Peloton Live Spin Class

[ukwill]

Almost a year of using the app now. Have really enjoyed it. Won’t be buying the bike as really don’t care about the leaderboard. I think the app is great value.

The Mrs asked why I take so many Jess King classes...

Edited by ukwill on Saturday 9th January 10:50

[jimmy156]

My wife bought a peloton for herself a few months ago, despite me trying to sway her towards other more cyclist orientated options (in vain) she is basically their target audience, no interest in cycling, likes fitness and likes a spin class.

I have just got around to buying some cheapo road shoes and look cleats as I use spd on my gravel bike (typical that it uses a defunct system, I could only find one place stocking delta cleats!) and have done a couple of the pro cyclist rides with Christian Vande Velde.

Having no other indoor trainer experience to compare to, I can only say it was fun! Certainly good fitness and feels relatively relevant to the types of effort you put in on the road to me.

[Chicken Chaser]

Still can't see why anyone considering a Peloton wouldn't just buy a good smart trainer, plus a bike then pay the 12 quid sub to Zwift and use their social or training events. Instead you're paying the cost of both bike and turbo just on a static bike and then paying £40 a month for something you could get from a DVD.

[Richtea1970]

Chicken Chaser said:

Still can't see why anyone considering a Peloton wouldn't just buy a good smart trainer, plus a bike then pay the 12 quid sub to Zwift and use their social or training events. Instead you're paying the cost of both bike and turbo just on a static bike and then paying £40 a month for something you could get from a DVD.

I can. Not everyone wants to mess about with a 'normal' bike on a smart trainer or want to treat it as if they are training for the TDF. They want a quick accessible spin session with a indicator (leaderboard) of how well they are doing compared to others.

My wife is after a Peleton and I'm trying to talk her out of it but am struggling to find her an alternative. Yes Zwift is cheaper but it's not the same, more like a competitive computer game. Wattbike is an option but would need to try to put up a TV etc for an immersive experience. Again the screen on a Peleton is a lot more immersive than a tablet or iPad propped up on the handlebars.

So I can see why they are popular.

[VEIGHT]

Chicken Chaser said:

Still can't see why anyone considering a Peloton wouldn't just buy a good smart trainer, plus a bike then pay the 12 quid sub to Zwift and use their social or training events. Instead you're paying the cost of both bike and turbo just on a static bike and then paying £40 a month for something you could get from a DVD.

I don't know why anyone wouldn't unless you're a serious cycling athlete.

I jump on the peloton nearly every day for a sweaty guided fun bit of exercise with a few friends.

If the weather is particularly nice or I want a longer ride I jump on my road bike.

I've never been fitter.

[anonymous-user]

Chicken Chaser said:

Still can't see why anyone considering a Peloton wouldn't just buy a good smart trainer, plus a bike then pay the 12 quid sub to Zwift and use their social or training events. Instead you're paying the cost of both bike and turbo just on a static bike and then paying £40 a month for something you could get from a DVD.

Some can

https://investor.onepeloton.com/investor-relations

[Helicopter123]

So, Mrs H123 is looking into a Peleton.

She loves the gym, keeping fit, but has zero interest in a road bike.

I've had a look at the website and there are a couple of options

Bike - £1,750 rising to £2,195 with all the bits and bobs
Bike+ - £2,295 rising to £2,745 again with all the bits and bobs

Membership seems to be £39 a month.

I'm not too concerned by the cost (it is what it is) and I guess the convenience of having the whole package with the classes is worth a premium.

Which bike is the better option?

Any feedback from those who have one - is it worth it?

[frisbee]

Helicopter123 said:

So, Mrs H123 is looking into a Peleton.

She loves the gym, keeping fit, but has zero interest in a road bike.

I've had a look at the website and there are a couple of options

Bike - £1,750 rising to £2,195 with all the bits and bobs
Bike+ - £2,295 rising to £2,745 again with all the bits and bobs

Membership seems to be £39 a month.

I'm not too concerned by the cost (it is what it is) and I guess the convenience of having the whole package with the classes is worth a premium.

Which bike is the better option?

Any feedback from those who have one - is it worth it?

DC Rainmaker's article on the plus describes the changes from the original bike. The key ones seem to be improved power measurement, automatic resistance changes and a bigger screen that is also usable for off bike classes.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/09/peloton-bike-p...

[RichardAP]

Helicopter123 said:

So, Mrs H123 is looking into a Peleton.

She loves the gym, keeping fit, but has zero interest in a road bike.

I've had a look at the website and there are a couple of options

Bike - £1,750 rising to £2,195 with all the bits and bobs
Bike+ - £2,295 rising to £2,745 again with all the bits and bobs

Membership seems to be £39 a month.

I'm not too concerned by the cost (it is what it is) and I guess the convenience of having the whole package with the classes is worth a premium.

Which bike is the better option?

Any feedback from those who have one - is it worth it?

Bike + is better, we had the first/cheaper one and swapped it for the bike +. The best part is the speakers are much better, screen can rotate for off bike workouts and you can use the option to lock/track the resistance.

Got the tread coming shortly.

[z4RRSchris]

I would buy a wattbike atom and use the peloton app on an ipad / screen. The cost would be cheaper than the peloton.

You then get:

proper power measurement (peloton doesn't have a power meter)
Real bike feel, not a spin bike
automatic adjustable resistance (the bike will make it harder for you, no messing with a knob)
access to a wide variety of training apps (peloton, zwift, sufferfest, RGT, Rouvvy, trainerroad, etc etc)

https://wattbike.com/gb/product/atom

[jimmy156]

z4RRSchris said:

I would buy a wattbike atom and use the peloton app on an ipad / screen. The cost would be cheaper than the peloton.

You then get:

proper power measurement (peloton doesn't have a power meter)
Real bike feel, not a spin bike
automatic adjustable resistance (the bike will make it harder for you, no messing with a knob)
access to a wide variety of training apps (peloton, zwift, sufferfest, RGT, Rouvvy, trainerroad, etc etc)

https://wattbike.com/gb/product/atom

I tried this very argument with my O/H and it doesn't work if they WANT a peloton. They have very sucessfully managed to convince people that it is the only option

[RichardAP]

jimmy156 said:

z4RRSchris said:

I would buy a wattbike atom and use the peloton app on an ipad / screen. The cost would be cheaper than the peloton.

You then get:

proper power measurement (peloton doesn't have a power meter)
Real bike feel, not a spin bike
automatic adjustable resistance (the bike will make it harder for you, no messing with a knob)
access to a wide variety of training apps (peloton, zwift, sufferfest, RGT, Rouvvy, trainerroad, etc etc)

https://wattbike.com/gb/product/atom

I tried this very argument with my O/H and it doesn't work if they WANT a peloton. They have very sucessfully managed to convince people that it is the only option

I can’t comment on the wattbike as I’ve not had my own one, but have used them occasionally in the gym, but I would say if you want a spin bike the peloton bike is better, but if you want to get the feel of a road bike then the wattbike is better, especially if you compete etc. There isn’t much difference between them in price but you do get the integrated screen with the peloton, obviously you have to provide a tablet or screen with the wattbike.

If you want to save money there are plenty of cheaper bikes and you can still use the apps.

Note, there is automatic adjustable resistance on the bike + and it does give an output measure, just not watts.

I guess I’m part of the cult now but it definitely provides something for our whole family, different instructors, classes, yoga, strength etc.

[Chicken Chaser]

I think Peleton has won the marketing victory here. The Peleton thing for me is no different to watching a spinning DVD on a spin bike and as it's been said, is not better than a Wattbike. The fact they sell it as some personalised trainer behind a screen is a bit far fetched considering there are thousands logging on to it.

[jimmy156]

Chicken Chaser said:

I think Peleton has won the marketing victory here. The Peleton thing for me is no different to watching a spinning DVD on a spin bike and as it's been said, is not better than a Wattbike. The fact they sell it as some personalised trainer behind a screen is a bit far fetched considering there are thousands logging on to it.

I'm also yet to actually do a live workout on ours. I basically just want to use it for powerzone training, and i'm not interested in the "30 minute 90's pop workout with arms" that happens to be on when i've got a spare hour to go on the bike.

The marketing definitly works, my partner would not even look at anything else. It was Peloton or nothing. Similar mindset people have towards Apple / iPhone.

[cerb4.5lee]

jimmy156 said:

z4RRSchris said:

I would buy a wattbike atom and use the peloton app on an ipad / screen. The cost would be cheaper than the peloton.

You then get:

proper power measurement (peloton doesn't have a power meter)
Real bike feel, not a spin bike
automatic adjustable resistance (the bike will make it harder for you, no messing with a knob)
access to a wide variety of training apps (peloton, zwift, sufferfest, RGT, Rouvvy, trainerroad, etc etc)

https://wattbike.com/gb/product/atom

I tried this very argument with my O/H and it doesn't work if they WANT a peloton. They have very sucessfully managed to convince people that it is the only option

I said the same to my O/H, and I said surely it seems mad to spend almost £3k on something that could in time become an expensive clothes horse. She still wanted one though.

Got it in December last year and the momentum was good to start with, however it is already heading towards being an expensive clothes horse!

[RichardAP]

Chicken Chaser said:

I think Peleton has won the marketing victory here. The Peleton thing for me is no different to watching a spinning DVD on a spin bike and as it's been said, is not better than a Wattbike. The fact they sell it as some personalised trainer behind a screen is a bit far fetched considering there are thousands logging on to it.

It is 100% better than a spinning dvd, ignoring how many dvds you would have to have to meet the variety, but it is 100% not a personalised trainer.

What you do get is the option to choose different instructors, different class lengths and different types of workouts. You can measure against others who are in your class too, even if you aren’t doing a live class.

To be realistic you don’t get a personalised trainer in a gym spin class either.

The bike isn’t £3k but they will sell you a mat for it, shoes, water bottles, heart rate monitors, weights, up to you which, if any, you want (but you will need compatible shoes).

[z4RRSchris]

RichardAP said:

I can’t comment on the wattbike as I’ve not had my own one, but have used them occasionally in the gym, but I would say if you want a spin bike the peloton bike is better, but if you want to get the feel of a road bike then the wattbike is better, especially if you compete etc. There isn’t much difference between them in price but you do get the integrated screen with the peloton, obviously you have to provide a tablet or screen with the wattbike.

If you want to save money there are plenty of cheaper bikes and you can still use the apps.

Note, there is automatic adjustable resistance on the bike + and it does give an output measure, just not watts.

I guess I’m part of the cult now but it definitely provides something for our whole family, different instructors, classes, yoga, strength etc.

The output measure is just KJS, the watts isn't calculated by a power meter so its not accurate in any way.

i understand that people HAVE to have the peloton, join the crowd etc, just its a st option.

[jimmy156]

z4RRSchris said:

The output measure is just KJS, the watts isn't calculated by a power meter so its not accurate in any way.

i understand that people HAVE to have the peloton, join the crowd etc, just its a st option.

I have seen power traces of the peloton power vs a power meter that has been attached, and it doesn't seem miles off.

[z4RRSchris]

RichardAP said:

It is 100% better than a spinning dvd, ignoring how many dvds you would have to have to meet the variety, but it is 100% not a personalised trainer.

What you do get is the option to choose different instructors, different class lengths and different types of workouts. You can measure against others who are in your class too, even if you aren’t doing a live class.

To be realistic you don’t get a personalised trainer in a gym spin class either.

The bike isn’t £3k but they will sell you a mat for it, shoes, water bottles, heart rate monitors, weights, up to you which, if any, you want (but you will need compatible shoes).

As said before, I can use the peloton app with any Bluetooth compatible trainer, so we are just talking about tech here really, and the aesthetics and branding of the bike itself.

The big win for a wattbike is the ability to do peloton classes AND any other class you want on any other platform. Pelotopn you are restricted in using their app.

i have similar to a wattbike (wahoo bike) with a TV on the wall, i use zwift, trainer road, sufferfest, RGT, whatever takes my fancy. The misses uses it too as a non cyclist.

[Helicopter123]

z4RRSchris said:

I would buy a wattbike atom and use the peloton app on an ipad / screen. The cost would be cheaper than the peloton.

You then get:

proper power measurement (peloton doesn't have a power meter)
Real bike feel, not a spin bike
automatic adjustable resistance (the bike will make it harder for you, no messing with a knob)
access to a wide variety of training apps (peloton, zwift, sufferfest, RGT, Rouvvy, trainerroad, etc etc)

https://wattbike.com/gb/product/atom

Thanks, I've has a look at this but it seems to be aimed at a different market - "recreate the road, indoors, with the smartest indoor bike trainer" so perhaps aimed at MAMILs rather than spin classes? Is that fair?

It's about the same cost as a Peloton but no screen from their website? (starts at £1,899).

Mrs H123 has zero interest in ever getting on a road bike.