The Echelon EX-5s Exercise Bike: Is It Worth It?
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A stationary bike is one piece of gym equipment that many people choose to include in their home gym. It allows you to get in a great workout in the rain. You can take studio-style cycling classes from home at any hour of the day with the exercise apps.
If you have begun researching exercise bikes, you may have found the Echelon EX-5s, and wondered how it compares.
The article takes an in-depth look at the EX-5s, including its key features, what it is like to set up and use, how it compares to other smart exercise bikes, and more.
Pros
- The pedals have options for toe cage and clip.
- The bike has a port for charging your phone.
- The seat and handlebars of the bike can be moved forward, backward, up, and down.
- There are two screen sizes to choose from, 10 and 22 inches.
Cons
- The screen does not turn from side to side.
- “The bike doesn’t have an automatic resistance control.”
- The warranty is limited compared to similar bikes. You can pay an additional fee for a longer warranty.
Echelon Fitness was founded in Tennessee. The company has partnerships with celebrities like Mario Lopez and has added entertainment options to its app.
Echelon makes treadmills, rowers, fitness mirrors, and exercise bikes. The Echelon app allows subscribers to access live and on-demand classes, and the company plans to add more streaming options soon.
The Echelon EX-5s is the only bike that has a touch screen. The bike is very similar to the EX-5, but it has a few extra features such as charging ports for your phone or tablets.
The Echelon EX-5s is available in two versions, one with a 10-inch (25.4- cm) touch screen and the other with a 22-inch (55.9- cm) touch screen.
The EX-5s are a little heavier than the EX-5, measuring 58 x 21.5 x 61 inches and weighing in at 123 pounds.
The maximum recommended user weight for the EX-5s is 300 pounds (136.1 kilograms) and it has 32 levels of magnetic resistance that you can change with a resistance knob.
The bike is recommended for riders 4 feet 11 inches (150 cm) to 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) tall, but riders ranging from 4 feet 5 inches (134 cm) to 6 feet 8 inches (203 cm) claim to have used Echelon’s bikes.
“The handlebars and seat can be moved forward, backward, up, and down, like the Echelon. The seat can be raised or lowered based on the user’s height and preferences.”
Additionally, the bike’s pedals offer both SPD-compatible clips and toe cages.
The bike has water bottle holders. Two dumbbell holders that hold 2-pound dumbbells are sold separately.
You can charge your phone or tablets on the bike.
The Echelon EX-5s with a 10-inch screen is often on sale for more than the retail price. The monthly cost for financing is $26 per month.
The Echelon EX-5s is often on sale for more than $2,000. You can pay by month for $32.
The bikes have a limited warranty on parts and labor. You can purchase a longer, more extensive warranty that will cover any repairs you need to make as a result of electronic issues or wear and tear.
Shipping costs are usually $99.99 and in- home delivery costs $198. Shipping is often free if you purchase a 1- or 2-year Echelon membership.
In addition to the cost of the bike itself, an Echelon Premier membership is required to complete a bike purchase through the brand’s website.
You will get access to a library of workout music, live classes, and thousands of on-demand class options.
A monthly Echelon membership costs a lot. $399.99 is billed annually, which is equal to $33.33 per month. The best deal is a 2-year subscription for $699.
The Echelon EX-5s comes with an assembly guide that includes pictures and a description. The process of putting the bike together is not hard, but you may need a few hours to do it.
The NordicTrack S22i is larger and heavier than the EX-5s, but it is 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 and weighs over 50 lbs.
“It doesn’t fold, so you’ll want to factor its full size into your space requirements.”
The resistance knob on the EX-5s is easy to use to change the difficulty of your workout.
You can share the bike with people of different heights and body sizes if you can adjust the handlebars and seat. You will be able to find a custom fit that works best for you.
If you have cycling shoes, the dual-sided pedals allow you to ride with them.
Choosing to wear regular sneakers may make it easier for you to jump into some off-bike exercises like strength training or high intensity interval training during your workout.
The Echelon EX-5s is a good match for people who like virtual training classes and want a more realistic riding experience than the basic Echelon bike models can provide.
“The Echelon EX-5s might be more expensive for those who prefer to ride without a class or have their own tablets. The Echelon EX-5 has almost the same features as the Echelon, but it doesn’t have a screen.”
Echelon Fitness is a brand that is popular. When equipment malfunctions or when they want to change their payment plan, customers can sometimes struggle to get help from customer service.
Echelon has a C+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, which reports 378 complaints closed with the company in the last 3 years (133 in the last 12 months).
Wondering how the Echelon EX-5s stack up to other exercise bikes? Here is a quick overview.
| Price | Warranty | Training options | Resistance | Other features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echelon EX-5s | $1,799.99 (10-inch screen)
$1,999.99 (22-inch screen) |
12-month limited parts and labor warranty | Echelon membership (purchase required) | 32 levels | • 2 water bottle holders • dual-sided pedals (SPD and toe cages) • 4-way adjustable seat and handlebars • dumbbell holders • charging ports • 180-degree rotating screen |
| Peloton Bike+ | $2,495 | 12 months on parts and labor, 5 years on the bike | Peloton membership | 100 levels | • 23.8-inch rotating touch screen • Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity • automatic resistance control • USB-C charging port • dumbbell holders |
| NordicTrack S22i | $1,899 | 10 years on frame, 2 years on parts, 1 year on labor | iFit membership (30-day free trial included with bike purchase) | 24 levels | • 22-inch, 360-degree-rotating touch screen • 4-way seat adjustment options • Automatic Trainer Control • incline and decline from -10%–20% • dual water bottle holders • 3-pound (1.4-kg) dumbbells |
| Bowflex VeloCore | $1,799 (16-inch console)
$2,199 (22-inch console) |
2 years on frame and parts, 1 year on electronics and labor | JRNY (1-year membership included with purchase of the bike) | 100 levels | • dual-sided pedals (SPD and toe cages) • media rack • 4-way adjustable handlebars, • ability to lean from side to side • Bluetooth heart rate armband • 3-pound (1.4-kg) dumbbells |
| ProForm Studio Bike Pro | $1,403 | 10 years on frame, 2 years on parts, 1 year on labor | iFit membership (3-year family membership currently included with bike purchase) | 22 levels | • 10-inch, 180-degree-rotating touch screen • water bottle holder • Automatic Resistance Control • 3-pound (1.4-kg) dumbbells |
What is the difference between the Echelon EX-5 and EX-5s?
The Echelon EX-5s requires users to provide their own smart device if they want a screen, while the EX-5s only requires a 10- or 22-inch touch screen. The EX-5s is heavier. The two bikes have the same features.
Can you use the Echelon EX-5s without a subscription?
“You can use the Echelon EX-5s without a subscription. The section called freestyle is where you will need to use. You will be able to see your statistics, but you won’t be able to save them. You will need to pay for the subscription for classes.”
If you choose to purchase the EX-5s from Echelon, you will need to purchase an Echelon premier membership. You would have to cancel your membership at a later date to use the bike without a subscription.
Can you watch Netflix on the Echelon EX-5s?
The Echelon EX-5s does not have a screen that shows Netflix, but Echelon plans to add other streaming services.
If you want to watch a show while you work out, you can either purchase the Echelon EX-5 and watch it on your own device or wait for the Echelon app to come out.
The price of the Echelon EX-5s depends on how much you want a touch screen.
The Echelon EX-5 has the same features as the Echelon, but at a lower price.
The EX-5s are a good option if you want a rear-flywheel exercise bike with a built-in screen.
