How to Decide Between the Peloton Bike and Peloton Bike+ (Price, Size, and Features Compared)

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 11, 2021

If you’re considering buying from Peloton, you’ve already landed on one of the best brands for at-home fitness. Once you have settled on a Peloton subscription, all you need is your own equipment! Peloton’s bikes are top of the class, but with new releases and classic bikes, which one is right for you? There are a few important aspects you’ll want to consider: size, price, and versatility, to name a few. Read on for an in-depth review of the Peloton Bike and the Peloton Bike+.

1

The Peloton Bike

1
The original Peloton bike has a smaller frame and a smaller sticker price than its successor, but fewer add-ons. The Peloton bike boasts the ability to partake in the Peloton series spin classes with its touch screen and magnetic resistance knob.
- Price. The Peloton Bike is Peloton’s cheapest bike ever. As of September 2021, the Peloton Bike starts at $1,495, or a monthly payment of $39.
2
Size. This bike has a 4’ by 2’ footprint, making it easy to store in any corner of your home. The bike also comes with a 21.5’’ HD touch screen, though it does not rotate like the Bike+. The screen may make it a little harder to do off-bike classes (like strength training), but not impossible.

Advertisement
3
Features. With a Peloton All-Access subscription ($39/month), you receive access to live classes, individual profiles for household members, live mid-workout fitness metrics, leaderboards to compete against other Peloton members, and special event programming. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
4
Final thoughts. The Peloton Bike is best for people purchasing their first at-home cycling bike or people who don’t want to spend too much on an at-home workout system.

2

The Peloton Bike+

1
The Peloton Bike + is the newest high-end Peloton, adding features to the original for cyclers seeking more variety and control in their at-home workouts. Though this Peloton offering is the most expensive bike, you pay for a large rotating screen, high-quality cardio equipment, and a great sound system.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Price. This model is a bit pricier than the original, starting at $2,495 with a $64-month membership fee for classes and workouts.
2
Size. The Bike+ has the same 4’ by 2’ footprint as the original Peloton Bike, but it is six inches taller. The 23.8” HD touch screen rotates 180 degrees for classes where you may need to get off your bike so the Bike+ will require a little more space. The Bike+ also weighs 140 pounds, five pounds more than the Bike.
3
Features. With a Peloton All-Access subscription ($39/month), you receive access to live classes, individual profiles for household members, live mid-workout fitness metrics, leaderboards to compete against other Peloton members, and special event programming.
- Apple Gym Kit Integration. With this feature, you can pair your Apple Watch with the Bike+ to sync your performance metrics between the two devices including heart rate, energy output, and more. This makes keeping track of your fitness metrics easier and more efficient than ever.
- Resistance Knob Auto Follow. Although the Peloton Bike comes with a resistance knob, some classes will ask you to adjust your resistance during class to make cycling easier or harder. The Peloton Bike+ will automatically adjust to the instructor's recommended resistance, so you can stay on track without having to pause your workout.
4
Final thoughts. The Peloton Bike+ is best for serious at-home bikers who are ok with spending more to access the special features that come with it.

3

Other Major Differences Between The Bikes

1
Besides price and the additional features like Auto Follow and Apple GymKit on the Bike+, there are a few other notable differences between the two bikes.
- Sound System. The Bike+ has 4-channel audio with 2x3 watt tweeters and 2x10 watt woofers, while the Bike has a 2x10 watt sound system. ^{[3]
  X
  Research source} If those technical terms don’t mean much to you, know that the Bike+ has a more intense, richer sound system than the Bike. Both bikes are compatible with Bluetooth.
- Tech. The Bike+ comes with a USB-C charging port while the Bike comes with a USB port. If you want to charge your other devices while riding, you might consider which ports best serve you. ^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
2
It's a win-win. In our opinion, you can’t go wrong with either of these Peloton models, but hopefully these quick metrics have given you a better idea on which one will be your ideal bike. Happy cycling!