You know how much I love the Peloton strength and treadmill classes, and you know I love cycling. If you read my blog before March, you know I used to love going to Cyclebar. And you probably know how much Deborah, Kim, Zenaida, and now Michele love their Peloton bikes. So, it won’t come as much of a surprise that I came ^thisclose^ to getting a Peloton bike.
If you’re thinking about jumping on the Peloton bandwagon–or if you’re just curious–maybe you’ll want to know why I didn’t get a Peloton bike and got a Schwinn IC4 instead.
Why I Didn’t Get A Peloton Bike
First, let me back up and explain how I ended up in the Peloton showroom last weekend.
I’ve resisted jumping on the Peloton bike bandwagon because a few years ago, before I joined Cyclebar, I had an indoor bike that I only used a handful of times. It was a very basic bike with no display I bought from someone in my MRTT group. I didn’t know about the Peloton app back then, and I couldn’t motivate myself to ride without the structure of a class. I sold it to someone else in my MRTT group for the same price I’d bought it, and was glad to have that space back in my basement gym.
But last weekend brought the second dreary Sunday in a row, and with winter coming and covid-19 cases still climbing, the thought of a long, cold winter without any cycling made me anxious. And what if I got injured or needed a break from running?
So, I made an appointment at the Peloton showroom near me.
Source: OnePeloton.com
Peloton has two bikes now, the Peloton Bike and the Peloton Bike+. I was eyeing the Bike, because of its lower price and because I’m not interested in the additional features of the Bike+. At the showroom, I borrowed some cycling shoes, the salesperson adjusted the seat height for me, and I hopped on the Bike. She explained the display–which has more features and more information than the app–and then I picked a ride to try it all out.
The Pelton Bike Didn’t Fit Me
As soon as I started the ride, I noticed I really had to reach for the handlebars. That’s when the salesperson told me that the seat was forward as far as it would go, and the handlebars are not adjustable in that direction. She tried raising and lowering the seat and handlebars, but nothing worked. Even though Peloton says the Bike fits people from 4’11”-6’5″, the Peloton Bike didn’t fit me. 🙁
The salesperson mentioned that the Bike+ might feel better, so I gave it a try. Like the Bike, only the seat on the Bike+ moves forward/back, but the Bike+ did feel a lot more comfortable. I went back and forth from the Bike to the Bike+ a few times to make sure the difference was real, and came to the realization the Bike wouldn’t work for me.
The Peloton Bike+ Could Take Months To Arrive
I wasn’t quite ready to spend 25% more on the Bike+, but I was tempted. The main thing that held me back is the long delivery window (10-12 weeks!) and the fact they don’t give you an estimated delivery date until after you make your purchase.
The warning on the Peloton website.
If my main reason for buying a Peloton bike was to have an indoor option this winter, having to wait until mid-January didn’t make a lot of sense. And, I was annoyed at the prospect of having to pay more just to get a bike that fit me, and then pay three times as much for the monthly subscription that I do as an app user ….
So, I went home to think it over and explore other options.
I Bought A Schwinn IC4 Instead
I knew the Schwinn IC4 was a popular alternative among members of my Peloton Facebook groups. I found an active Schwinn IC4 Facebook group, and scoured the posts for good and bad experiences with that bike. Unfortunately, it was out of stock at all the Dick’s Sporting Goods stores near me, but I confirmed both the seat and the handlebars adjust forward/back, and several petite women in the Facebook group said it fit them fine.
I debated and agonized for hours, and then decided to go for it. It was on sale at Amazon (<<affiliate link) for 1/2 the price of the Peloton Bike and I could get it delivered on Tuesday. Yes, that’s right, while many of you were watching early election returns, I was assembling and testing out my new bike!
The Schwinn IC4 comes with 3 lbs weights
–another $25 savings compared to Peloton–
but I have to provide my own screen with my iPad.
I’ll do a full review of my new bike in a few weeks, but for now I have to admit I forgot how hard spinning is!
Weekly Run Down
Obviously, this week was all about testing out my new bike. I ended up going overboard with my workouts because I still need to take Scooby out, and with the stress of the uncertainty of the election results, I really needed to run. I’ll have to figure out a more balanced schedule, but I’ve never been good at choosing!
Monday: 60 min Peloton Bootcamp
Temperatures were in the 30s, and I wasn’t in the mood to bundle up for a run, so I opted for one of Jess Sims’s bootcamps. For the first day in ages I didn’t do a separate core workout, but this class had that covered.
Tuesday: 3.5 Scooby Miles + 40 min Peloton Strength
Scooby wasn’t thrilled when I started a third 10-minute strength workout before taking him out, but I was waiting for daylight. It was warm enough for a running skirt, but I’m glad I grabbed my gloves.
Wednesday: 20 min Peloton Cycling + 10 min Peloton core + 3.3 Scooby Miles
My first morning with my bike, so I had to hop on it first thing. The ride was great, but it wasn’t great heading out into the cold already sweaty from an indoor ride.
Thursday: 3.5 Scooby Miles + 40 min Strength + 20 min Peloton Cycling
I went back to my usual core + run + strength schedule, and then tacked on a 20 min ride at the end. That meant running in the dark again, but otherwise it was a good line-up.
Friday: 3.15 Scooby Miles + 35 min Peloton Strength + 20 min Peloton Cycling
Another morning doing all the workouts, thanks to still waking up early after the time change.
Saturday: 8.1 Scooby Miles + 10 min Peloton Core
It was a gorgeous fall morning, with temperatures in the low 50s. Scooby and I cruised along and enjoyed the fall colors.
Sunday: 10 min core + 2.45 Scooby Miles + 29 Miles Cycling
It was another crazy gorgeous November day. I took Scooby on a short run, knowing I was going to get in a bike ride later.
The other end of this field has tents stet up for outdoor classes.
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up. It’s always great for motivation and encouragement, but now it’s especially important for distance socializing. We may be physically apart, but we are in this together!
How did you manage stress this week?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Well you know I still think you should have gotten the Peloton! I hope this one meets your expectations. The boot camps are fantastic. I did not realize there were now warm up classes for the boot camps! I will be adding those in too. I am sure you will love having a bike option at home this winter! Thanks for linking
Hah, you have not been too subtle with your opinion! We’ll see how much I use this one. It would be more tempting if I didn’t have Scooby to take out every day. I can’t keep doing it all every day. 😉
The warm-ups are good – about 1/2 floor and 1/2 tread — not sure if there are bike ones?
That’s so interesting that it didn’t fit you — I think we’re the same height. I already have a very basic stationary bike that fits my needs, so I was never interested in the bike. Well, of course if $$ were no object, I probably would be, but they are.
I also don’t think I really want to pay $40/month subscription. I have a bunch of subscriptions to different fitness apps (for want of a better word) and that add up to more than that per month & I’m happy with what I have. The app works for me!
Have fun with your new “bike” though! Mixing it up is never a bad thing.
Yes, variety and options are good to have! Especially when the weather gets dreary.
The Bike does fit some shorter people — I guess it depends on your torso length vs. height.
Interesting. I still doubt I’ll be buying one though! I enjoy Peloton, but I haven’t drunk quite as much coolaid as some. 😉
Good perspective to read! I’m not even into cycling but have been tempted by the Peloton too as everyone just loves it! Glad you found something that seems to be a better fit for you. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
It’s hard not to get sucked in to all the hype!
Gotta love it when the best option for you is half the price and delivered in a few days instead of um, a few months…no one needs that. It really seems like you have the best of all worlds with the app plus a bike that fits your body.
Yes, it has everything but the cache 😉 And features I don’t want, like knowing I’m ranked 1897 out of 2000 in the class!
You sound like a smart shopper! Plus knowing what I’m going through with my couch–still paying for it and maybe it will be here in December–I’d definitely think twice before spending $$! I haven’t been tempted to buy a Peloton, even though I joke about FOMO when you all talk about your workouts. I have a bike trainer and I am perfectly ok with bringing in my road bike and riding along to free YouTube videos. I’ve got my TM and that is all I need, really.
Stay strong, Wendy, stay strong! 😉 You also are going to your crossfit class, so you have that variety I don’t!
Glad you found a bike that seems like it will work for you. Not at all Peloton related, but I was in Montreal for a conference and we had a cycling side activity. I felt so bad for the poor clerk trying to find a bike that fit mini me.
Hah, yes, I have the same experience renting bikes on vacation!
I got a spin bike (sunny fitness) before I even knew Pelotons were a thing. I’ve used some of the classes while riding my spin bike. I’m sure its not as good as having the real bike but considering I don’t cycle a lot it works well enough for me!
The Peloton bikes have a smooth ride, but you’re mostly paying for the huge screen and its display features. So if that’s not important to you, you’re good!
I think that you absolutely made the right decision. I’m glad that you were able to test out the bike at the showroom so that you could try out the fit. I also know a few other people that have the bike that you purchased and they really like it! The most important thing is that you still have access to all the instructors so you’ll still get a fabulous workout 🙂
Awesome job on all of your workouts this week and can’t wait to read your review for the bike!
I am so glad I tried it out too! The 20 min rides are leaving me dripping!
As you know, cycling has really wormed its way in to my fitness heart (the hubs and I did 29 miles this afternoon, too #twinning). We have a stationary bike, which I am gonna make myself try (when Gustavas goes into hibernation). I’m not too optimistic I’m going to like it as much as being outside, but we’ll see. Sounds like you made the best purchase for you, and that’s what’s important. Enjoy!!
It might be time for you to try the Peloton app! Or Zwift, which is supposed to be more like outdoor riding, so I’d like to try that one too.
I know you agonized over your choice but it sounds like you made the right one for you! Enjoy your new bike! 🙂
Yes! We still could try to coordinate a ride together!
How disappointing the bike did not fit you. I visited a Peloton showroom when the brand was just introduced and it did not fit me either. I’m 5’2″ with a very short torso and yes, the reach just didn’t make it. Sounds like you found a great alternative though! I do marvel at how popular Peloton has become in the pandemic. Talk about being in the right place at the right time.
Interesting — I guess it is all about the torso. I’m so glad I checked it out instead of just ordering one.
Thanks so much for this! I don’t think we even have a Peloton showroom nearby (although I never really looked – we aren’t getting one), but I wouldn’t have thought about the fit. I am tall with long legs and a weird torso, so even my road bike was a tough find.
I’d love a Peloton bike but you’re right they really are so expensive! And the truth is you can use the Peloton classes on any bike…you just won’t have the leaderboard stats or same knobs etc. But I’ve been doing Peloton runs on a non Peloton tread for months and I still get all the benefits 😉
I am glad you got what works best for you. Though I still think you should have gotten the Peloton bike. JK. 🙂
Congrats on the new bike! Interesting about the sizing. I feel like my spin bike could be smaller, but I wanted to make sure my husband could use it too, so it’s just a tad big. But hey, no worries because neither one of us use it. LOL!!! If my gym closes down again this winter, maybe I’ll get my Peloton membership back and actually try one of the spin classes. I’m glad you found something you love!