Any Peloton bike users here?

[okgo]

You need to measure the effort with something. In these temps you’ll just go quicker for the same effort due to air density etc so it isn’t really conclusive, especially when compared to October/November where it may well have been 20c cooler than today. Use a HRM perhaps and you can compare avg HR which may well be slightly better than speed as a measure - given the peloton is probably far from accurate/repeatable in power terms I’d be tempted to use HR for the intervals on there too. Should yield results.

[gangzoom]

Peloton records HR data and I believe the Strava 'training' load is based on HR data?



The route I just did was nearly 1mph average quicker than 2 months ago when we first got the Peloton, and 95% of my 'riding' has been on the Peloton since than. So I have little doubt in my mind the Peloton bike has improved my fitness.

I do commute to work on a pedal bike, but its an eBike I use where I barely have to do anything.

Looking at the ride today I'm getting closer to the PB on the biggest hill for the route. My flat road speed is actually now very close to last year. Considering how much more actual road cycling I managed last year versus this years am pretty happy.

I'll see how the 'hill climb' rides go on Peloton and its effects on my normal route. But been able to fit in any kind of cycling with work going nuts is an achievement, not forgetting my wife is using it as much as me.

[okgo]

I think strava score is based on power, mine doesn't seem to register anything if I ride a bike without power, but I'm not 100% sure as they seem to change it quite often.

Fair enough. Just worth knowing that even dropping all the extra clothing you might have been wearing in the low teens weather would be worth 1mph over an hour, let alone what high heat does to speed. Hills are a good measure as obviously such things as aero and air density/pressure are not really relevant, so you'll know where you are if you are beating your best times up hill I'd have thought.

[Maximus_Meridius101]

okgo said:

Hills are a good measure as obviously such things as aero and air density/pressure are not really relevant

Another one who clearly trains / rides on Olympus Mons then. Unless you’re riding in a vacuum, aero is still important on a hill. It’s a one of the major reasons why the big companies have aero-ised their climber / road bikes of late ( think Spesh Tarmac SL7 for a good example) they’ve realised that air doesn’t suddenly disappear completely going up hills, and you still have to come down again.

[okgo]

7% is where weight trumps aero. Col de tipping point was the study Cervelo did.

The reason they’ve all gone aero is to sell bikes. Obviously. They make fk all difference vs the rider on them.

[gangzoom]

I love the fact a topic on a stationary bike has ended up with aero been discussed.

[louiebaby]

gangzoom said:

I love the fact a topic on a stationary bike has ended up with aero been discussed.

If you're doing it right, airflow is hugely important. You get so hot, you want something to take the heat away!

[Phooey]

Almost forgot about this thread

I didn't buy one in the end, but it's that time of year when I need to lose a few pound again!

So, it's a while since I started this thread.. what are peoples thoughts on the quality of the bike+ now? I was on a Stages SC3 today and found it quite comfortable (I've a dodgy hip) and also a nice quality feel to the pedal.

[gangzoom]

louiebaby said:

If you're doing it right, airflow is hugely important. You get so hot, you want something to take the heat away!

Shouldn't the aim be 'anti aero' if you want to take heat away.....I just stick a big fan next to me, not really sure it matters about been 'aero' .

[gangzoom]

Phooey said:

what are peoples thoughts on the quality of the bike+ now?

I could have upgraded to a Bike+ during the 30 day trial for no additional penalty aside from the cost difference for a Bike to Bike+. Didn't bother in the end as the build quality of the Bike is more than enough for 2 people to use eveyday.

Don't let anyone tell you these things aren't proper bits of cardiovascular kit. This the heart rate data from my last "ride" you can see I was working just as hard as I did on my last real world ride on my regular 18 mile loop. Infact take our the warm up section, and I was working harder on the Peloton than on the real bike!!





Currently 3 months in I've found a nice routine of doing some consecutive hard sessions and than having a few rest days in between.

If I didn't hate running so much I would be very seriously consider getting a Tread, infact I am considering it anyways as a way to get a different form of cardio workout during the bike rest days.

The fact the £39/month membership covers the Bike and Tread future locks you into the Peloton ecosystem, interesting to see the other Peloton Bike owners also talk about getting a Tread, that's not coincidence, its a very clever business model!!

My wife has asked the builders to give the bike its own area designated area in the up and coming house renovation, its the best bit of exercise kit we've owned, an indoor swimming pool in the house might trump it, but for those of us who cannot afford that its a very good bit of kit (am pretty sure we will be ordering a Tread soon) .

Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 31st July 07:03

[Phooey]

gangzoom said:

I could have upgraded to a Bike+ during the 30 day trial for no additional penalty aside from the cost difference for a Bike to Bike+. Didn't bother in the end as the build quality of the Bike is more than enough for 2 people to use eveyday.

Don't let anyone tell you these things aren't proper bits of cardiovascular kit. This the heart rate data from my last "ride" you can see I was working just as hard as I did on my last real world ride on my regular 18 mile loop. Infact take our the warm up section, and I was working harder on the Peloton than on the real bike!!

[Img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51346991103_92ccf538c7_c_d.jpg[/thumb]

[Img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51347508864_83a3ffec0d_c_d.jpg[/thumb]

Currently 3 months in I've found a nice routine of doing some consecutive hard sessions and than having a few rest days in between.

If I didn't hate running so much I would be very seriously consider getting a Tread, infact I am considering it anyways as a way to get a different form of cardio workout during the bike rest days.

The fact the £39/month membership covers the Bike and Tread future locks you into the Peloton ecosystem, interesting to see the other Peloton Bike owners also talk about getting a Tread, that's not coincidence, its a very clever business model!!

My wife has asked the builders to give the bike its own area designated area in the up and coming house renovation, its the best bit of exercise kit we've owned, an indoor swimming pool in the house might trump it, but for those of us who cannot afford that its a very good bit of kit (am pretty sure we will be ordering a Tread soon) .

[Img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51347799015_2b35bd9b89_c_d.jpg[/thumb]

Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 31st July 07:03

Fantastic, thanks gangzoom. The piccies above of your workout/stats - is this a separate App or is it something that comes with the Peloton membership?

[hyphen]

gangzoom said:

Don't let anyone tell you these things aren't proper bits of cardiovascular kit. This the heart rate data from my last "ride" you can see I was working just as hard as I did on my last real world ride on my regular 18 mile loop. Infact take our the warm up section, and I was working harder on the Peloton than on the real bike!!

Isn't this a machine vs free weights argument? The free weights are better but machines more convenient.

You won't be constantly on the alert for obstacles on and around you and adjusting for them, on a Peloton.

[Paul Drawmer]

If you have the motivation to workout regularly, and don't need the social interaction, then you can do your training with minimal kit (from old bike on a smart trainer to Wattbike) just by running the Wahoo app and no subscription. Design your own workouts and off you go.

If the Peloton ecosystem gives you the motivation you can't get elsewhere, then it's maybe worth the cost.

[gangzoom]

Phooey said:

Fantastic, thanks gangzoom. The piccies above of your workout/stats - is this a separate App or is it something that comes with the Peloton membership?

Peloton app links with the bike automatically but it also uploads up to Strava after each ride and given I still do cycle in the real world Strava integration is really good for my usage.



The bike itself also give you loads of data, probably too much, both the bike and app handle multiple accounts really easily, so my wife has all her work outs tracked totally independently of mine for the same membership.

[The Mad Monk]

I thought most people bought a Peloton in order to leave it, unused, at the back of the garage?

[jakesmith]

We have 2x £400 spin bikes and Peloton running on Roku plugged into a £30 Panasonic Plasma off Gumtree

Works well as you can access 1000’s of classes so different every time. Well worth £13 a month.

Only thing missing is feedback to peloton so you can’t see how you’re doing in a class. You pay a lot for that tho as you need their bike and £40/m subscription

As above it’s a great solution for gym spin fans, less so for actual cyclists who like a proper bike.

[cerb4.5lee]

The Mad Monk said:

I thought most people bought a Peloton in order to leave it, unused, at the back of the garage?

It was my mrs who wanted the Peloton in the first place(I told her that it would just end up being a very expensive clothes horse though!), and she doesn't use it at all, but at least I've been on it 2 to 3 times every week since we got it back in December though.

I used to go out running, but I don't bother running anymore because I personally prefer the convenience of the Peloton bike now. I like how quick and easy it is to jump on the bike, and I mostly enjoy it when I'm on it to be fair. The music makes it for me.

[gangzoom]

cerb4.5lee said:

I used to go out running, but I don't bother running anymore because I personally prefer the convenience of the Peloton bike now. I like how quick and easy it is to jump on the bike, and I mostly enjoy it when I'm on it to be fair. The music makes it for me.

Riding in the real world is still more fun, but only a perfect day, I'm really surprised how 'Enjoyable' the Peloton rides are. The sessions certainly don't seem like a chore, and actually 'climbing' out of the saddle on the bike feels just as good as on the road bike and actually more 'fun' than trying to climb a real hill on my hybrid.

My biggest issue with Peloton is forcing my self to have rest days off the bike!! I really need to order a Tread .

[gangzoom]

jakesmith said:

Only thing missing is feedback to peloton so you can’t see how you’re doing in a class. You pay a lot for that tho as you need their bike and £40/m subscription

There is nothing special about the hardware Peloton sell, but its the software integration that seems to work so well. Its not cheap but anyone looking at spending £2K on any kind of indoor bike am sure can afford £40/month quite easily, its more a matter of 'is it worth it'.

For our family usage I would say its 100% worth it, my wife is actually using the bike and off bike session more than me. £40/month to get both of us exercising much more before really isn't much to pay.

[cerb4.5lee]

gangzoom said:

I could have upgraded to a Bike+ during the 30 day trial for no additional penalty aside from the cost difference for a Bike to Bike+. Didn't bother in the end as the build quality of the Bike is more than enough for 2 people to use eveyday.

We have the Bike+, but if I had my time again I'd just stick with the standard bike to be fair.

By the way looking at your stats you are an absolute monster on the bike for sure!

My stats aren't anywhere near yours! I must try harder.