The Peloton Bike and Bike+ are neither cheap options in the sphere of exercise/spinning bikes and some people may wonder whether they are worth the additional money. You could just as easily purchase a cheaper option, get an iPad or tablet, and use the Peloton app, or one’s similar, but let us consider whether the upgrade to the Bike+ is worth the upgrade.
There are various factors when upgrading to the Peloton Bike+ however, looking at performance, quality, features, and overall experience, most would argue that if you can afford it, then the upgrade to the Peloton Bike+ is worth it; meaning the premium price tag will result in a better experience.
Now, although it will not be for everyone, there has to be a reason that Peloton has grown so rapidly, and that is not merely due to people being more inclined to train at home, as they could opt for another product. Below, we will examine some of the reasons and benefits regarding owning and using a Peloton Bike+, some of which you may not have even considered.
What Makes The Peloton Bike+ Worth The Upgrade?
One of the key factors about Peloton is that they are highly community-based. They pride themselves on listening and working towards innovating in a way that their clients desire, as seen in the following video. We will get into the major feature changes in a moment, but first, let us briefly compare the price differences between the Bike and Bike+.
What Sort Of Pricing Are You Looking At For The Peloton Bike+?
The new features are great for the most part; however, there is a catch, and that is the price tag that comes along with the bike. For the original Bike, depending on the package you select, you will pay between $1,495 and $2,035. For the Bike+, again, according to the package, you will pay from $2,495 to $3,035. And neither includes the monthly membership of $39 ( On June 1st 2022 the monthly membership will be increasing to 44 dollars per month).
The Key Differences Between The Peloton Bike And Bike+
When deciding to upgrade from the Peloton Bike to the Bike+ (or perhaps from a similar piece of equipment), you want to know what you will be getting for your extra dollars, and we have laid them out below.
The Screen
The Peloton bikes screen is slightly larger and can rotate in a 360° range, along with the original tilt feature. The new screen sits at 23.8 inches instead of the original 21.5 inches. There is also the claim that the screen is less reflective, and there is also an anti-smudge coating on the screen. The screen will also repel water, oil, dirt, and fingerprint smudges.
Speakers
The original version of the Peloton bike had rear speakers, which was a 2 x 10-watt sound system. In contrast, the Bike+ is endowed with front and rear speakers, which offer 4-channel audio with tweeters at 2 x 3 and woofers that are 2 x 10 watts. Overall, the soundscape for the Bike+ is much fuller and aids in immersing you in the class.
If you love to listen to music while working out and plan to listen to the classes without headphones then this upgrade would totally be worth it. The better speakers are not a selling point for me, as i use headphones while riding as to not bother other people in my household.
Apple GymKit
The new Bike+ enables you to pair your Apple watch with it and track your metrics, such as your heart rate, which is even displayed on the screen as you work out.
This is a wonderful feature, but it should also be noted that with the original Peloton bike an app can be installed to allow you to use the Apple Watch.
Adjustment For Resistance
The original Bike has a mechanical resistance knob, which must be adjusted manually, while the Bike+ has both an Auto Follow and manual feature, but now it is a digital adjustment. The Auto Follow allows for the resistance, set by the class you’re taking, to be adjusted without needing to do anything yourself. For some, this means allowing them to stay focused on the workout.
I would argue that this is the driving force behind upgrading to the Bike+ and many people love it! The auto/digital adjustment is a luxury feature that makes using the Peloton bike+ very dreamy?
RAM, Storage, Headphone Jack, And USB Charging Port
The original Bike has 2GB of RAM, while the Bike+ has double that, at 4GB. Both bikes come with the same 16GB of storage. The Bike+ also has a 3.5mm headphone jack which is more conveniently placed, and although both have USB ports, the Bike+ has a USB-C.
Wi-Fi And Bluetooth Connectivity
Both bikes come kitted with effective Bluetooth capabilities; the Bike has 4.0, while the Bike+ possesses 5.0. On the other hand, Wi-Fi is greatly beneficial and allows users to connect to a 2 and 5 gigahertz type network. This will result in many people experiencing fewer interruptions, such as buffering or freezing of the content.
Camera
The camera on the old Bike was a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, while the Bike+ is 8-megapixels, and it is equipped with a privacy cover.
Stability And Sound
The Bike+ is sold as being more robust and a more stable and smoother ride than its predecessor. The original Bike is not a noisy device, so do not get us wrong; however, the Bike+ is so smooth and unusually quiet that it had to be noted. The ride of the Bike+ truly is dreamy, so if you are on the hunt for a smooth and quiet ride then the Peloton bike+ is for YOU!
Contradicting Thoughts On The Peloton Bike+ Vs. The Bike
Some would disagree that the upgrade is worth the price difference, as far as the additional aspects added to the Peloton Bike+ compared to the Bike. See below some of those alternative reasonings.
They include points such as there being:
- Alternatives to the screen upgrade are available, and you can work around it.
- Working around the old sound system is possible with Bluetooth.
- The Apple GymKit is not full proof, and at times, the pairing is a hassle, and it only works with biking classes (but it should be noted that Peloton is working on this and it’s constantly changing and being upgraded).
- You could just use a Bluetooth heart rate monitor with the Bike.
- As far as the Auto Follow, some do not like not being in control of their own resistance.
- As far as the faster processing speeds, it is noted that they do not make a huge difference to the overall experience of the Bike+ versus the Bike.
- Both of the bikes have weight racks on the back behind the saddle; however, the quality of the new bike is not as good as they are made from plastic, opposed to the metal predecessor.
- Although the Bluetooth does extend on the distance, there really is no real benefit as you will be close to the bike regardless.
What Are Other Benefits In Upgrading To The Peloton Bike+?
When you are paying so much more for the Bike+, you will want to receive some perks, and thankfully you do.
Trade-In Of Your Original Bike
If you currently own a Peloton Bike, there is some good news for you, and if you wish to upgrade to the Bike+, you can trade-in your old Bike and receive a $700 rebate to purchase your Bike+. This is especially beneficial if your Peloton Bike is older and you’re already in the market for a replacement.
Free Delivery And Installation
Due to you paying a far greater amount, they offer free delivery, which would cost you $250 for the delivery and setup for the Bike. So you will not have to worry about these expenses, and additionally, an ambassador from Peloton will aid you in setting up and getting ready to climb onto your new piece of equipment. Before they arrive, though, be sure to know where you want to have it set up.
Conclusion
The Peloton Bike was a wonderful addition to many people’s homes, but we live in a world of technological advancement and progress, and the Bike+ is no exception to that rule. This all-in-one piece of equipment may hold a heftier price tag, but if you have the available funds, and are going to take advantage of more than just the spinning classes, then we highly recommend the upgrade.
