Should I get a Peloton?

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed SoulCycle pre-pandemic but am not eager to go back after many of my favorite instructors left. I like Peloton's running and yoga offerings and would be interested in the Bike+, especially since Peloton has a $300 off promo right now for app users. But I'm concerned about pulling the trigger for a few reasons:

- lack of stability in the company, along with rumors of paying $100/month for a bike subscription. No way!
- not a fan of the bike itself; I really prefer the Stages bikes, as they're less rickety and built like tanks.
- terrible experience with Peloton support; they're rather unsupportive at best and dismissive/unresponsive at worst.
- many instances of people being sent defective, previously used, or rusty bikes, terrible delivery experiences (deliveries being canceled/pushed out, or bikes arriving damaged), and reading tons of reports of things going wrong/breaking and Peloton support being a PITA about repairs.
- paying $40/month for something I'm getting for less now seems silly and a quick cash grab from the company.

I really want to try PowerZone and don't want to fiddle with a DIY setting and multiple apps like Zwift to save a buck, but I also want to be sure that I'm buying a solid product that I can use right away. I'm not seeing that from Peloton right now, and I'd love to hear recent buyers' and Peloton haters experiences/input, good or bad.

[Anonymous]

The fault of subscription-based programs is they only last as long as the company is around or updates the technology.

I bought a Soulcycle Studio Bike (the kind you rode in the classes) directly from the company during the pandemic, they don't sell them anymore, and put it in front of a 54-inch TV. IMO its the best solution ever.

I watch the news, Netflix, HBO, Hulu, and can take Peloton classes with a external subscription at my leisure.

The manufacture of the Soul bike is Stages. The quality of the machinery is excellent - far better than what Peloton produces.

https://stagescycling.com/en_us/stages-indoor-cycle-sc3-2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The fault of subscription-based programs is they only last as long as the company is around or updates the technology.

I bought a Soulcycle Studio Bike (the kind you rode in the classes) directly from the company during the pandemic, they don't sell them anymore, and put it in front of a 54-inch TV. IMO its the best solution ever.

I watch the news, Netflix, HBO, Hulu, and can take Peloton classes with a external subscription at my leisure.

The manufacture of the Soul bike is Stages. The quality of the machinery is excellent - far better than what Peloton produces.

https://stagescycling.com/en_us/stages-indoor-cycle-sc3-2

Exactly, re: your first sentence! I'm concerned I'll have a brick eventually, but I do see pre-loved Soul bikes on FB Marketplace occasionally. How do you follow along with Peloton classes on resistance and cadence call outs? My ideal would be a Stages bike with resistance/cadence tracking, but their tracker only tracks cadence, no?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fault of subscription-based programs is they only last as long as the company is around or updates the technology.

I bought a Soulcycle Studio Bike (the kind you rode in the classes) directly from the company during the pandemic, they don't sell them anymore, and put it in front of a 54-inch TV. IMO its the best solution ever.

I watch the news, Netflix, HBO, Hulu, and can take Peloton classes with a external subscription at my leisure.

The manufacture of the Soul bike is Stages. The quality of the machinery is excellent - far better than what Peloton produces.

https://stagescycling.com/en_us/stages-indoor-cycle-sc3-2

Exactly, re: your first sentence! I'm concerned I'll have a brick eventually, but I do see pre-loved Soul bikes on FB Marketplace occasionally. How do you follow along with Peloton classes on resistance and cadence call outs? My ideal would be a Stages bike with resistance/cadence tracking, but their tracker only tracks cadence, no?

I don't. I'm sure there are people who do the tracking but I'm just there for the ride. I do 1-2.5 hours a day between watching the news, listening to podcasts, and watching TV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really enjoyed SoulCycle pre-pandemic but am not eager to go back after many of my favorite instructors left. I like Peloton's running and yoga offerings and would be interested in the Bike+, especially since Peloton has a $300 off promo right now for app users. But I'm concerned about pulling the trigger for a few reasons:

- lack of stability in the company, along with rumors of paying $100/month for a bike subscription. No way!
- not a fan of the bike itself; I really prefer the Stages bikes, as they're less rickety and built like tanks.
- terrible experience with Peloton support; they're rather unsupportive at best and dismissive/unresponsive at worst.
- many instances of people being sent defective, previously used, or rusty bikes, terrible delivery experiences (deliveries being canceled/pushed out, or bikes arriving damaged), and reading tons of reports of things going wrong/breaking and Peloton support being a PITA about repairs.
- paying $40/month for something I'm getting for less now seems silly and a quick cash grab from the company.

I really want to try PowerZone and don't want to fiddle with a DIY setting and multiple apps like Zwift to save a buck, but I also want to be sure that I'm buying a solid product that I can use right away. I'm not seeing that from Peloton right now, and I'd love to hear recent buyers' and Peloton haters experiences/input, good or bad.

I own a Peloton and was prepared to tell you not to get one, until I read the bolded.

The Power Zone functionality is AWESOME. If you think you'd use that feature regularly it is very much worth it.

If you think you'd do a handful of 30 minute "fun" classes a week, probably not worth it at this point.

[Anonymous]

I bought my bike almost four years ago, so maybe the quality has declined? But mine is a tank. I’ve been spinning for 25 years, and this is the best quality bike I’ve ever ridden on. It’s fantastic, and it’s as good now as it was when I bought it.

It’s likely Peloton gets acquired—but the reason it’s an attractive acquisition target is because of the content and installed customer base. Things might change, but the bike won’t become a brick.

But you should only buy it if you’ll use it. I love spinning and have for ages, so I knew I’d get my money’s worth; I’ve been taking classes 3x/week since I got it, which is more frequent than when I went to a gym. But if you aren’t sure you’ll use it at least 2x/week, I don’t think it’s worth it.

[Anonymous]

I’ll sell you mine for $500

Ridden probably 12,000 miles on it in last 2+ years. Love it but time for something different

[Anonymous]

I don’t know anyone in this area who had trouble with delivery or repairs. I think that was linked to one contractor (XPO I think?) who I don’t believe does bike deliveries in the DMV

FWIW I love mine and wish I had gotten it earlier. No concerns about it becoming a brick anytime in the near future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really enjoyed SoulCycle pre-pandemic but am not eager to go back after many of my favorite instructors left. I like Peloton's running and yoga offerings and would be interested in the Bike+, especially since Peloton has a $300 off promo right now for app users. But I'm concerned about pulling the trigger for a few reasons:

- lack of stability in the company, along with rumors of paying $100/month for a bike subscription. No way!
- not a fan of the bike itself; I really prefer the Stages bikes, as they're less rickety and built like tanks.
- terrible experience with Peloton support; they're rather unsupportive at best and dismissive/unresponsive at worst.
- many instances of people being sent defective, previously used, or rusty bikes, terrible delivery experiences (deliveries being canceled/pushed out, or bikes arriving damaged), and reading tons of reports of things going wrong/breaking and Peloton support being a PITA about repairs.
- paying $40/month for something I'm getting for less now seems silly and a quick cash grab from the company.

I really want to try PowerZone and don't want to fiddle with a DIY setting and multiple apps like Zwift to save a buck, but I also want to be sure that I'm buying a solid product that I can use right away. I'm not seeing that from Peloton right now, and I'd love to hear recent buyers' and Peloton haters experiences/input, good or bad.

NP but same response. I love Power Zone training (and I don't ride outside, I don't cycle for fun or outdoor fitness, it's just my preferred spinning style apparently). The challenges are really well done and in between them, I barely manage 2 rides. I wish they had a similar program for running, then I would buy a tread.

I own a Peloton and was prepared to tell you not to get one, until I read the bolded.

The Power Zone functionality is AWESOME. If you think you'd use that feature regularly it is very much worth it.

If you think you'd do a handful of 30 minute "fun" classes a week, probably not worth it at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really enjoyed SoulCycle pre-pandemic but am not eager to go back after many of my favorite instructors left. I like Peloton's running and yoga offerings and would be interested in the Bike+, especially since Peloton has a $300 off promo right now for app users. But I'm concerned about pulling the trigger for a few reasons:

- lack of stability in the company, along with rumors of paying $100/month for a bike subscription. No way!
- not a fan of the bike itself; I really prefer the Stages bikes, as they're less rickety and built like tanks.
- terrible experience with Peloton support; they're rather unsupportive at best and dismissive/unresponsive at worst.
- many instances of people being sent defective, previously used, or rusty bikes, terrible delivery experiences (deliveries being canceled/pushed out, or bikes arriving damaged), and reading tons of reports of things going wrong/breaking and Peloton support being a PITA about repairs.
- paying $40/month for something I'm getting for less now seems silly and a quick cash grab from the company.

I really want to try PowerZone and don't want to fiddle with a DIY setting and multiple apps like Zwift to save a buck, but I also want to be sure that I'm buying a solid product that I can use right away. I'm not seeing that from Peloton right now, and I'd love to hear recent buyers' and Peloton haters experiences/input, good or bad.

I own a Peloton and was prepared to tell you not to get one, until I read the bolded.

The Power Zone functionality is AWESOME. If you think you'd use that feature regularly it is very much worth it.

If you think you'd do a handful of 30 minute "fun" classes a week, probably not worth it at this point.

Sorry, in my zest for powerZone, I mangled the quote.

NP but same response. I love Power Zone training (and I don't ride outside, I don't cycle for fun or outdoor fitness, it's just my preferred spinning style apparently). The challenges are really well done and in between them, I barely manage 2 rides. I wish they had a similar program for running, then I would buy a tread.

[Anonymous]

If you want another option, I have a Nordictrack bike with ifit and love it!!

[Anonymous]

I paid $600 for a schwinn bike and do classes almost daily from my phone and iPad. 2 years on, everything still works great. You should figure out how much you’ll use it and if it’s worth the cost, if not look for cheaper alternatives. There are plenty of sunny bikes on Amazon for 1/3 the price

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ll sell you mine for $500

Ridden probably 12,000 miles on it in last 2+ years. Love it but time for something different

I’ll buy it if you’re in the DC Beltway! Please me at [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ll sell you mine for $500

Ridden probably 12,000 miles on it in last 2+ years. Love it but time for something different

I’ll buy it if you’re in the DC Beltway! Please me at [e-mail]

You beat me to it, PP! I'm OP; I'm interested if it's a bike +!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bought my bike almost four years ago, so maybe the quality has declined? But mine is a tank. I’ve been spinning for 25 years, and this is the best quality bike I’ve ever ridden on. It’s fantastic, and it’s as good now as it was when I bought it.

It’s likely Peloton gets acquired—but the reason it’s an attractive acquisition target is because of the content and installed customer base. Things might change, but the bike won’t become a brick.

But you should only buy it if you’ll use it. I love spinning and have for ages, so I knew I’d get my money’s worth; I’ve been taking classes 3x/week since I got it, which is more frequent than when I went to a gym. But if you aren’t sure you’ll use it at least 2x/week, I don’t think it’s worth it.

That's so interesting! The bike I tried that was rickety was in a showroom. I was out of the saddle, not really working too hard, and chatting with the sales person. The screen was going wild and shaking all over the place! Maybe it wasn't leveled properly? I'd be aiming for 3-5x/week. I love Ben and Matt's non-bike classes, so I'd ideally be doing PZ with them and Olivia.

Also, everyone, thanks for your input! I decided to try the FTP test and a PowerZone class in a showroom and go from there.