Just spent a redonk amount of money on a Peloton bike

[vi edit]

Just to get things out of the way. Yes, it's a lot. Yes, it has a monthly subscription. Yes, I could get some combination of standalone spinning bike, full road bike + trainer cheaper.

For those that don't know...here's the website for them:
https://www.pelotoncycle.com/

That being said....

It's still a crazy amount of money. Why did I buy it? Mostly for my wife. We were doing half marathon training and she was getting into very good shape (1:40 half runner, 20 minute 5k distance) but then came down with a raging case plantar facisitis. She's been out of the game for almost 6 months and has been working with sports medicine the whole time and not getting anywhere. She's put on quite a bit of weight and overall mood has been not great since she can't get a good workout in. I needed something high cardio without the impact for her to burn off some calories. Spinning is one of the better ones.

We've got two young kids, tons of activities in the evenings/weekends, and otherwise hectic work schedule. Gym classes are not an option. It's got to be something she can hop on in the evening or right after she gets home. She's ultra competitive so the leaderboard function is good motivation.The ability to network and socialize is also appealing. And the live classes are a twist that's hard to replicate anywhere.

We both can use the bike. I've been wanting a good cross trainer and an alternative to running when it's either pouring rain, a billion muggy degrees, or sheet of ice outside. I love biking but I'm just too much of a wuss to ride on the narrow, hilly, winding roads we have here in Central KY.

The Peloton was a very high quality spinning bike, provided a live training class kind of environment you don't get from other home training machines and ultimately, if it's not something we end up using long term, it's got decent resale options.

I'll provide more information and pics/feedback once it's delivered and we've had a chance to use it.

 

[PricklyPete]

I briefly looked at these. My understanding is they didn't have a standalone bike that wasn't intended for the subscription service. Stopped right there. Am I wrong about that?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Subscription service? For an exercise bike? Really? Hmm, never heard of that before. Sounds... expensive.

 

[vi edit]

I briefly looked at these. My understanding is they didn't have a standalone bike that wasn't intended for the subscription service. Stopped right there. Am I wrong about that?

Not wrong. It's not for everyone. When you look at the cost of drop in spinning classes for 2 people it's about a wash on a monthly basis, plus convenience of doing it in your own home. The combination of non-repetative live classes, 3000+ on demand ones and live leaderboards (basically a built-in competition per class) gives a utility to people that need a different type of motivation.

 

[moonbogg]

It has a leaderboard function? Holy crap that right there makes me want one. I would love that. The competitive aspect sounds awesome. It sounds like a online game leaderboard.

 

[vi edit]

Yeah it has a per session leader board function where you can see all of the people logged into the class and it feeds back metrics from each rider...resistance settings and cadence for an overall "output". It also tracks that over time. It's got a big ass tablet display with the leaderboard in the corner for you to see. While you are riding the instructors will give shout outs to people moving up the board.

Like I said...it's not for everyone. We all have different motivations.

 

[NAC]

It sounds like you thought through the costs and benefits and made a reasonable choice. I could definitely see myself making the same choice if I were in your shoes. Not for my situation - but it sounds like a really useful tool for folks who get into it.

I assume you can sell it and someone else can take over the subscription?

 

[norseamd]

Yeah it has a per session leader board function where you can see all of the people logged into the class and it feeds back metrics from each rider...resistance settings and cadence for an overall "output". It also tracks that over time. It's got a big ass tablet display with the leaderboard in the corner for you to see. While you are riding the instructors will give shout outs to people moving up the board.

Like I said...it's not for everyone. We all have different motivations.

$2000 is expensive, but its not so much that it is a total waste given the circumstances. How much is the monthly fee for the service?

 

[vi edit]

Service is $40 a month for unlimited users/rides. You setup distinct profiles on the machine. It's about what I would pay for a no thrills gym pass for the two of us. Technically the bike works without a subscription. You just lose access to the live metrics. You can pay $13 a month for live class streaming to an iPad without the leaderboard reporting and data logging. You can use foot pods to my Garmin to track if you got sick of paying each month.

 

[cbrunny]

Very cool. Very strong recommendation to get it professionally fit to each of you though. I'm currently out with Patellofemoral pain because of a poor bike fit on an indoor trainer. Also strongly recommend clipless pedals and proper cycling shoes.

FWIW, 2g's for the bike is actually cheap, if it is a good one (my bike MSRP's for $6300). This one looks pretty sweet.

 

[vi edit]

Cheap is relative. I could have got a $300 Sunny trainer. Or a $700 Diamondback. This was exponentially more expensive. I knew I wanted magnetic resistance because of how smooth and quiet they were. Plus they have less wear and tear parts.

This bike uses cleat based "clipless" pedals and shoes. I got the shoes as part of the accessory included bundle with the package. I need to get sized for some for myself. I have some mountain biking cycling shoes but they use a different cleat system.

 

[vi edit]

One other aspect of this brand is the community surrounding it. Again, this isn't for everyone but they have a 20,000+ person facebook group that is incredibly active. The earliest they start on the east coast is 6:00AM. I'm usually up and going by 4:30 most days for running and wouldn't be ready for work fast enough with that class. I posted on their facebook group and within an hour I got invited to another group that starts at 5:00AM. They do the on-demand stuff instead of live sessions, but you can invite each other to linked sessions and compete as a group with the on-demand stuff.

Sometimes having group motivation is the bump you need when the alarm goes off and you just feel like hitting snooze.

 

[AntonioHG]

Say, that's a nice bike: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lHu7NK4Ofg

Very, very nice bike.

 

[jana519]

It's a lifestyle brand and you are their target market. Certain income range, wants to be fit and healthy, doesn't go the gym.

$40/mo is nothing. You'd pay far more for a good gym and trainers. I think it's great.

 

[Mursilis]

If it helps either or both of you live a healthier life, it's money well spent. Sorry to hear your wife is struggling with PF - if she was hitting 1:40 in the half, she was making great strides, and it's a shame she got sidelined with an injury. Hopefully she gets better soon. How's your own running going?

 

[vi edit]

If it helps either or both of you live a healthier life, it's money well spent. Sorry to hear your wife is struggling with PF - if she was hitting 1:40 in the half, she was making great strides, and it's a shame she got sidelined with an injury. Hopefully she gets better soon. How's your own running going?

I did a 200 mile team relay back in October. I had 3 splits over 27 hours that amounted to about 17.5 miles worth of distance. I averaged around 7:48/mile. My first leg was ranked 4th hardest out of 36 and my last leg was almost 80 degrees and it was my longest leg at almost 7 miles. I left it all on the road and put down like a 6:50 split on my last mile of the race. Had 25 kills on that leg. I've talked to several people that have done both that race and a full and they said it was as hard, if not harder than a full due to the duration and lack of sleep over 24+ hours. I was happy with my results.

After that I was running pretty good but then vacations, travel, bad weather and a 3 week long respiratory infection knocked me down. Just getting back into things. Considering a half in April but not sure I'm wanting to commit to anything right now. I've got a step challenge at work right now so I'm trying to be competitive with that. I have my runs done by 6:00AM and over 12,000 steps logged by 7:30AM when I get to work and demoralize others when they go to check leaderboards.

 

[cbrunny]

I did a 200 mile team relay back in October. I had 3 splits over 27 hours that amounted to about 17.5 miles worth of distance. I averaged around 7:48/mile. My first leg was ranked 4th hardest out of 36 and my last leg was almost 80 degrees and it was my longest leg at almost 7 miles. I left it all on the road and put down like a 6:50 split on my last mile of the race. Had 25 kills on that leg. I've talked to several people that have done both that race and a full and they said it was as hard, if not harder than a full due to the duration and lack of sleep over 24+ hours. I was happy with my results.

After that I was running pretty good but then vacations, travel, bad weather and a 3 week long respiratory infection knocked me down. Just getting back into things. Considering a half in April but not sure I'm wanting to commit to anything right now. I've got a step challenge at work right now so I'm trying to be competitive with that. I have my runs done by 6:00AM and over 12,000 steps logged by 7:30AM when I get to work and demoralize others when they go to check leaderboards.

I'm jealous of literally this entire post.

 

[CalebRockeT]

I've got a step challenge at work right now so I'm trying to be competitive with that. I have my runs done by 6:00AM and over 12,000 steps logged by 7:30AM when I get to work and demoralize others when they go to check leaderboards.

Hah, that's awesome. Has anyone ever called into question the legitimacy of your steps or accused you of cheating because they can't fathom how you're amassing so many so early on in the day? Fantastic stuff.

 

[vi edit]

Hah, that's awesome. Has anyone ever called into question the legitimacy of your steps or accused you of cheating because they can't fathom how you're amassing so many so early on in the day? Fantastic stuff.

Meh. If anyone made a deal of it I'd be happy to whip out my Garmin Connect app and my running activity that tracks start time and routes. Hard to fake that.

 

[Capt Caveman]

A single spin class can be $25, so the subscription fee pays for itself if you just take two classes. High initial investment with the bike but if you use it, it'll be worth it. How's the quality of the bike?

 

[Kini1000]

Could've bought a used road bike, $500ish, a smart trainer $500ish and $10 month Zwift subscription and been well over $1000 ahead. And there are a few other virtual training apps that have all the motivation elements.

Could've bought a C2, use Rowpro, Erg Data or just check the rankings at C2 for motivation. Save $1000, get a better workout and burn more calories in a shorter time.

Oh well.

 

[vi edit]

Could've bought a used road bike, $500ish, a smart trainer $500ish and $10 month Zwift subscription and been well over $1000 ahead. And there are a few other virtual training apps that have all the motivation elements.

Could've bought a C2, use Rowpro, Erg Data or just check the rankings at C2 for motivation. Save $1000, get a better workout and burn more calories in a shorter time.

Oh well.

The thing with the road bike and trainer is that it would take two different bikes for my wife and I to use. Plus the space to store them. Plus higher maintenance. And the fact that we really would never use them outside anyway. Our geography while incredibly scenic, is not bike friendly for roadways. Plus kids, work and the fact that we can only work out when it's dark takes away the utility there. Spinning bikes are much more compact and quicker to change between riders.

I understand the cost difference and I looked at them. There's a simple elegance to the Peleton model. I hope to get delivery sometime early next week.

 

[Kini1000]

Good point on the fit. I guess you and your wife are not the same size.

You never considered the C2 Erg (rower)?

 

[vi edit]

I have zero interest in a rowing machine. Not my thing. At all.

 

[cbrunny]

Do you have it yet? Curious about how you like it, how easy it is to swap the fit from you to your wife, etc.