Talk to me about Peloton alternatives

[Anonymous]

I want the idea of a Peloton but I don’t want to 1) have to clip in, 2) wait for months, or 3) spend so much. I do use the Peloton app on my treadmill and want a spin bike where I can prop a device and use the app.

Tell me about your beloved non-Peloton spin bikes. I want a really smooth ride where I can wear sneakers. Plus if it has a holder for the weights.
Willing to spend up to $1k but would prefer to go lower.

[Anonymous]

The Schwinn IC4 is the best for this (And what I have). It is around $800, comes with weights, weights holder, tablet holder, and heartrate monitor. Both your heart rate and cadence transmit to your iPad. It is great!

[Anonymous]

I’ve had an Echelon since August and it fits your criteria. I love it.

[Anonymous]

You can get cages instead of clips, though I've no idea why you would prefer that

You can buy now, used.

You can buy used.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can get cages instead of clips, though I've no idea why you would prefer that

You can buy now, used.

You can buy used.

I don’t like spin shoes, that’s why. They hurt my feet (have tried multiple brands and sizes)

[Anonymous]

You want to spin, but you don’t like spin shoes? Ok.

[Anonymous]

I have a Sunny and am happy but mainly was driven by its availability at the beginning of the pandemic. I would probably go for the ic4.

[Anonymous]

I have an eschelon connect sport from walmart. there's a facebook group that has a conversion chart for resistance so when the peloton instructor calls out a certain resistance range, you know where you're supposed to be riding. I use an ipad to run the peloton app, then i use my phone connected by blue tooth to the bike to see my cadence and resistance. 500 bucks.

[Anonymous]

I honestly don't understand #1. #2/#3 sure but spinning without clipping in is like jogging...I dunno, what the equivalent would be. You're sacrificing a huge chunk of the effort. Making it simultaneously easier on effort but harder in ways more likely to get you injured. Get cages for your sneakers at least to get the most out of it.

I have a peloton and am in the cult so no helpful advice on alternatives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can get cages instead of clips, though I've no idea why you would prefer that

You can buy now, used.

You can buy used.

I don’t like spin shoes, that’s why. They hurt my feet (have tried multiple brands and sizes)

Have you tried Tiems? They are the most sneaker-like in my opinion.

I actually opted for a Sunnylife with Peloton app because I didn't want to switch my shoes or change Peloton's pedals after the initial cost.

Have you been trying different shoes at different studios? Or have you tried to purchase? Before I bought mine, I had a bunch of rides that were great with studio rentals but then would go to class and get an end of life pair of shoes that made the 45 minutes grueling.

Bike setup can also impact the comfort of your shoes because of the pressure it creates. You could be mistaking shoe discomfort (esp. if its in the ball of your foot or toes) with incorrect bike setup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand #1. #2/#3 sure but spinning without clipping in is like jogging...I dunno, what the equivalent would be. You're sacrificing a huge chunk of the effort. Making it simultaneously easier on effort but harder in ways more likely to get you injured. Get cages for your sneakers at least to get the most out of it.

I have a peloton and am in the cult so no helpful advice on alternatives.

What a bizarre person you are. I’ve been to many spin studios where you don’t clip in. this isn’t new. Did you spin before peloton?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an eschelon connect sport from walmart. there's a facebook group that has a conversion chart for resistance so when the peloton instructor calls out a certain resistance range, you know where you're supposed to be riding. I use an ipad to run the peloton app, then i use my phone connected by blue tooth to the bike to see my cadence and resistance. 500 bucks.

I just bought an Echelon Connect Sport from Walmart. $500 and the pedals can be changed from cages to clip ins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand #1. #2/#3 sure but spinning without clipping in is like jogging...I dunno, what the equivalent would be. You're sacrificing a huge chunk of the effort. Making it simultaneously easier on effort but harder in ways more likely to get you injured. Get cages for your sneakers at least to get the most out of it.

I have a peloton and am in the cult so no helpful advice on alternatives.

What a bizarre person you are. I’ve been to many spin studios where you don’t clip in. this isn’t new. Did you spin before peloton?

They have cages for a reason, so you don't have to have the shoes and yes you can ride that way. The spin shoes allow you to pedal more efficiently which improves your speed and resistance training. You get a better work out with the shoes.

There are cages available on Amazon and through Peloton. Ride that way if you prefer it but most people get the shoes in order to get a better work out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand #1. #2/#3 sure but spinning without clipping in is like jogging...I dunno, what the equivalent would be. You're sacrificing a huge chunk of the effort. Making it simultaneously easier on effort but harder in ways more likely to get you injured. Get cages for your sneakers at least to get the most out of it.

I have a peloton and am in the cult so no helpful advice on alternatives.

What a bizarre person you are. I’ve been to many spin studios where you don’t clip in. this isn’t new. Did you spin before peloton?

I went to many spin studios before covid. The only one without clips are the ones where they can't afford them, like the Y. There is no doubt it is better to have them. On the other hand, you don't need them with the Peloton, just buy cages if you don't want to mimic a bad studio.

[Anonymous]

DH got this one at Costco. $385. I haven’t used it myself, but he’s happy with it.
https://youtu.be/FaUXP0MygrY