Echelon EX-5s Exercise Bike Review

[@brushenas]

The best review I have seen so far on this Echelon EX-5S bike. I ended up buying this bike and I would say it is almost the best bike I have ever had so far. However there are some weakness that I will be covering below and I hope Echelon will take into consideration. PROS: - Bike it is very sturdy, great design, quality, and the ride is very smooth and noiseless. - Adjustable for all heights specially for people over 6 feed. the handles are of great quality. - Hybrid pedals and comfortable saddle. - Nice touchable screen that can rotate up & down CONS: - Screen it to rotable side to side. - You can only use Echelon application and not other apps such as Peloton or KZbin,etc. - You are kind of forced to sign up to their application and pay 39$/month otherwise the screen is almost useless and I think that is a big NO for many potential buyers. Many people like me love the bike itself but might opt to use other apps. - The live and recorded classes are good but still need to catch up with Peloton ones. - The Outdoor videos are OK but they are far behind of NorthTrack bike. I wish they can provide similar functionalities - Not an option to turn the instructor voice off and on. Some people like to just listen to the music or play their own music with the voice of the instructor on. Overall, I would give 10/10 for the quality of the bike, its design, comfort. and I give 5/10 for the Echelon Screen and its limitations to run different and multiple app. I hope Echelon will update the operating system on which their application is running and provide additional features such as being able to run and install other applications such as KZbin, Peloton, Apple/Amazon music,, Spotify, etc. To be honest 39$/month represents a lot of money for many people and people would rather spend that much money to sign up to a Gym and perform different activities. Right now because of Corona many people are confined in their home and keep using this application and once the pandemic is over they will go back to the Gym and All these subscriptions will definitely stop unless they make it very affordable and make other applications available on these devices. I am interested to know what do you guys think? would you keep paying 39$/month once the pandemic is over? Would you buy this bike if it provides other apps? Thanks

[@amygarland]

We just got the Ex-5s from Costco which offers a full year of classes included. ($480 value) so far I’ve only done the live classes which I tend to like. My biggest Con is the EX -5s is not really compatible with Apple products. Other than that The bike seems really well built/sturdy and The hybrid petals come in handy when my wife and three kids also want to use the bike.

[@nibiru308]

This review says the screen does not rotate side to side, but Echelon over the phone says it does rotate. Can you please let me know if it rotates side to side and tilt up and down? Thank you.

[@brushenas]

@@nibiru308 that is not true. It doesn't rotate side to side but tilt top to bottom

[@TreadmillReviewGuru]

@@nibiru308 Bruce is correct. The screen does not rotate side to side, but it does pivot up and down.

[@vmarsfiles]

This is a similar complaint with the bowflex app. Screen is useless without the subscription...

[@rayspann405]

This is the best review of a bike i have ever seen, ty

[@Kraftd68]

Just bought this one today. Never have done spin before. Hoping we enjoy and your information was well informed

[@TreadmillReviewGuru]

Thanks! And enjoy your new machine!

[@Juice421fs]

Can you use 3rd party apps with this screen? Maybe a cast option or something?

[@ebaustin99]

Thank you. Your reviews are very thorough and informative. I am hoping their Stride treadmill is on your list for future review.

[@TreadmillReviewGuru]

Yes! We are hoping to get the Stride in for a review!

[@rossipremier]

In the scenic ride, resistance was on screen, i didn't think this bike had resistance that changed with what was happening on screen? That's the one part that I'm concerned with, is changing it on my own during a class or scenic ride. Would you recommend thr 10in tablet version if you don't plan to keep the subscription?

[@StonedRambo01]

Would love to see you review the Concept2 BikeErg

[@maryhurren6938]

Can I still ride and change resistance without internet apps subscriptions?

[@frankiesab777]

What is really missing is auto resistance. To do it manually when doing the trainings is not an option for me.

[@BuckeyeTori93]

Can you use a peloton subscription on this bike?

[@choocharoo]

In Canada this and the nordictrack s22i are direct competitors. The bike plus from peloton is 1000 more lol. I’m trying to find a bike for weight loss and the S22i features seem ideal. Sadly their support is really really bad so I’m looking at this bike. Tough decision when spending 2k plus.

[@doubtfuldreamer]

The original peloton is 1000 more than EX4s..it's insane. It's literally $1000 more to be on the leaderboard and a bigger screen. Not worth it. Peloton even admitted they raised the price without changing anything to do the bike simply because they wanted to be seen as a luxury brand.

[@Rawhide_Rumble]

Amazing thorough review! Thank you

[@TreadmillReviewGuru]

Thanks!

[@josephmcdermott5675]

Will ou be testing a Bowflex VeloCore and compare to Nordic Track S22i any time

[@MsVicki73]

Videos I've seen of the ex-7s show that the screen does not swivel side to side but still only flips over. I really wish they made the screen swivel side to side.

[@jennnnnn]

The info about the screen was inaccurate. I caught that also.

[@bdailey8065]

I saw an adapter that you can buy online to make the echelon screen swivel side to side.

[@coozbayt1021]

The handle bar and saddle adjustments are a bit difficult. Can I use a silicone dry lube lube on these parts.

[@jayboogie1357]

Do you have weights in the saddles. Usually the weights hold in down and tough to raise up

[@williamshaw8216]

Great review. I just purchased this bike. I don't even have it yet. I am 56 years old and weight 270 pounds. I have purchased this to help accomplish my weight loss journey. Question - are there classes that will suit my skill (or lack thereof) level? Or will every class have 20 and 30 year olds wearing 7-11 bike shirts that I won't be able to keep up with?

[@hunkydude322]

there's this instructor name Kaleigh cohen and she has lots of videos for beginners view some of her videos and take it from there remember there's no hurry.

[@coozbayt1021]

How does the resistance knob talk/read to the monitor. Can I read the rate of my resistance on screen

[@bred.9410]

I own one. You can read the resistance on the screen.

[@djskurf39]

My touch screen stopped working. And no, I didn’t smash it or throw it down the stairs. It just stopped working. Echelon call center was no help and said I need to buy a new screen. Customer service does not care about you. They didn’t even have any suggestions on a fix. They just said “oh you’ll have to buy a new $300+ screen.”

[@gregdagostino2714]

What bike would you recommend if you were not looking for a subscription. Looking for a bike that you can select a program built in that will adjust the resistance automatically, similarly to what is at your local Jim. Thank you

[@TreadmillReviewGuru]

Hmm, that's a good question. Most of the bikes that have automated resistance also have a touchscreen and integrated functionality (the app controls the resistance). I don't know of a bike that has a simple digital console but also incorporates automated resistance. Exercise bikes at your local gym are commercial grade and tend to have different functionality.

[@danm1511]

Is the bike only connected to screen via Bluetooth or wired like peleton?

[@TreadmillReviewGuru]

The screen is wired to the bike.

[@tomasdoubek]

Is there any bike on the market which would have scenic rides, with adaptive speed and also automatically change resistance per current track profile (hill, downhill etc.)

[@TreadmillReviewGuru]

Kind of... the Nordictrack s22i and s15i both have automated incline/decline and resistance. The bike will adjust as you ride to match the outdoor terrain. There are trail rides, road rides, gravel rides, etc., all filmed outdoors. All the outdoor routes are led by a professional cyclist, but you can just mute the cyclist if you want. The new Peloton Bike+ has scenic rides and automated resistance, but not incline and decline. The MYX bike has scenic rides as well, but no automation or incline.

[@dawnschare]

Can this be used without the screen, too? I usually just put on my headphones and play my song list when I ride..

[@TreadmillReviewGuru]

The bike doesn't have much functionality unless you turn on the screen. You can just do a free ride or manual ride. However, if you don't want a screen, I'd recommend looking at the Bowflex C6 or Sole SB900 bikes. They are excellent magnetic bikes that have a Bluetooth console but not a touchscreen. You can ride and listen to your music and not have to worry about a screen or a subscription.

[@dtandt1]

Great review!

[@Nova-Variant]

I might've missed it but are you able to access apps like KZbin or Netflix for a more casual ride?

[@TreadmillReviewGuru]

No, unfortunately the screen won't show external content. It is designed to just play the Echelon programs.

[@blazegamer6875]

Any HDMI ports? Maybe I missed it ?

[@PhilipKlaassen]

Helpful! Thank you!

[@SudeepDalela]

What is available without a subscription ? or better what is not Available

[@TreadmillReviewGuru]

Unfortunately, not much is available without a subscription. If you want something simple that doesn't require a subscription, check out the Bowflex C6 or Sole SB900 bikes. They both have tablet holders but no screen.

[@jshortoc]

Is Freestyle available without subscription?

[@chelseylynn24]

Can you connect to a pelearon subscription on this?

[@jaynelein5994]

How tall are you? My husband thinks I have my seat too high....I am 5'5". Thanks!

[@TreadmillReviewGuru]

I'm 5'5" as well. Your knee should have a gentle 25-35 degree bend at the top of the pedal rotation. If the seat is too low, you'll hurt your knees, if it's too high, you'll find you have to shift side to side to reach the pedals.

[@dr150]

Is there any top end bike that you can recommend that has NO subscription fees that you can get non-boring use of (Tv/different FREE software classes)?

[@TreadmillReviewGuru]

You can check out the Matrix Fitness ICR50 with the IX display. No subscription required and access to Netflix, KZbin, internet, etc.

[@coozbayt1021]

My question concerns the saddle seat. A bit uncomfortable and it tilts down with no adjustments. Will a seat pad help. Thanks

[@TreadmillReviewGuru]

Make sure the black bolt (not the adjustable knob) under the saddle is securely tightened. If it gets loose, the saddle can tilt downward when you ride.

[@coozbayt1021]

@@TreadmillReviewGuru Spot on thanks

[@jayboogie1357]

Tighten the 2 bolts underneath the seat cushion that’s what hold the seat in place

[@saistrology]

Hybrid pedals!😍

[@mikecapone7710]

Actually the EX 4s does too

[@jayboogie1357]

The S4 is way sturdier then the 5s. Too bad the s4 have a 10 inch screen

[@jayboogie1357]

My bike wobbles.when riding That’s the big thing that sucks about this bike I’ve ridden cheaper bikes and way less wobbly then this bike . too bad echelons can’t fix this problem. I would say if echelon fix this issue they would be in the same class as Peleton. Echelon is just little bit behind Peleton.. good but not better

[@danfan456paddyfoot3]

Jhh

[@ellerybice3787]

A one your warranty, this must be junk. 👎🏾👎🏾👎🏾