Watching Nickelodeon while your mom or dad worked out on a NordicTrack ski machine was part of the ’90s childhood experience. And in 2021, you might be thinking about re-creating that magic (or maybe just getting a good workout at home) with a NordicTrack bike.
This exercise brand, which also makes treadmills, ellipticals, and strength training machines, has several bike models to choose from. So which one’s gonna be the best for your home gym?
Like most of the fancy exercise bikes, NordicTrack’s rides come with touch screens and are designed to be used with streaming classes. Most NordicTrack bikes also come with a 1-year subscription to iFit, the brand’s interactive fitness platform.
The consensus is that NordicTrack’s bikes have a lot in common with other smart bikes on the market in terms of features and performance. But a lot of people see the NordicTrack + iFit combo as a better deal than Peloton, since you get a year’s worth of classes with the bike purchase instead of having to pay for a monthly subscription right at the start.
All this makes NordicTrack worth considering when you’re shopping for an indoor bike. Let’s take a look at three of the brand’s most popular rides: the NordicTrack S15i, S22i, and R35.
NordicTrack bike comparison: A side-by-side look
NordicTrack actually makes six different bikes. But for the sake of not making your head spin while it tries to keep track of all those resistance levels and touch screen sizes, let’s just look at the three models people seem to like the best.
| S22i | S15i | R35 | |
| Bike type | studio-style cycling bike | studio-style cycling bike | recumbent bike |
| Engineering | inertia-enhanced flywheel, -10% decline to 20% incline, commercial-grade steel construction, enhanced corrosion resistance | inertia-enhanced flywheel, -10% decline to 20% incline, commercial-grade steel construction, enhanced corrosion resistance | 25-lb. inertia-enhanced flywheel, SMR Silent Magnetic Resistance, commercial-grade steel construction, one-touch controls |
| Tech specs | 22-in. rotating smart HD touch screen, improved HD graphics performance, Wi-Fi connectivity, QuietDrive incline tech, Google Maps workout technology, automatic trainer control | 14-in. smart HD touch screen, improved HD graphics performance, QuietDrive incline tech, Google Maps workout technology, automatic trainer control | 14-in. smart HD touch screen, automatic trainer control |
| Comfort | ergonomic padded saddle, vertical and horizontal seat adjustment, nonslip multiposition handlebar, AutoBreeze workout fan | ergonomic padded saddle, vertical and horizontal seat adjustment, nonslip multiposition handlebar, AutoBreeze workout fan | EasyGlide seat adjustment, ergonomic pedals, lumbar support seat, AutoBreeze workout fan |
| iFit stats | comes with 1-year membership | comes with 1-year membership | comes with 1-year membership |
| Resistance levels | 24 | 22 | 26 |
| Audio | 2 digitally amplified speakers, wireless Bluetooth headphone connectivity | 2 digitally amplified speakers, wireless Bluetooth headphone connectivity | 2 digitally amplified speakers, wireless Bluetooth headphone connectivity |
| Weight capacity | 350 lbs. | 350 lbs. | 350 lbs. |
As you can see, the S-series indoor cycling bikes are pretty similar. Both boast a ton of features, but the S22i has a bigger touch screen and a few more resistance levels. The R35 is a recumbent bike, so it’s in a totally different class. You’ll still get a great workout with it, but the recumbent-style seat means there’s more focus on comfort and support.
How much will I pay?
In terms of moolah, you’ll shell out about as much for a NordicTrack bike as you would for a competitor brand. Each of these three bikes is priced a little differently based on the features it offers.
S22i
- Total price: $1,999 + $199 delivery fee
- iFit membership: free for 1 year with purchase, then $396 per year
- Available financing: $57/month for 39 months with 0% APR
S15i
- Total price: $1,599
- iFit membership: free for 1 year with purchase, then $396 per year
- Available financing: $134/month for 12 months with 0% APR
R35
- Total price: $1,799
- iFit membership: free for 1 year with purchase, then $396 per year
- Available financing: $150/month for 12 months with 0% APR
Let’s get into bike specs
We’ve talked features. Now let’s see which bike will fit best in your space.
S22i
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 63 x 22 x 60 inches (in.)
- Weight: 203 pounds (lbs.)
- Wheels: front-mounted transport
- Other deets: compatible with standard road bike pedals and seat
S15i
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 60 x 22 x 58 in.
- Weight: 203 lbs.
- Wheels: front-mounted transport
- Other deets: compatible with standard road bike pedals and seat
R35
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 68.22 x 23.69 x 53.42 in.
- Weight: 192 lbs.
- Wheels: front-mounted transport
- Other deets: n/a
All three bikes come with warranties of 10 years for the frame, 2 years for parts, and 1 year for labor. NordicTrack offers a 30-day return policy in case you decide the bike isn’t the right fit for you, but you’ll have to pay $250 for return shipping.
What are the iFit classes like?
Access to NordicTrack’s exclusive iFit classes is a big reason to buy one of the brand’s bikes. A 1-year membership comes with your bike purchase, and it renews automatically each year unless you opt to cancel your subscription. (If you cancel, you can still ride the bike in manual mode.)
iFit is billed as an interactive personal training platform with trainer-led studio workouts you can stream from your bike or through your phone via the iFit app. You can also ride with a trainer on gorgeous routes all over the world, including in places like Vietnam, Norway, and Patagonia.
In addition to cycling workouts, iFit’s ever-expanding library has yoga, cross-training, and bodyweight workouts, some of which are live. So you’re getting access to a lot.
As for the trainers themselves, the team of world-renowned coaches is fairly diverse in terms of personality and training style. With 10 different trainers each leading their own classes, you’ll prob find a few that you really mesh with.
And speaking of those trainers, one thing that sets iFit and NordicTrack’s bikes apart is the automatic trainer control feature — your trainer can adjust your speed, resistance, and incline during the class. A lot of users like having one less thing to think about while they ride, and it can keep you from slacking. But if you’re not into having your bike be robotically manipulated, you can set this feature to manual.
tl;dr
The NordicTrack S22i, S15i, and R35 are all great home bikes with solid features, including a 1-year subscription to the iFit platform.
The S22i and S15i are studio-style cycling bikes designed for hard workouts, with the main difference being that the S22i has a bigger screen. If you’re looking for something more comfortable, the recumbent R35 offers more support while still delivering a challenging ride.
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