example of connected fitness—streamed, on-demand workouts done at home. It allows you to (ostensibly) experience everything a brick-and-mortar cycling studio offers, from live group workouts to the ability to follow a favorite instructor, all without a commute. Peloton, however, is attracting an ever-growing group of competitors. We wanted to see how they measured up. So we pedaled six indoor-cycling bikes that promised a connected-fitness experience similar to Peloton’s. Here's an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at our testing. The complete guide will be on our site later this month. — INGRID SKJONG What we tested Sarah Kobos - [Peloton]( $2,245 - [Bowflex C6]( $950 - [Diamondback 1260Sc]( $1,500 - [Echelon Smart Connect EX5]( $1,590 - [Horizon Fitness IC7.9]( $700 - [Keiser M3i]( $1,995 - [NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle]( $2,000 — All prices exclude tax and membership fees for streaming classes How we tested Sarah Kobos We rode—a lot—and drew on our experiences with indoor cycling and Peloton to compare those experiences. We assessed the fit and feel of each bike, including seat comfort, overall sturdiness, and how easy it was to adjust the height and positioning of the seat and handlebars. We also got a sense for less crucial—but no less important—details, like the locations of water-bottle holders. Some of the bikes we tested had clip-in pedals, which are used with a cycling shoe outfitted with a clip-in cleat. Others had dual-sided pedals, which allow for riding in either a cycling shoe or a flat-soled street shoe or sneaker. Sarah Kobos Some of the bikes, like the NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle and the Echelon Smart Connect EX5, have branded, onboard workout content displayed on either a built-in screen or a separate, smaller tablet. We evaluated the soundness of the workouts, the expertise and personalities of the instructors, and the depth and breadth of class offerings. For the bikes that did not have onboard workout content and built-in screens (like the Keiser M3i), we tried them with a few indoor-cycling and road-cycling apps to determine how well they responded to and functioned with those types of workouts. By the numbers 6 Peloton competitors tested 3 pairs of shoes worn 25 classes taken 1 broken pedal 1 bike malfunction 10 days spent measuring, adjusting, assessing, and pedaling 3 rides taken at Peloton’s NYC studio The verdict Michael Hession If you have your heart set on the “Peloton” experience and are committed to riding frequently, we think you’ll be happiest with the [Peloton]( bike. It is an excellent piece of equipment with standard-setting workouts, engaging and knowledgeable instructors, a robust social component, and an app that delivers valuable supplemental content. One of the criticisms directed at bikes like Peloton, whose utility hinges on a required, $39-a-month subscription fee, is that without the subscription, you’re left with a piece of equipment that doesn’t do as much. We looked for versatility and found it in bikes with Bluetooth connectivity that aren’t tethered to subscriptions. We liked two bikes that offer Bluetooth connectivity and the ability to sync to an app (or not): the [Diamondback 1260Sc]( and the [Bowflex C6](. Are these experiences the same as riding a Peloton bike and seeing your name on Peloton’s live leaderboard? No. But they might be for you, depending on your preferences. What else we're testing - Chopsticks - Laundry detergent - 3D printers - Canned tomatos - Podcast apps - Instant Pot Duo Crisp — Look for a behind-the-scenes look at some of our testing in your inbox each month. You'll also find the latest on our site. What else should we test? Reply and let us know, or send us a [tweet](. Copyright © 2020 Wirecutter, Inc., all rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up for our newsletters. You are free to unsubscribe at any time.‌ Our mailing address is: Wirecutter, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018‌ [Add us to your address book‌]( [Unsubscribe from this list]( | [Update subscription preferences‌](