Nordictrack S22i Studio Cycle Review (Before You Buy!)

[@stephaniemassengale7160]

Thank you for your thorough review! They are offering $500 off right now so I am tempted to buy. I am new to the bike world but I can tell you right now I am probably not a class person. I’d love to try the scenic rides and that seems much more enjoyable. I think I’m going to pull the trigger on the s22i for this reason.

[@ConnectTheWatts]

It’s a very good price right now!

[@bobnolan780]

@@ConnectTheWatts I have a NordicTrack treadmill and I've been eyeing up this bike all year. Took the leap yesterday. Super excited to get after it.

[@thinkingoutloudcommentaryw2099]

🚴🏽‍♀️💨Yippee 🥳

[@andyfpt]

Good video. Thanks to you I learned I can now link iFit w/strava now. Haven't done it yet but will soon. Anyway I've had my S22i since Nov 2020. We bought it because outdoor riding was our requirement and don't care about classes. My wife and I enjoy the outdoor rides a lot and the content just keeps expanding. We didn't ride the S22i over the summer since we ride outdoors on real bikes, but I rode it the other day and was pleasantly surprised to see all the software upgrades done since spring 2021. Overall the quality of the bike is very good and I have no complaints.

[@thinkingoutloudcommentaryw2099]

🚴🏽‍♀️💨 Yippee 🥳

[@JoeMurphysGuitarlessons]

Great video mate, if you can keep us updated on the software updates that would be cool

[@keysmedical1670]

Thank you so much for the video. I love Nordictrack equipment. This video helped me in making my decision which cycle bike to buy.

[@thinkingoutloudcommentaryw2099]

🚴🏽‍♀️💨 Yippee 🥳

[@robertnellis9556]

Based a lot upon your review, we did buy the NT S22i. In one of our other conversations, I asked about effect of 14 mbps download speeds. Your response: And in terms of internet speed, I unfortunately do not have an answer for you. I have a 200mbs connection.... but if I take it to the separated garage and have the garage door shut it has a small downgrade in hd performance. But I really do not know what 14mbs would or would not be capable of. You helped me greatly, so I wanted to share that during our first week of use and 15 rides the 14 mbps is fine! We never lost our connection to the road events or the live classes!

[@ConnectTheWatts]

Very cool and thanks for sharing the info! Good to know!

[@rickchandler2570]

I didn’t like the studio classes on Peloton but love the outdoors stuff on iFIT on my tread. Just ordered the bike so really looking forward to it.

[@ConnectTheWatts]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@bernicerogersbooker6333]

Thanks I just bought one and I couldn’t figure out how to cut the screen off now I know it doesn’t cut off

[@craigdrummer13204]

Thanks for the review my bike should be here on 1/21!!!!Excited and praying my 55 year old knees hold up lol!!!

[@seanshah6905]

Great review of both content and review, buddy! Under flat 12 minutes you covered pretty much everything from hardware, software to the Smart Adjust feature v well. I enjoyed your review. Thank U!

[@RedditNovelties]

going to buy the s22i this weekend hopefully!

[@paulvinton9742]

Thanks. Very helpful review.

[@ellie-aka-sirenusvex]

I was interested to watch this video and compare it to where iFit is now - and as far as I can tell nothing has moved on. The classes are becoming old and stale, the music option is very poor (we only get 4 'plays in the background FM radio channels' in the UK), no device connectivity to Spotify or KZbin music, and if you have a Samsung watch forget connecting that as well. Customer service is pretty much non existent. The only positive is you can use a hack to get into privilege mode and download other providers then ride in manual mode (but so far, only Peloton seems to work with the 'display in screen' setting so you can see your manual ride figures/resistance/cadence plus the class)

[@shaunmacdonald9932]

Thanks for the review. Q - when you are doing scenic rides, if you go slow does the screen go slow and when you bike faster does the scenes move faster? I hear the scenic rides are the best. The peloton does this and I am wondering if the NT does this as well. Thanks

[@ConnectTheWatts]

no the iFIT rides are more of a coached ride where you are following an instructor, so you always move at the same speed as they are. Peloton does the speed up/speed down based on input for a handful of rides, but it sounds better in theory than it actually is... which is why I believe very few Peloton members take those rides.

[@WalterOrth-sm9ys]

Well, my bike is unusable after 1.5 years of use. Screen is dead. Forced to prepay for service call and then company can't come out for almost a month. Should have bought a Peloton.

[@robertnellis9556]

Loved the review and your others on the Nordictrack S22i. I'm most worried about all the negative reviews written over last two years (1 star reviews from dicks sporting goods site) They seem a bit dated now. They may be also a small blip, IF Nordictrack has sold 1000's or 10,000's of bike. Do you know how many sold? Do you have opinions about their QA overall? Only other concern is internet speed. I heard you must have 10 MBPS minimum to use, but 20 MBPS for best performance. WE only have 14 MBPS regularly. What would you expect to see for performance under those conditions?

[@ConnectTheWatts]

Here's the thing... NordicTrack has sold 100,000's of bikes over the past few years. And I see all connected fitness companies (NordicTrack, Peloton, Echelon, etc....) experiencing pretty much the same QA issues right now. For several reasons: - Rapid growth causing manufacturing limitations, errors, compounded by unprecedented amounts of new hires. - Poor delivery systems. Like it or not, all of the companies are reliant on deliverers like XPO and others, who have their own issues with hiring, demand, and getting a quality workforce. This is leading to deliveries being lost, handled incorrectly, put together incorrectly, etc... - Backed-up Repair Systems... again all of these companies are reliant on third party repair solutions, meaning that it can take a while to repair any issues since anyone trained on this are all overloaded by the volume of work. - Drive to marketing. The competition between these companies being extremely brutal right now trying to capture marketshare, unfortunately means a lot of money being sent to marketing/sales over their current capacity to handle customer service efficiently. Meaning these problems that likely exist in any small % of products manufactured are likely made into a more angry customer/bad review because the problem isn't handled right away as it would normally be. - Finally this is even more compounded with increasing shipping costs, it being harder to find good employees, and I'm guessing right at the moment a lot of people having to call in sick. Personally I've had a very good experience with NordicTrack, the only issues really being minor because of how a third party put together the units but the customer service has been pretty helpful in fixing any problems on the phone. Sorry if that's a long answer, but the short of it is, that yes there are some QA issues but I don't think they are common and they are similar across the board for comparable companies. And in terms of internet speed, I unfortunately do not have an answer for you. I have a 200mbs connection.... but if I take it to the separated garage and have the garage door shut it has a small downgrade in hd performance. But I really do not know what 14mbs would or would not be capable of.

[@robertnellis9556]

@@ConnectTheWatts Thanks for the amazing response!

[@ARProformance]

Thank you for the thorough review. (1) Do you have any idea whether the watts measurement is accurate on the bike? (2) Are there any "free riding" scenic routes (ie. Not trainer led) - for example if I want to take a 60km ride in some part of the world can I select that and choose how fast or slow I want to go? (3) do you have any idea how this bike compares to a smart bike trainer like the wahoo kickr etc? Thank you for your time 🙏🏼

[@ConnectTheWatts]

Unfortunately I don’t have the equipment necessary to test and see if the wattage is real-world accurate, and it’s a bit different here relative to other bikes because of how it adjusts to incline and decline which others don’t have. Sorry I can’t be of help on this, but I’m hoping to test the new version of the S22i sometime early this year so maybe I can get you more info by then. There are no “scenic” rides without instructors that I have found. Although they do have the Google map route maker which allows you to create your own scenic rides that you go through at your own pace… but you are riding through essentially series of Google map route pictures so it’s not a true video or anything. I don’t know a ton about the Wahoo stuff, but that maybe better for people looking to prep for actual rides (whereas people like me just enjoy the indoor stuff with no goals of doing these trails in real life lol). Thanks for checking out the channel!

[@rff8]

Is this trainer capable of loading a course that has been previously recorded (i.e. gpx file) and will be able to adjust resistance based on that? Those file contains grade levels of a certain course or trail and I was wondering if the bike will automatically adjust based on those data. I've been looking for this feature and it seems most of this companies do not provide such feature and mostly offer subscription based training classes. My use case of the bike is to be like a simulator for courses that I won't be able to ride due to circumstances like weather and geographical location.

[@thinkingoutloudcommentaryw2099]

🚴🏽‍♀️💨Yes🥳‼️

[@KathrynCostello]

Thx for this. On the scenic rides is there always someone right in front of you? Can you control that so it feels like you're on a solo ride?

[@ConnectTheWatts]

hmm I actually never looked for it, because the outdoor led rides are so much better than scenic rides Ive taken on other programs. I tried to find some right now but I don't see any... they might be hidden in there somewhere tho.

[@thinkingoutloudcommentaryw2099]

🚴🏽‍♀️💨 There are rides that are catered to relaxation that has scenic ride while a coach speaks. You adjust the speakers volume accordingly.

[@andyfpt]

I can no longer recommend this S22i. The bike is 3.5 years old and has had two new control boards in less than 2 years. Fortunately the first was under warranty but the second I replaced myself for $150. The place I ordered the control board from said "this seems to happen a lot with this bike from Nordictrack." I won't but Nordictrack again which is really too bad because the iFit virtual rides are very well done and enjoyable. If you but this bike make sure you buy the extended warranty and be prepared to pay for it in perpetuity.

[@dtrainw]

Great information! The NEW NEW 2022 version is $500 more than the previous. Worth the upgrades?! Trying to surprise my fiancée! Thanks to anyone!

[@ConnectTheWatts]

I went ahead and ordered the new one… not sure it will be worth $500 more but it’ll be close… looks like a lot of improvements.

[@chuckkutscher8988]

Will you be reviewing the brand new 2022 model?

[@ConnectTheWatts]

I’m hoping to!

[@TheLauren1113]

Great video! I agree with your thoughts. I have the bike also and my bike has an off switch in the back, under the back “tire.”

[@ConnectTheWatts]

Ok good to know! You must have a new model that was released recently. When did you get your S22i?

[@TheLauren1113]

@@ConnectTheWatts May of 2020

[@ConnectTheWatts]

Ok interesting. I think they must have actually removed the off switch to newer models then…

[@JavierCarrion]

Yes they removed the on and off button. I have a January 2021 bike 🚴. But a power surge protector that has an on and off button works as well and even better it has a smart assistant integrated.

[@thinkingoutloudcommentaryw2099]

🚴🏽‍♀️💨 Yippee 🥳

[@willarias]

Hi Collin. Thanks for your great video. Just wondering if this S22i review is based on the Model NTEX02121-INT, which is the latest. Btw, this model features an on/off button.

[@ConnectTheWatts]

The model I have is the NTEX02121.0 which is a 2021 model. I read the manual for the NTEX02121-INT and an on/off button is not mentioned in there either. Does your bike have this button? And if so can you please email me a picture at [e-mail] so I can update our review. Thanks!

[@AshleyMarieGomez]

Question, do you have to have iFIT in order to use the bike at all or can you use the built in classes and cancel your iFIT after a year?

[@ConnectTheWatts]

No you don’t have to have iFIT, itll still work and allow you to see all of your metrics without a subscription

[@bernicerogersbooker6333]

I am new to this bike is there a place where I can go to learn how to work the computer to bring the eye fit that I want up and work on them through my iPhone and how do I connect my watch to my iPhone I have a I watch. Thank you.

[@kathycouture7079]

Wondering if I purchase Planet Fitness Black Card membership which I understand includes iFit access, will this connect my bikes computer to iFit, also? Or are they separate accesses?

[@brooklynbound75]

That would be interesting to know. Did you ever get an answer?

[@kathycouture7079]

@@brooklynbound75 i have not. from any information i have come across I don't think it would work.

[@brooklynbound75]

@@kathycouture7079 That's a shame.

[@ConnectTheWatts]

Leave a comment if this review was helpful for ya ;)

[@brooklynbound75]

Very useful, we just ordered ours 2 days ago. Eager to get riding.

[@CostantinoLenzi]

Does it have automatic program? Can i made my programs? Can it work with no ifit subscription?

[@1bojanbojan]

@7:50 that’s that mean I can turn incline up / down off for my rides? And when riding outside is there a way to not follow a trainer and just have the open road view? Thank you

[@thinkingoutloudcommentaryw2099]

🚴🏽‍♀️💨 Yes … Use GPS ride option available 🥳

[@KeithCindyPanama]

If you cancel the membership does it still work???

[@KeithCindyPanama]

Does it hook up to Samsung smart tv

[@frankweber4220]

How long does it take to get the bike? I ordered mine 6 days ago and still no closer to shipping.

[@ConnectTheWatts]

Sorry I can’t tell you, I know shipping right now from all companies has seen big delays due to people calling in sick, etc…. Hopefully it gets to you soon!

[@user-ed5oj2id5d]

This bike worked for 13 months, one month after the warranty ran out. Needs a new control panel that costs about $500 found on the Internet. At around six months, the screen was freezing and then wouldn't turn on, had to call customer service to have to reset the bike, which deleted all of my rides and progress. DO NOT BUY THIS BIKE!

[@brooklynbound75]

No more 1yr free ifit either , as of 9 days ago from what I'm told.

[@mikecup212]

Yes I see that, not sure if it’s a deal breaker for me.

[@MarkRomo365]

Just bought this, there is a key for the 1 year for iFit. So it does come with the 1 year package.

[@brooklynbound75]

@@MarkRomo365 Yeah mine came with a year as well. I had already purchased a year card prior to receiving my bike so I ended up being good for 2 years. Mind you, I confirmed with ifit before making the purchase and they said it was now only 1 month. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@hogtownbiker3560]

Live classes are kind of lame. The music needs to match the workout. Other big beef is software QA is poor. Link to Strava/Garmin/Google not working a day after being released and I did turn off Auto Adjust but still seems engaged when ride first starts. I lower resistance and refollow trainer and it then corrects itself. Then generally work out the bugs but need not to rush the releases.

[@ConnectTheWatts]

Interesting, I haven’t noticed issues with auto adjust as it has consistently worked well for me on both the tread and bike (it’s been tested on the bike in beta for months). But the link to strava, etc… definitely has issues. But over the past several months, I have noticed significant improvements to streaming quality, speed of UI, dark mode added, better class browsing, app loads faster, music selection expanded, etc… so I feel they are headed in a good direction. Hopefully they can improve their QA so you don’t get those bugs when new things are released 👍

[@dhrtiwalter8670]

Probably not

[@EJ200ce1]

I got this bike and a treadmill from Nordic track. Neither lasted even three years. Nordic track is useless and should be shut down.