The Best NordicTrack Exercise Bikes (2024) | Garage Gym Reviews (2024)

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If you’re spinning your wheels trying to find a good indoor exercise bike from a trusted brand, then I strongly recommend looking at NordicTrack bikes. These high-tech, feature-filled cardio machines are among the best exercise bikes on the market. And I would know; our team—including me—has used these bikes as well as dozens of others to assess their quality.

Here, we’ll break down the best NordicTrack exercise bikes available on the brand’s website to highlight the key features and warn you about potential downsides.

We Know NordicTrack

Since this site was founded, our team of expert product testers, certified personal trainers, cardio junkies, and endurance masoch*sts have relished in putting treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes to the test. We have personally tested the best NordicTrack treadmills and the best NordicTrack ellipticals, even venturing to the brand’s headquarters to learn the ins and outs of what makes these machines tick. We’ve conducted extensive multi-point testing and written half a dozen NordicTrack exercise bike reviews to illustrate the ups and downs of these popular products.

NordicTrack Exercise Bike Lineup

• Best NordicTrack Bike Overall: NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Bike
• Best NordicTrack Bike With Programming: NordicTrack Commercial S27i Studio Bike
• Best Recumbent NordicTrack Bike: NordicTrack Commercial R35
• Best Budget NordicTrack Bike: NordicTrack Commercial VU 29

Which NordicTrack Bike Should You Buy?

To narrow down your search, first choose from one of three NordicTrack bike lines:

• Commercial Studio Series: Bikes you would typically see in a cycling class
• Recumbent Series: Bikes with a well-padded seat that have back support
• Upright Series: Bikes that feature a smaller footprint and put the body in an upright position

Keep reading to learn more about these categories and the specific products in each.

Best NordicTrack Bike Overall: NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Bike

Good for: Those who want the traditional bike feel with immersive interactive programming

If you’re looking for a bike from NordicTrack that most closely resembles a road bike, the Studio Series is your best bet—particularly the NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Bike. This bike is similar to what you’d see in a cycling class and akin to products like the ever-popular Peloton Bike in a lot of ways: a large 22-inch touchscreen, interactive programming via iFIT, and a sleek design.

However, one feature that I particularly loved when testing the NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle is that the bike offers incline and decline training options. It truly feels like you are riding hills (well, as close to the real thing without being the real thing). It also boasts a -10% to 20% range.For that reason, I rated it 4.8 out of 5 stars for adjustability.

RELATED: Indoor vs Outdoor Cycling

With the iFIT’s “AutoAdjust” technology, the bike will change resistance and incline levels on its own along with iFIT programming. This was actually a little jarring to me at first, but I loved not having to worry about making those adjustments during my workout.

The S22i Studio Bike offers a lot of creature comforts as well: dual water bottle holders, a padded seat (but not THAT padded; you may still get the cycling butt burn, I won’t lie), and a seat that adjusts horizontally and vertically. Plus, it comes with two 3-pound dumbbells to be used with iFIT workouts.

I have just a few words of caution if you’re interested in this bike. First, you get what you pay for, and this is a high-quality bike that comes with a high price. Financing is available, and we do see it go on sale around major holidays like Black Friday and the 4th of July.I gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars for value. While the impressive touchscreen and incline/decline features make it unique, I don’t think it’s worth it if you won’t be using the iFIT programming.

RELATED: Best Black Friday Exercise Bike Deals

Also, I personally assembled the S22i, and it was quite the undertaking. The large screen requires two people to attach to the bike because you have to run wires and tighten screws all while holding a monitor. The instructions are easy to follow, though, so I still gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars for assembly. Note that expert assembly is available for an additional price—if you have the money for a $2K bike, you may as well spring for the pros to put it together for you.

Read more about our testing in our NordicTrack Commercial S22i review.

Best NordicTrack Bike With Programming: NordicTrack Commercial S27i Studio Bike

Good for: People who want a bike with a large touchscreen

Yes, all of NordicTrack’s bikes come with iFIT programming. But we named the S27i as the best with programming because it has a large, 27-inch screen that provides a truly immersive experience.

We haven’t tested the 27i yet, but it’s similar to the S22i in several ways. Both bikes have the same decline and incline range of -10% to 20%. They each boast a 350-pound weight capacity and have handles that adjust vertically as well as seats that adjust horizontally and vertically. Like the S22i, the S27i comes with 3-pound dumbbells, Bluetooth speakers, dual water bottle holders, and a workout fan, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars for conveniences.

The biggest difference between the two bikes is that the S27i has a 27-inch touchscreen, while the S22i has a 22-inch touchscreen. I found the screen on the S22i to be more than large enough, but if riding with a movie screen in front of you is your jam and you have the money, then you might find the S27i to be just peachy. It costs $500 more than the S22i, but you’re really just paying extra for the larger screen, so we rated it 4 out of 5 stars for value.

It’s important to note that the S27i weighs 217 pounds. There are transport wheels at the front, but the weight makes it difficult to move around. We gave it 3 out of 5 stars for footprint and portability and recommend keeping it situated in one place.

Learn more in our NordicTrack Commercial S27i review.

Best Recumbent Bike NordicTrack: NordicTrack Commercial R35

Good for: Those looking for an easy-to-use, easy-on-the-body workout option

By and large, recumbent bikes are known for their comfort and ease of use. NordicTrack currently has one in this lineup: the R35.

The first thing former staff writer Caroline Lubinksy took note of when she used the R35 is how supportive the seat is. This is a mainstay in recumbent bikes, which are purposely designed to take pressure off the user’s back. They feature a seat with back support and place the pedals in front of your body rather than under them.

The NordicTrack recumbent bike specifically has a padded seat that adjusts horizontally to accommodate users of just about any height. The pedals are touted as being ergonomic; rather than toe cages, they have straps that can be adjusted over the user’s shoes.These features led us to rate the R35 a 4 out of 5 for ergonomics and adjustability.

Of course, a signature of NordicTrack cardio equipment is iFIT programming. The R35 is compatible with the app, which streams from the touchscreen and takes people through on-demand indoor cycling classes. iFIT also offers off-bike workouts in modalities like yoga, Pilates, and weight training. Plus, iFIT trainers can automatically adjust your bike’s settings for you in the middle of your workout. “The auto-adjust technology makes it easy to stay engaged with your class instead of worrying about fumbling with the controls,” Caroline noted, rating the bike a perfect 5 out of 5 for dynamic programming.

The downside of many recumbent bikes is the large footprint. Because the pedals are in front of you, the length of recumbent bikes is significantly longer than what you’d find on a typical indoor cycling bike. We rated the R35 just 3.75 out of 5 stars for footprint and portability; it doesn’t fold and is not the easiest thing to move around.

For a more detailed look at this bike, check out our NordicTrack Commercial R35 review.

Best Budget NordicTrack Bike: NordicTrack Commercial VU 29

Good for: Those on a budget looking for a compact exercise bike with excellent functionality

An upright bike is a close cousin of the studio-style bike. The main difference is that on an upright bike, the handles are raised much higher, putting your body into—wait for it—an upright position. This tends to be more comfortable for people who experience low back pain when using a bike where you are forced to lean over to reach the handles.

NordicTrack’s upright bike is the VU 29. It is the most affordable bike the brand offers, starting under $1,000. I wouldn’t exactly call it a budget exercise bike, but if you’re trying to save money, this might be the best option for you.

The VU bike is also the lightest from NordicTrack, weighing 115 pounds. This, coupled with the smaller footprint, means it could be great for people living in small spaces who need a bike they can easily move around. For that reason, we rated it a 4.5 out of 5 for footprint and portability.

Like all of NordicTrack’s bikes, the VU 29 is compatible with iFIT. You can use the bike in manual mode, but there are no other built-in workout programs. To get the most out of this bike, you’ll need to pay for an iFIT membership.

The VU 29 has a touchscreen display, offers silent magnetic resistance, and has a comfortable seat. However, the handles do not adjust, which means you’ll have to get comfortable in that upright position. We gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars for ergonomics.

Also, the flywheel is just 19 pounds, which isn’t very heavy, and that means you might experience some side-to-side wobbling when you exercise at higher speeds. This bike has a 325-pound weight capacity, the lowest of the four NordicTrack bikes. Based on our experience with NordicTrack treadmills, ellipticals, and other equipment, we do think it can last a long time in a home gym setting. Still, we docked a point and gave it 4 out of 5 stars for durability due to our concerns with the wobbliness.

NordicTrack Exercise Bikes Comparison Chart

Discontinued NordicTrack Exercise Bikes

NordicTrack used to sell three other exercise bikes:

• The S15i
• The VR25
• The VU 19

Formerly part of the brand’s Commercial Studio line, the S15i was like a more basic version of the S22i. It had a smaller 14-inch monitor and lower-quality speakers, but the footprint was about the same. As we mentioned in our NordicTrack S15i bike review, we did like how it came with a free year of iFIT. But in almost every other aspect, the S22i is a big upgrade.

The VR25 belonged to NordicTrack’s recumbent bike line. It had 26 digital resistance levels, as the R35 has, but had a slightly smaller footprint. It also had a much smaller 7-inch touchscreen, compared to the 14-inch screen on the R35.

The NordicTrack VU 19 was an upright bike almost identical to the VU 29. However, the one thing that set it apart was that it had 32 onboard workouts. It was a good option for people who wanted a high-quality bike but didn’t want to pay a recurring fee for programming. You can learn more in our NordicTrack VU 19 review.

What to Look For in NordicTrack Exercise Bikes

If you’re in the market for a stationary bike, particularly from NordicTrack, here are a few factors to consider:

Type of Bike: Studio, Recumbent, Upright

The easiest way to start narrowing down your search is to choose which type of exercise bike is best for your at-home workouts.

A studio bike may be the most recognizable of all home exercise bikes, thanks to the popularity of cycling classes and bikes like the Peloton. These can deliver high-intensity workouts thanks to an abundance of resistance levels as well as the leaning-over body position they demand, engaging upper-body and core muscles on top of the work your legs are doing.

A recumbent bike is often used for those who need a very low-impact workout. The pedals are in front of your body, which rests in a large, padded seat that has a high back for additional support. You can still get an excellent workout on a recumbent bike, though it may not be as intense as other bike options deliver.

An upright bike puts your body into a very tall, vertical position, with the pedals under you. This is great for people who want to engage their core muscles while riding without putting as much stress on the lower back than, say, a studio bike causes.

Resistance

Most home exercise bikes come with at least a handful of resistance levels. These can be digital, as in you can adjust the resistance with a button, or manual, which requires you to crank a knob. NordicTrack bikes use silent magnetic resistance, which is optimal compared to friction resistance. Bikes that use friction resistance feature padded brakes that wear down over time (and can be quite noisy). Magnetic resistance is near-silent and requires less maintenance.

Incline

If you are serious about training and want indoor fitness equipment that can help you meet your cycling goals, then finding a bike with incline is a near-must. The NordicTrack Studio Series has both incline and decline options, which is rare. It’s also awesome, as it truly simulates riding up and down hills (your legs will feel it, I promise).

RELATED: The Best ProForm Exercise Bikes

Programming

You can hop on any old bike and pedal. If you’re like me, however, you can get bored pretty quickly and want some variety. If that sounds familiar, then find a bike with some kind of workout programming.

Every NordicTrack bike on the website as of this writing is iFIT-enabled. iFIT features live and on-demand classes for cycling as well as treadmill workouts, weight training, yoga, and more. A monthly subscription is required, which is typically an additional cost outside of flash deals where the equipment is “free” with the purchase of a years-long iFIT membership.

NordicTrack usually offers a free 30-day trial of iFIT with your purchase. Afterward, you can expect to pay $396 for a one-year family membership or $180 for a yearly individual membership. If you choose month-to-month payments, it will cost $39/month for a family membership or $15/month for an individual membership.

Don’t want the membership? There are still some free iFIT workouts you may be able to access from your equipment, and you can always use your bike in “manual” mode. However, the selling point of NordicTrack bikes is easily the iFIT programming. If you don’t want the subscription, you may be better off purchasing a cheaper bike for your home fitness.

Durability: Weight Capacity and Flywheel

The weight capacity of a bike refers to how much user weight it can hold without suffering damage. NordicTrack bikes have inclusive capacity ratings at either 325 or 350 pounds. This is a good sign that the bikes are well-constructed.

The flywheel of a bike also lends itself to durability, as the weight of the flywheel helps to stabilize the bike. Typically, we like to see flywheels of 20 pounds or higher. Some of NordicTrack’s bikes are listed as having “inertia-enhanced” flywheels. These flywheels are designed to have smooth movement instead of the jerkiness you might see in a flywheel that isn’t weighted properly.

Technology

There is nothing wrong with basic LCD screens that spit out your performance metrics, but you won’t find them on the NordicTrack bikes currently for sale. Each of these bikes with a screen offers an interactive experience with smart HD touchscreen capabilities.

When it comes to other technology options, keep in mind that the more you want, the more you’ll pay. NordicTrack bikes are pretty tricked out in this area, touting just about all the high-end features you would expect to find in a higher price range. Here are a few considerations:

• Wi-Fi capability
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Digital speakers
• “One-touch” controls for resistance and incline
• Heart rate monitors

Many people ask if you can use streaming services like Netflix on NordicTrack machines. The answer? No. If that’s important to you, there is a bike with that functionality. Our team has tested the Bowflex Velocore, which uses the JRNY app that enables you to stream from programs like Disney+ and Hulu through the built-in screen.

Conveniences

What do you like to have when you use cardio machines at home? Each NordicTrack bike has all or most of the following:

• Water bottle holder
• Fan
• Dumbbell holders
• Padded seat
• Adjustable handles and seat

One notably missing feature on NordicTrack bikes is a tablet or device holder. The bikes come with a touchscreen, so perhaps the brand felt you wouldn’t need a special tray to stream something from your own device? This is a bit of a letdown and something I’d like to see NordicTrack correct on future iterations of their machines.

RELATED: Echelon EX-8s Review

Brand Policies

A bike is only as good as the brand that stands behind it. NordicTrack has a solid reputation in the cardio industry; let’s dig into their policies.

Warranty

The warranty on each of the bikes currently listed on NordicTrack’s site is the same: a 10-year warranty on the frame, a two-year warranty on parts, and a one-year warranty on labor. I’d like to see a longer frame warranty, as you’d think bikes in this price range would be built to last until eternity.

Another important callout: NordicTrack (and its sibling company, ProForm) voids your warranty if you store your equipment in your garage. As a team dedicated to helping people build garage gyms, we take issue with this point.

Non-climate-controlled spaces that collect dust and debris may not be the ideal spot for fancy electronics and exercise equipment, but too many homeowners use their garages as gyms. This is an area where we’d like to see some wiggle room from a brand popular among home gym owners, especially considering many garage gyms do have climate control.

Returns

NordicTrack’s return policy is fairly run-of-the-mill at first glance: You get 30 days from the delivery date to return your equipment. However, they will charge you $250 plus a 10% restocking fee for the return, and they won’t refund any of your shipping charges. If there is wear and tear on the machine, the brand reserves the right to charge you for that as well.

Financing

Currently—and in recent memory—NordicTrack has offered 0% financing over 48 months on just about all of their large equipment. The website says this is a limited-time offer, and financing is otherwise 29.99%. However, we nearly always see the 0% offered, especially around holidays like Memorial Day.

Final Verdict of NordicTrack Exercise Bikes

Our team has always enjoyed testing cardio equipment from NordicTrack. The brand’s bikes have nearly all the technology, conveniences, and performance specs you might expect from machines that cost what these bikes do. More importantly: The bikes function well, as we have learned through countless hours of testing them.

Best NordicTrack Exercise Bikes: FAQs