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The Concept 2 Bikeerg and Peloton are two stationary bike options. Find out their differences and which one is the best for what preferences.
Some of the main differences between the Concept 2 Bikeerg and Peloton are the air vs magnetic resistance, size of screens, included workouts, and subscription costs.
Something to note is that if you want more workouts than the standard ones that come with the Concept 2 BikeErg, you can connect the bike to other workout apps and devices. This does require some extra equipment.
With that in mind, if you prefer exercise bikes with air resistance, don’t want to use extra electricity, and want to avoid subscription costs, the Concept 2 BikeErg can be the best choice for you.
On the opposite side, the magnetic resistance from the Peloton Bike will generally be more silent. This can be important in an apartment or if you have sleeping kids nearby.
Additionally, if you don’t mind investing more into the Peloton App subscription, the immersive workouts can make your exercise sessions more fun and potentially improve consistency. This can be valuable.
Most important differences Concept 2 Bikeerg vs Peloton
The Concept 2 BikeErg and Peloton are two exercise bikes that vary in a lot of areas. These differences will steer your decision one way or the other.
At the same time, not all of these differences are equally important. In the first table below, you can find the ones that are generally most important to people.
Keep in mind that this article focuses on the regular Peloton Bike. There is also the pricier Peloton Bike+ which has things like automatic resistance adjustment and a rotatable screen.
| Feature | Concept 2 BikeErg | Peloton Bike |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance Type | Air | Magnetic With Mechanical Adjustment |
| Screen | Small PM5 Monitor | 21.5” HD Touchscreen With Speakers |
| Device Holder | Optional Paid Addition | No |
| Workout Programs | 5 Standard Workouts, 5 Custom Workouts | 3 Pre-Recorded Classes, Just Ride, And Paid Membership Subscription |
| Resistance Levels | 10 (Damper Settings) | 100 Levels |
| Requires Electric Power | No | For Optimal Use |
| Weight | 68 lbs (31 kg) | 135 lbs (61.2 kg) |
| Price Category* | $$$$ | $$$$ + App Subscription |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Price category at the time of writing
Other features Concept 2 Bikeerg vs Peloton
Before choosing one or the other, you may also want to look at the smaller differences and common features of the Concept 2 BikeErg and Peloton Bike.
| Feature | Concept 2 BikeErg | Peloton Bike |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 300 Pounds (136 kg) | 297 Pounds (134.7 kg) |
| User Height Range | Inseam Lengths Of 28” – 37” (71.1 cm to 94 cm) | 59 to 76 Inches (149.9 cm to 193 cm) |
| Drive Type | Polygroove Belts With Self-Tensioning System | Poly V® Power Transmission Belt Drive |
| Dimensions | 48″ L x 24″ W | 59″ L x 23″ W x 53″ H |
| Handlebar Style | Multi Grip | More Extensive Multi Grip |
| Handlebar Adjustment | Height & Fore/Aft | Height |
| Adjustable Seat | Height | Height & Fore/Aft |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Display On Monitor With Your Own Bluetooth Measuring Device | Display On Monitor With Your Own Bluetooth Measuring Device |
| Adjustability Device Holder Or Screen | None | Tilts To Suit Different Heights |
| Pedals | Regular Bike Pedals | Delta-Compatible |
| Transport Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Warranties* | 5 Years Frame Parts, 2 Years Other Parts | 5 Years Frame Warranty, 12 Months Most Original Components Limited Warranty |
| Customizability | Fits Most Standard Bike Parts | No |
| Crank Length | 170 mm | 170 mm |
| Bottle Holder | Optional Paid Addition | 2 Large |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Warranties can vary from seller to seller
Differences Concept 2 Bikeerg vs Peloton explained more in-depth
If you are familiar with the different types of exercise bikes and their features, the overview of differences and a quick look at the prices could be enough to choose between the Concept 2 BikeErg and Peloton.
You may also be a bit unsure about what certain features mean, why they are important, for who they matter, and how much they should influence your decision.
Resistance type
Stationary (and real) bikes are made on the principle of making the pedaling harder to do. When done in the right amounts, this can strengthen your body in the long term.
There are many ways exercise bikes can make the movements harder. Your preference for what resistance type plays a big role when choosing between the Concept 2 BikeErg and Peloton Bike.
The Concept 2 BikeErg uses air resistance. By pedaling you make a big fan turn against the resistance from the air. The harder you pedal, the harder the resistance will be. Additionally, there are damper settings.
Indoor cycling bikes like the Peloton typically work in a way where you make a flywheel turn against magnetic resistance. You can also adjust the resistance, this time with a turn knob.
Some people simply prefer the feel of either air or magnetic resistance more. However, there are also more general upsides and downsides that apply to everyone.
The air resistance from the Concept 2 BikeErg tends to be a bit noisier. On the other hand, you don’t need any electricity besides the batteries in the monitor to use the exercise bike.
Peloton bikes basically have the opposite upsides and downsides of these points. They are more silent but do require electricity to make full use of the bike.
Winner: Personal preference and situation
Screen
Another big difference between the Concept 2 BikeErg and Peloton Bike is their screens.
The Concept 2 BikeErg has a good but relatively small PM5 Monitor. Some of the measurements this tracks are distance, pace, watts, and an estimation of calories burned.
You can also connect the PM5 monitor to other devices through Bluetooth. This includes the ability to connect a wireless heart rate monitor to it and display the measurement on the screen.
On the flip side, the 21.5” HD touchscreen with speakers is one of the main things that stands out in the Peloton experience.
This can display a variety of exercise measurements and makes following the workout classes and scenic rides more immersive.
Do keep in mind that these things require a Peloton app subscription. This is generally recommended if you want to make the most out of your Peloton Bike.
Your choice in this area of the Concept 2 BikeErg vs the Peloton Bike again depends on personal preference. Do you just want good exercise bike workouts or do you don’t mind paying a bit extra for workout classes on top of that.
Winner: Peloton if you like immersive workouts and don’t mind the paid app subscription
Winner: Concept 2 BikeErg if you prefer a simple monitor
Workout programs
With the differences in screens, the included workout options also vary.
The PM5 monitor of the BikeErg includes 5 standard workouts and allows you to program 5 custom workouts. This is not the most extensive but can definitely also be enough to put together a good exercise program.
Something to note is that you can connect your Concept 2 BikeErg to other workout apps through Bluetooth. For this, you do need to get a device holder and have a separate device.
On the other hand, the Peloton Bike has 3 pre-recorded classes, a just ride function, and all of the workouts in the paid membership subscription if you get this.
To get the most out of your Peloton Bike, you do likely want to get this subscription. The Peloton App includes a lot of workouts which include cycling classes, scenic rides, but also strength training sessions.
Many people will find that the variety the Peloton App offers makes their workouts more enjoyable. In turn, this can also help you stay more consistent with your exercise program which offers a lot of health benefits.
While it does come at an extra cost, the number and immersiveness of the workout programs in the Peloton App are definitely more impressive than the included options of the Concept 2 BikeErg.
You do want to remember that you can also connect your Concept 2 BikeErg to certain workout apps.
Winner: Peloton
Price
Up until now, the decision between the Concept 2 BikeErg and Peloton Bike is mostly a case of personal preference in a variety of areas. In cases like this, the price of each option can sometimes help you make a decision.
The exact price difference will depend on where you buy your stationary bike and can change over time. That being said, at the time of writing, the initial investment of the Concept 2 BikeErg and Peloton Bike is about the same.
You do want to keep in mind that you want the Peloton App subscription to make full use of your exercise bike. The cost of this does add up over time. Additionally, the Peloton Bike+ requires a higher initial investment.
Winner: Concept 2 BikeErg if you consider the Peloton App subscription
User reviews
The feature and price differences between the Concept 2 BikeErg and Peloton Bike already give you a good idea about what option would be the best for you.
However, even in situations like this, it can be helpful to look at the customer reviews. These can sometimes uncover unexpected downsides or quality control issues.
The first thing to note is that the customer reviews for both the Concept 2 BikeErg and Peloton Bike are very positive compared to most other stationary bike options. Even so, there is still room for improvement.
In the case of the Concept 2 BikeErg, some people are not a fan of the sound and the position of the damper setting adjustment.
The Peloton Bike has some exceptional quality control issues here and there. Some people are also not happy with the subscription costs.
That being said, overall, customers are still very happy with both exercise bikes.
Is the Concept 2 Bikeerg or Peloton Bike better for you?
In short, the Concept 2 BikeErg uses air resistance, does not require electricity, and does not require a subscription cost to make full use of the exercise bike.
On the flip side, the Peloton Bike uses magnetic resistance, comes with a big touchscreen, and offers a variety of immersive workout classes. Do keep in mind that the App with these workouts requires a subscription.
Something else to note is that if you find the included workouts of the Concept 2 BikeErg lacking, you can also connect the exercise bike to certain popular workout apps and get a device holder if needed.
Which of these exercise bikes is the best for you mostly depends on your resistance preference, budget, and how much you like the Peloton App subscription.
If you like the feeling of air resistance, like that you don’t need electricity, and want to save some money in the long term, the Concept 2 BikeErg can be the right choice for you.
On the other hand, if you don’t mind investing a bit more into the Peloton App subscription, its immersive workouts can make your exercise sessions more enjoyable and improve consistency.
The Peloton Bike will also be more silent during use which can be important in an apartment or if you have sleeping children near you.
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