This is a great review. We bought this bike a year ago because we wanted something for both myself and my wife. I am a road cyclist and she is not, so we compromised. I would have preferred and indoor trainer that I could mount my bike on, but she needed something easier so we chose this. After a year's use here are my pros & cons Pros: - It can be a good substitute for your road bike but you will need to make some changes. This can be done. - We bought a replacement seat rail so that we could easily change the soft factory seat with a real road bike seat. My wife did not want to wear padded shorts to ride. I did. - The pedals can be changed pretty easily and you can mount clipless pedals and use your regular road bike shoes. Buy a pedal wrench and remember: Left side LH thread, Right side RH thread. - The bike is sturdy. It will take all the hard riding you can give it. You can stand on the pedals all day long and feel comfortable. - As this reviewer said, the outdoor scenic rides are truly wonderful. From the Tour of Utah to riding in Japan or the Swiss Alps, there is so much to do. I love them. The instructors are truly the best. I do wish they would create some longer endurance rides--maybe 1 - 2 hours long. - The studio rides are very good and the instructors are really awesome. If you like spin classes you will not be disappointed. - The incline and resistance are smooth and easy to change. - You can adjust the seat height and fore and aft position to mimic your road bike. You can also adjust the handlebar height. - The firmware was recently updated so that you can connect bluetooth headphones. Yeah!!! I exercise early in the morning and can't turn the speakers up. I use Aftershox Aeropex and I love them. You can connect to the speaker with a 3.5mm stereo plug as well but having to deal with the cord is a pain. - Some folks have praised the ability to create your own rides and this is pretty neat, but be prepared to be disappointed because the screen will only show images from Google Street View and many bike paths have no images. I tried this a few times, but the scenic rides are so much better. - I have compared the data power numbers with my Assioma Favero pedals and my Wahoo Elemnt and the power data is accurate. You can export your data and import into Strava or Training Peaks by downloading your data from the iFit web site. It works pretty well if you are into that. Cons - I hate the handlebars. I struggle to find a good position. I wish they could be replaced with a regular road bike handle bar with hoods. The foam covering gets yucky and sticky when you get all sweaty so I ride with gloves. You will see many folks in the spin classes put a towel across the handlebar. That is why. The handlebar is not a deal breaker, but I hate it. - The little dumbells are dumb. If you want good exercise get a set of kettlebells and use those. Getting on and off the bike to use the dumbells makes no sense to me. - Crank Length is too long for short folks. If you have had a good bike fit, you will understand that crank length is important--especially if you are on the small side. My bike fitter shortened my crank length to 160mm because I have short legs (the NordicTrak comes with a 170mm crank length). My wife's legs are even shorter. In order to mimic the road bike, I actually drilled & tapped pedal holes to reduce crank length on the bike (I couldn't figure how how to remove the cranks so I did it in place). Now I realize that this is taking it to the extreme, but it makes the bike so much more comfortable for me and much closer to my real bike. I actually had to go to 155mm in order to create enough space between the existing crank holes. I think for the price, NordicTrak should put variable cranks length holes on the cranks, it would not be hard. - I struggle with the on screen controls. They are not intuitive and sometimes I just live with what I can get. The touchscreen is really laggy and lame. I wish they would make it more intuitive. - The fan is kind of noisy and weak. We use a tower fan and seldom turn on the bike fan. It is acceptable if you don't have a real fan but just not very robust. Overall, we are pleased with the bike. You can get a really good workout and nothing I have found makes me wish I had never bought it. For the price, it is an acceptable value. I truly love the scenic rides and the instructors who do them. I have not found and instructor that I don't like, male or female. They are all amazing and make you want to be as fit as they. If you are a guy, be prepared to get your butt kicked by the female instructors. :) Thank you.
Wow! Fantastic feedback Paul. I am going to love this comment so it is near the top of the comments to hopefully help other find it. Glad to hear it is mostly working out for you even though it was not exactly what you wanted.
@@Learnwithtravis great review Paul. Travis or Paul, do you know if the "Cons" in the above are better on the Peloton (crank length, dumbbells, handlebars, screen controls)? thanks!
Watch my other NordicTrack videos if you decide to go this route. It has some great features and can be a great bike but you need to be careful. ua-cam.com/video/CPfsaO9cYvA/v-deo.html
I recently purchased an s22i and I'm loving it so far. There is a NEW model out as of January 2021. It has a better screen that is MUCH more responsive than the old one, and has better bluetooth connectivity. It also has better wifi. The incline/decline Motors are upgraded. Compared to the older models I tried out in stores, the new motors are probably 80% quieter (and faster) than the old ones. I don't notice the noise when they activate nearly as much as the older model. If you're thinking of purchasing, make sure it's the NTEX02021 model. The older model is NTEX02017. As far as I can tell, as of March 2021 the ONLY place you can purchase the newer model is from Nordictrack directly, the models on amazon, dicks, etc are all the older model. I can't speak to the build quality yet as I haven't had it that long, I purchased the extended warranty just in case based on issues I've read about online with prior models. For me the outdoor rides are the selling point. They are awesome, and very engaging. I'd much rather be riding through interesting scenery then participating in an indoor spin class.
Great info and very happy it is working out well for you. Maybe it is time to sell my current model and get the new one you mentioned to update the review. 😀
@@Learnwithtravis Yup, I think it's great so far. That being said, I suspect the quality issues you alluded to are still there. There's a weird rub from the drivetrain that I can't figure out, and may be a bearing that the pedals are attached to. I'm working with Nordictrack on it. Fortunately thanks to your video I bought the extended warranty!
Update on the repair: The good news is it seems Nordictrack has worked through whatever supply chain issues/repair backlog they have. I was able to talk with someone at Nordictrack very easily. The repair parts come within about a week, and the repairman came within a week after that. The problem is fixed, it only took me about 2 weeks.
I didn't increase the audio if that is want you meant. I often get asked if people can put their bikes near locations people are sleeping and still exercise so I was basing my answer somewhat off of that. I don't think there is any way someone would sleep through the incline adjustment and I do think it is pretty loud. That being said, if you don't have those considerations, it is not that bad. It is loud, but like you said, it is short and you can deal with it. I would not let it affect my decision to purchase unless I knew I needed to be very quite.
Good review! I received my s22i in December and love it! I went back and forth on this and Peloton, but I'm honestly happy that I chose the s22i. The outdoor rides and Google Maps/Street view rides and incline/decline are what sold me, and considering that five months later I still use it at least 4 times a week means that it's working :) Oh! For those that aren't aware, iFit has starting having live classes now too (haven't done one yet, but might try one soon.)
I have one on the way. The google maps feature is what sold me - I'm trying to train up for when I have to go back to work. I'd like to be able to ride to the train station every day instead of driving. This will allow me to get into shape for that ride.
Hey man can i ask a question, if i do a scenic ride will it remember my data from that ride so i can try to beat it in future? will it also let me know how im doing for my age range? so for example i do a ride in 30 mins which puts me 3000 out of 10000 riders for example
I’m looking at the Peloton, NordicTrack and the Echelon spin bike so I’m very happy I found your channel! Thanks for your unbiased review. My gym uses Peloton bikes for the group spin and with all the Coronavirus changes, I don’t think I’ll be returning so I plan to invest in a bike to use at home. Your channel will play a huge part in my decision making process, so again, THANK YOU!! 🙏🏾
thanks dude, that's really helpful. i tend to enjoy the scenic rides much more than the studio classes so that's good to hear your take on how good they are!
@@Learnwithtravis Hi Travis, just thought I'd drop you a line to say that I went with my gut feel and got the S22i in the end as I really wanted the scenic rides (they were calling me!) and I have to say i'm so impressed with it. The power inclines at the front and rear of the bike really do make a difference in terms of feel and difficulty on the bike and its a nice touch that the coach can control this or you can manipulate it yourself. The sheer volume of different rides, routes, types and genres is amazing. I really like the Ted talks which make a nice cool down (for me anyway). So far no problems and keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks again for your review, great job!
Leaning this way. Was concerned about the lack of on/off button and the noise factor versus the peloton. Was also concerned by the class diversity but it sounds like they are working on that. Thanks for the review.
We got a s22i just before the shutdown and we love it. As you said, the outside rides are awesome. As for the noise, you said the motors are loud. I think that is relative. They do make a noise but I would not consider them loud. We have ours in one floor away from our kids rooms and you do not hear it at all if you are upstairs. No issues with sleeping kids or spouse. As for the studio classes, you rated them as fair and I would say that is generous. Comparing them to Peloton, they are god awful. The music alone is the worst. I have started using the peloton app on my TV for studio rides and they are so much more enjoyable. But with that said, I prefer my s22i over the peloton's that I have ridden. Thanks
Glad to hear it is working out so well! Yeah, when I said loud, I was thinking if others were in the same room that wanted it quite. Outside of the same room, I don't think it would be bad. I hear you on the studio part... room for improvement, right? 😀 Thanks Bob!
I just got my S22i. I seriously considered the Peloton due to the popularity and devoted fan base, but I already have a Nordictrack treadmill and love it - and it makes sense to pay for one subscription for both (and an extra free year of iFit is nice too). I can always add the peloton digital subscription and still come out ahead. So far I think it’s an awesome bike. I did switch the seat and I am getting pedals with both a cage and spd compatible so my kids can ride it without investing in special shoes. The incline/decline makes a lot of sense for Nordictrack. It really make sense for the outdoor rides. Outdoor runs and rides are the focus of iFit and my treadmill adjusts incline and decline during runs and hikes as well. It adds so much to the experience.
Well put and glad it is working for you. Those swaps will be nice and one membership is huge. I agree that the incline decline does add the ride and a huge part of this is being interested enough to keep doing it.
2 months in with my S22i and still liking it a lot. The virtual MTB and Road Bike rides from iFit are excellent. The bike quality is solid. The fan is strong but mine will need service because it squeaks a bit after its been running for 15 minutes. I did swap out the bike seat because I had one that was more cushy, but honestly the original is about like any other mountain bike seat. The only thing I'd like to see improved is the video quality--- while good it could be better. Also the touchscreen response can be a bit slow as well but no big deal. Love the product.
Thanks for the review. Really useful info to have in the decision making process. The S22i is also trying to compete with the Wahoo Kickr smart bike. The Wahoo is a road bike simulator as much as the Peloton is a spin class bike. The Kickr has very accurate power numbers. It does gradient simulation, syncs with bike computers, Strava, Zwift, etc. I'm bouncing between the S221 and Kickr right now. Both are good bikes, both have pluses and minuses. I like the more open interface of the Kickr as I already use Strava and Zwift and am not sure about being locked into iFit.... just not sure. Appreciate the time you put in here.
Good review/video. I had my Peloton delivered a couple of weeks ago and am loving it. I did seriously consider the Nordictrack however. One thing that turned me off the Nordictrack was the motorized incline/decline and resistance. In my opinion, those are just things (motors) that are eventually going to fail at some point. Also, I prefer to control resistance myself rather than have it automatically done for me. I also find the fan gimicky and is another thing that will stop working at some point. I'm happy with my Peloton purchase.
p3rrypm is correct that you can have full control at any time and can choose to give it back to the instructor when you want. Your points are completely valid. I had the exact same thoughts about extra parts being potential breaks in the future and was considering having that be a topic of future videos. While anything can break, I actually liked the fan quite a bit, but I hear your point. As always, my hope is people get what works best for them, so I am very glad to hear you are loving the Peloton. Both bikes are great and I am a huge fan of the Peloton as well!
@@p3rrypm Buying a nordictrack is like buying a new car from the dealer. Once your Nordictrack gets delivered it's worth $1,000 less. Currently a USED Peloton bike sells for $3,100. There is a reason for this. REPUTATION
@@rubenregal4849 So the Peloton is a used Rolex than ? LOL I am still on the fence for me ans my wife. The features of NordicTrack looks great and the pivoting screen.
I just started to get Peloton fever and during my research, I came across the Norditrack, you, and your review of both, what are the odds!? Echelon is on my short list too so I'm now holding off on making this big ticket purchase until you do that video. Great, unbiased review, thank you!
Haha! Perfect timing! I will keep plugging away and try to get the Echelon review as well as the comparison videos out as soon as possible! Thanks Julie!
Great review and I truly appreciate the honesty. Thought that this could have been slanted to the Peloton (small clip of yours in the corner), but you kept the content relevant. If there was an issue with the bike, you backed it up with reason/demoed. Thank you for the review.
My pleasure and thank you so much for the kind words Dachai! I don't have any interests in pushing a certain product and truly want to help people make the right decision for them (Which could be any of these bikes). Glad to hear you felt that in the video!
@@Learnwithtravis @lucy I just ordered this as well with the smaller screen. The Peloton which looks amazing from a cost perspective I had to go with the NordicTrack. I was running 3 days a week but recovering from an injury and need to get in some cardio that will be easier on my knees. Not sure I ready to full on hard in spin classes but we shall see.
Great review Travis. I've had s22i for 1y and believe this was an excellent comprehensive, fair and balanced review of the bike features and iFit programming. The UI has seen many improvements that are not reflected in review (though some of which are reflected in recent Peloton lawsuit against ICON/NordicTrack, uh oh). Great bike. Phenomenal coach led outdoor destination rides!
Thanks Paul! Really happy to hear the review came across as fair and balanced coming from someone who has been using it for a good while! That is always my goal. Just provide the information to help people decide if it is a fit for them or not. So your comments are great to read! Those outdoor rides! Love it!
Really solid review... Helped me with my decision. I do have to comment on the incline feature. I'm a former pro mountain biker (Enduro / DH / XC) and so that means I've had to ride A LOT of stationary and spin-style bikes. I've also owned a few... That said, I am literally clawing at my skin for the workout to end. I want to be outside, not inside. So ANYTHING that helps change the experience of indoor training is crucial, IMO. Gimmicky, maybe... To me: a cool feature to stop the insanity. LOL
Thanks Walker! And that makes perfect sense! I agree, gimmicky or not, if it is something that entertains you and keep you on the bike and getting exercise it is a good feature.
Travis - Thanks for the love! We are so glad you like the S22i. It is fun to see many people love their bike. We agree that the outdoor iFit rides are incredible and nothing else compares. Having an iFit trainer control the incline, decline and resistance is a game-changer. We are glad that you are enjoying it! Your critical feedback is also appreciated as we are always working to improve and deliver the best workouts for everyone. See you on the leaderboard!
NordicTrack - No problem and thanks for taking the feedback in stride! Looking forward to what future updates do to to the bike and new products you guys have in the works!
Nordic track the S22i is a gorgeous bike but beset with many problems. You really should be looking at how to produce a machine that does not repeatedly reproduce the same problems over and over again. For a £2000 bike the number one worry for a customer is how much is this going to cost me once the guarantee finishes? To reassure future customers you would need to offer a 5 year guarantee and back your trust in this product. Mine has gone back.
You need to look at the build quality - mine arrived and didn't work out of the box . But the worst thing was your terrible customer service - - what a hassle - eventually after one and a half months we settled on a refund and return of the unit.
New subscriber here! I was super excited to see you post this video. I was going back and forth between this bike and the Peloton. Your videos lead me to purchase the Peloton and my bike will be arriving this Thursday. The NordicTrack S22i seems like a solid spin bike, but like you mentioned in one of your Peloton reviews... all the little details of the Peloton such as the live classes and leaderboard helped me make my decision to go for the Peloton. It’s nice that the NordicTrack gives you a free 1 year iFit membership at the time of purchase whereas with the Peloton, you don’t get that. It makes sense though because they offer those live classes everyday. Either way... I think both of these bikes get the job done when it comes to pushing yourself and improving your health, but I’m super excited to be receiving the Peloton. Keep up the awesome reviews, love your channel!!🙌🏼
Thank you so much Kristen! Glad to hear the videos helped you with your decision and that this video helped to verify that decision. You are so right when you said that both bikes can get the job done. It is just a matter of picking that one that is a better fit for you! Congrats on the Peloton and hope you love it (you will)! 😀
I just bought the Nordic Track S22i. They have improved the motors for the fan and the incline/decline features as I had heard these were very loud and annoying in earlier models. My biggest disappointment was the right crank arm doesn’t extend passed the plastic cover and when I tried to put my XTR pedals on, I was unable to use my pedal wrench. Thankfully my MacGyver husband took the wrench to the shop and cut it down enough so he could seat my pedal. He also had to loosen the plastic cover adjacent that crank arm. So a bit of a design flaw. I asked the rep before I bought it if putting a set of Shimano SPD pedals on was possible...it is BUT, you need MacGyver. Also with Covid, it’s threshold delivery only. If you are a lone female and not a power lifter it’s going to be a very long day of swearing and drinking and you still won’t have the bike together. I watched a video of a Nordic Track female employee assembling the bike in under a few minutes...psych! Don’t watch that video 🤣🤣🤣. I am glad I got this, I live in snow country and I can’t ski all day. Cheers
Glad they have improvements in place and it is working our for you! I had a hard time assembling that bike by myself so I could not imagine if I was smaller. That is probably the heaviest bike I have tested and putting it together was not easy. Good to hear you were able to figure out how to get it setup for you!
Good review, and definitely something to consider for those not yet committed to either the peloton or norditrac. Ive had the S10I norditrac for about 2 years. At this point i would give it a 6 out of 10. Ive had issues like blown bearings in the wheel (twice) finally resolved that issue. Now im dealing with the incline motor not working, so norditrac is sending me a new one. It shouldn't be much of a problem to change out and get the machine going again. Probably one of the more important issues though is the "live" feature on the classes. Although it is a great addition to be able to join others to see how you compare. Ive done it a couple of times and there is literally 4 to 5 people doing it as well. No i dont mean 4 to 5 hundred, i literally mean 4 to 5 people. Unlike peloton where there are thousands in any given " live" class. Nordictrack falls way way short. Just thought id point that out for those looking for motivation from others in a live class.
Good point as I have not paid too much attention to the volume on live rides of iFit bikes. Glad to hear you have been able to get problems resolved and it running again!
How about the trainers themselves? I have seen a lot of fun, comical and motivational classes on Peloton and was told they are constantly putting out new content. Is this similar or ? I’m worried about spending that kind of $ and losing motivation because it gets boring.
Great vid!! Thanks!! I am torn between this bike and the ProForm Pro 22. Looking forward to your two model compare/contrast. Thanks again...keep up the great content!!
NordicTrac S22i. Not gonna lie...I love the bike but my wife hates it and wishes I purchased a less expensive model. The screen wobbles when in use...and that drives her crazy!! I've tried to tighten it down to no avail...have actually stripped some of the bolts which has worsened the prob...
Yup, that is something I was going to point out when I do my Peloton VS Echelon VS S22i video. The bike has some great features, but that is something that I was not a big fan of.
David Pedraza - is there a fix to the screen wobbling? I know this will irritate the hell out of me and this is the only issue I have that prevents me from buying one. The Peloton does not have this problem? Could it be because of the incline/ decline mechanism that is causing the wobble?
I got a lot out of this as I'm looking to buy a spin bike. I was disappointed that this bike doesn't have clip-in pedals, all others at this level do, what the heck? I'd have to go spend another $150 to get pedals for a new spin bike. I was also disappointed that their bike won't connect to Zwift. I know they want to get you connected to their iFit, but if you have a whole community on Zwift, it's hard to go away from it. Good review. Appreciate it.
Glad to help. I agree about the pedals, just don't don't understand how at this price point you don't have clip-ins. I am not aware of any way to connect Zwift but I think this is the case with most integrated solution as, like you said, they want to keep it to their stuff. Good lucking finding the right option for you!
Yes the Peloton has clip in pedals (LOOK Delta) but they are not nearly as universal as SPD clips however. If you already have Shimano SPD shoes/clips (like I did), these pedals www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NORMU4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 work great. These are the ones I bought week or so after having the bike and can flip them over for someone without clips to ride. So yes another $60 purchase for the SPD pedals but even with this add'l cost the bike/software/yearly workout dues are still significantly cheaper than Peloton. When you factor in the one year free of IFit (and $15/mo for single user in 2nd year on) vs the $39/mo right from start of Peloton.
I'm presently steaming over NordicTrack's customer service policies. I bought my S22i exercise bike 13 months ago. We have not used it extensively -- probably 30 to 40 times total in that time. The resistance motor stopped working suddenly two weeks ago. For $2000, you'd think that would not happen so soon. But it's still under the 2-year parts warranty, so I could just order the part for free, right? WRONG. According to the NordicTrac customer service tech, because I did not purchase an extended labor warranty, they refuse to send the part for free, even if I sent them the malfunctioning part so they could confirm that it is not functioning. So here are my three bad options. Option A: I have to PAY for the part despite my supposed parts warranty, totaling about $65 plus another $30 or so for tax and shipping, and then I install it myself. Option B: I have to PAY for a service tech to come out ($165 plus other costs) and diagnose the problem as being a motor malfunction (since apparently I am too stupid to diagnose it myself), then the tech would order the part, then I would have to PAY for the tech to come out a second time (about $100 more) after the part gets to him. Option C: I have to PAY for an extended service plan ($130 or so), but first I would have to PAY ($165 plus) for the tech to come out and inspect the machine for the warranty, plus I would have to PAY ($65) for the part that the tech would order and later install (for "free" since I'd be under the service plan). So I asked the customer service guy, since we know that it's almost certainly the motor and alternatively it might be one other part, can you just send the tech with those two parts so he can replace the one that is broken on the spot and I don't have to suffer the additional cost of the second tech trip or suffer the extra delay? No, he says, that's not how we do it. I told him that I was disappointed that, although I paid $2000 for a machine that's supposed to be "great quality" and it's supposed to be under a parts warranty, I have to pay through the nose for the part. Then, he had the audacity to say that this was NordicTrac's "sort of punishment" of customers for not buying the extended service plan. I told him that his suggestion that Nordictrac wanted to "punish" customers for not paying more is offensive. He said then, "It's not really punishment. That's just an analogy; it's more like when I child doesn't clean his room, that's what it's like if you don't get the extended plan . . ." So if you don't pay more for an extended warranty after dropping a bundle of cash for a machine that requires continued costs for the subscription, NordicTrac "punishes" you like "a child who hasn't cleaned" his room. The machine is great, when it's working that is, but there is NO WAY I would recommend anyone buy it after this because it should not break after one year and the parts warranty is a sham because of this ridiculous policy. And after 45 minutes on the phone with this guy, guess what he NEVER said: "I'm SORRY the ridiculously expensive bike started malfunctioning so soon after you bought it." But why would I expect a company that expressly sees me as a child who deserves "punishment" for not forking over more cash be the least bit sorry that I'm having a horrible experience with them? For these reasons, I would NOT recommend buying this bike. Bike when it's working: A+; Durability: apparently D; and customer service policy: F.
Not sure if it helps, but our NordicTrack treadmill motor failed twice within 3 months. Turns out you cannot plug a NordicTrack into a standard extension cord (i.e. the thick ones you have in your garage). You need to plug the NordicTrack into a heavy duty appliance extension cord, or directly into a power strip with long cord. Both allow the NordicTrack motors to receive the correct level of power. Failure to do so will cause the motors to burn out. Thankfully NordicTrack replaced the motors no questions asked, but it was user error on my part for using the wrong extension cord. I've been running my treadmill for a year on the correct cord with no issues
You know what did it for me. The Nordictrack rocking back and forth while you rode it..I spin in a studio and I can't stand when my bike rocks.! I would really love a SoulCycle bike compared to the peloton! I'm torn between the two so far SoulCycle doesn't have the kind of library peloton has and also has no live rides due to COVID but I've heard there going to add those things in... but I've ridden at soul and truly loved the energy the pack like energy. IDK if they can give that from a screen though I've heard their videotaping the classes is so much better than peloton. LOL as you can see I need an educated review!!!! please!!!
I tried Brooke! SoulCycle does not deliver where I live. I even tried to reach out to them and see if we could get a special delivery for the sake of a review and they couldn't! I keep checking but they still don't ship to me... 😰
I peloton bike and a Nordic track treadmill. (I wish I had the same brand for both). the treadmill does the automatic incline and decline too during the rides. You are right where you said it is crazy loud. Also you are right saying the scenic routes are awesome. I've been to the Switzerland mountains and I also was able to run in my old neighborhood. it's pretty cool but where you make your own course it is using like Google maps so it's moving pictures
Very nice. Those scenic rides were an awesome option for me. Glad to hear I am not the only one who likes them so much. I have not played with the map you own route too much yet. Will need to give that a chance! Thanks Joshua!
We just purchased the S22i and your review is spot on. Thanks. Especially the seat. I have a couple extra seats and plan to swap it out. I actually like the pedals because they are universal if you have a family riding you don't need to drop a lot of cash on shoes and cleats up front.
I love your reviews, your attention to even the smallest details are things that I think of but not a lot of other reviewers focus on!! Like another person requested I'm hoping you review the SoulCycle bike as well. Already had decided on the Peloton based on your reviews right around when the pandemic hit but may hold off depending on if you decide to review the SoulCycle bike. If I do buy the Peloton I'm definitely going use your referral code that you gave one of the other commenters! Thank you for your great reviews! :)
Thank you so much Peggy and thanks for grabbing my referral code! I have a few bikes I really want to get to and the SoulCycle is one of those. I have not ordered it yet and not sure what the delay in shipping is, so I imagine the review is still a ways out... but I want to do it!
Is it better to purchase the bike from Nordictrack or from Amazon? Why? I’m debating which do I order the S22i model from. What kind or type of floor mat do you recommend to place the bike on?
Glad it helped! I am very big on picking the bike that has the features that will motivate you. That being said, you do need to take some safety measures with NordicTrack. I would suggest watching this to understand what I mean: ua-cam.com/video/CPfsaO9cYvA/v-deo.html Not trying to talk you out of it because it has some great features. Just want to make sure you safeguard yourself!
On seat comfort: your saddle is tipped way up in front, which may make it extremely uncomfortable. There should be an adjustment for the seat pitch (angle up or down, front to back). Highly suggest checking that out!
Yeah, that is partially my fault and I need to take that more serious. As I am reviewing and not keeping long term, I don't get too serious about the seat positioning. I should though and good point. The seat still did not seem as comfortable itself, but you are right on and I will work to get them more tuned before I start my testing. Thanks J K!
Enjoyed your review, Travis. I seriously considered this bike during COVID-19 as I felt the need to get a spin bike and get a great cardio work out in my home. My main issue with it was that it doesn't seem to me that it will hold up well over time with all of those electronic motors included on it. And after trying it out, I did feel it was very noisy. The scenic rides were a big selling point for me, but that wasn't enough at this price point to sway me to buy. So I went with the MYXfitness spin bike instead. The value with MYX is incredible right now. I hope you will add the MYX bike to your list and do a review of that bike as well.
Great to know! The MYX is on my list, so hopefully I will be able to get to it soon! Thanks Irena and glad you found an option that works so well for you!
Good review with two discrepancies. Cyclist know that the firmer the seat, the longer the ride. Cushy seats equal pain and short rides. Also, clip-less pedals should not be included. Each person has different tastes and requirements for pedals and shoes and I would rather buy them myself than pay for pedals I won’t use. The machine should, and does, only include cheap, consumer grade pedals. Much better idea, IMO, I can save money buying my own. Really good review. You sold at least one more for them. Thanks.
Thanks Rich. I can't remember what I said in the video but that seat is much like most of the others but for some reason it does not feel like the others. Glad the video helped. I am hearing that their is a newer model out that fixes some of the known problems. I would try to make sure you are getting that version. Good luck!
I just bought one of these! I'm in Wisconsin and bought through Johnson Fitness which has a backlog of 2 months!!! So now all I can do is watch videos. I am so excited. Thanks for the great review. Since it is June 12... I should have plenty of time to ride outside before I need it!
Very nice! Being from Michigan, enjoy your couple months of being outside and then hit up your new S22i when the weather goes south! Sounds like perfect timing!
One major comparison that is important to mention is Peloton offers a full refund within 30 days and Nordictrack charges $500 plus 10% restocking fee. It would make more sense to tryout the peloton first and get your money back instead of trying out the Nordictrack first and getting stuck with it.
Great review. I just received my bike three weeks ago. Unfortunately, it came defective out of the box -- won't power on. Have spent many hours on the phone with NordicTrack customer service. They finally sent me a new power cord and switch, which arrived yesterday. But they're not sure if that's the problem. Now waiting on a technician to come and do the repair. So the bike continues to sit as it has done for several weeks. Sigh.
@@rubenregal4849 Wish I could. They charge you $250 to ship it back, plus a 10 percent restocking fee, and you have to eat the original cost of the shipping that you've already paid -- even for a non-working bike (because it's under warranty).
Sorry to hear that Pete. I was going to recommend getting the last return date, but then I saw your comments about their return policy. Hopefully it gets fixed and this is a distant memory soon.. but if they can't fix it and you are stuck, I would not accept those charges. Hopefully they do the right thing.
@@petelarmey8845 talk to your credit card company about that. From what i understand restocking fee if you're not satisfied but you want to return because it's defective. If i were in your shoes I would cut my losses and lose a little money rather than get stuck with a bike and not be happy with their service. Other option is get it repaired and sell it close to the price you paid for it. A lot of people looking for home equipment.
@@rubenregal4849 Yeah, I definitely considered that (cutting my losses). Might come to that, actually. Right now they're sending me two parts which are of course backordered. But as soon as they come in I've got a repairman lined up to take a look at it. Bike looks fantastic per Travis's review but the customer service has been horrendous. Even if I get it fixed I don't know if I'm willing to deal with it longterm, especially if issues come up later.
I never leave comments but I had to for the Nordictrack S22i Studio Cycle. On paper it was better than the Peloton, my wife had one but I liked the tilting/swiveling monitor and the live rides led by an instructor through cities, etc. I had to pay for shipping but got a military discount and had to assemble the bike myself. It was still cheaper than the Peloton with an extended warranty. Got the bike set up, hopped on it and the cranks made a squeaking noise. Also the monitor is mounted on a circular tube which gets inserted into the neck of the frame. I noticed if I stood up the monitor shakes, alot. I thought it needed to be tightened but it was the whole bike. I talked to support and they said that sometimes the cranks need to be broken in and can make a little noise. I didnt pay over 2000 for a bike that makes noise and a monitor that shakes. The bike is on a level floor and is very sturdy. When I talked to the sales rep they told me I had 30 days to try it and if I didnt like it I would have to pay the return shipping. I didnt like that but was fine. What my sales rep didnt tell me was the 10% restocking fee, so that the return would cost me $500 total. I never would have bought it knowing it would cost that much to return. My wife's Peloton was delivered and set up as part of the price and returns are free. If you get the Nordictrack S22i make sure you 100% love it. The classes on the Peloton are so much better as well, the outdoor rides are cool on the Nordictrack but they dont have music, just the instructor talking. I will never buy Nordictrack again, they got me once but not again. Their equipment is nice but the deceptive tactics are BS. I have the Peloton Bike + coming in a few weeks, having used my wife's I am very excited. Just beware and read the fine print so you dont get screwed like I did.
Thanks for sharing Mike and sorry you were on the wrong side of a NordicTrack issue. That is why I have videos discussing this, Hope you love the Bike+.
That was the original model. I recently tested the S27i and it much improved. It also has a little bit of wobble on purpose because the incline decline allows for some movement.
Great review, thank you! My boyfriend and I have been searching for bikes for 2 months now and your today, your videos have helped so much. I was looking at the Nordic Grand Tour which seems really similar to this, and the IC4 - and have already owned a Sunny bike that broke. I didn't realize how noisy the resistance or incline feature would be. And honestly, I got a little seasick watching the video going through the forest, can't imagine how it would feel actually on the bike with the auto incline! So that's making me second guess the Nordic. I think I'm getting closer to making a decision, can't wait to get moving again!
Thanks Brooke! Glad to hear the videos are helping and that you are close getting moving! While certain features of the NordicTrack are nice (great resistance\incline & decline\ scenic rides) if incline\decline or scenic rides don't really speak to you, I would personally go with a different option. Great fit if those are the features for you, if not... other bikes are probably a better fit. Good luck with your decision and hope you love it!
The incline and decline adds such realism and unlike peloton, you’re not hand cranking resistance. With NordicTrack trainers they do it for you, and you always have the ability to increase and decrease. Damn great review. The filter is not that good.
I have had my Sunny for a week and it is okay but no where near what I need so I just ordered the S22i off of Amazon. I am selling the Sunny now which will be no problem on eBay because of the pandemic. I got it on Amazon and it will only take 1 week to deliver and it is free delivery. $200 more on directly from Nordictrack so I took those savings and got SPD pedals and a Bluetooth transmitter to connect to my Beats headphones. I think the scenic rides sold me on this bike.
Nice! You are just too much for the Sunny John! I am glad to hear you got it off Amazon as they are often sold out. I like the S22i, but one thing I am learning is that they have a higher chance of problems which usually seem to show earlier on. What I am hearing is the Nordictrack return policy is terrible, so glad to hear you got it from Amazon and can use their policy is need be. Hopefully you get a good one because if you do, they are nice bikes!
LearnWithTravis Today I got the S22i and did my first workout. It was a climb and tough but I loved it. It was awesome and money well spent. I was sweating like crazy for 31 minutes.
I wanted this bike bad. Unfortunately under 3 months of use, my contol board went out. I called NT and they sent me a part that took over a month to arrive. During that time of waiting for part, I was fortunate to have the store I purchased from to allow me to exchange it. I decided to go with the Echelon instead without the screen. Once the electronics go out on NT bike there is no way of using. The cadence, watts, incline, and resistence will no longer work. Though the computerized adjustments is what sold me, I quickly saw and experienced what will be a freaking headache if something went wrong. Once a electrical failure occurs there is no way to use the bike. Since owning the Echelon, I do miss the quality and quantity of the scenic rides available compared to Echelon and Peleton library. Hands down Ifit has the best scenic rides!
Sorry to hear that but glad to hear you were able to figure out a way to get it returned and not be in a bad spot. I hope you are happy with your new setup. If you decide to change, the Stryde could be a good fit for you. Better price point than the S22i but can still do iFit based content and more. Have a good one Chanlani!
I am not a doctor so I can’t say if it will or will not but generally exercise and a healthy diet seem to be regarded as very positive steps in correcting blood pressure. If your doctor recommended exercise, bikes like this provide fantastic exercise. If you get it, I hope it helps!
I just bought the 2021 products so I am trying to get NordicTrack to send them over. If you could do the following it would help and I will get a review out real quick: Email travis.cox@ifit.com - Subject - 2022 Product Reviews by LearnWithTravis Body - Something about you need to see 2022 reviews by LearnWithTravis before you purchase. :-)
As it is built no... But you can get into an admin mode and do Android stuff. I have not played with that but I know people have done some stuff like that.
If scenic rides are your thing, iFit rides are better for that. A few options: 1 - Nordictrack S22i, this includes all the features including incline\decline but has some risks (watch my pros and cons video), 2 - Pro-Form Studio Pro 22, this is basically same bike with a few features removed but those same iFit based scenic rides (if you don't require incline\decline I would go with this one over the S22i), 3 - Stryde - This is an unlocked bike so you can load both iFit and Peloton to bounce between content providers and also use UA-cam, NetFlix, and apps like that. You will lose a few features like the auto-follow but have way more control to use it your way. Hope that helps! Pros & Cons: ua-cam.com/video/CPfsaO9cYvA/v-deo.html Pro-Form: ua-cam.com/video/iLmygpOvjhI/v-deo.html Stryde: ua-cam.com/video/DIN_WWCmFCI/v-deo.html
@@yonpark6245 Casual virtue signaling is only acknowledge by guy's trying too hard. Nowhere did I saw anything about women. Who's being misogynistic now? Plenty of men, including myself, wear pink. Take your faux shaming elsewhere or embrace the suck. Your choice "bro".
The initial price difference between the Nordictrack and Peloton is just the beginning. The S22i comes with a full year of Ifit for the initial $2000 price. The Peloton doesn't include it's service, and it costs a whopping $39 a month too. So at the beginning of that second year of ownership, you've almost spent $3000 for the Peloton.
Thanks for the video. Quick question: How realistic are the scenic rides with the instructor? Do they stop if you stop or is it just a ride video you try to keep up with?
I don't have my S22i anymore to be current on the answer, but I don't believe it does that. They don't slow down and speed up with you as it is pre-recorded and they talk to you through the ride. Although, if you stop pedaling, they will pause the ride until you resume. Outside of that, I thought they did a good job making it feel realistic. They rotate the view but stick to a lot of the instructor riding in front of you and looking back to talk. This makes it feel like you are riding with them and following along the trail. I really liked that.
Basically a ride video for you to keep up. But if you stop the bike, it’s pauses the workout. Honestly though, it’s one of my favorite things about the bike and the reason I purchased it over the Peloton.
IC4 and S22i bikes are very different. IC4 is a pair your own device bike and use it how you want. (Peloton App\Zwift) S22i is a all in one iFit solution. I would probably need more information to understand what your interests are to best recommend a bike, but if I were to upgrade the IC4, I would go with Stryde. Better bike with attached monitor that can do both iFit and Peloton plus more.
What studio cycle would you recommend for a budget of $1,000 -$1,500? I’m a road biker but have been disconnected for a couple of years due to young kids. Looking to get back in it during these Midwest winter months. Everything I seem to look at buying has terrible reviews with quality and/or tech issues. Was just eying up the new Proform Studio Pro 22 bike. Based on reviews I think the iFit instructor assisted scenic rides would be a nice feature.
There are a lot of bikes out there and from my testing, most seem to be very solid options. What I generally do, is recommend the bike that has the features that match your interests. Going off the fact that you enjoy road biking, iFit enabled bikes are probably going to be the best. While other bikes have better studio based content, iFit has the best scenic rides (they are instructor led). I just ordered it, but probably will not receive it for a while is the Proform 22. It looks like a very good option that gets you an iFit bike in your price range. Another bike I would consider is the Stryde. My guess is the Proform is more build to support iFit, but Stryde still does a pretty good job but offers the flexibility to load other types of content (Peloton, Netflix, etc..) to mix it up if that sounds interesting to you. ua-cam.com/video/DIN_WWCmFCI/v-deo.html
@@Learnwithtravis thank you! I’m looking into the Stryde now and like the open platform. Question on that though, to my understanding the Proform Pro bike with IFit will auto adjust the resistance. If that’s correct will it also do that if using the iFit app on the Stryde bike?
Travis thanks so much for the content you put out. Really helped us choose a bike. Gonna pass this along to my mother in law as she’s looking decoding between the NordicTrack or peloton. Keep putting out there great vids 👍🏼
I apologize if this has been asked before but going through a bunch of comments and I can’t seem to find anything about the Google maps feature of this bike. Did you ever map out a ride and use it on the bike? As this may be the stand out feature for my personal use, The ability to ride routes that I create or in some cases re-create is very appealing. Perhaps routes that I enjoy and can train on during the winter or perhaps get routes for upcoming cycling events and being able to create that and know what I need to train for sounds very promising. I did not see anything in your video regarding this feature and I’m curious if you ever used it and had any problems with it.
I think I lightly covered it in the video below. It is sort of like Google Maps when you are looking at street view. You can click down the road and a new image loads. It is not video but images along the route. ua-cam.com/video/iLmygpOvjhI/v-deo.html
@@Learnwithtravis Are there resistance changes as your mapped route changes? I’m not necessarily interested in seeing the scenery along the route. I am more interested in getting to elevation gains along the plotted route and feeling the increase in resistance and being able to adjust the “gearing” to compensate. Basically, mimicking an outdoor ride while on the trainer
I think I covered it a bit in the video linked below but generally I would look for bikes that are 4-way adjustable. This means you pull the seat in and handlebars towards you. ua-cam.com/video/fv_mvHXnJQQ/v-deo.html
A little tricky to answer. I do have other videos on this bike so check it out. This bike has a lot of love and hate as people love the features and content (Scenic rides) but is also known to be problematic with poor customer support. If you think scenic rides are your thing, this bike is worth considering as it is really built for that experience. If you think studio rides, metrics, and competition are more your thing, I would lean towards the Bike+.
Can you turn the incline off completely? I'm over the weight limit and i think its going to put a lot of wear and tear on that incline motor and dont want to break it so it would be really nice to turn it off.
I sold my S22i but have a new one on the way (testing newer model). So I can’t test if you can completely turn it off right now. But I do know you can turn it off each ride very easily. Basically you can take manual control over incline and then there is an option to give it back to the instructor. So you should be able to do what you want pretty easily.
IFIT has improved in streaming, features, and added classes (Bluetooth audio, and added music). IMHO It"s better, not perfect but the outdoor content has been motivating. I do wish they could innovate something new with the studio rides. I was able to message from my phone a live question to a LIVE studio class instructor and they took my question. I'm on the Costco S10i with smaller screen. Worth cost savings as I can out to projector with HDMi cable. I also like that I don't have a resistance dial and instant resistance changes.
Good to hear you are noticing improvements. It is not terrible and it gets the job done, but always feels a step behind most of the other bike. Sounds like you have a pretty neat setup!
Hey Travis - can you comment on using the iFit feature and creating/using a route? I'm told that on the NordicTrack treadmills that this works great and it seems like it would be a worthwhile feature here on the bike as well with the ability to be riding looking on Google Maps using a street view. Have you tried that yet? Have you discussed it on any other videos for the S22i?
Hey Erik. Sorry for the delay. I had to replace the monitor on my S22i before I could test this for you. Seemed to work great. It pulls up a google maps like view and you set the points you want to ride and it then shows images of the locations you marked. It was pretty neat. I rode right past my house!
Thank you for your review I watched them all. I just got my nordictreck s22i. I can not find the on and off switch. Does it have one? Do I just unplug it? Or does it turn off on its own? Thanks!
Nice review thank you. Also a question, I'm retired Navy and used to ride about 60-80 miles a week outdoors. My wife is 72 and I'm 75 now and very interested in the S22i however, does the iFit have 'easier ride' videos for seniors,' not going up and down mountain traiils or intense workouts. We can ride here in our winter home in Florida fine, outside, since its flat but in our summer home, in Pittsburgh area but the hills are killers for us at our age so want to consider a spin bike. Any help appreciated.
Thank you Tom. They do have an intensity filter with levels going from 1 to 7 so you should be able to filter down to what you are comfortable with. If inclines and declines are something you are looking to avoid, you may want to look at the Pro-Form Studio Pro 22. Very close to this bike but without incline\decline saving you some money and also is a new release. Hope that helps and good luck!
I'm sorry if this is redundant, but I didn't see it mentioned in my read of the comments. I noticed you have a low ceiling where you have your bike which is what we have. What kind of clearance would you need for the incline for some who is about 5'10"?
I am 6'3" and would guess the ceiling in that room is a little over 7'. I don't think the incline actually changes your ride height on that bike too much. So, my guess is most lower ceiling work as I tested with a pretty low one!
I have not tested the Keiser (yet), but I know people that have commented love it. From what I understand it is a top tier bike that should be near the top in all categories. As far as the S22i, it wins in the scenic route category. If that is your thing, this might be worth considering. After that, the Peloton probably wins most categories vs the S22i. Some of this depends on if you want a bike where you get their solution\screen\software (S22i\Peloton) or the Keiser where you can configure it how you want but don't get those options out of the box. Hope that helps!
@@Learnwithtravis very helpful and thanks for the prompt response. I'm more attracted to having my media options more flexible than being locked down. That is what led me to the M3I. Hope you can get a chance to test it or link a review from some of your peers for their perspective.
the new model has improved the video to 1080. Bluetooth connectivity is now included. the rotating monitor is win over Peloton for being able to get off the bike for floor exercises and turn the monitor to face you. you can turn off the incline/decline feature when you need quiet. I'll have my headphones on listening to the ride/music so I won't care anyway.
Thanks!
My pleasure!
This is a great review. We bought this bike a year ago because we wanted something for both myself and my wife. I am a road cyclist and she is not, so we compromised. I would have preferred and indoor trainer that I could mount my bike on, but she needed something easier so we chose this. After a year's use here are my pros & cons
Pros:
- It can be a good substitute for your road bike but you will need to make some changes. This can be done.
- We bought a replacement seat rail so that we could easily change the soft factory seat with a real road bike seat. My wife did not want to wear padded shorts to ride. I did.
- The pedals can be changed pretty easily and you can mount clipless pedals and use your regular road bike shoes. Buy a pedal wrench and remember: Left side LH thread, Right side RH thread.
- The bike is sturdy. It will take all the hard riding you can give it. You can stand on the pedals all day long and feel comfortable.
- As this reviewer said, the outdoor scenic rides are truly wonderful. From the Tour of Utah to riding in Japan or the Swiss Alps, there is so much to do. I love them. The instructors are truly the best. I do wish they would create some longer endurance rides--maybe 1 - 2 hours long.
- The studio rides are very good and the instructors are really awesome. If you like spin classes you will not be disappointed.
- The incline and resistance are smooth and easy to change.
- You can adjust the seat height and fore and aft position to mimic your road bike. You can also adjust the handlebar height.
- The firmware was recently updated so that you can connect bluetooth headphones. Yeah!!! I exercise early in the morning and can't turn the speakers up. I use Aftershox Aeropex and I love them. You can connect to the speaker with a 3.5mm stereo plug as well but having to deal with the cord is a pain.
- Some folks have praised the ability to create your own rides and this is pretty neat, but be prepared to be disappointed because the screen will only show images from Google Street View and many bike paths have no images. I tried this a few times, but the scenic rides are so much better.
- I have compared the data power numbers with my Assioma Favero pedals and my Wahoo Elemnt and the power data is accurate. You can export your data and import into Strava or Training Peaks by downloading your data from the iFit web site. It works pretty well if you are into that.
Cons
- I hate the handlebars. I struggle to find a good position. I wish they could be replaced with a regular road bike handle bar with hoods. The foam covering gets yucky and sticky when you get all sweaty so I ride with gloves. You will see many folks in the spin classes put a towel across the handlebar. That is why. The handlebar is not a deal breaker, but I hate it.
- The little dumbells are dumb. If you want good exercise get a set of kettlebells and use those. Getting on and off the bike to use the dumbells makes no sense to me.
- Crank Length is too long for short folks. If you have had a good bike fit, you will understand that crank length is important--especially if you are on the small side. My bike fitter shortened my crank length to 160mm because I have short legs (the NordicTrak comes with a 170mm crank length). My wife's legs are even shorter. In order to mimic the road bike, I actually drilled & tapped pedal holes to reduce crank length on the bike (I couldn't figure how how to remove the cranks so I did it in place). Now I realize that this is taking it to the extreme, but it makes the bike so much more comfortable for me and much closer to my real bike. I actually had to go to 155mm in order to create enough space between the existing crank holes. I think for the price, NordicTrak should put variable cranks length holes on the cranks, it would not be hard.
- I struggle with the on screen controls. They are not intuitive and sometimes I just live with what I can get. The touchscreen is really laggy and lame. I wish they would make it more intuitive.
- The fan is kind of noisy and weak. We use a tower fan and seldom turn on the bike fan. It is acceptable if you don't have a real fan but just not very robust.
Overall, we are pleased with the bike. You can get a really good workout and nothing I have found makes me wish I had never bought it. For the price, it is an acceptable value. I truly love the scenic rides and the instructors who do them. I have not found and instructor that I don't like, male or female. They are all amazing and make you want to be as fit as they. If you are a guy, be prepared to get your butt kicked by the female instructors. :) Thank you.
Wow! Fantastic feedback Paul. I am going to love this comment so it is near the top of the comments to hopefully help other find it. Glad to hear it is mostly working out for you even though it was not exactly what you wanted.
@@Learnwithtravis great review Paul. Travis or Paul, do you know if the "Cons" in the above are better on the Peloton (crank length, dumbbells, handlebars, screen controls)? thanks!
Definitely my number one right now, because of the incline features. Definitely an important feature for me.
Watch my other NordicTrack videos if you decide to go this route. It has some great features and can be a great bike but you need to be careful.
ua-cam.com/video/CPfsaO9cYvA/v-deo.html
🚴🏽♀️💨Oh yeah‼️
I recently purchased an s22i and I'm loving it so far. There is a NEW model out as of January 2021. It has a better screen that is MUCH more responsive than the old one, and has better bluetooth connectivity. It also has better wifi. The incline/decline Motors are upgraded. Compared to the older models I tried out in stores, the new motors are probably 80% quieter (and faster) than the old ones. I don't notice the noise when they activate nearly as much as the older model. If you're thinking of purchasing, make sure it's the NTEX02021 model. The older model is NTEX02017. As far as I can tell, as of March 2021 the ONLY place you can purchase the newer model is from Nordictrack directly, the models on amazon, dicks, etc are all the older model. I can't speak to the build quality yet as I haven't had it that long, I purchased the extended warranty just in case based on issues I've read about online with prior models. For me the outdoor rides are the selling point. They are awesome, and very engaging. I'd much rather be riding through interesting scenery then participating in an indoor spin class.
Great info and very happy it is working out well for you. Maybe it is time to sell my current model and get the new one you mentioned to update the review. 😀
@@Learnwithtravis Yup, I think it's great so far. That being said, I suspect the quality issues you alluded to are still there. There's a weird rub from the drivetrain that I can't figure out, and may be a bearing that the pedals are attached to. I'm working with Nordictrack on it. Fortunately thanks to your video I bought the extended warranty!
Update on the repair: The good news is it seems Nordictrack has worked through whatever supply chain issues/repair backlog they have. I was able to talk with someone at Nordictrack very easily. The repair parts come within about a week, and the repairman came within a week after that. The problem is fixed, it only took me about 2 weeks.
@@nathanielbowler6440 Great news! Happy for you and also hopeful that others get the same experience. Thanks for the update Nathaniel!
He’s elevated the noise issue to far more important than is actually the case. It’s not particularly loud and is only for short periods of time!
I didn't increase the audio if that is want you meant. I often get asked if people can put their bikes near locations people are sleeping and still exercise so I was basing my answer somewhat off of that. I don't think there is any way someone would sleep through the incline adjustment and I do think it is pretty loud. That being said, if you don't have those considerations, it is not that bad. It is loud, but like you said, it is short and you can deal with it. I would not let it affect my decision to purchase unless I knew I needed to be very quite.
I only find it to be loud if you’re adjusting it manually. I don’t notice it during the workout to be honest
Good review! I received my s22i in December and love it! I went back and forth on this and Peloton, but I'm honestly happy that I chose the s22i. The outdoor rides and Google Maps/Street view rides and incline/decline are what sold me, and considering that five months later I still use it at least 4 times a week means that it's working :) Oh! For those that aren't aware, iFit has starting having live classes now too (haven't done one yet, but might try one soon.)
Great to hear! One of the best things you can say about exercise equipment is that you still heavily use it many months later! Says a lot about it!
I have one on the way. The google maps feature is what sold me - I'm trying to train up for when I have to go back to work. I'd like to be able to ride to the train station every day instead of driving. This will allow me to get into shape for that ride.
Do the google maps/street view rides also incorporate automated incline/decline and resistance to mimic the terrain you've chosen?
@@pbodensteiner Yes, but when I tried it I found that it would go up and down unrealistically. The scenic rides are so much better.
Hey man can i ask a question, if i do a scenic ride will it remember my data from that ride so i can try to beat it in future? will it also let me know how im doing for my age range? so for example i do a ride in 30 mins which puts me 3000 out of 10000 riders for example
I bought this for cyber Monday at Amazon. So far so good.
Awesome! Glad it is working out!
I’m looking at the Peloton, NordicTrack and the Echelon spin bike so I’m very happy I found your channel! Thanks for your unbiased review. My gym uses Peloton bikes for the group spin and with all the Coronavirus changes, I don’t think I’ll be returning so I plan to invest in a bike to use at home. Your channel will play a huge part in my decision making process, so again, THANK YOU!! 🙏🏾
Glad to help K C and welcome to the channel! Best of luck with your decision!
What did you end up going with @kc?
K. The best and the bike that you will enjoy most is NordicTrack
thanks dude, that's really helpful. i tend to enjoy the scenic rides much more than the studio classes so that's good to hear your take on how good they are!
No problem! I do have other S22i videos so I would recommend watching them (pros and cons) if you think you might purchase. Thanks Matthew!
@@Learnwithtravis Hi Travis, just thought I'd drop you a line to say that I went with my gut feel and got the S22i in the end as I really wanted the scenic rides (they were calling me!) and I have to say i'm so impressed with it. The power inclines at the front and rear of the bike really do make a difference in terms of feel and difficulty on the bike and its a nice touch that the coach can control this or you can manipulate it yourself. The sheer volume of different rides, routes, types and genres is amazing. I really like the Ted talks which make a nice cool down (for me anyway).
So far no problems and keeping my fingers crossed!
Thanks again for your review, great job!
I didn’t even know I needed a spin bike but the algorithm thinks so and here I am. Thanks for a great review. I might even buy a Nordic rower too.
My pleasure and if you do decide to get it, I hope it works out great!
Leaning this way. Was concerned about the lack of on/off button and the noise factor versus the peloton. Was also concerned by the class diversity but it sounds like they are working on that. Thanks for the review.
No problem! This was the first version of the bike and I have the second on the way. They say it is improved so I will post once I get that bike.
We got a s22i just before the shutdown and we love it. As you said, the outside rides are awesome. As for the noise, you said the motors are loud. I think that is relative. They do make a noise but I would not consider them loud. We have ours in one floor away from our kids rooms and you do not hear it at all if you are upstairs. No issues with sleeping kids or spouse. As for the studio classes, you rated them as fair and I would say that is generous. Comparing them to Peloton, they are god awful. The music alone is the worst. I have started using the peloton app on my TV for studio rides and they are so much more enjoyable. But with that said, I prefer my s22i over the peloton's that I have ridden. Thanks
Glad to hear it is working out so well! Yeah, when I said loud, I was thinking if others were in the same room that wanted it quite. Outside of the same room, I don't think it would be bad. I hear you on the studio part... room for improvement, right? 😀 Thanks Bob!
I just got my S22i. I seriously considered the Peloton due to the popularity and devoted fan base, but I already have a Nordictrack treadmill and love it - and it makes sense to pay for one subscription for both (and an extra free year of iFit is nice too). I can always add the peloton digital subscription and still come out ahead. So far I think it’s an awesome bike. I did switch the seat and I am getting pedals with both a cage and spd compatible so my kids can ride it without investing in special shoes. The incline/decline makes a lot of sense for Nordictrack. It really make sense for the outdoor rides. Outdoor runs and rides are the focus of iFit and my treadmill adjusts incline and decline during runs and hikes as well. It adds so much to the experience.
Well put and glad it is working for you. Those swaps will be nice and one membership is huge. I agree that the incline decline does add the ride and a huge part of this is being interested enough to keep doing it.
2 months in with my S22i and still liking it a lot. The virtual MTB and Road Bike rides from iFit are excellent. The bike quality is solid. The fan is strong but mine will need service because it squeaks a bit after its been running for 15 minutes. I did swap out the bike seat because I had one that was more cushy, but honestly the original is about like any other mountain bike seat. The only thing I'd like to see improved is the video quality--- while good it could be better. Also the touchscreen response can be a bit slow as well but no big deal. Love the product.
Great to hear Andy! All good points and hopefully they will improve things they can over time.
I went with the Bowflex C6 aka Schwinn IC4. Chromecast it to my 65" Smart TV and use with Peloton App + Kinetic...best of both worlds at 1/4 the cost.
There you go! C6 is a good bike. Glad you found something that is working well for you!
I have one of these. All these comments are 100% correct
Glad to hear! Thanks Dave!
Thanks for the review. Really useful info to have in the decision making process. The S22i is also trying to compete with the Wahoo Kickr smart bike. The Wahoo is a road bike simulator as much as the Peloton is a spin class bike. The Kickr has very accurate power numbers. It does gradient simulation, syncs with bike computers, Strava, Zwift, etc. I'm bouncing between the S221 and Kickr right now. Both are good bikes, both have pluses and minuses. I like the more open interface of the Kickr as I already use Strava and Zwift and am not sure about being locked into iFit.... just not sure. Appreciate the time you put in here.
No problem at all and thank you so much Skip. Sound like I need to get my hands on the Kickr bike and give it a test! Good luck with your decision!
Good review/video. I had my Peloton delivered a couple of weeks ago and am loving it. I did seriously consider the Nordictrack however. One thing that turned me off the Nordictrack was the motorized incline/decline and resistance. In my opinion, those are just things (motors) that are eventually going to fail at some point. Also, I prefer to control resistance myself rather than have it automatically done for me. I also find the fan gimicky and is another thing that will stop working at some point. I'm happy with my Peloton purchase.
You can control the resistance yourself. If you want to rejoin the instructor and follow them again, you hit the follow instructor on the bike.
p3rrypm is correct that you can have full control at any time and can choose to give it back to the instructor when you want. Your points are completely valid. I had the exact same thoughts about extra parts being potential breaks in the future and was considering having that be a topic of future videos. While anything can break, I actually liked the fan quite a bit, but I hear your point. As always, my hope is people get what works best for them, so I am very glad to hear you are loving the Peloton. Both bikes are great and I am a huge fan of the Peloton as well!
@@p3rrypm Buying a nordictrack is like buying a new car from the dealer. Once your Nordictrack gets delivered it's worth $1,000 less. Currently a USED Peloton bike sells for $3,100. There is a reason for this. REPUTATION
@@rubenregal4849 So the Peloton is a used Rolex than ? LOL I am still on the fence for me ans my wife. The features of NordicTrack looks great and the pivoting screen.
I have had my S22i for the past 2 months and I am happy with my purchase so far! Nice review! 🚲
Thanks Dorin! Glad to hear you are happy with the bike!
Im glad to hear this!
Thank you!
I just started to get Peloton fever and during my research, I came across the Norditrack, you, and your review of both, what are the odds!? Echelon is on my short list too so I'm now holding off on making this big ticket purchase until you do that video. Great, unbiased review, thank you!
Haha! Perfect timing! I will keep plugging away and try to get the Echelon review as well as the comparison videos out as soon as possible! Thanks Julie!
LearnWithTravis which bike in your opinion is the better one if you can afford either one of Them?
Studio ride experience - Peloton. Outdoor scenic ride - S22i. So, depends on what you would be more interested in feature-wise.
Yeah, both can be great options! Just depends on what feature you would enjoy more!
@@roba168 You could get lucky and find a great deal on a used peloton. They're out there
Thanks for the review! Just ordered one wish the fat guy luck!!
Haha! Best of luck and make it happen Russell!
Great review and I truly appreciate the honesty. Thought that this could have been slanted to the Peloton (small clip of yours in the corner), but you kept the content relevant. If there was an issue with the bike, you backed it up with reason/demoed. Thank you for the review.
My pleasure and thank you so much for the kind words Dachai! I don't have any interests in pushing a certain product and truly want to help people make the right decision for them (Which could be any of these bikes). Glad to hear you felt that in the video!
Great Review!!! Mine is on the way and I feel a lot better about my purchase!
Thank you so much Lucy! Hope you love it!
@@Learnwithtravis @lucy I just ordered this as well with the smaller screen. The Peloton which looks amazing from a cost perspective I had to go with the NordicTrack. I was running 3 days a week but recovering from an injury and need to get in some cardio that will be easier on my knees. Not sure I ready to full on hard in spin classes but we shall see.
I will say the scenic rides are really amazing. I enjoy them so much more than classrooms. They go fast and can be challenging
I agree. It all depends on what works for you but I do really enjoy scenic rides.
🚴🏽♀️💨Me too!!!
Great review Travis. I've had s22i for 1y and believe this was an excellent comprehensive, fair and balanced review of the bike features and iFit programming. The UI has seen many improvements that are not reflected in review (though some of which are reflected in recent Peloton lawsuit against ICON/NordicTrack, uh oh). Great bike. Phenomenal coach led outdoor destination rides!
Thanks Paul! Really happy to hear the review came across as fair and balanced coming from someone who has been using it for a good while! That is always my goal. Just provide the information to help people decide if it is a fit for them or not. So your comments are great to read! Those outdoor rides! Love it!
We agree Paul.
Agee with Paul, what a balanced review.
Also agree about pedals.
Mine shows up today! Thanks!!
Awesome! Hope you love it!
Really solid review... Helped me with my decision. I do have to comment on the incline feature. I'm a former pro mountain biker (Enduro / DH / XC) and so that means I've had to ride A LOT of stationary and spin-style bikes. I've also owned a few... That said, I am literally clawing at my skin for the workout to end. I want to be outside, not inside. So ANYTHING that helps change the experience of indoor training is crucial, IMO. Gimmicky, maybe... To me: a cool feature to stop the insanity. LOL
Thanks Walker! And that makes perfect sense! I agree, gimmicky or not, if it is something that entertains you and keep you on the bike and getting exercise it is a good feature.
Travis - Thanks for the love! We are so glad you like the S22i. It is fun to see many people love their bike. We agree that the outdoor iFit rides are incredible and nothing else compares. Having an iFit trainer control the incline, decline and resistance is a game-changer. We are glad that you are enjoying it!
Your critical feedback is also appreciated as we are always working to improve and deliver the best workouts for everyone.
See you on the leaderboard!
NordicTrack - No problem and thanks for taking the feedback in stride! Looking forward to what future updates do to to the bike and new products you guys have in the works!
Nordic track the S22i is a gorgeous bike but beset with many problems. You really should be looking at how to produce a machine that does not repeatedly reproduce the same problems over and over again. For a £2000 bike the number one worry for a customer is how much is this going to cost me once the guarantee finishes? To reassure future customers you would need to offer a 5 year guarantee and back your trust in this product. Mine has gone back.
You need to look at the build quality - mine arrived and didn't work out of the box . But the worst thing was your terrible customer service - - what a hassle - eventually after one and a half months we settled on a refund and return of the unit.
I love my 🚴🏽♀️💨NordicTrack S22i + iFit = Priceless 🥇
New subscriber here! I was super excited to see you post this video. I was going back and forth between this bike and the Peloton. Your videos lead me to purchase the Peloton and my bike will be arriving this Thursday. The NordicTrack S22i seems like a solid spin bike, but like you mentioned in one of your Peloton reviews... all the little details of the Peloton such as the live classes and leaderboard helped me make my decision to go for the Peloton. It’s nice that the NordicTrack gives you a free 1 year iFit membership at the time of purchase whereas with the Peloton, you don’t get that. It makes sense though because they offer those live classes everyday. Either way... I think both of these bikes get the job done when it comes to pushing yourself and improving your health, but I’m super excited to be receiving the Peloton. Keep up the awesome reviews, love your channel!!🙌🏼
Thank you so much Kristen! Glad to hear the videos helped you with your decision and that this video helped to verify that decision. You are so right when you said that both bikes can get the job done. It is just a matter of picking that one that is a better fit for you! Congrats on the Peloton and hope you love it (you will)! 😀
If I'm not mistaken, iFit does offer live classes also.
IFit has leaderboards by age and other filters. Plus it captures your stats day by day and weekly.
This is a very solid and honest review! Way to tap on all of the detail! 👍🏾 “Liked” 😬
Thank you so much HeftyLefty24! Much appreciated!
To be perfectly honest, it was a great review. Went with Peloton. Thanks!
Thank you and hope you love your Peloton!
I just bought the Nordic Track S22i. They have improved the motors for the fan and the incline/decline features as I had heard these were very loud and annoying in earlier models. My biggest disappointment was the right crank arm doesn’t extend passed the plastic cover and when I tried to put my XTR pedals on, I was unable to use my pedal wrench. Thankfully my MacGyver husband took the wrench to the shop and cut it down enough so he could seat my pedal. He also had to loosen the plastic cover adjacent that crank arm. So a bit of a design flaw. I asked the rep before I bought it if putting a set of Shimano SPD pedals on was possible...it is BUT, you need MacGyver. Also with Covid, it’s threshold delivery only. If you are a lone female and not a power lifter it’s going to be a very long day of swearing and drinking and you still won’t have the bike together. I watched a video of a Nordic Track female employee assembling the bike in under a few minutes...psych! Don’t watch that video 🤣🤣🤣. I am glad I got this, I live in snow country and I can’t ski all day. Cheers
Glad they have improvements in place and it is working our for you! I had a hard time assembling that bike by myself so I could not imagine if I was smaller. That is probably the heaviest bike I have tested and putting it together was not easy. Good to hear you were able to figure out how to get it setup for you!
Good review, and definitely something to consider for those not yet committed to either the peloton or norditrac. Ive had the S10I norditrac for about 2 years. At this point i would give it a 6 out of 10. Ive had issues like blown bearings in the wheel (twice) finally resolved that issue. Now im dealing with the incline motor not working, so norditrac is sending me a new one. It shouldn't be much of a problem to change out and get the machine going again.
Probably one of the more important issues though is the "live" feature on the classes. Although it is a great addition to be able to join others to see how you compare. Ive done it a couple of times and there is literally 4 to 5 people doing it as well. No i dont mean 4 to 5 hundred, i literally mean 4 to 5 people. Unlike peloton where there are thousands in any given " live" class. Nordictrack falls way way short. Just thought id point that out for those looking for motivation from others in a live class.
Good point as I have not paid too much attention to the volume on live rides of iFit bikes. Glad to hear you have been able to get problems resolved and it running again!
The problem is not resolved and Ifit just informed me they will work on an update. It should be ready in several months. They are horrible
How about the trainers themselves? I have seen a lot of fun, comical and motivational classes on Peloton and was told they are constantly putting out new content. Is this similar or ? I’m worried about spending that kind of $ and losing motivation because it gets boring.
Best, most honest review I have found. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much Elizabeth! Glad to help and I really appreciate your comment! 😀
Great vid!! Thanks!! I am torn between this bike and the ProForm Pro 22. Looking forward to your two model compare/contrast. Thanks again...keep up the great content!!
Much appreciated Mike! I am looking forward to that video!
What did you end up getting?
NordicTrac S22i. Not gonna lie...I love the bike but my wife hates it and wishes I purchased a less expensive model. The screen wobbles when in use...and that drives her crazy!! I've tried to tighten it down to no avail...have actually stripped some of the bolts which has worsened the prob...
@@296capthook I purchased the S22i too!
There was a lot of screen movement when you were riding. I was thinking of this one until I saw that in your video. Thank you
Yup, that is something I was going to point out when I do my Peloton VS Echelon VS S22i video. The bike has some great features, but that is something that I was not a big fan of.
David Pedraza - is there a fix to the screen wobbling? I know this will irritate the hell out of me and this is the only issue I have that prevents me from buying one. The Peloton does not have this problem? Could it be because of the incline/ decline mechanism that is causing the wobble?
I got a lot out of this as I'm looking to buy a spin bike. I was disappointed that this bike doesn't have clip-in pedals, all others at this level do, what the heck? I'd have to go spend another $150 to get pedals for a new spin bike. I was also disappointed that their bike won't connect to Zwift. I know they want to get you connected to their iFit, but if you have a whole community on Zwift, it's hard to go away from it. Good review. Appreciate it.
Glad to help. I agree about the pedals, just don't don't understand how at this price point you don't have clip-ins. I am not aware of any way to connect Zwift but I think this is the case with most integrated solution as, like you said, they want to keep it to their stuff. Good lucking finding the right option for you!
Yes the Peloton has clip in pedals (LOOK Delta) but they are not nearly as universal as SPD clips however. If you already have Shimano SPD shoes/clips (like I did), these pedals www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NORMU4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 work great. These are the ones I bought week or so after having the bike and can flip them over for someone without clips to ride. So yes another $60 purchase for the SPD pedals but even with this add'l cost the bike/software/yearly workout dues are still significantly cheaper than Peloton. When you factor in the one year free of IFit (and $15/mo for single user in 2nd year on) vs the $39/mo right from start of Peloton.
I'm presently steaming over NordicTrack's customer service policies. I bought my S22i exercise bike 13 months ago. We have not used it extensively -- probably 30 to 40 times total in that time. The resistance motor stopped working suddenly two weeks ago. For $2000, you'd think that would not happen so soon. But it's still under the 2-year parts warranty, so I could just order the part for free, right? WRONG. According to the NordicTrac customer service tech, because I did not purchase an extended labor warranty, they refuse to send the part for free, even if I sent them the malfunctioning part so they could confirm that it is not functioning. So here are my three bad options.
Option A: I have to PAY for the part despite my supposed parts warranty, totaling about $65 plus another $30 or so for tax and shipping, and then I install it myself.
Option B: I have to PAY for a service tech to come out ($165 plus other costs) and diagnose the problem as being a motor malfunction (since apparently I am too stupid to diagnose it myself), then the tech would order the part, then I would have to PAY for the tech to come out a second time (about $100 more) after the part gets to him.
Option C: I have to PAY for an extended service plan ($130 or so), but first I would have to PAY ($165 plus) for the tech to come out and inspect the machine for the warranty, plus I would have to PAY ($65) for the part that the tech would order and later install (for "free" since I'd be under the service plan).
So I asked the customer service guy, since we know that it's almost certainly the motor and alternatively it might be one other part, can you just send the tech with those two parts so he can replace the one that is broken on the spot and I don't have to suffer the additional cost of the second tech trip or suffer the extra delay? No, he says, that's not how we do it. I told him that I was disappointed that, although I paid $2000 for a machine that's supposed to be "great quality" and it's supposed to be under a parts warranty, I have to pay through the nose for the part. Then, he had the audacity to say that this was NordicTrac's "sort of punishment" of customers for not buying the extended service plan. I told him that his suggestion that Nordictrac wanted to "punish" customers for not paying more is offensive. He said then, "It's not really punishment. That's just an analogy; it's more like when I child doesn't clean his room, that's what it's like if you don't get the extended plan . . ." So if you don't pay more for an extended warranty after dropping a bundle of cash for a machine that requires continued costs for the subscription, NordicTrac "punishes" you like "a child who hasn't cleaned" his room. The machine is great, when it's working that is, but there is NO WAY I would recommend anyone buy it after this because it should not break after one year and the parts warranty is a sham because of this ridiculous policy. And after 45 minutes on the phone with this guy, guess what he NEVER said: "I'm SORRY the ridiculously expensive bike started malfunctioning so soon after you bought it." But why would I expect a company that expressly sees me as a child who deserves "punishment" for not forking over more cash be the least bit sorry that I'm having a horrible experience with them? For these reasons, I would NOT recommend buying this bike. Bike when it's working: A+; Durability: apparently D; and customer service policy: F.
Not sure if it helps, but our NordicTrack treadmill motor failed twice within 3 months. Turns out you cannot plug a NordicTrack into a standard extension cord (i.e. the thick ones you have in your garage). You need to plug the NordicTrack into a heavy duty appliance extension cord, or directly into a power strip with long cord. Both allow the NordicTrack motors to receive the correct level of power. Failure to do so will cause the motors to burn out.
Thankfully NordicTrack replaced the motors no questions asked, but it was user error on my part for using the wrong extension cord. I've been running my treadmill for a year on the correct cord with no issues
You know what did it for me. The Nordictrack rocking back and forth while you rode it..I spin in a studio and I can't stand when my bike rocks.! I would really love a SoulCycle bike compared to the peloton! I'm torn between the two so far SoulCycle doesn't have the kind of library peloton has and also has no live rides due to COVID but I've heard there going to add those things in... but I've ridden at soul and truly loved the energy the pack like energy. IDK if they can give that from a screen though I've heard their videotaping the classes is so much better than peloton. LOL as you can see I need an educated review!!!! please!!!
I tried Brooke! SoulCycle does not deliver where I live. I even tried to reach out to them and see if we could get a special delivery for the sake of a review and they couldn't! I keep checking but they still don't ship to me... 😰
LearnWithTravis don't worry ill wait haha these are pricey investments and I want the best one! Thanks so much!
Haha! Sounds good!
Very informative review....thanks
Glad it was helpful!
I peloton bike and a Nordic track treadmill. (I wish I had the same brand for both). the treadmill does the automatic incline and decline too during the rides. You are right where you said it is crazy loud. Also you are right saying the scenic routes are awesome. I've been to the Switzerland mountains and I also was able to run in my old neighborhood. it's pretty cool but where you make your own course it is using like Google maps so it's moving pictures
Very nice. Those scenic rides were an awesome option for me. Glad to hear I am not the only one who likes them so much. I have not played with the map you own route too much yet. Will need to give that a chance! Thanks Joshua!
We just purchased the S22i and your review is spot on. Thanks. Especially the seat. I have a couple extra seats and plan to swap it out. I actually like the pedals because they are universal if you have a family riding you don't need to drop a lot of cash on shoes and cleats up front.
Great to hear Ovide and happy to hear everything is working out well!
I love your reviews, your attention to even the smallest details are things that I think of but not a lot of other reviewers focus on!! Like another person requested I'm hoping you review the SoulCycle bike as well. Already had decided on the Peloton based on your reviews right around when the pandemic hit but may hold off depending on if you decide to review the SoulCycle bike. If I do buy the Peloton I'm definitely going use your referral code that you gave one of the other commenters! Thank you for your great reviews! :)
Thank you so much Peggy and thanks for grabbing my referral code! I have a few bikes I really want to get to and the SoulCycle is one of those. I have not ordered it yet and not sure what the delay in shipping is, so I imagine the review is still a ways out... but I want to do it!
Is it better to purchase the bike from Nordictrack or from Amazon? Why?
I’m debating which do I order the S22i model from. What kind or type of floor mat do you recommend to place the bike on?
Have been going back and forth on which bike to start with and I think this video sold me on the Nordictrack option. Thanks Travis!
Glad it helped! I am very big on picking the bike that has the features that will motivate you. That being said, you do need to take some safety measures with NordicTrack. I would suggest watching this to understand what I mean: ua-cam.com/video/CPfsaO9cYvA/v-deo.html
Not trying to talk you out of it because it has some great features. Just want to make sure you safeguard yourself!
On seat comfort: your saddle is tipped way up in front, which may make it extremely uncomfortable. There should be an adjustment for the seat pitch (angle up or down, front to back). Highly suggest checking that out!
Yeah, that is partially my fault and I need to take that more serious. As I am reviewing and not keeping long term, I don't get too serious about the seat positioning. I should though and good point. The seat still did not seem as comfortable itself, but you are right on and I will work to get them more tuned before I start my testing. Thanks J K!
LearnWithTravis thanks!
Enjoyed your review, Travis. I seriously considered this bike during COVID-19 as I felt the need to get a spin bike and get a great cardio work out in my home. My main issue with it was that it doesn't seem to me that it will hold up well over time with all of those electronic motors included on it. And after trying it out, I did feel it was very noisy. The scenic rides were a big selling point for me, but that wasn't enough at this price point to sway me to buy. So I went with the MYXfitness spin bike instead. The value with MYX is incredible right now. I hope you will add the MYX bike to your list and do a review of that bike as well.
Great to know! The MYX is on my list, so hopefully I will be able to get to it soon! Thanks Irena and glad you found an option that works so well for you!
LearnWithTravis you can borrow mine if your close to NyC area lol 😂 I did a review on my page too
Very nice! Will check it out. Yeah, Michigan to NYC might be a hike! 😀
@@AngelsTravelUnravel Angel your review on UA-cam is the best on the MYX bike so far. Look forward to your updated one. :)
Good review with two discrepancies. Cyclist know that the firmer the seat, the longer the ride. Cushy seats equal pain and short rides. Also, clip-less pedals should not be included. Each person has different tastes and requirements for pedals and shoes and I would rather buy them myself than pay for pedals I won’t use. The machine should, and does, only include cheap, consumer grade pedals. Much better idea, IMO, I can save money buying my own. Really good review. You sold at least one more for them. Thanks.
Thanks Rich. I can't remember what I said in the video but that seat is much like most of the others but for some reason it does not feel like the others. Glad the video helped. I am hearing that their is a newer model out that fixes some of the known problems. I would try to make sure you are getting that version. Good luck!
I just bought one of these! I'm in Wisconsin and bought through Johnson Fitness which has a backlog of 2 months!!! So now all I can do is watch videos. I am so excited. Thanks for the great review. Since it is June 12... I should have plenty of time to ride outside before I need it!
Very nice! Being from Michigan, enjoy your couple months of being outside and then hit up your new S22i when the weather goes south! Sounds like perfect timing!
You are going to love it! Let us know what you think.
I guess I'll start using mine (I have a Nordic bike)
Make it happen! 😀
Lol, just finished working out on these and saw you posted video! I love this bike! These bike is a beast
Haha. That is funny. And the bike really is a beast. That resistance is no joke!
Yes! We completely agree. What is your favorite ride?
@@nordictrack My favorite ride are always the classes
This was the most helpful video on seeing the pros and cons between the bikes. Thank you!
Glad to help Edgar! Thanks for the kind words!
One major comparison that is important to mention is Peloton offers a full refund within 30 days and Nordictrack charges $500 plus 10% restocking fee. It would make more sense to tryout the peloton first and get your money back instead of trying out the Nordictrack first and getting stuck with it.
Great review. I just received my bike three weeks ago. Unfortunately, it came defective out of the box -- won't power on. Have spent many hours on the phone with NordicTrack customer service. They finally sent me a new power cord and switch, which arrived yesterday. But they're not sure if that's the problem. Now waiting on a technician to come and do the repair. So the bike continues to sit as it has done for several weeks. Sigh.
Get a refund
@@rubenregal4849 Wish I could. They charge you $250 to ship it back, plus a 10 percent restocking fee, and you have to eat the original cost of the shipping that you've already paid -- even for a non-working bike (because it's under warranty).
Sorry to hear that Pete. I was going to recommend getting the last return date, but then I saw your comments about their return policy. Hopefully it gets fixed and this is a distant memory soon.. but if they can't fix it and you are stuck, I would not accept those charges. Hopefully they do the right thing.
@@petelarmey8845 talk to your credit card company about that. From what i understand restocking fee if you're not satisfied but you want to return because it's defective. If i were in your shoes I would cut my losses and lose a little money rather than get stuck with a bike and not be happy with their service. Other option is get it repaired and sell it close to the price you paid for it. A lot of people looking for home equipment.
@@rubenregal4849 Yeah, I definitely considered that (cutting my losses). Might come to that, actually. Right now they're sending me two parts which are of course backordered. But as soon as they come in I've got a repairman lined up to take a look at it. Bike looks fantastic per Travis's review but the customer service has been horrendous. Even if I get it fixed I don't know if I'm willing to deal with it longterm, especially if issues come up later.
Got mine. Love it!
Wonderful! Congrats!
Thanks for the review! Do you have a link for your floor mats?
My pleasure! This is what I got: www.rubberflooringinc.com/rubber-roll/commercial-rubber-roll.html
I never leave comments but I had to for the Nordictrack S22i Studio Cycle. On paper it was better than the Peloton, my wife had one but I liked the tilting/swiveling monitor and the live rides led by an instructor through cities, etc. I had to pay for shipping but got a military discount and had to assemble the bike myself. It was still cheaper than the Peloton with an extended warranty. Got the bike set up, hopped on it and the cranks made a squeaking noise. Also the monitor is mounted on a circular tube which gets inserted into the neck of the frame. I noticed if I stood up the monitor shakes, alot. I thought it needed to be tightened but it was the whole bike. I talked to support and they said that sometimes the cranks need to be broken in and can make a little noise. I didnt pay over 2000 for a bike that makes noise and a monitor that shakes. The bike is on a level floor and is very sturdy. When I talked to the sales rep they told me I had 30 days to try it and if I didnt like it I would have to pay the return shipping. I didnt like that but was fine. What my sales rep didnt tell me was the 10% restocking fee, so that the return would cost me $500 total. I never would have bought it knowing it would cost that much to return. My wife's Peloton was delivered and set up as part of the price and returns are free. If you get the Nordictrack S22i make sure you 100% love it. The classes on the Peloton are so much better as well, the outdoor rides are cool on the Nordictrack but they dont have music, just the instructor talking. I will never buy Nordictrack again, they got me once but not again. Their equipment is nice but the deceptive tactics are BS. I have the Peloton Bike + coming in a few weeks, having used my wife's I am very excited. Just beware and read the fine print so you dont get screwed like I did.
Thanks for sharing Mike and sorry you were on the wrong side of a NordicTrack issue. That is why I have videos discussing this, Hope you love the Bike+.
Thank you for the review. I'm still trying to decide which bike I want.
Loved the honesty in the review.
Thanks Lynn! Had some setbacks but working hard to get the peloton s22i echelon review which might help you out! Stay tuned!
Thanks Tosh! Useful review
.O
Does it have a lip where I can lay my cigarette?
Looks super wobbly
That was the original model. I recently tested the S27i and it much improved. It also has a little bit of wobble on purpose because the incline decline allows for some movement.
Great review, thank you! My boyfriend and I have been searching for bikes for 2 months now and your today, your videos have helped so much. I was looking at the Nordic Grand Tour which seems really similar to this, and the IC4 - and have already owned a Sunny bike that broke. I didn't realize how noisy the resistance or incline feature would be. And honestly, I got a little seasick watching the video going through the forest, can't imagine how it would feel actually on the bike with the auto incline! So that's making me second guess the Nordic. I think I'm getting closer to making a decision, can't wait to get moving again!
Thanks Brooke! Glad to hear the videos are helping and that you are close getting moving! While certain features of the NordicTrack are nice (great resistance\incline & decline\ scenic rides) if incline\decline or scenic rides don't really speak to you, I would personally go with a different option. Great fit if those are the features for you, if not... other bikes are probably a better fit. Good luck with your decision and hope you love it!
The incline and decline adds such realism and unlike peloton, you’re not hand cranking resistance. With NordicTrack trainers they do it for you, and you always have the ability to increase and decrease. Damn great review. The filter is not that good.
@@Learnwithtravis ،: دردب. زرالللبيضضشررزززد
Thanks for the detailed awesome review.
My pleasure. Thanks Mike!
I have had my Sunny for a week and it is okay but no where near what I need so I just ordered the S22i off of Amazon. I am selling the Sunny now which will be no problem on eBay because of the pandemic. I got it on Amazon and it will only take 1 week to deliver and it is free delivery. $200 more on directly from Nordictrack so I took those savings and got SPD pedals and a Bluetooth transmitter to connect to my Beats headphones. I think the scenic rides sold me on this bike.
Nice! You are just too much for the Sunny John! I am glad to hear you got it off Amazon as they are often sold out. I like the S22i, but one thing I am learning is that they have a higher chance of problems which usually seem to show earlier on. What I am hearing is the Nordictrack return policy is terrible, so glad to hear you got it from Amazon and can use their policy is need be. Hopefully you get a good one because if you do, they are nice bikes!
LearnWithTravis I am getting a new saddle too because you and everyone is saying the saddle is rough. I wear cycling shorts with padding when I spin.
Probably not a bad idea. You might get used to it, but a better one sure isn't going to hurt.
LearnWithTravis Today I got the S22i and did my first workout. It was a climb and tough but I loved it. It was awesome and money well spent. I was sweating like crazy for 31 minutes.
I wanted this bike bad. Unfortunately under 3 months of use, my contol board went out. I called NT and they sent me a part that took over a month to arrive. During that time of waiting for part, I was fortunate to have the store I purchased from to allow me to exchange it. I decided to go with the Echelon instead without the screen. Once the electronics go out on NT bike there is no way of using. The cadence, watts, incline, and resistence will no longer work. Though the computerized adjustments is what sold me, I quickly saw and experienced what will be a freaking headache if something went wrong. Once a electrical failure occurs there is no way to use the bike. Since owning the Echelon, I do miss the quality and quantity of the scenic rides available compared to Echelon and Peleton library. Hands down Ifit has the best scenic rides!
Sorry to hear that but glad to hear you were able to figure out a way to get it returned and not be in a bad spot. I hope you are happy with your new setup. If you decide to change, the Stryde could be a good fit for you. Better price point than the S22i but can still do iFit based content and more. Have a good one Chanlani!
My doctor said I have high blood pressure and need to exercise more. Thinking about buying this. Would it help to lower blood pressure?
I am not a doctor so I can’t say if it will or will not but generally exercise and a healthy diet seem to be regarded as very positive steps in correcting blood pressure. If your doctor recommended exercise, bikes like this provide fantastic exercise. If you get it, I hope it helps!
Hey Travis are you going to be reviewing the 2022 version? If so, when? Thanks
I just bought the 2021 products so I am trying to get NordicTrack to send them over. If you could do the following it would help and I will get a review out real quick: Email travis.cox@ifit.com - Subject - 2022 Product Reviews by LearnWithTravis Body - Something about you need to see 2022 reviews by LearnWithTravis before you purchase. :-)
Very helpful and thank you very much helped me make my decision.
Great to hear and glad to help Ken!
Bet thing out there.. changes on it on
Can you use the screen for TV and games or is it inoperable if you dont continue their service?
As it is built no... But you can get into an admin mode and do Android stuff. I have not played with that but I know people have done some stuff like that.
In the market for a indoor bike to keep in mountain bike shape I like the idea of outdoor scenic rides. should I get the peloton or the norictrack??
If scenic rides are your thing, iFit rides are better for that. A few options: 1 - Nordictrack S22i, this includes all the features including incline\decline but has some risks (watch my pros and cons video), 2 - Pro-Form Studio Pro 22, this is basically same bike with a few features removed but those same iFit based scenic rides (if you don't require incline\decline I would go with this one over the S22i), 3 - Stryde - This is an unlocked bike so you can load both iFit and Peloton to bounce between content providers and also use UA-cam, NetFlix, and apps like that. You will lose a few features like the auto-follow but have way more control to use it your way. Hope that helps!
Pros & Cons: ua-cam.com/video/CPfsaO9cYvA/v-deo.html
Pro-Form: ua-cam.com/video/iLmygpOvjhI/v-deo.html
Stryde: ua-cam.com/video/DIN_WWCmFCI/v-deo.html
3 pound weights... I thought those only came in pink. Great review. Thx.
NP - Those came with the bike.
3 lbs doesn't sound like a lot until the 6th set of 20 bro
@@yonpark6245 it was a joke, "bro"
@@sqd8r casual misogyny is only funny to bros, dude.
@@yonpark6245 Casual virtue signaling is only acknowledge by guy's trying too hard. Nowhere did I saw anything about women. Who's being misogynistic now? Plenty of men, including myself, wear pink. Take your faux shaming elsewhere or embrace the suck. Your choice "bro".
See the camera on the monitor/display? Yeah I did too - apparently they say it isn't used for anything. I covered it anyhow.
Don’t blame ya. Do the same thing with my laptops.
Do these bikes measure power?
Are these bikes compatible with Zwift, Rouvy, or RGT cycling?
No. The Velocore has a limited ability to use Zwift but it is through cadence sensor output not a power meter.
Good review thanks 👍
My pleasure. Thank you!
Is it only the incline/decline that is changing automatically, when doin a class - or is it also the "level" in general?¨
I am not at home to refresh my memory but almost certain both change.
The initial price difference between the Nordictrack and Peloton is just the beginning. The S22i comes with a full year of Ifit for the initial $2000 price. The Peloton doesn't include it's service, and it costs a whopping $39 a month too. So at the beginning of that second year of ownership, you've almost spent $3000 for the Peloton.
Thanks for the video. Quick question: How realistic are the scenic rides with the instructor? Do they stop if you stop or is it just a ride video you try to keep up with?
I don't have my S22i anymore to be current on the answer, but I don't believe it does that. They don't slow down and speed up with you as it is pre-recorded and they talk to you through the ride. Although, if you stop pedaling, they will pause the ride until you resume. Outside of that, I thought they did a good job making it feel realistic. They rotate the view but stick to a lot of the instructor riding in front of you and looking back to talk. This makes it feel like you are riding with them and following along the trail. I really liked that.
Basically a ride video for you to keep up. But if you stop the bike, it’s pauses the workout. Honestly though, it’s one of my favorite things about the bike and the reason I purchased it over the Peloton.
Would you spend the extra money over the IC4?
IC4 and S22i bikes are very different. IC4 is a pair your own device bike and use it how you want. (Peloton App\Zwift) S22i is a all in one iFit solution. I would probably need more information to understand what your interests are to best recommend a bike, but if I were to upgrade the IC4, I would go with Stryde. Better bike with attached monitor that can do both iFit and Peloton plus more.
What studio cycle would you recommend for a budget of $1,000 -$1,500? I’m a road biker but have been disconnected for a couple of years due to young kids. Looking to get back in it during these Midwest winter months. Everything I seem to look at buying has terrible reviews with quality and/or tech issues. Was just eying up the new Proform Studio Pro 22 bike. Based on reviews I think the iFit instructor assisted scenic rides would be a nice feature.
There are a lot of bikes out there and from my testing, most seem to be very solid options. What I generally do, is recommend the bike that has the features that match your interests. Going off the fact that you enjoy road biking, iFit enabled bikes are probably going to be the best. While other bikes have better studio based content, iFit has the best scenic rides (they are instructor led). I just ordered it, but probably will not receive it for a while is the Proform 22. It looks like a very good option that gets you an iFit bike in your price range. Another bike I would consider is the Stryde. My guess is the Proform is more build to support iFit, but Stryde still does a pretty good job but offers the flexibility to load other types of content (Peloton, Netflix, etc..) to mix it up if that sounds interesting to you. ua-cam.com/video/DIN_WWCmFCI/v-deo.html
@@Learnwithtravis thank you! I’m looking into the Stryde now and like the open platform. Question on that though, to my understanding the Proform Pro bike with IFit will auto adjust the resistance. If that’s correct will it also do that if using the iFit app on the Stryde bike?
@@sparkyap21 No problem! No, that would be an advantage of going with Proform.
What was the brand of bike you referenced in the video when it panned to the corner?
It was the Peloton... the gold standard when it comes to studio rides.
Travis thanks so much for the content you put out. Really helped us choose a bike. Gonna pass this along to my mother in law as she’s looking decoding between the NordicTrack or peloton. Keep putting out there great vids 👍🏼
Thank you so much Rick and glad to hear the videos were a help! Hope the mother-in-law can find something she is happy with!
LearnWithTravis do you have an IG account where you post similar content ?????
No... but have been seriously considering starting one. Stay tuned as I would not be surprised if I do that soon. 😀
I was wondering what fitness machine/bike your mother in law decided upon.
@@t.s.5206 me too, as I’m in that age bracket 😁 and new to getting fit.
Enjoying your content. Thx
Thanks for watching! Much appreciated emaxulit1!
I apologize if this has been asked before but going through a bunch of comments and I can’t seem to find anything about the Google maps feature of this bike. Did you ever map out a ride and use it on the bike? As this may be the stand out feature for my personal use, The ability to ride routes that I create or in some cases re-create is very appealing. Perhaps routes that I enjoy and can train on during the winter or perhaps get routes for upcoming cycling events and being able to create that and know what I need to train for sounds very promising. I did not see anything in your video regarding this feature and I’m curious if you ever used it and had any problems with it.
I think I lightly covered it in the video below. It is sort of like Google Maps when you are looking at street view. You can click down the road and a new image loads. It is not video but images along the route.
ua-cam.com/video/iLmygpOvjhI/v-deo.html
@@Learnwithtravis Are there resistance changes as your mapped route changes? I’m not necessarily interested in seeing the scenery along the route. I am more interested in getting to elevation gains along the plotted route and feeling the increase in resistance and being able to adjust the “gearing” to compensate. Basically, mimicking an outdoor ride while on the trainer
Hi I am 150cm short legs and short arms which bike is better for that kind of body. Thank you .
I think I covered it a bit in the video linked below but generally I would look for bikes that are 4-way adjustable. This means you pull the seat in and handlebars towards you.
ua-cam.com/video/fv_mvHXnJQQ/v-deo.html
Sorry if this has been asked... does the screen swivel so you can see it when facing the side of the bike?
It does!
Is this as good as the peloton + , thanks 🏴👍
A little tricky to answer. I do have other videos on this bike so check it out. This bike has a lot of love and hate as people love the features and content (Scenic rides) but is also known to be problematic with poor customer support. If you think scenic rides are your thing, this bike is worth considering as it is really built for that experience. If you think studio rides, metrics, and competition are more your thing, I would lean towards the Bike+.
Thanks mate 👍
Can you turn the incline off completely? I'm over the weight limit and i think its going to put a lot of wear and tear on that incline motor and dont want to break it so it would be really nice to turn it off.
I sold my S22i but have a new one on the way (testing newer model). So I can’t test if you can completely turn it off right now. But I do know you can turn it off each ride very easily. Basically you can take manual control over incline and then there is an option to give it back to the instructor. So you should be able to do what you want pretty easily.
Can you do the scenic rides without a subscription?
This is probably the best way to answer: ua-cam.com/video/byqyW1RI3HI/v-deo.html
😀
IFIT has improved in streaming, features, and added classes (Bluetooth audio, and added music). IMHO It"s better, not perfect but the outdoor content has been motivating. I do wish they could innovate something new with the studio rides. I was able to message from my phone a live question to a LIVE studio class instructor and they took my question. I'm on the Costco S10i with smaller screen. Worth cost savings as I can out to projector with HDMi cable. I also like that I don't have a resistance dial and instant resistance changes.
Good to hear you are noticing improvements. It is not terrible and it gets the job done, but always feels a step behind most of the other bike. Sounds like you have a pretty neat setup!
Hey Travis - can you comment on using the iFit feature and creating/using a route? I'm told that on the NordicTrack treadmills that this works great and it seems like it would be a worthwhile feature here on the bike as well with the ability to be riding looking on Google Maps using a street view. Have you tried that yet? Have you discussed it on any other videos for the S22i?
Hey Erik. Sorry for the delay. I had to replace the monitor on my S22i before I could test this for you. Seemed to work great. It pulls up a google maps like view and you set the points you want to ride and it then shows images of the locations you marked. It was pretty neat. I rode right past my house!
Thank you for this!
Glad to help!
Thank you for your review I watched them all. I just got my nordictreck s22i. I can not find the on and off switch. Does it have one? Do I just unplug it? Or does it turn off on its own? Thanks!
So the silver plate behind the pedals... behind the back of that there is a switch hidden back there. Hope that helps!
@@Learnwithtravis I looked everywhere no switch. The only thing I found where you told me to look is where the power cord goes.
It may have changed since my model, but if you want to... send me an email at learnwithtravisyt@gmail.com and I will try to send you a picture.
What size is the seat? 8.5-10 inches or 10-11.05 inches?
Nice review thank you. Also a question, I'm retired Navy and used to ride about 60-80 miles a week outdoors. My wife is 72 and I'm 75 now and very interested in the S22i however, does the iFit have 'easier ride' videos for seniors,' not going up and down mountain traiils or intense workouts. We can ride here in our winter home in Florida fine, outside, since its flat but in our summer home, in Pittsburgh area but the hills are killers for us at our age so want to consider a spin bike. Any help appreciated.
Thank you Tom. They do have an intensity filter with levels going from 1 to 7 so you should be able to filter down to what you are comfortable with. If inclines and declines are something you are looking to avoid, you may want to look at the Pro-Form Studio Pro 22. Very close to this bike but without incline\decline saving you some money and also is a new release. Hope that helps and good luck!
@@Learnwithtravis thank you Travis.
I'm sorry if this is redundant, but I didn't see it mentioned in my read of the comments. I noticed you have a low ceiling where you have your bike which is what we have. What kind of clearance would you need for the incline for some who is about 5'10"?
I am 6'3" and would guess the ceiling in that room is a little over 7'. I don't think the incline actually changes your ride height on that bike too much. So, my guess is most lower ceiling work as I tested with a pretty low one!
How does this compare with the Keiser M3i? Am a beginner looking into Keiser M3i, Peloton?
I have not tested the Keiser (yet), but I know people that have commented love it. From what I understand it is a top tier bike that should be near the top in all categories. As far as the S22i, it wins in the scenic route category. If that is your thing, this might be worth considering. After that, the Peloton probably wins most categories vs the S22i. Some of this depends on if you want a bike where you get their solution\screen\software (S22i\Peloton) or the Keiser where you can configure it how you want but don't get those options out of the box. Hope that helps!
@@Learnwithtravis very helpful and thanks for the prompt response. I'm more attracted to having my media options more flexible than being locked down. That is what led me to the M3I. Hope you can get a chance to test it or link a review from some of your peers for their perspective.
the new model has improved the video to 1080. Bluetooth connectivity is now included. the rotating monitor is win over Peloton for being able to get off the bike for floor exercises and turn the monitor to face you. you can turn off the incline/decline feature when you need quiet. I'll have my headphones on listening to the ride/music so I won't care anyway.
I noticed the sway.... maybe should add Sway as a category on your review comparisons - sway/stability
Yup, was planning on it including that! :)
I agree adding that would help at lot, that’s a major factor for me. I got the peloton b/c I saw a lot of complaints about the wobble on this bike.