Travis, May I have your personal recommendation. What at home bike do you feel is the closest rated to Peloton without a screen display? I’m looking at tension and sturdiness of the bike. I think I prefer to subscribe to a trainer’s app and watch on tv as I ride. I looking for a bike below $1000. I own a peloton but am doing the 30 day return, two main reasons the handle bars do not move forward and back and spin class selection of music.
Desha Esperon ! I missed your comment and I am so sorry! I just noticed. Hopefully you figured out a great option, but if not, I have videos about the IC4 and Sunny bikes. I would recommend those with the Peloton app (if you enjoyed the peloton experience) Thanks!
I've had my Echelon Bike for several weeks now. No issues. And Echelon does use a wire to connect the bike to the screen now. Initially ordered a Peloton waited 11 weeks for delivery then the day they were supposed to deliver they called and said they couldn't deliver the bike due to inventory problems. That was on January 13 2021. And then they said they couldn't deliver the bike until April 22 2021. I was annoyed but initially agreed to wait. Then for some reason I decided to check their ratings on the Better Business Bureau and they were dismal. I read through some of them and most spoke to the same issue that I had, they sold me a bike that they didn't have. Oh and by the way they had already started taking my money. In any event I ended up cancelling the order and buying the Echelon bike. I saved $1100 by doing so and am very pleased with the performance of it. Hope this helps someone along their way. Cheers.
Great feedback Ken and thank you for sharing! I love posts like this because it does help others make a more informed decision and have more examples to reference. Glad to hear they are using a cable now because that resolves my largest concern. So goo to hear it is working well, you saved money, and... you have it! Have a good one!
Thx for the review. Based in part on your review I bought the Echelon Connect 5s and couldn’t be more pleased. I’m 6’4” and very comfortable. I came from the Expresso (more upright) and this is way more solid.
I have a gen 1 peloton and learned the hard way that the best option is to buy equipment that uses external tablets. The gen 1 peloton is so laggy that getting through rides is a chore. If you use an external tablet, you can more easily keep it current without spending a ridiculous amount of money. In addition to the peloton I have an echelon rower and love it. I don't feel like using a generic tablet takes away from the experience. I will likely switch to an echelon bike because I tend to like the smaller class sizes echelon has which allows for more interaction with the trainers like you used to get from peloton. I was leaning towards the ex5 since it was their highest end model without a built in display.
I did not realize the gen 1 Peloton was that way! I was on an Echelon ride today and instructor called out and talked to someone for a while about their health plan. Surprised me as you would not get that with Peloton. Not saying it is standard, but gave it that smaller class size feel you mentioned. Hope whatever you end up getting works out perfect for you!
CaitlinAlexis ask customer service if they can send you the newest monitor. I've talked to some Peloton members with a Gen 1 monitor and they said customer service sent them the newest monitor free of charge. For all generations the bikes are the same. The only upgrade was the monitor, it's faster speed. And just so you know currently peloton gen 1 bikes are selling for the same price as a new model because people don't want to wait 8 weeks for the bike. Peloton bikes hold their value.
Just some info for your viewers about my current experience. I purchased the ex7s. Put it together, like you said, simple enough. There are three different cables that hard-wire through the handle bars and come out the front and plug in to the back of the monitor. However, there is still a blue tooth connection because when you turn it on a blue light blinks to pair mode. Everything seemed to be syncing fine, entered a ride and turned resistance knob, the number on the screen increased but not physically easier/harder to pedal. Called support and they sent links to get into admin screens as mentioned in your other comments, but it won't even go into the screen they say it is supposed to so you can make the changes they suggest. I emailed the support person back this morning and got no response today, so I'll try back tomorrow. This is not turning out to be a good experience in my opinion, and judging from the other comments I wonder if I should just return, get my money back, and try for Peleton.
Wow. I am surprised. I really thought they would fix that issue for the next model because it was such a problem for so many people and they don't seem to have a good fix. That is really too bad. Hope it works out Clint but if they can't fix that quickly I would start to get a little nervous. (Being brand new and they can't easy fix an issue known about for a long time)
@@Learnwithtravis Update on my ex7 problem. I got back in touch with support and they were able to determine there was a problem with the bike itself. They sent me another bike, received it within a week and it is working fine so far after about a week's use. Fingers crossed. Told me to put broken bike in the box the new bike came in and return. They emailed me a return shipping label, took to FedEx, they printed out and accepted with no problems, very easy. So if the bike continues to function properly I'm a satisfied customer and would recommend them. I'll update if anything changes.
I've been researching the echelon for a few now and this is is the first time I've heard about these connectivity problems. Thanks for the balanced review.
Watched a ton of your videos before I eventually bought my peloton. This just reinforced the decision as I was initially going to buy an echelon... but ended up splurging on the Peloton. Thank you very much, I really appreciate the genuine reviews and different tips and tricks you provide in your videos. :)
Omg be so happy you got peloton, had echelon bike for 3 months loved it and one day pedal thread stripped going into flywheel no way to replace, imagine shipping it back so heavy !! Loved it but quality isn’t there
I ordered my echelon 2 weeks ago and it came 4 days ago. Honey plugin saved me 300 dollars on 1 year, the ex 5s, and shoes and I got the whole package after the honey thing for 1600 delivered. when I put it together there was a weird line down the screen. I sent a picture and a text message to echelon and they overnighted me a new screen with a box to ship this one back in. I have had nothing but a great experience with them so far.
Hey Jay, We have had our Echeleon since January. The bike is solid but the software is not all good. I enjoy live classes but the leaderboard results leave me with plenty of questions. I have tried the "Friends" tab. many times trying to reach out to other riders. I have not had a single reply back. What is you experience?
Great video Travis, I've watched this several times and the same with several of your other bike reviews and found them all very helpful. I definitely think it would be beneficial if you were able to re-visit bikes a year down the line, get the newer/upgraded model, and see whether the initial review still holds mustard or whether issues have been ironed out. Sadly Peloton do not deliver where I live and out of all the bikes you review I think I am limited to Echelon or NordicTrack. I'm drawn to the EX5S but my primary concern is potentially dropping upwards of £1,600+ on something and running in to issues that take weeks or even MONTHS to fix. I expect a lot of your YT community is US based and a lot of the negative reviews across the internet seem to be from US consumers. Hopefully the UK customer service is a step-up, although the real hope would be that Echelon (or anyone I guess) could produce a bike that just... worked...? :D
Thank you Matthew! I just sold my EX5-s (running out of room and want to do more reviews) but I might get the 7 down the road as I agree with you and want to provide updates as they bikes improve. I hope the support is better over there as well. I know I do get comments from time to time with people being frustrated as the lack up support and follow-through. There have been a lot of app updates since I reviewed, so I would hope they have dramatically improved the reliability and platform. Good luck!
Your reviews of this bike are spot on! I made the leap and purchased this model after watching this and the "Battle Royal" reviews. The bike quality is very sturdy and it very solid. I was pretty happy with the bike until I came across the dreaded Bluetooth issue. The Bluetooth has been constantly disconnecting from the bike (very annoying). I was hoping this would be fixed by the time I made the purchase last month. Your other comment about the resistance level of the bike is minimal but it left me thinking, "Is this the hardest?" With the rollout of the Peloton Bike+ and the price drop of the older model, I have decided to return this and go with the Peloton (not the Bike+). If I'm spending $2000, I want the equipment to work and not have to "fix" it.
Well, I am happy my review was accurate but sad to hear you dealt with problems. Honestly, I thought they fixed that issue but I am getting comments lately saying they all had issues like this. Too bad because like you said, it seems to be a solid product. Regardless, hope the Peloton works out for you and you love it! Thank you so much Ernest!
Not a one off issue with connectivity. Just got our Echelon Mid January 2021 , having issues as well. Bluetooth to Apple Beats NFG, and internet wireless connection. Wireless Speed test beside unit 75 MBPS. Calling Echelon tech tomorrow hopefully they have a fix!
If you don't mind, let me know what the outcome is. I have not heard the best things about their support in the comments and I am curious how they handle this. Thanks!
@@Learnwithtravis After a bit of unhelpful chatter via messenger with an uninformed agent they sent me a phone number. Within 5 minutes I was talking to a real person who did her best. She must have been a new hire as she was being coached , I heard all the answers twice!! After 90 minutes they said they will be sending me a new tablet. One interesting statement from them was that the unit works off 2.4G wireless network . I have a dual band wireless boost that provides 5 g network as well. Really hoping the tablet is the issue as the bike is solid and the classes we have participated in have been great.
Glad you are at least making progress. Replacing the tablet fixed my S22i and it looks like that is what will fix my Velocore. I don’t think all those components like being shipped. Hope this does the trick!
@@Learnwithtravis We are over 4 weeks for the replacement tablet. Nothing yet. Contacted Echeleon , they have their excuses, They cannot give me any shipping date. We are RETURNING the unit, too bad because the bike is good. Far too many issues with connection, tablet and software.
I got the Echelon "sport" connect from Walmart and it was on sale for $299!!!! (normally $599 which is not bad) VERY STURDY and rides great. I use the Peloton App $12/mo and free month and the Echelon app for cadence and resistance under "freestyle ride" without a monthly sub. Had it a month and i think its great- have done over 30 Peloton rides and had a month. Lost inches already- feelin good. What a great price considering the website Echelon's are way more expensive. Quiet, super sturdy, and i use the conversion chart for resistance u can find on internet.
Your bike reviews have been so helpful and are definitely steering us towards the Peloton. Thank you so much for these in-depth reviews. Best of all the videos we have checked out!
Have an Echelon Sport and had a few BT connectivitiy issue but most have been fixed with just resetting the bike. Since it doesn't have a hard wired in screen and I use my iPad Air a good thing is I can cast/mirror the screen onto my Smart TV across the room so much bigger picture and that works well. Also if you have iPad and Iphone or smartphone you can hack and take Peloton classes also using the echelon bike. Peloton classes seem a bit more polished and mature but hope Echelon will catch up! Great review.
I've had the Echelon ex-5s for a week here's my take: Bike was most likely returned as the weights were missing and the monitor had some light scratches, there is also a sound coming from the flywheel that disappears when peddling backwards (Echelon is sending me a new drive belt), I love that the handlebars are adjustable that alone is enough for me to choose this bike over the Peleton, the videos on the Echelon app are of varying degrees of quality but the screen itself is capable of HD 1080 and the TH-cam videos on it are quite nice, (If you want a better tablet with 4k be prepared to spend $1000 just for that plus the cost of a spin bike), I have no issues with the instructors as compared to those on Peleton (I have the Peleton app running on my Echelon so have been able to compare yes hacked tablet), As one who has been spinning for decades now no one would be disappointed by the quality of the workout on this bike even if they just used the Echelon app. As for the cost of the bike it's justified because as I mentioned earlier large tablets are very expensive and I need the monitor on the bike as there is no place to hang a TV where I have the bike. All in all satisfied with the purchase and best of all it arrived in two days after placing the order the Peleton would have taken three months!
Wow, that is a quick delivery! Glad things are mostly working out and you are happy with it. Very true that the cost of the attached monitors are no joke and are a big part of the overall cost. Hope you continue to enjoy the bike!
Your video is SO informative and you are so educated. It’s making me think I’ve been mispronouncing the word “Echelon” all this time. 😀 Most everyone else pronounces it with a soft ch sound (sh) but I’m trusting how you say it after watching this video 😍. Great vid!!
Haha. Thank you so much Justin! I have actually never look looked it up so it is possible I have been saying it wrong this whole time! Thank you for the nice comments and hope you have a great day!
Ive had some of the nordictrack ifit stuff. Hated it. The app and software was terrible, very buggy. Many times it took me 15 minutes to start a workout. Build quality seemed suspect and support was a headache. Not to mention that twice it wouldn't take software updates. Peloton software, hardware, design are the rolls royce imo. Not to mention I think their production and instructors are next level. Haven't had any echelon stuff, but I'm all on board with peloton for many reasons. The best workout investment you can make is something that you will use. Peloton gives me that in spades.
@@Jason-zm4xq Echelon workouts are equally as good, at least I think so...in the end though, it's you who has to put the work in. I'm finding that these days I feel that I push myself harder and get the best workouts going at it myself. The instruction guided workouts were good for the first 3-4 months.
Thank you, I really love your review. I've been trying to decide whether to buy the peliton vs the echelon. I'm going to hold off and come back and watch your reviews. I can honestly say that your reviews have been the best. Very thoughtful and honest by far. So, even though I want a bike now, I'm going to hold off and wait for your next review. And then decide. Thanks😊
Thank you so much Lynn! Those are my favorite comments because that is what I am going for! Just trying to share information to help people with their decision! I am about 80 percent done with that video but I just broke my foot! (Sitting at doctor right now) I am hoping to still get the video done soon but I need to roll the bikes around and not sure I can... but I will do everything I can to get that video out ASAP as I am really excited about it too!
Travis, you are RIGHT ON about the issues with the monitor becoming disconnected. I find if I ride the bike just a little on my off-days the connection will hold. I bought in March at start of COVID and still have the issue.
Hey Sara! You might want to give support a call. Going into the "admin view" on the bike and doing a few maintenance steps might be helpful. I know clearing Bluetooth cache has helped others in this exact same situation.
Hi noticed the rack in the background. I have the same one for years. Went to a local welder and welded on hooks to bench from the front. Looks and works great. Just an idea.
I have connection issues as well with the ex4s+ from Costco. It is connected through a DC cable and still has issues staying connected. The cable connection seemed very flimsy and needed to be taped in place to work. After two days, got fed up and returned it to Costco for another one. It had the exact same issues with the plug not staying in the provided tablet so I returned that one as well. Pretty bummed out because the bike itself seemed to be great quality. Not sure if it's worth getting a different model echelon or not.
This was a really good review. Travis is spot on when it comes to the things that can go wrong which is the Bluetooth controlling the bike connecting to the classes and to your heart monitor. With the Peloton, once you use your Bluetooth headset/heart monitor you are good to go. With the Echelon, I had some issues with connecting my heart rate monitor to the classes and the bike not always connecting to the class once it starts. I recently moved my bike to a different location of the room and since then, I haven’t had this issue so I’m going to assume the Bluetooth on the bike was conflicting with other Bluetooth devices I have in the space I once had the bike in.
Thanks Kim! They have been really pushing updates since I made the video, so they may have introduced some fixes as well. I am noticing a better experience lately as well, so hopefully they are getting this thing dialed in!
@@biancaperez1808 Let me know if you get it to work and what you had to do. I could see moving around the house fixing WIFI problems, but probably not bluetooth unless something nearby was really affecting it. Might have to be a call to Echelon to get their take. Hope it is an easy fix!
LearnWithTravis Definitely did not work unfortunately. I contacted Echelon and they gave me basic troubleshooting instructions to clear the cache. In the mean time I just bought a wahoo cadence sensor and I’m using it with the peloton app. Luckily I didn’t splurge on the higher end models have so I don’t even plug in the bike anymore. I wouldn’t trust their software for now. It seems like you play Russian roulette with their bikes and just hope yours is a good one.
Bianca Perez, I use the wahoo cadence with the Peloton app most of the times too. I am so glad I didn’t spend 2 grand on the Peloton and I actually like that I can adjust the Echelon bike due to my long legs and short torso where I was limited with adjusting the Peloton bike at the gym.
You have helped me a lot. I didn't want to spend the extra on the peloton and I don't necessarily care for my nordictrac treadmill, so I was going to try this.
Thank you so much for your videos! It really changed my mine. I was going to buy a NordicTrack CST Fusion with their bike as I wanted to keep the same brands Now I am considering Echelon and Peleton
Just got my EX5S, prior to seeing this video. So far I am happy, though... I purchased a Echelon Armband hear rate monitor and it will not sync. I posted my issue on their Facebook page on a Sunday and was surprised to get a response back. Unfortunately the customer service person on the other end of the chat did not seem to know that the device i had was Echelon branded and told me to push the "pair" button on the side of the device. There is no pair button on the side of the device. I am going to be patient. I think that the enormous number of sales due to COVID have probably been overwhelming. We shall see...
Great to hear it is mostly working out. The HRM should work out and at least you can still work out and enjoy the product in the meantime. Getting the HRM will be a bonus to boost the excitement when it gets fixed (yes, I am an optimist). You are right on about companies being overwhelmed right now.
Hi Travis, could you check if the Bluetooth issue is resolved and let us know. I wrote the company and said that they updated the software recently and it should be fine now. If it is, I’ll be placing my order soon
Just want to mention that there is a great app that allows Echelon owners and most others to use Zwift (and other apps). It's called "qdomyos-zwift". Travis, don't know if this is of interest to you but would make for a great review... Also, great site and reviews
Such a timely video, I was about to pull the trigger on an Echelon but software problems always give me pause. To my reasoning, if the Echelon took a while for a software engineer to figure out, what will my experience (the average non-techie consumer) be like? No thanks.
You have prob made the right decision. Many software issues . Tech support not helpful. Echeleon is supposed to be sending a replacement tablet. Still waiting ...4 weeks.
This does seem to be a commen response that support is not helpful. That is what I experienced as well. Until I get an impression this is resolved, I would not blame anyone for looking elsewhere.
No problem and thanks Chad! Looks like they used a bunch of it. Second time recently this has happened. I will try to be positive and assume my content is good enough it is worth stealing! 😂
I’m waiting on your final comparison bc right now I’m torn between the peleton and Nordic track. I’m waiting to see your final video prior to making a purchase
I bought the nordictrack based on Travis’s reviews and comparison with the peloton since I also couldn’t decide between the two. I was able to get the peloton app on the nordictrack without paying the $40 a month so it was the best of both worlds. Plus the swivel screen sold it for me so I can take advantage of the other classes. I just got it but very happy with it so far.
Bethany DeGraff thank you for this info! I’m leaning towards it based on his review for 2 reasons. The lesser cost plus the scenic riding. I think that’s what will ultimately sway me! The only thing he had to say that was somewhat negative was not having clip in pedals and an uncomfortable seat
Marilyn West yes I have loved the scenic rides so far! I use the peloton app for the studio classes but find myself mostly riding the scenic route since they are so good! I also bought Issi clip in pedals on sale from REI and a seat cushion from Amazon. I may switch the seat out at some point but for now it’s fine because I’m recovering from a broken foot so I’m not riding too intensely yet. Also I ordered my bike and it arrived in 11 days and by me the peloton wouldn’t arrive for 11 weeks so that also played a big factor for me.
Sadly I just received an EX5s and had exactly the same problem with the bluetooth. Like you I thought it would be sorted by now, but clearly there are either faulty bluetooth chips out there or they have limitations with being to update the software. I also had a dead pixel on the screen, which I was willing to look past, but with the bluetooth issue it's going back. Over to Peloton I go!
Sorry you ran into that. But… honestly, I think you be much happier with a Peloton over Echelon. Probably a good thing in the long run! Hope you love it!
Care to share what you did on the backend to fix your connection issue? We're not seeing any sort of light coming from the bike anymore. I've gained access to the Android OS and went through and reset bluetooth cache, storage, toggled bluetooth and wifi on/off etc. Nothing seems to help. The IT guy in me really wants to fix this!
I went into admin mode (google it) and played with the some of the bluetooth settings. It has been a while but I think I disconnected devices and cleared cache. I then did not connect headphones or a HRM after as I got the feeling they were conflicting with the bike pairing.
I own a Peloton and I love it but I want to add a bike to our summer home. I thought with my existing Peloton app subscription I would be a little less price aggressive. I'd love to get the IC4 but the wait time is the full summer so that's out. I've narrowed it to the Echelon EX3 or the Sunny with the tablet holder built in. Want to help me with a decision? Thank you
I would go with a nice Sunny model myself. Basically because you already pay the Peloton subscription and the Echelon would mean another subscription. Plus the Sunny bikes are should be great as a secondary option.
Thank you Gary. It has been a while since I was on that bike, so I am not 100 percent sure. I feel like you may have been able to but you could not see current settings, but honestly not 100 percent sure.
I just got my EX5S and not only did it have bluetooth issues...the resistance knob I think is not synching properly as well. The resistance on 1 feels like it is already on 20. I tried everything even updating app through a USB etc etc. Echelon is sending me a replacement but I'm bummed out as well cuz I spent over a month and a half already waiting on this bike
Sorry to hear that Rudy806. I hope they get you a new bike quick and all goes well. Regardless, thank you for sharing so others can learn from your experience.
Great review. I just purchased this bike. I don't even have it yet. I am 56 years old and weight 270 pounds. I have purchased this to help accomplish my weight loss journey. Question - are there classes that will suit my skill (or lack thereof) level? Or will every class have 20 and 30 year olds wearing 7-11 bike shirts that I won't be able to keep up with?
Thank you William! Naw, you will be able to find options. The Echelon does have a little bit more of a party\club vibe to their content, but they have classes structured for different levels. Also, remember that any rides you do where they say they want you at a certain speed esistance... is just a recommendation. If you need to also be 30 percent lower than what they said, that is absolutely fine. The point is to get on that bike and get exercise which you will be doing even if you are a little slower than them. Hope you love it and it helps you with your goals!
Thanks for this great video! I wish I had seen it before buying the Echelon, which has been soooo glitchy. Every time I log on to a live class, the app fails to read my stats on the leaderboard and I have to sign out and back in several times before it finally clicks into place. I lose about three minutes each time, which means I have to play catchup with everyone who has not been experiencing the issue. Frustrating to say the least. And the customer service was so slow to respond and never came up with a solution (other than to tell me to turn it off and back on again, which didn't really work either). I'm returning the Echelon within the 30-day window and getting a Peloton.
Well, bummed it didn't work out for you and I am very curious as to why Echelon is not getting this fixed. I have had quite a few comments stating problems like this and I can't believe they are not putting everything into getting it fixed. Regardless, glad you are still in the window to get it returned and know what you want. I highly doubt you run into problems with the Peloton. Hope the switch goes well and you love the Peloton Veronica!
Amazing video! Great insight! Thank you for the great detail. Very helpful. I was in between the Peloton Bike and EX5S. I'm leaning towards the EX5S. Question - does the EX5S allow for casting the screen onto a TV?
Spot on! Having the same exact issue with my EX5S . The screen continues to blink and take me back through the log in process. I can't seem to get it to stay logged in? I've tried rebooting, updating software etc but nothing works? I wish their customer support were better and they could get the bugs fixed because other than that it is a great bike. Now I'm thinking I should have went with the Peleton :(
@@Learnwithtravis It's new... The rep I spoke with suggested I watch reviews on TH-cam for the bike, but disregard the video highlighting the connectivity issue because they fixed it, I bet your video caught their attention.
Enjoyed your video. I’m looking at getting the EX5 , the model without the screen so I can use my own tablet rather than a built in display. Aside from the technical connectivity issues, do you remember how the bike was overall aside from that? Was it quality outside of connectivity issues? Feel like it’ll stand up to hours of use from a pure riding/exercise perspective?
Thanks! I thought it was a very solid option. A notch below the Peloton but I am comparing to the best. Resistance was good, stability good, overall quality was good. I was very happy with it and unless you are very specific on how you want something to work, I imagine you would be happy.
I Really appreciate your review. You do a great job of making video personal, trustworthy and easy to follow. I just recently ordered one, the issue was not with the bike and corrected with the update. I noticed your comment regarding the HRM. I would like to know what HRM straps paired with the EX-5s.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I truly appreciate it. I have noticed my EX5s has been much better after the recentl updates so I think you will be happy! As far as HRM, the one linked below is highly used in the Peloton community and what I have. It is fantastic. amzn.to/3kgaREn
So do I have to have the bike hooked up to Bluetooth so the adjuster will work the tension adjuster. Because I tried to adjust it manually and does not seem to work
I don’t have that model anymore so going off memory. I don’t think so but it does need to be plugged in and maybe in a ride. Sorry, been a while since I was on that bike. I do think you need to turn it a bit before you notice it.
Good Review - Wish I would have seen this before we bought yesterday! My understanding is that you can also use the Peleton app with this, is that true? Also, it seems like you need to be connected to the app to get the resistance to work, did you have this same experience? Thanks
Thanks Linda! You could make Peloton Digital work but it is not built into the Echelon. You could do a just ride (no instructor) on Echelon and use Peloton Digital on a tablet. As far as changing resistance, I believe the bike just needs power. When you turn the knob, it sends a signal to a motor to adjust resistance, so without power it does not change. Hope that helps and that you love your new bike!
Hello Travis! You make great reviews! I was wondering if I could ask you a couple of questions on The EX5 and the Sunny you had reviewed. When doing sprints and general use which one is the most stable? Which one do you think has the most resistance? Thank you!
Thanks P L! In terms of stability, i would say a tie. They both seemed very connected and stable. The EX5s monitor did have a little movement but it was not bad and the Sunny does not have one so I can't flag them for that. As far as resistance, while I loved the Sunny, I will give it to the EX5s. They both had good quality resistance, but the EX5s had more of that top end make you work for it resistance. Hope that helps!
So I am running into the problem of the bike disconnecting. I called customer support and she said it had to be escalated and that I will get a call in a few days. Can you show us how you got into the different screens to make it work? Or share the steps.
Sorry to hear you are running into problems. I am surprised they have not figured out how to get this fixed for people yet. I get nervous providing advanced steps because I don't want anyone to make their bike worse and sometimes it is better to let support do their thing. But the link below describes how I got into admin mode. I believe they had me try the steps in this document. I also went into bluetooth and cleared the cache. I might of turned bluetooth off and back on as well. I honestly can't remember exactly what I did, but this should send you in the right direction. Hang in there. Hope you get it fixed soon and problems are all behind you. echelonfit.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360050715894-I-am-stuck-on-the-Who-is-riding-page-on-EX5S
This is on sale right now for $550, and the Studio Bike Pro 22 is $600. Which is better since they're essentially the same price with the same size screen?
@@Learnwithtravis I ended up ordering the Studio Pro 20. I figure for $600 I can't go wrong, and if I don't like the feel of it (like it's not stable/quality enough), I'll get a lightly used M3i here locally for like $700 and use a tablet for content.
I’ve had my echelon for a couple of years and I still have a hard time connecting the bike to my app. Every time. I’ve had workouts stop in the middle and not be able to finish. They have always had technology problems. The main thing I have a problem with is my knee always hits the resistance knob when I’m standing and changes the resistance because it moves when you barely touch it. Does the Peloton do this? If anyone is trying to decide between the two bikes, all I can say is if you can afford the Peloton, buy the Peloton.
Great feedback Teaeli! I know people do the knee thing with the Peloton too, which usually is a reminder that you are not in a good position (if you knees are going that far in). The advantage of the Peloton is that is does not make a big different in resistance and you can easily fix it. I noticed the Echelon has a bit of a delay while the motor adjusts resistance and correcting resistance can get a little annoying.
Another great review with lots of helpful info. I don’t care for their ecosystem at all. I’ll stick to Peloton app. I’m considering the Echelon EX15 (Amazon / Sport - Walmart version). Could you please do a review on it vs Peloton? Thanks!
Great review, thanks. I just picked up an EX4s, which appears to be a Costco exclusive model and looks like the EX5s but with a smaller monitor (tablet). I've had it 4 days now and on day 2 I started to experience the tablet shutdown-reboot problem that you describe. I noticed in your later video (Echelon v. NordicTrak v. Peloton) that Echelon got this problem fixed for you. Can you describe what they did? I'm assuming the software is the same on my 4s as the larger tablet on your 5s.
Thanks Ken. It has been a while, but they have a way you can go into admin mode (see android settings). They got me in there and we cleared Bluetooth cache and I might of played around with removing some Bluetooth connection. I then got an update from Echelon and it seemed to be fixed after that. I think if you Google it, you can find how to get into admin mode. You could also call them to get updated instructions and as they may have learned more since then. Good luck!
@@Learnwithtravis Thanks Travis. FWIW, Echelon sent me this link to clear Bluetooth cache on the EX5s. I'm struggling to get it to work, but it may be useful for others. echelonfit.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360055290873-How-to-clear-Bluetooth-cache-on-new-EX5S-tablet
I’m not sure why you have those problems. I have this bike. I didnt buy peloton because of the add-ones. I ride this bike 60 days a week. I usually use the “free ride” option. Mostly I love the bike. My problem is with their slow customer service. They’ve sold a ton of these bikes. I waited six weeks for delivery.
Good info and thanks Fanne! I received multiple software updates and it has worked much better since. Has been a nice bike which I will cover in my next video! 😀
Great review, thanks for posting. I have been looking at the ex5 (non s model) to use my iPad with Apple fitness. Cannot find reviews of that bike anywhere! Wondering if using your own device like that will fix the connectivity issues. I was looking at this vs the Schwinn ic4 as I like the rear flywheel design and the water bottle holders seem better placed. Thoughts?
Thanks Dave! Honestly not sure if the connectivity issues remain with that setup or not. The IC4 is a very good option, especially if you want to use Peloton Digital or other supported apps. I think the EX5 series is a better quality bike (both are great) but I would probably rank the Echelon a little higher. I need to fire up Apple fitness and test that out. Don't know anything about it yet but maybe a video showing which bikes it pairs well with would be helpful?
@@Learnwithtravis thanks for the response. That would be awesome! My thought is that Apple Fitness doesn’t capture that data so it should be fine. I would just use the Apple Watch with the iPad running fitness and then use the Echelon app in free ride mode on phone to get the nerd cycling data that I want. I want to know my cadence, resistance, and my output to see how I might be improving as a rider.
I was almost going to buy this model but then i saw their EX-8S and i was very interested. I am holding off though because its new enough that their is no reviews out yet. Do you have any thoughts on the newest one yet or in the near future? Thanks i love your videos
Thank you! Honestly, I have not looked into that model. Let me take a look and see if I think I can get my hands on it. Although it will take a while to receive it, test it, and create a video. Not sure how quick you need an answer and don't want to mislead you.
@@Learnwithtravis no i can wait. Ill be honest i wanted to order it right away but i really like to have trusted reviews before i make most purchases especially higher end products. Thanks and just keep me posted. I appreciate it
No problem! I sent a message to Echelon to see if they might want to work with me. Did not realize that bikes was in Peloton bike plus price territory. We will see what happens!
Hi Travis, thank you so much for the review. I went ahead and purchased the Echelon based on your review and others and generally am very happy. The one thing that I'm not sure of is a design flaw or perhaps I have a bad bike. I don't feel any resistance until I get to about 16-18 on the resistance dial. Is that your experience or should I seek to replace the bike? Can't really get a straight answer from Echelon. I don't think the people in customer service have ever ridden the bike. What was your experience relative to where you start to feel the resistance catch? At what number do you feel the resistance. Doesn't make sense to me to have a scale from 1-32 when you can't feel any change until about 16.
Hey Chris, glad to hear it is working out well! Honestly, I had the same exact experience. I remember thinking that a good hunk of the "resistance range" was wasted because I did not feel anything until roughly where you mentioned you noticed the resistance coming in. After testing for a while, I found their to be enough workable resistance range to still be able to dial in what I wanted and make minor adjustments so I think it was just fine. Honestly, this is how other options work as well. The range for a Peloton is 0 - 100 and you don't really feel much until 25 -30.
@@Learnwithtravis Thank you Travis you just saved me a bunch of wasted time trying to pack up the bike, reassemble a new one only to find out it was working properly all along. I completely agree with you that there still is plenty of range to work with despite no changes from 1-16. Thx!
I just received my Echelon EX5s today and I'm having bluetooth issues as well. It seems that bluetooth is disabled but it wont enable it. It will not connect to the bike because it is disabled but I have not found a way to get this to work. I'm now waiting for support to get back with me in 24-48 hours. A little bummed.
That would be a bummer. I know the excitement of wanting to start using a new toy right away and not being able to. Good news is I think support should be able to work this out. Between updates and using the admin mode to clear cache and other OS level items, I am guessing they will get you fixed quick. Hang in there Jaimy!
Hey thanks Travis for a really good review...quick question...can you measure the max height setting on the handlebars and tell me the height from the floor to the handlebar? preferably the handlebar that is closest to the body. I am 6'1" but have a 35" inseam and therefore the seat needs to be really high but my problem with the Peloton is the handlebar, max height, isn't tall enough for me to ride a bit more upright. I'm going to return the Peloton and am hoping the Echelon has a max height adjustment that is better (in addition to the more v style frame).
I'm so sorry I missed this one! Just grabbed the tape measure and it looks like the front (lowest part) is in that 42 to 43 inch range. Hope that helps!
Another great review- are you getting the new peloton bike to review? I’d love To see if you think it’s Worth the upgrade. Thank you. Love the channel!
Thank you so much Jenny. I really appreciate it! I sure am! I need to check on the delivery. I think it might be coming in this week! You know I will be testing that one out as soon as I get it!
Do you like the Echelon EX3 and EX5 (without screen) over the Bowflex C6/Schwinn? I’m trying to decide between these bikes and right now one of the biggest factors is shipping speed. It looks like Echelon is shipping quicker
I am hoping to get an EX3 down the road to test, but I can't speak to that one. I believe the EX5 is the EX5s without the attached tablet. If so, I like the Echelon better from a bike perspective. They are both good, but I think the Echelon offers a little better top end resistance. Now, I like the Peloton platform better which you can easily tie into with the IC4\C6. So, sort of depends on where your interests are... Hope that helps!
LearnWithTravis thank you! I really appreciate your response and your reviews! I do like that the Bowflex and Schwinn have the integration with multiple apps. I was considering using the Peloton app with any bike I got. I did like that the EX 5 has the fore and aft adjustment but I’m not sure if it’s completely necessary? Thanks again!
Hey Travis, thank you for the videos. Was curious if you have any opinions on rear driver bikes vs front drive? Anything you've learned or heard that would give one an advantage over the other?
Thanks Rob! Honestly no. I have not felt a major different between the two and I think it comes down more to the bike itself than front or rear drive structure.
@@Learnwithtravis the norditrack s27i is very tempting to buy after watching your newest review on it. Love the auto adjust feature for incline decline.
I probably need to get some Echelon equipment. I do feel like Echelon was a bit behind others but they have had a couple years to improve on that since I last tested.
Travis, the console on the EX5s... is that just a buffed up android tablet? If so, is that the only difference between the 5 and the 5S? In other words, should we have issues with the included monitor/tablet could we get by with a handheld tablet until a new console is sent? Just wondering, as that would also open the door to getting admin access and installing netflix or audible.
I believe that is the only difference. I am pretty sure it is a beefed up Android, but that is basically what they all do. I believe it is build a little different to secure to the bike better and it is a really big screen (Compared to a tablet). You can use admin mode to exit and get out of Echelon software, but I have not played with doing anything special. Hope that helps!
It's a Neb-215 made by Glorystar. It's a commercial grade Android tablet, 10,000 hour screen life, drop tested, designed for use in commercial kiosks. They sell for ~$750 on Amazon. www.glorystartouch.com/product/Kiosk-Tablet/NEB-215. th-cam.com/video/DidUhPHNlWA/w-d-xo.html
I just bought this bike EX-5S and it is amazing. The assembly went smoothly but had to call the support to setup the app. It seems like they upgraded the monitor. So far great. I am using it everyday and loving it more and more.
Good call. They are booth good options. The IC4 is the more flexible option where the EX5 is maybe a little bit better bike but tied more to the Echelon system.
Thank you for your video! Do you still have the echelon? are you having other problems? I have a problem with the resistance cord, and have no idea how to change it, and can't find a video on how to change it, and was hoping you could help if you are experiencing the same issue!
My pleasure and I do. I honestly have not rode it in a while as I have been testing other bikes but last I new they had fixed the problem on my bike. I have not had to replace any cables so I don't have any great tips there. Sorry and good luck!
Thanks for the review it was excellent, I am watching this post purchase and have been riding the dickens ot of my echalon. I haven't encountered any of the software problems that you spoke of, also I believe that they removed the bluetooth option as during my install, i was connecting a cable from my bike to the monitor so I am thinking they switched to a hard wire. I am noticing some creaking in the pedal arms when I stand to ride (may just be as I am pretty heavy) but was wondering if you had encountered any of these at all on stand up portions? Thanks again!
Thank you so much and glad it is working out so well! That is nice if they switched the design to hardwired! I don't remember hearing any creaking. Might want to reach out to them as maybe tightening it down may help?
Can you tell me how to unlock the bike? I want to side load peloton on mine when it arrives. My plan is to use the app on my phone for stats and use the large screen to watch classes. I had an ex5 but it needed to be replaced and they’re somehow sending me an Ex5s. I halfway don’t want that buuuut hey I’ll take it.
I have a question. I have literally sat watching all your vids and they are great. But I am left with one question. I like the sunny bike that you reviewed about, but I am wondering about the resistant/level. How can I sync that to the app or have it digital so that I can be on the same number as the instructors. I don’t want to get a bike with the monitor, you being in the computer world know that those things are like buying a all in one computer...it’s just not good. So, I want to have the full experience with out breaking the bank or buying the monitor with the bike. I am sorry for the silly question, I am completely new to the bike world. Please help :)
All good! I honestly have not come across a good way to add a resistance display to a bike that does not have it. As they are magnetic and resistance is based off of how close you move the magnet to the flywheel, I don't think their is a good aftermarket way to sensor resistance. The IC4 has it built in and may be worth considering. As far as Sunny, most turn it to 0 resistance and then count how many half turns it takes to get to full resistance. That way they know how much they are changing when riding and can keep a mental tab on where they are at. After a while, you can tell by feel as well. Sorry, not the best answer, but that is what most people do and most have been fine with that option. Would be nice if more resistance display options were available!
LearnWithTravis no need to apologize, you have no idea how thankful I am of your reviews. So, being that I am a newbie and don’t know much..I went the safer route and bought the IC4. The downside is that it currently takes SIXTY days to arrive (yep, 60 days). Do you recommend any shoes to go with that bike? I don’t think you have a video on that but if you do I missed it. Once again, thank you for taking the time to make the video and reply. I appreciate it very much!
No problem at all and glad to help! Going off memory, I believe that bike uses spd cleats. So you would need to get spin shoes that are spd compatible with spd cleats (super common). Shimano are a common brand people like but there a lot of good options! Congrats and hope it comes in sooner than later.
LearnWithTravis thank you! You are the best!!!!!!! I hope it does too, I keep checking 😂 I am excited for the solution to my work out problem, I have children and going to the gym is almost next to impossible. I am glad you made these reviews, they have been very helpful. Once again thank you!!!!
Think I'm going to go with this one. The goods of pelaton for a fraction of the price. And since I'm just getting into indoor biking I'm okay with the poor man version
Hi Travis, Thanks for your review and I have been following all your videos on Peleton/Echelon and finally bought Echelon EX5-S. The bike is very good, but it worked only for 15 mins. The Tablet/Monitor on EX5-S will not connect to the bike. So I am not able to use it at all. Actually the App on my phone connects, so I can use it watching on the phone screen. But that negates the reason for buying the EX5-S. You said you had initial connection issues, how did you resolve it ? I know it is just the app on the EX5-S tablet - because everything is working fine. Even the tech support person not able to figure out, someone supposed to call me soon. If this is not resolved in a day, I am returning it. May be a good thing, i can buy the new Bike+ from Peloton. Thanks again !
Hey Charles, sorry to hear you are running into problems. It does sound exactly like what I went through. Not sure you will have to go through all the same steps, but I believe I completely removed and readded the Echelon software. This included an update and then what eventually resolved was in the admin mode, clearing the bluetooth cache. After that and a couple updates, I was good to go. Does your system show updates pending if you check for them?
@@Learnwithtravis Thanks for the quick response. How do I remove the software from the builtin tablet on the EX5-s ? I have no clue on the admin mode - let me google and find out. There is no pending SW update or FW update. The frustrating part is the tech support person, does not seem to know what is happening, I have searched facebook groups, and it seems several people are having the same issue and tech support does have any clue about this problem.
@@charlesperi8586 Honestly, it has been a while and I also did steps like that with the Nordictrack, so I can't remember what to do. Support should be able to walk you through that easily. I think you got a bad agent. I would call again and suggest they take you into admin mode and clear the bluetooth cache. They should know how to troubleshoot this...
@@Learnwithtravis Thanks. I was able to google on how to get to admin mode and clear the bluetooth cache and got it working for a day. I still haven't heard back from tech support. As of now, I have the same issue again and this time clearing the storage cache is not fixing the problem. I will play with it a couple of days and may be return it if I have constant issue. Too bad - I liked it initially, but cannot deal with software glitches all the time.
I don't normally answer by linking my own videos, but here are couple that I think would be best to help you out: th-cam.com/video/K_QSTnHOXyI/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/mE1kc5-os_U/w-d-xo.html
Currently there are Peloton bikes in my apartment gym, although they’ve been closed for months now. After trying the Peloton I wish the handlebars were a few inches closer. I’m 5’2” and I was wondering if you feel like the echelon gives that option. With the handlebars and seat closest together do you think it’s a smaller reach than the peloton for us short people?
I just left to begin a 9 day vacation, so I can't look at the bike directly for you. But it did feel like it might have a big more adjust-ability in that way. Wish I was home to actually look for you. I know there is also a facebook group, I think it is called Peloton Shorties or something like that. I believe they have a lot of tips on how to make the Peloton work if you wanted to try some options. Good luck!
Thanks Travis for this detailed review. Me and my wife have gone through a lot of the reviews and the comparisons as they give us a very good information and details and we are trying to make a informed decision on which bike to get. I have a question regarding this Echelon bike, by any means do you know if echelon has fixed the Bluetooth issue with this bike or the newer one EX7s. Also is the review for Echelon EX7s coming soon?
I know I was able to get it fixed, but I have had multiple comments from people saying they are still running into this. So I am not 100 percent sure where this stands but I am a little uneasy based on what I am hearing. I have not ordered the EX7 yet, but knowing me it is only a matter of time!
It has been a long time but I believe I went into the android OS and cleared Bluetooth cache and maybe cleared another thing. Set back up and it worked after that.
Hey Travis! We just got our EX5 and put it together today. We are adjusting the tension and it doesn’t feel like it is making any difference up or down. Any thoughts?
Is it plugged in and you are sure it has power? When you turn the knob it has a motor that moves and it needs power. I made that mistake when I wanted to feel it out before I plugged anything in.
I have had this bike for 14 months. At first I thought it was not bad at all, and it did the job. Unfortunately I have not been able to ride it for the last 5 months because of ridiculous problems with it. First, the flimsy cable broke and it took 3 months for the Echelon company to send a replacement. When I finally received the replacement, I went to put the pedal back on the bike and the specialty nut was now stripped (from only taking the pedal off one time) and no longer works. (Apparently it is easily stripped). Echelon would not simply send me the nut and can only send me a full replacement pedal (luckily, I have the extended warranty). It has now been another 2 months and I have yet to receive the pedal despite constantly calling. This bike is poorly constructed and the customer service is incredibly slow. Save your money! I would not recommend this bike to anyone.
So sorry to hear what you are dealing with Ronit but thank you for sharing. This helps me understand what is happening out there and also for people looking through the comments before making a purchase. I hope things work out.
If you already have a tablet I would get the EX5 instead of the EX5s. It is the same bike but you are paying for the monitor. Save your money and use your tablet.
I agree. I was going to purchase the Peloton when I saw the EX 5 and I didn’t want to wait for the EX5S. This is the one time that being impatient worked out for me. I use an old 73inch Mitsubishi tv that I was going to get rid of to mirror the class on.
Do you think I can use my iPAD on the EX5 and get the same experience? The bike is $400 less without the monitor. I expect to cast to my television anyway. Any other differences between the EX5 and the EX5S?
I don’t have the EX5 but I don’t believe there were a lot of major changes. I do think you could still get the same experience , especially if casting to a tv. Looking down at a small screen can be less immersive but it still gets the job done.
Has anyone used both Peloton and Echelon EX-5s? How does the output compare between bikes? Say you did a 20-minute ride on both bikes, would the output be similar or would one bike be higher than the other? Thanks.
New Channel (Mastering TH-cam): th-cam.com/channels/cBsqGMM8mpbOnMhsuI4PlA.html
Travis, May I have your personal recommendation. What at home bike do you feel is the closest rated to Peloton without a screen display? I’m looking at tension and sturdiness of the bike. I think I prefer to subscribe to a trainer’s app and watch on tv as I ride. I looking for a bike below $1000. I own a peloton but am doing the 30 day return, two main reasons the handle bars do not move forward and back and spin class selection of music.
Desha Esperon ! I missed your comment and I am so sorry! I just noticed. Hopefully you figured out a great option, but if not, I have videos about the IC4 and Sunny bikes. I would recommend those with the Peloton app (if you enjoyed the peloton experience) Thanks!
I've had my Echelon Bike for several weeks now. No issues. And Echelon does use a wire to connect the bike to the screen now. Initially ordered a Peloton waited 11 weeks for delivery then the day they were supposed to deliver they called and said they couldn't deliver the bike due to inventory problems. That was on January 13 2021. And then they said they couldn't deliver the bike until April 22 2021. I was annoyed but initially agreed to wait. Then for some reason I decided to check their ratings on the Better Business Bureau and they were dismal. I read through some of them and most spoke to the same issue that I had, they sold me a bike that they didn't have. Oh and by the way they had already started taking my money. In any event I ended up cancelling the order and buying the Echelon bike. I saved $1100 by doing so and am very pleased with the performance of it. Hope this helps someone along their way. Cheers.
Great feedback Ken and thank you for sharing! I love posts like this because it does help others make a more informed decision and have more examples to reference. Glad to hear they are using a cable now because that resolves my largest concern. So goo to hear it is working well, you saved money, and... you have it! Have a good one!
Which bike did you choose?
Similar experience though I didn’t sign up. Peloton wanted my money now - all of it but it was a 12 weeks wait. I consider that unethical personally.
Thx for the review. Based in part on your review I bought the Echelon Connect 5s and couldn’t be more pleased.
I’m 6’4” and very comfortable. I came from the Expresso (more upright) and this is way more solid.
Great to hear! Thank you and hope it keeps working out great wonderfully!
I have a gen 1 peloton and learned the hard way that the best option is to buy equipment that uses external tablets. The gen 1 peloton is so laggy that getting through rides is a chore. If you use an external tablet, you can more easily keep it current without spending a ridiculous amount of money.
In addition to the peloton I have an echelon rower and love it. I don't feel like using a generic tablet takes away from the experience. I will likely switch to an echelon bike because I tend to like the smaller class sizes echelon has which allows for more interaction with the trainers like you used to get from peloton. I was leaning towards the ex5 since it was their highest end model without a built in display.
I did not realize the gen 1 Peloton was that way! I was on an Echelon ride today and instructor called out and talked to someone for a while about their health plan. Surprised me as you would not get that with Peloton. Not saying it is standard, but gave it that smaller class size feel you mentioned. Hope whatever you end up getting works out perfect for you!
CaitlinAlexis ask customer service if they can send you the newest monitor. I've talked to some Peloton members with a Gen 1 monitor and they said customer service sent them the newest monitor free of charge. For all generations the bikes are the same. The only upgrade was the monitor, it's faster speed. And just so you know currently peloton gen 1 bikes are selling for the same price as a new model because people don't want to wait 8 weeks for the bike. Peloton bikes hold their value.
Just some info for your viewers about my current experience. I purchased the ex7s. Put it together, like you said, simple enough. There are three different cables that hard-wire through the handle bars and come out the front and plug in to the back of the monitor. However, there is still a blue tooth connection because when you turn it on a blue light blinks to pair mode. Everything seemed to be syncing fine, entered a ride and turned resistance knob, the number on the screen increased but not physically easier/harder to pedal. Called support and they sent links to get into admin screens as mentioned in your other comments, but it won't even go into the screen they say it is supposed to so you can make the changes they suggest. I emailed the support person back this morning and got no response today, so I'll try back tomorrow. This is not turning out to be a good experience in my opinion, and judging from the other comments I wonder if I should just return, get my money back, and try for Peleton.
Wow. I am surprised. I really thought they would fix that issue for the next model because it was such a problem for so many people and they don't seem to have a good fix. That is really too bad. Hope it works out Clint but if they can't fix that quickly I would start to get a little nervous. (Being brand new and they can't easy fix an issue known about for a long time)
@@Learnwithtravis
Update on my ex7 problem. I got back in touch with support and they were able to determine there was a problem with the bike itself. They sent me another bike, received it within a week and it is working fine so far after about a week's use. Fingers crossed. Told me to put broken bike in the box the new bike came in and return. They emailed me a return shipping label, took to FedEx, they printed out and accepted with no problems, very easy. So if the bike continues to function properly I'm a satisfied customer and would recommend them. I'll update if anything changes.
I've been researching the echelon for a few now and this is is the first time I've heard about these connectivity problems. Thanks for the balanced review.
My pleasure! Good luck with your decision and hope whatever you get works out perfect!
Watched a ton of your videos before I eventually bought my peloton. This just reinforced the decision as I was initially going to buy an echelon... but ended up splurging on the Peloton. Thank you very much, I really appreciate the genuine reviews and different tips and tricks you provide in your videos. :)
Thank you so much and glad to hear the videos helped Vanessa! Hope the Peloton is working out great for you!
Omg be so happy you got peloton, had echelon bike for 3 months loved it and one day pedal thread stripped going into flywheel no way to replace, imagine shipping it back so heavy !! Loved it but quality isn’t there
I ordered my echelon 2 weeks ago and it came 4 days ago. Honey plugin saved me 300 dollars on 1 year, the ex 5s, and shoes and I got the whole package after the honey thing for 1600 delivered. when I put it together there was a weird line down the screen. I sent a picture and a text message to echelon and they overnighted me a new screen with a box to ship this one back in. I have had nothing but a great experience with them so far.
Great to hear! Thanks for sharing as this helps me with sharing to others how a company treats its customers.
Hey Jay,
We have had our Echeleon since January. The bike is solid but the software is not all good. I enjoy live classes but the leaderboard results leave me with plenty of questions.
I have tried the "Friends" tab. many times trying to reach out to other riders. I have not had a single reply back.
What is you experience?
Great video Travis, I've watched this several times and the same with several of your other bike reviews and found them all very helpful. I definitely think it would be beneficial if you were able to re-visit bikes a year down the line, get the newer/upgraded model, and see whether the initial review still holds mustard or whether issues have been ironed out. Sadly Peloton do not deliver where I live and out of all the bikes you review I think I am limited to Echelon or NordicTrack. I'm drawn to the EX5S but my primary concern is potentially dropping upwards of £1,600+ on something and running in to issues that take weeks or even MONTHS to fix.
I expect a lot of your YT community is US based and a lot of the negative reviews across the internet seem to be from US consumers. Hopefully the UK customer service is a step-up, although the real hope would be that Echelon (or anyone I guess) could produce a bike that just... worked...? :D
Thank you Matthew! I just sold my EX5-s (running out of room and want to do more reviews) but I might get the 7 down the road as I agree with you and want to provide updates as they bikes improve. I hope the support is better over there as well. I know I do get comments from time to time with people being frustrated as the lack up support and follow-through. There have been a lot of app updates since I reviewed, so I would hope they have dramatically improved the reliability and platform. Good luck!
Your reviews of this bike are spot on! I made the leap and purchased this model after watching this and the "Battle Royal" reviews. The bike quality is very sturdy and it very solid. I was pretty happy with the bike until I came across the dreaded Bluetooth issue. The Bluetooth has been constantly disconnecting from the bike (very annoying). I was hoping this would be fixed by the time I made the purchase last month. Your other comment about the resistance level of the bike is minimal but it left me thinking, "Is this the hardest?" With the rollout of the Peloton Bike+ and the price drop of the older model, I have decided to return this and go with the Peloton (not the Bike+). If I'm spending $2000, I want the equipment to work and not have to "fix" it.
Well, I am happy my review was accurate but sad to hear you dealt with problems. Honestly, I thought they fixed that issue but I am getting comments lately saying they all had issues like this. Too bad because like you said, it seems to be a solid product. Regardless, hope the Peloton works out for you and you love it! Thank you so much Ernest!
Not a one off issue with connectivity. Just got our Echelon Mid January 2021 , having issues as well. Bluetooth to Apple Beats NFG, and internet wireless connection. Wireless Speed test beside unit 75 MBPS. Calling Echelon tech tomorrow hopefully they have a fix!
If you don't mind, let me know what the outcome is. I have not heard the best things about their support in the comments and I am curious how they handle this. Thanks!
@@Learnwithtravis After a bit of unhelpful chatter via messenger with an uninformed agent they sent me a phone number. Within 5 minutes I was talking to a real person who did her best. She must have been a new hire as she was being coached , I heard all the answers twice!! After 90 minutes they said they will be sending me a new tablet. One interesting statement from them was that the unit works off 2.4G wireless network . I have a dual band wireless boost that provides 5 g network as well. Really hoping the tablet is the issue as the bike is solid and the classes we have participated in have been great.
Glad you are at least making progress. Replacing the tablet fixed my S22i and it looks like that is what will fix my Velocore. I don’t think all those components like being shipped. Hope this does the trick!
@@Learnwithtravis We are over 4 weeks for the replacement tablet. Nothing yet. Contacted Echeleon , they have their excuses, They cannot give me any shipping date. We are RETURNING the unit, too bad because the bike is good. Far too many issues with connection, tablet and software.
I got the Echelon "sport" connect from Walmart and it was on sale for $299!!!! (normally $599 which is not bad) VERY STURDY and rides great. I use the Peloton App $12/mo and free month and the Echelon app for cadence and resistance under "freestyle ride" without a monthly sub. Had it a month and i think its great- have done over 30 Peloton rides and had a month. Lost inches already- feelin good. What a great price considering the website Echelon's are way more expensive. Quiet, super sturdy, and i use the conversion chart for resistance u can find on internet.
Awesome! What a deal! I have that one still in the box waiting to review it so great to hear you are having a good experience! Thanks LL!
Your bike reviews have been so helpful and are definitely steering us towards the Peloton. Thank you so much for these in-depth reviews. Best of all the videos we have checked out!
Thank you so much Emily! That means a lot and so glad the videos are helping out!!!
Have an Echelon Sport and had a few BT connectivitiy issue but most have been fixed with just resetting the bike. Since it doesn't have a hard wired in screen and I use my iPad Air a good thing is I can cast/mirror the screen onto my Smart TV across the room so much bigger picture and that works well. Also if you have iPad and Iphone or smartphone you can hack and take Peloton classes also using the echelon bike. Peloton classes seem a bit more polished and mature but hope Echelon will catch up! Great review.
Thanks Rob and great to hear! I have had that bike in a box for way too long. Hopefully will review it here soon but the feedback is helpful!
I've had the Echelon ex-5s for a week here's my take: Bike was most likely returned as the weights were missing and the monitor had some light scratches, there is also a sound coming from the flywheel that disappears when peddling backwards (Echelon is sending me a new drive belt), I love that the handlebars are adjustable that alone is enough for me to choose this bike over the Peleton, the videos on the Echelon app are of varying degrees of quality but the screen itself is capable of HD 1080 and the TH-cam videos on it are quite nice, (If you want a better tablet with 4k be prepared to spend $1000 just for that plus the cost of a spin bike), I have no issues with the instructors as compared to those on Peleton (I have the Peleton app running on my Echelon so have been able to compare yes hacked tablet), As one who has been spinning for decades now no one would be disappointed by the quality of the workout on this bike even if they just used the Echelon app. As for the cost of the bike it's justified because as I mentioned earlier large tablets are very expensive and I need the monitor on the bike as there is no place to hang a TV where I have the bike. All in all satisfied with the purchase and best of all it arrived in two days after placing the order the Peleton would have taken three months!
Wow, that is a quick delivery! Glad things are mostly working out and you are happy with it. Very true that the cost of the attached monitors are no joke and are a big part of the overall cost. Hope you continue to enjoy the bike!
@@Learnwithtravis Update: Actually the screen had a plastic film that I hadn't noticed and after peeling it off the monitor is in pristine condition.
@@chrismaxny4066 Well, that works! Good to hear!
Your video is SO informative and you are so educated. It’s making me think I’ve been mispronouncing the word “Echelon” all this time. 😀 Most everyone else pronounces it with a soft ch sound (sh) but I’m trusting how you say it after watching this video 😍. Great vid!!
Haha. Thank you so much Justin! I have actually never look looked it up so it is possible I have been saying it wrong this whole time! Thank you for the nice comments and hope you have a great day!
my wife is about to order this bike and i thought id check it out we are both new to the bike thing so im sure this will do us fine
Hope you love it Jason!
Appreciate your review. I can’t wait for the Peloton vs Nordictrack vs Echelon bike review.
Thanks Troy! Have a little family vacation and then I am going to put a little more time into each bike. After that, I will be on to the video!
I’m really curious about this aswell. Staying tuned for this...
Ive had some of the nordictrack ifit stuff. Hated it. The app and software was terrible, very buggy. Many times it took me 15 minutes to start a workout. Build quality seemed suspect and support was a headache. Not to mention that twice it wouldn't take software updates. Peloton software, hardware, design are the rolls royce imo. Not to mention I think their production and instructors are next level. Haven't had any echelon stuff, but I'm all on board with peloton for many reasons. The best workout investment you can make is something that you will use. Peloton gives me that in spades.
@@Jason-zm4xq Echelon workouts are equally as good, at least I think so...in the end though, it's you who has to put the work in. I'm finding that these days I feel that I push myself harder and get the best workouts going at it myself. The instruction guided workouts were good for the first 3-4 months.
I’m looking forward to to this video
Thank you, I really love your review. I've been trying to decide whether to buy the peliton vs the echelon.
I'm going to hold off and come back and watch your reviews.
I can honestly say that your reviews have been the best. Very thoughtful and honest by far.
So, even though I want a bike now, I'm going to hold off and wait for your next review. And then decide.
Thanks😊
Thank you so much Lynn! Those are my favorite comments because that is what I am going for! Just trying to share information to help people with their decision! I am about 80 percent done with that video but I just broke my foot! (Sitting at doctor right now) I am hoping to still get the video done soon but I need to roll the bikes around and not sure I can... but I will do everything I can to get that video out ASAP as I am really excited about it too!
Travis, you are RIGHT ON about the issues with the monitor becoming disconnected. I find if I ride the bike just a little on my off-days the connection will hold. I bought in March at start of COVID and still have the issue.
Hey Sara! You might want to give support a call. Going into the "admin view" on the bike and doing a few maintenance steps might be helpful. I know clearing Bluetooth cache has helped others in this exact same situation.
Hi noticed the rack in the background. I have the same one for years. Went to a local welder and welded on hooks to bench from the front. Looks and works great. Just an idea.
Very nice! Thanks for the tip!
They matched the back exactly and sprayed it black. I think it was $40
I have been waiting for this one.
I have connection issues as well with the ex4s+ from Costco. It is connected through a DC cable and still has issues staying connected. The cable connection seemed very flimsy and needed to be taped in place to work. After two days, got fed up and returned it to Costco for another one. It had the exact same issues with the plug not staying in the provided tablet so I returned that one as well. Pretty bummed out because the bike itself seemed to be great quality. Not sure if it's worth getting a different model echelon or not.
Glad to hear you were not stuck with it and you are able to find a better option. Good luck!
Great info, thank you!
Sure thing! Thank you!
This was a really good review. Travis is spot on when it comes to the things that can go wrong which is the Bluetooth controlling the bike connecting to the classes and to your heart monitor. With the Peloton, once you use your Bluetooth headset/heart monitor you are good to go. With the Echelon, I had some issues with connecting my heart rate monitor to the classes and the bike not always connecting to the class once it starts. I recently moved my bike to a different location of the room and since then, I haven’t had this issue so I’m going to assume the Bluetooth on the bike was conflicting with other Bluetooth devices I have in the space I once had the bike in.
Thanks Kim! They have been really pushing updates since I made the video, so they may have introduced some fixes as well. I am noticing a better experience lately as well, so hopefully they are getting this thing dialed in!
I’m going to try moving my machine around the house and see if it fixes my issue. Besides the Bluetooth issue I do love the bike.
@@biancaperez1808 Let me know if you get it to work and what you had to do. I could see moving around the house fixing WIFI problems, but probably not bluetooth unless something nearby was really affecting it. Might have to be a call to Echelon to get their take. Hope it is an easy fix!
LearnWithTravis Definitely did not work unfortunately. I contacted Echelon and they gave me basic troubleshooting instructions to clear the cache. In the mean time I just bought a wahoo cadence sensor and I’m using it with the peloton app. Luckily I didn’t splurge on the higher end models have so I don’t even plug in the bike anymore. I wouldn’t trust their software for now. It seems like you play Russian roulette with their bikes and just hope yours is a good one.
Bianca Perez, I use the wahoo cadence with the Peloton app most of the times too. I am so glad I didn’t spend 2 grand on the Peloton and I actually like that I can adjust the Echelon bike due to my long legs and short torso where I was limited with adjusting the Peloton bike at the gym.
You have helped me a lot. I didn't want to spend the extra on the peloton and I don't necessarily care for my nordictrac treadmill, so I was going to try this.
Glad to hear Emmett! Best of luck figuring out which one is best for you!
Great truthfully review... thank you
You’re welcome and thank you!
Another awesome review. We just made a new playlist on our Indoor Cycling Channel and have added this video.
Much appreciated Indoor Cycling Channel!
Thank you so much for your videos! It really changed my mine. I was going to buy a NordicTrack CST Fusion with their bike as I wanted to keep the same brands Now I am considering Echelon and Peleton
No problem David! Best of luck finding the perfect bike for you!
Just got my EX5S, prior to seeing this video. So far I am happy, though... I purchased a Echelon Armband hear rate monitor and it will not sync. I posted my issue on their Facebook page on a Sunday and was surprised to get a response back. Unfortunately the customer service person on the other end of the chat did not seem to know that the device i had was Echelon branded and told me to push the "pair" button on the side of the device. There is no pair button on the side of the device.
I am going to be patient. I think that the enormous number of sales due to COVID have probably been overwhelming. We shall see...
Great to hear it is mostly working out. The HRM should work out and at least you can still work out and enjoy the product in the meantime. Getting the HRM will be a bonus to boost the excitement when it gets fixed (yes, I am an optimist). You are right on about companies being overwhelmed right now.
HR monitoring pairing has been an ongoing issue. it was addressed prior to and during recent beta testing
Very helpful! Thanks for the review and getting into the technical details. Helped me decide to hold off for the new peloton bike!
Glad to help and no problem!
Any plans to review the soul cycle at home bike?
Hi Travis, could you check if the Bluetooth issue is resolved and let us know. I wrote the company and said that they updated the software recently and it should be fine now. If it is, I’ll be placing my order soon
Yes. I am wrapping up another video and then plan to start testing all 3 bikes (Peloton\S22i\EX5s) for following video. Should know shortly.
@@Learnwithtravis Thanks! Looking forward to it. Also, there's a new bike in town...called Stryde Bike...have you taken a look at this?
Just want to mention that there is a great app that allows Echelon owners and most others to use Zwift (and other apps). It's called "qdomyos-zwift". Travis, don't know if this is of interest to you but would make for a great review...
Also, great site and reviews
Thank you so much Jeffrey and I appreciate the heads up! I will add that app to my list of things to check out!
Thank you for the balanced review.
My pleasure!
Great review and video! 👍🏾
Thank you so much Day2Day Davis!
Such a timely video, I was about to pull the trigger on an Echelon but software problems always give me pause. To my reasoning, if the Echelon took a while for a software engineer to figure out, what will my experience (the average non-techie consumer) be like? No thanks.
You have prob made the right decision. Many software issues . Tech support not helpful. Echeleon is supposed to be sending a replacement tablet. Still waiting ...4 weeks.
@@keithsedar2229 Four weeks and tech support isns't helpful? Ugh. :/
This does seem to be a commen response that support is not helpful. That is what I experienced as well. Until I get an impression this is resolved, I would not blame anyone for looking elsewhere.
Sorry Keith. That is terrible.
Thanks for the video! Looks like @Fit Lab used some of your content in their comparison video.
No problem and thanks Chad! Looks like they used a bunch of it. Second time recently this has happened. I will try to be positive and assume my content is good enough it is worth stealing! 😂
I’m waiting on your final comparison bc right now I’m torn between the peleton and Nordic track. I’m waiting to see your final video prior to making a purchase
Sounds great! We have a little vacation coming up, but I will get to work on it after that!
I bought the nordictrack based on Travis’s reviews and comparison with the peloton since I also couldn’t decide between the two. I was able to get the peloton app on the nordictrack without paying the $40 a month so it was the best of both worlds. Plus the swivel screen sold it for me so I can take advantage of the other classes. I just got it but very happy with it so far.
Bethany DeGraff thank you for this info! I’m leaning towards it based on his review for 2 reasons. The lesser cost plus the scenic riding. I think that’s what will ultimately sway me! The only thing he had to say that was somewhat negative was not having clip in pedals and an uncomfortable seat
@@bethanydegraff6238 How do you get the Peloton app on tge Nordic Trac?
Marilyn West yes I have loved the scenic rides so far! I use the peloton app for the studio classes but find myself mostly riding the scenic route since they are so good! I also bought Issi clip in pedals on sale from REI and a seat cushion from Amazon. I may switch the seat out at some point but for now it’s fine because I’m recovering from a broken foot so I’m not riding too intensely yet. Also I ordered my bike and it arrived in 11 days and by me the peloton wouldn’t arrive for 11 weeks so that also played a big factor for me.
Sadly I just received an EX5s and had exactly the same problem with the bluetooth. Like you I thought it would be sorted by now, but clearly there are either faulty bluetooth chips out there or they have limitations with being to update the software. I also had a dead pixel on the screen, which I was willing to look past, but with the bluetooth issue it's going back. Over to Peloton I go!
Sorry you ran into that. But… honestly, I think you be much happier with a Peloton over Echelon. Probably a good thing in the long run! Hope you love it!
Nice Vid Trevor
Thanks
Great info... thanks
You bet!
Care to share what you did on the backend to fix your connection issue? We're not seeing any sort of light coming from the bike anymore. I've gained access to the Android OS and went through and reset bluetooth cache, storage, toggled bluetooth and wifi on/off etc. Nothing seems to help. The IT guy in me really wants to fix this!
I went into admin mode (google it) and played with the some of the bluetooth settings. It has been a while but I think I disconnected devices and cleared cache. I then did not connect headphones or a HRM after as I got the feeling they were conflicting with the bike pairing.
Could you please do an updated review on whether the issues you found have been addressed?
I wish I could but unfortunately I do not have that bike.
How was their scenic ride? Im hoping not to buy a nordictrack but I can’t find a bike that has a nice scenic ride options.
Sorry, I have used an Echelon in a long time so I am not sure.
I own a Peloton and I love it but I want to add a bike to our summer home. I thought with my existing Peloton app subscription I would be a little less price aggressive. I'd love to get the IC4 but the wait time is the full summer so that's out. I've narrowed it to the Echelon EX3 or the Sunny with the tablet holder built in. Want to help me with a decision? Thank you
I would go with a nice Sunny model myself. Basically because you already pay the Peloton subscription and the Echelon would mean another subscription. Plus the Sunny bikes are should be great as a secondary option.
Very informative thank you!
No problem at all!
Great review. Can you still ride the bike and make adjustments if the monitor bugs out or disconnects
Thank you Gary. It has been a while since I was on that bike, so I am not 100 percent sure. I feel like you may have been able to but you could not see current settings, but honestly not 100 percent sure.
I just got my EX5S and not only did it have bluetooth issues...the resistance knob I think is not synching properly as well. The resistance on 1 feels like it is already on 20. I tried everything even updating app through a USB etc etc. Echelon is sending me a replacement but I'm bummed out as well cuz I spent over a month and a half already waiting on this bike
Sorry to hear that Rudy806. I hope they get you a new bike quick and all goes well. Regardless, thank you for sharing so others can learn from your experience.
Great review. I just purchased this bike. I don't even have it yet. I am 56 years old and weight 270 pounds. I have purchased this to help accomplish my weight loss journey. Question - are there classes that will suit my skill (or lack thereof) level? Or will every class have 20 and 30 year olds wearing 7-11 bike shirts that I won't be able to keep up with?
Thank you William! Naw, you will be able to find options. The Echelon does have a little bit more of a party\club vibe to their content, but they have classes structured for different levels. Also, remember that any rides you do where they say they want you at a certain speed
esistance... is just a recommendation. If you need to also be 30 percent lower than what they said, that is absolutely fine. The point is to get on that bike and get exercise which you will be doing even if you are a little slower than them. Hope you love it and it helps you with your goals!
Thanks for this great video! I wish I had seen it before buying the Echelon, which has been soooo glitchy. Every time I log on to a live class, the app fails to read my stats on the leaderboard and I have to sign out and back in several times before it finally clicks into place. I lose about three minutes each time, which means I have to play catchup with everyone who has not been experiencing the issue. Frustrating to say the least. And the customer service was so slow to respond and never came up with a solution (other than to tell me to turn it off and back on again, which didn't really work either). I'm returning the Echelon within the 30-day window and getting a Peloton.
Can you returned your echelon? Was easy?
Well, bummed it didn't work out for you and I am very curious as to why Echelon is not getting this fixed. I have had quite a few comments stating problems like this and I can't believe they are not putting everything into getting it fixed. Regardless, glad you are still in the window to get it returned and know what you want. I highly doubt you run into problems with the Peloton. Hope the switch goes well and you love the Peloton Veronica!
I wish the to resistance was higher , I am into climbing and at the top one doesn't get me burning like I would like to.
I could see that. Probably good enough for 98 to 99 percent of people but if you train at more extreme levels, other options would be better.
Amazing video! Great insight! Thank you for the great detail. Very helpful. I was in between the Peloton Bike and EX5S. I'm leaning towards the EX5S. Question - does the EX5S allow for casting the screen onto a TV?
Spot on! Having the same exact issue with my EX5S . The screen continues to blink and take me back through the log in process. I can't seem to get it to stay logged in? I've tried rebooting, updating software etc but nothing works? I wish their customer support were better and they could get the bugs fixed because other than that it is a great bike. Now I'm thinking I should have went with the Peleton :(
Sorry to hear you are dealing with issues. Hope they get it worked out!
Thanks for this review. I was Costco today and they resolved this issue with hardwiring the computer system.
Interesting. Didn't realize that was an option.
We just purchased the bike from Costco. I’m wondering if you brought up the specific connection issue.
@@Learnwithtravis It's new... The rep I spoke with suggested I watch reviews on TH-cam for the bike, but disregard the video highlighting the connectivity issue because they fixed it, I bet your video caught their attention.
Well that is good! Happy there is a fix and hope people don’t have problems anymore.
Enjoyed your video. I’m looking at getting the EX5 , the model without the screen so I can use my own tablet rather than a built in display.
Aside from the technical connectivity issues, do you remember how the bike was overall aside from that? Was it quality outside of connectivity issues? Feel like it’ll stand up to hours of use from a pure riding/exercise perspective?
Thanks! I thought it was a very solid option. A notch below the Peloton but I am comparing to the best. Resistance was good, stability good, overall quality was good. I was very happy with it and unless you are very specific on how you want something to work, I imagine you would be happy.
I Really appreciate your review. You do a great job of making video personal, trustworthy and easy to follow. I just recently ordered one, the issue was not with the bike and corrected with the update. I noticed your comment regarding the HRM. I would like to know what HRM straps paired with the EX-5s.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I truly appreciate it. I have noticed my EX5s has been much better after the recentl updates so I think you will be happy! As far as HRM, the one linked below is highly used in the Peloton community and what I have. It is fantastic.
amzn.to/3kgaREn
@@Learnwithtravis Great to hear I can pair with the EX5s. I like my Wahoo Tickr X. Looking forward to more of your TH-cam
So do I have to have the bike hooked up to Bluetooth so the adjuster will work the tension adjuster. Because I tried to adjust it manually and does not seem to work
I don’t have that model anymore so going off memory. I don’t think so but it does need to be plugged in and maybe in a ride. Sorry, been a while since I was on that bike. I do think you need to turn it a bit before you notice it.
Good Review - Wish I would have seen this before we bought yesterday! My understanding is that you can also use the Peleton app with this, is that true? Also, it seems like you need to be connected to the app to get the resistance to work, did you have this same experience? Thanks
Thanks Linda! You could make Peloton Digital work but it is not built into the Echelon. You could do a just ride (no instructor) on Echelon and use Peloton Digital on a tablet. As far as changing resistance, I believe the bike just needs power. When you turn the knob, it sends a signal to a motor to adjust resistance, so without power it does not change. Hope that helps and that you love your new bike!
If you have not recieved your bike you can cancel your order at anytime with no penalties.
Hello Travis!
You make great reviews!
I was wondering if I could ask you a couple of questions on The EX5 and the Sunny you had reviewed.
When doing sprints and general use which one is the most stable?
Which one do you think has the most resistance?
Thank you!
Thanks P L! In terms of stability, i would say a tie. They both seemed very connected and stable. The EX5s monitor did have a little movement but it was not bad and the Sunny does not have one so I can't flag them for that. As far as resistance, while I loved the Sunny, I will give it to the EX5s. They both had good quality resistance, but the EX5s had more of that top end make you work for it resistance. Hope that helps!
Thank you!
So I am running into the problem of the bike disconnecting. I called customer support and she said it had to be escalated and that I will get a call in a few days. Can you show us how you got into the different screens to make it work? Or share the steps.
I wish I had seen your review prior to making the leap. Your video comparing the three bikes really sold me on the peloton.
Sorry to hear you are running into problems. I am surprised they have not figured out how to get this fixed for people yet. I get nervous providing advanced steps because I don't want anyone to make their bike worse and sometimes it is better to let support do their thing. But the link below describes how I got into admin mode. I believe they had me try the steps in this document. I also went into bluetooth and cleared the cache. I might of turned bluetooth off and back on as well. I honestly can't remember exactly what I did, but this should send you in the right direction.
Hang in there. Hope you get it fixed soon and problems are all behind you.
echelonfit.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360050715894-I-am-stuck-on-the-Who-is-riding-page-on-EX5S
This is on sale right now for $550, and the Studio Bike Pro 22 is $600. Which is better since they're essentially the same price with the same size screen?
I would go with the studio pro myself, but I have not tested Echelon in a while. From what I have seen, just a little better in most categories.
@@Learnwithtravis I ended up ordering the Studio Pro 20. I figure for $600 I can't go wrong, and if I don't like the feel of it (like it's not stable/quality enough), I'll get a lightly used M3i here locally for like $700 and use a tablet for content.
@ryanmiskin8925 so true!
I’ve had my echelon for a couple of years and I still have a hard time connecting the bike to my app. Every time. I’ve had workouts stop in the middle and not be able to finish. They have always had technology problems. The main thing I have a problem with is my knee always hits the resistance knob when I’m standing and changes the resistance because it moves when you barely touch it. Does the Peloton do this? If anyone is trying to decide between the two bikes, all I can say is if you can afford the Peloton, buy the Peloton.
Great feedback Teaeli! I know people do the knee thing with the Peloton too, which usually is a reminder that you are not in a good position (if you knees are going that far in). The advantage of the Peloton is that is does not make a big different in resistance and you can easily fix it. I noticed the Echelon has a bit of a delay while the motor adjusts resistance and correcting resistance can get a little annoying.
It’s definitely not a poor mans bike, it’s two different bikes.. echelon is the smart mans bike.
Another great review with lots of helpful info. I don’t care for their ecosystem at all. I’ll stick to Peloton app. I’m considering the Echelon EX15 (Amazon / Sport - Walmart version). Could you please do a review on it vs Peloton? Thanks!
Thanks T C! I will see what I can do!
Is there anyway to get the Peloton app on the screen?!
Sorry, not that I know of
Great review, thanks. I just picked up an EX4s, which appears to be a Costco exclusive model and looks like the EX5s but with a smaller monitor (tablet). I've had it 4 days now and on day 2 I started to experience the tablet shutdown-reboot problem that you describe. I noticed in your later video (Echelon v. NordicTrak v. Peloton) that Echelon got this problem fixed for you. Can you describe what they did? I'm assuming the software is the same on my 4s as the larger tablet on your 5s.
Thanks Ken. It has been a while, but they have a way you can go into admin mode (see android settings). They got me in there and we cleared Bluetooth cache and I might of played around with removing some Bluetooth connection. I then got an update from Echelon and it seemed to be fixed after that. I think if you Google it, you can find how to get into admin mode. You could also call them to get updated instructions and as they may have learned more since then. Good luck!
@@Learnwithtravis Thanks Travis. FWIW, Echelon sent me this link to clear Bluetooth cache on the EX5s. I'm struggling to get it to work, but it may be useful for others. echelonfit.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360055290873-How-to-clear-Bluetooth-cache-on-new-EX5S-tablet
the UI was so similar to peloton that I thought you could just install the app and use it on this bike.
Yeah, I was a little surprised at home closely they designed it to the Peloton UI.
I’m not sure why you have those problems. I have this bike. I didnt buy peloton because of the add-ones. I ride this bike 60 days a week. I usually use the “free ride” option.
Mostly I love the bike. My problem is with their slow customer service. They’ve sold a ton of these bikes. I waited six weeks for delivery.
Good info and thanks Fanne! I received multiple software updates and it has worked much better since. Has been a nice bike which I will cover in my next video! 😀
Great review, thanks for posting. I have been looking at the ex5 (non s model) to use my iPad with Apple fitness. Cannot find reviews of that bike anywhere! Wondering if using your own device like that will fix the connectivity issues. I was looking at this vs the Schwinn ic4 as I like the rear flywheel design and the water bottle holders seem better placed. Thoughts?
Thanks Dave! Honestly not sure if the connectivity issues remain with that setup or not. The IC4 is a very good option, especially if you want to use Peloton Digital or other supported apps. I think the EX5 series is a better quality bike (both are great) but I would probably rank the Echelon a little higher. I need to fire up Apple fitness and test that out. Don't know anything about it yet but maybe a video showing which bikes it pairs well with would be helpful?
@@Learnwithtravis thanks for the response. That would be awesome! My thought is that Apple Fitness doesn’t capture that data so it should be fine. I would just use the Apple Watch with the iPad running fitness and then use the Echelon app in free ride mode on phone to get the nerd cycling data that I want. I want to know my cadence, resistance, and my output to see how I might be improving as a rider.
I was almost going to buy this model but then i saw their EX-8S and i was very interested. I am holding off though because its new enough that their is no reviews out yet. Do you have any thoughts on the newest one yet or in the near future? Thanks i love your videos
Thank you! Honestly, I have not looked into that model. Let me take a look and see if I think I can get my hands on it. Although it will take a while to receive it, test it, and create a video. Not sure how quick you need an answer and don't want to mislead you.
@@Learnwithtravis no i can wait. Ill be honest i wanted to order it right away but i really like to have trusted reviews before i make most purchases especially higher end products. Thanks and just keep me posted. I appreciate it
No problem! I sent a message to Echelon to see if they might want to work with me. Did not realize that bikes was in Peloton bike plus price territory. We will see what happens!
@@Learnwithtravis yeah i was going to initially get peletron bike + so this was still in budget and i feel like echelon is really stepping up
@@Learnwithtravis yeah i was going to initially get peletron bike + so this was still in budget and i feel like echelon is really stepping up
Hi Travis, thank you so much for the review. I went ahead and purchased the Echelon based on your review and others and generally am very happy. The one thing that I'm not sure of is a design flaw or perhaps I have a bad bike. I don't feel any resistance until I get to about 16-18 on the resistance dial. Is that your experience or should I seek to replace the bike? Can't really get a straight answer from Echelon. I don't think the people in customer service have ever ridden the bike. What was your experience relative to where you start to feel the resistance catch? At what number do you feel the resistance. Doesn't make sense to me to have a scale from 1-32 when you can't feel any change until about 16.
Hey Chris, glad to hear it is working out well! Honestly, I had the same exact experience. I remember thinking that a good hunk of the "resistance range" was wasted because I did not feel anything until roughly where you mentioned you noticed the resistance coming in. After testing for a while, I found their to be enough workable resistance range to still be able to dial in what I wanted and make minor adjustments so I think it was just fine. Honestly, this is how other options work as well. The range for a Peloton is 0 - 100 and you don't really feel much until 25 -30.
@@Learnwithtravis Thank you Travis you just saved me a bunch of wasted time trying to pack up the bike, reassemble a new one only to find out it was working properly all along. I completely agree with you that there still is plenty of range to work with despite no changes from 1-16. Thx!
@@chrisolson551 Glad to help! Thanks Chris!
In the end, this is part of the reason I went with the EX5 rather than the EX5s.
Hope it works out well for you!
I just received my Echelon EX5s today and I'm having bluetooth issues as well. It seems that bluetooth is disabled but it wont enable it. It will not connect to the bike because it is disabled but I have not found a way to get this to work. I'm now waiting for support to get back with me in 24-48 hours. A little bummed.
That would be a bummer. I know the excitement of wanting to start using a new toy right away and not being able to. Good news is I think support should be able to work this out. Between updates and using the admin mode to clear cache and other OS level items, I am guessing they will get you fixed quick. Hang in there Jaimy!
Hey thanks Travis for a really good review...quick question...can you measure the max height setting on the handlebars and tell me the height from the floor to the handlebar? preferably the handlebar that is closest to the body. I am 6'1" but have a 35" inseam and therefore the seat needs to be really high but my problem with the Peloton is the handlebar, max height, isn't tall enough for me to ride a bit more upright. I'm going to return the Peloton and am hoping the Echelon has a max height adjustment that is better (in addition to the more v style frame).
I'm so sorry I missed this one! Just grabbed the tape measure and it looks like the front (lowest part) is in that 42 to 43 inch range. Hope that helps!
Another great review- are you getting the new peloton bike to review? I’d love
To see if you think it’s
Worth the upgrade. Thank you. Love the channel!
Thank you so much Jenny. I really appreciate it! I sure am! I need to check on the delivery. I think it might be coming in this week! You know I will be testing that one out as soon as I get it!
Do you like the Echelon EX3 and EX5 (without screen) over the Bowflex C6/Schwinn? I’m trying to decide between these bikes and right now one of the biggest factors is shipping speed. It looks like Echelon is shipping quicker
I am hoping to get an EX3 down the road to test, but I can't speak to that one. I believe the EX5 is the EX5s without the attached tablet. If so, I like the Echelon better from a bike perspective. They are both good, but I think the Echelon offers a little better top end resistance. Now, I like the Peloton platform better which you can easily tie into with the IC4\C6. So, sort of depends on where your interests are... Hope that helps!
LearnWithTravis thank you! I really appreciate your response and your reviews! I do like that the Bowflex and Schwinn have the integration with multiple apps. I was considering using the Peloton app with any bike I got. I did like that the EX 5 has the fore and aft adjustment but I’m not sure if it’s completely necessary? Thanks again!
Hey Travis, thank you for the videos. Was curious if you have any opinions on rear driver bikes vs front drive? Anything you've learned or heard that would give one an advantage over the other?
Thanks Rob! Honestly no. I have not felt a major different between the two and I think it comes down more to the bike itself than front or rear drive structure.
Has this bike improved, or would it be better to get the NordicTrack Commercial S10i Studio Cycle (Spin Bike) ?
Honestly, it has been a long time since I tested that model so I am not sure where they are at these days.
@@Learnwithtravis the norditrack s27i is very tempting to buy after watching your newest review on it. Love the auto adjust feature for incline decline.
@@harman-bhangu It really is a good one! Don't happen to be in Michigan by chance? 😀
I'm thinking about switching to Echelon so I can also have a rower with the same subscribtion.
I probably need to get some Echelon equipment. I do feel like Echelon was a bit behind others but they have had a couple years to improve on that since I last tested.
Travis, the console on the EX5s... is that just a buffed up android tablet? If so, is that the only difference between the 5 and the 5S? In other words, should we have issues with the included monitor/tablet could we get by with a handheld tablet until a new console is sent? Just wondering, as that would also open the door to getting admin access and installing netflix or audible.
I believe that is the only difference. I am pretty sure it is a beefed up Android, but that is basically what they all do. I believe it is build a little different to secure to the bike better and it is a really big screen (Compared to a tablet). You can use admin mode to exit and get out of Echelon software, but I have not played with doing anything special. Hope that helps!
It's a Neb-215 made by Glorystar. It's a commercial grade Android tablet, 10,000 hour screen life, drop tested, designed for use in commercial kiosks. They sell for ~$750 on Amazon. www.glorystartouch.com/product/Kiosk-Tablet/NEB-215. th-cam.com/video/DidUhPHNlWA/w-d-xo.html
I just bought this bike EX-5S and it is amazing.
The assembly went smoothly but had to call the support to setup the app.
It seems like they upgraded the monitor.
So far great. I am using it everyday and loving it more and more.
Wonderful! Glad everything got worked out and you are loving it!
great , any problems with blueetooth
Well I think I've narrowed it to the IC4 vs the EX5. Leaning to the IC4 just so I can use other apps.
Good call. They are booth good options. The IC4 is the more flexible option where the EX5 is maybe a little bit better bike but tied more to the Echelon system.
Thank you for your video! Do you still have the echelon? are you having other problems? I have a problem with the resistance cord, and have no idea how to change it, and can't find a video on how to change it, and was hoping you could help if you are experiencing the same issue!
My pleasure and I do. I honestly have not rode it in a while as I have been testing other bikes but last I new they had fixed the problem on my bike. I have not had to replace any cables so I don't have any great tips there. Sorry and good luck!
Thanks for the review it was excellent, I am watching this post purchase and have been riding the dickens ot of my echalon. I haven't encountered any of the software problems that you spoke of, also I believe that they removed the bluetooth option as during my install, i was connecting a cable from my bike to the monitor so I am thinking they switched to a hard wire. I am noticing some creaking in the pedal arms when I stand to ride (may just be as I am pretty heavy) but was wondering if you had encountered any of these at all on stand up portions? Thanks again!
Thank you so much and glad it is working out so well! That is nice if they switched the design to hardwired! I don't remember hearing any creaking. Might want to reach out to them as maybe tightening it down may help?
Can you tell me how to unlock the bike? I want to side load peloton on mine when it arrives. My plan is to use the app on my phone for stats and use the large screen to watch classes. I had an ex5 but it needed to be replaced and they’re somehow sending me an Ex5s. I halfway don’t want that buuuut hey I’ll take it.
I don’t remember off the top of my head but if you google Echelon admin mode I believe they have a document.
@@Learnwithtravis nothing better than a prompt response from a TH-camr... thanks
My pleasure! Hope you able to get it working just how you want!
I have a question. I have literally sat watching all your vids and they are great. But I am left with one question. I like the sunny bike that you reviewed about, but I am wondering about the resistant/level. How can I sync that to the app or have it digital so that I can be on the same number as the instructors. I don’t want to get a bike with the monitor, you being in the computer world know that those things are like buying a all in one computer...it’s just not good. So, I want to have the full experience with out breaking the bank or buying the monitor with the bike. I am sorry for the silly question, I am completely new to the bike world. Please help :)
All good! I honestly have not come across a good way to add a resistance display to a bike that does not have it. As they are magnetic and resistance is based off of how close you move the magnet to the flywheel, I don't think their is a good aftermarket way to sensor resistance. The IC4 has it built in and may be worth considering. As far as Sunny, most turn it to 0 resistance and then count how many half turns it takes to get to full resistance. That way they know how much they are changing when riding and can keep a mental tab on where they are at. After a while, you can tell by feel as well. Sorry, not the best answer, but that is what most people do and most have been fine with that option. Would be nice if more resistance display options were available!
LearnWithTravis no need to apologize, you have no idea how thankful I am of your reviews. So, being that I am a newbie and don’t know much..I went the safer route and bought the IC4. The downside is that it currently takes SIXTY days to arrive (yep, 60 days). Do you recommend any shoes to go with that bike? I don’t think you have a video on that but if you do I missed it. Once again, thank you for taking the time to make the video and reply. I appreciate it very much!
No problem at all and glad to help! Going off memory, I believe that bike uses spd cleats. So you would need to get spin shoes that are spd compatible with spd cleats (super common). Shimano are a common brand people like but there a lot of good options! Congrats and hope it comes in sooner than later.
LearnWithTravis thank you! You are the best!!!!!!! I hope it does too, I keep checking 😂 I am excited for the solution to my work out problem, I have children and going to the gym is almost next to impossible. I am glad you made these reviews, they have been very helpful. Once again thank you!!!!
Think I'm going to go with this one. The goods of pelaton for a fraction of the price. And since I'm just getting into indoor biking I'm okay with the poor man version
I like it! Sounds like you are getting the right bike for you and that is what I like to hear!
Hi Travis, Thanks for your review and I have been following all your videos on Peleton/Echelon and finally bought Echelon EX5-S. The bike is very good, but it worked only for 15 mins. The Tablet/Monitor on EX5-S will not connect to the bike. So I am not able to use it at all. Actually the App on my phone connects, so I can use it watching on the phone screen. But that negates the reason for buying the EX5-S. You said you had initial connection issues, how did you resolve it ? I know it is just the app on the EX5-S tablet - because everything is working fine. Even the tech support person not able to figure out, someone supposed to call me soon. If this is not resolved in a day, I am returning it. May be a good thing, i can buy the new Bike+ from Peloton. Thanks again !
Hey Charles, sorry to hear you are running into problems. It does sound exactly like what I went through. Not sure you will have to go through all the same steps, but I believe I completely removed and readded the Echelon software. This included an update and then what eventually resolved was in the admin mode, clearing the bluetooth cache. After that and a couple updates, I was good to go. Does your system show updates pending if you check for them?
@@Learnwithtravis Thanks for the quick response. How do I remove the software from the builtin tablet on the EX5-s ? I have no clue on the admin mode - let me google and find out. There is no pending SW update or FW update. The frustrating part is the tech support person, does not seem to know what is happening, I have searched facebook groups, and it seems several people are having the same issue and tech support does have any clue about this problem.
@@charlesperi8586 Honestly, it has been a while and I also did steps like that with the Nordictrack, so I can't remember what to do. Support should be able to walk you through that easily. I think you got a bad agent. I would call again and suggest they take you into admin mode and clear the bluetooth cache. They should know how to troubleshoot this...
@@Learnwithtravis Thanks. I was able to google on how to get to admin mode and clear the bluetooth cache and got it working for a day. I still haven't heard back from tech support. As of now, I have the same issue again and this time clearing the storage cache is not fixing the problem. I will play with it a couple of days and may be return it if I have constant issue. Too bad - I liked it initially, but cannot deal with software glitches all the time.
My guess is support would eventually get it worked out but that is too bad and I don’t blame you for being uncertain of product now.
One year later, what would you say? Have those problem been fixed?
I have since sold that bike but my problems did end up getting resolved.
In your opinion, as just a home use exercise bike, will this be a good one?
I don't normally answer by linking my own videos, but here are couple that I think would be best to help you out:
th-cam.com/video/K_QSTnHOXyI/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/mE1kc5-os_U/w-d-xo.html
Currently there are Peloton bikes in my apartment gym, although they’ve been closed for months now. After trying the Peloton I wish the handlebars were a few inches closer. I’m 5’2” and I was wondering if you feel like the echelon gives that option. With the handlebars and seat closest together do you think it’s a smaller reach than the peloton for us short people?
I just left to begin a 9 day vacation, so I can't look at the bike directly for you. But it did feel like it might have a big more adjust-ability in that way. Wish I was home to actually look for you. I know there is also a facebook group, I think it is called Peloton Shorties or something like that. I believe they have a lot of tips on how to make the Peloton work if you wanted to try some options. Good luck!
Ty! Enjoy the vacation!
Thanks Travis for this detailed review. Me and my wife have gone through a lot of the reviews and the comparisons as they give us a very good information and details and we are trying to make a informed decision on which bike to get. I have a question regarding this Echelon bike, by any means do you know if echelon has fixed the Bluetooth issue with this bike or the newer one EX7s. Also is the review for Echelon EX7s coming soon?
I know I was able to get it fixed, but I have had multiple comments from people saying they are still running into this. So I am not 100 percent sure where this stands but I am a little uneasy based on what I am hearing. I have not ordered the EX7 yet, but knowing me it is only a matter of time!
So I just got the ex4s and I’m also having Bluetooth connecting issues in connecting the bike to the tablet. How did you fix it?
It has been a long time but I believe I went into the android OS and cleared Bluetooth cache and maybe cleared another thing. Set back up and it worked after that.
Hey Travis! We just got our EX5 and put it together today. We are adjusting the tension and it doesn’t feel like it is making any difference up or down. Any thoughts?
Is it plugged in and you are sure it has power? When you turn the knob it has a motor that moves and it needs power. I made that mistake when I wanted to feel it out before I plugged anything in.
LearnWithTravis Ohhh my gosh! That was it. Homer Simpson “Duhh” Thanks. Great videos, great response
How do You like it after 5 months. I just bought the same bike a week ago
I have had this bike for 14 months. At first I thought it was not bad at all, and it did the job. Unfortunately I have not been able to ride it for the last 5 months because of ridiculous problems with it. First, the flimsy cable broke and it took 3 months for the Echelon company to send a replacement. When I finally received the replacement, I went to put the pedal back on the bike and the specialty nut was now stripped (from only taking the pedal off one time) and no longer works. (Apparently it is easily stripped). Echelon would not simply send me the nut and can only send me a full replacement pedal (luckily, I have the extended warranty). It has now been another 2 months and I have yet to receive the pedal despite constantly calling. This bike is poorly constructed and the customer service is incredibly slow. Save your money! I would not recommend this bike to anyone.
So sorry to hear what you are dealing with Ronit but thank you for sharing. This helps me understand what is happening out there and also for people looking through the comments before making a purchase. I hope things work out.
Do you have any opinion regarding the spin wheel being in front on the Peloton vs the spin wheel being on the back on the Echelon?
Honestly, no. It did not seem to change anything from a ride perspective and seems to be more of a design choice than anything.
If you already have a tablet I would get the EX5 instead of the EX5s. It is the same bike but you are paying for the monitor. Save your money and use your tablet.
Good point!
I agree. I was going to purchase the Peloton when I saw the EX 5 and I didn’t want to wait for the EX5S. This is the one time that being impatient worked out for me. I use an old 73inch Mitsubishi tv that I was going to get rid of to mirror the class on.
Do you think I can use my iPAD on the EX5 and get the same experience? The bike is $400 less without the monitor. I expect to cast to my television anyway. Any other differences between the EX5 and the EX5S?
I don’t have the EX5 but I don’t believe there were a lot of major changes. I do think you could still get the same experience , especially if casting to a tv. Looking down at a small screen can be less immersive but it still gets the job done.
Has anyone used both Peloton and Echelon EX-5s? How does the output compare between bikes? Say you did a 20-minute ride on both bikes, would the output be similar or would one bike be higher than the other? Thanks.
I have a question on the resistance knob I'm having a difficult problem with it where it doesn't seem to be tightened up what could be the problem
Is it plugged in? Some are mechanical so you can change resistance without plugging in. I think this one is a motor so it needs to be plugged in.