An exercise bike is highly effective for strengthening and toning leg muscles and boosting endurance. Regular use is an excellent training method for athletic competitions.
While it offers several bikes, the Echelon EX-5s and EX-7s are the only two with touchscreens.
Today, we’ll examine the Echelon Connect Bike EX-5s-22, which features a 22-inch touchscreen and a rear flywheel design that tucks the flywheel beneath the saddle rather than the handlebars.
Let’s dive in and see how it works best—it’s quiet and has 32 levels of magnetic resistance.
Table of Contents
Echelon EX-5s Bike Highlights
- Resistance – 32 levels manual magnetic resistance
- Maximum User Weight – 136 kg / 300 lb
- User Height Range – 4’5″ – 6’8″
- Product Dimensions – 52″L x 20″W x 50″H
- Weight – 56 kg / 123 lb
- Flywheel – 13 kg rear placement
Echelon EX-5s Bike Features
The Echelon Connect Bike EX-5s frame doesn’t take up much room; at only 124 pounds, it’s lightweight and compact. It has a comfortable seat and is primarily silent—you don’t hear anything when you turn the pedals.
The saddle is relatively comfy, allowing you to ride for extended periods without experiencing any discomfort. It is also reasonably priced, which is great because it lets you keep the linked touchscreen with all the subscription material and other stuff. There are numerous class selections, and the pricing is affordable. Therefore, the Echelon Fit app, which you must subscribe to when buying this bike, costs $39.00 monthly.
After cycling lessons, you can engage in floor exercises and strength training. They also offer cycling lessons in a studio setting and outside rides. If you want to ride, you can put those on, but an instructor does not guide them; they’re just like a drone video. It is a good fit for those seeking those features.
Echelon EX-5s Functionality
Height
The step-over height is only about eighteen inches high, but it does require a small amount of leg flexion, so you will need to be able to get your foot up.
The span at the bottom is nine inches, which gets longer as you go higher. That being said, the only challenging aspect would be making sure you can get on and off the bike once you’re on it.
Swift Ride
It’s pleasant to ride, and the hybrid pedals allow you to switch between the two sides as needed.
Touch Screen
The bike is incredibly steady on its own. One common question is regarding screen wobble, which some bikes have, particularly those with mounted touch screens. This is when the Screen slightly moves while you ride.
The Screen is firmly fixed to the handlebars by the steel bar, so any minor shifting you experience isn’t caused by the Screen itself. Instead, it’s just your riding style. A treadmill works the same way.
Price and Availability
The Echelon Smart Connect Bike EX-5S prices start at $1,640 and can be purchased straight from Echelon US.
Stability Insights
You will experience a slight bounce. Because of how it’s built, any wobbling you may observe on the Screen isn’t a warning that the device is unstable. Just a slight movement will occur while you ride the bike.
Some people find that riding heavily shifts their hips side to side, which can exacerbate the screen’s wobbling. To avoid this, ride steadily and comfortably, keeping your hips directly over the saddle. This will also help minimize any issues with the Screen’s up-and-down tilt.
If you have lights, you may lessen overhead glare, but the bike doesn’t swivel side to side like their new Ex7 does. Instead, it will incline in that spot.
Resistance
To change the resistance, turn the knob located underneath. When you get off the bike and stand up, the silence persists. You can push it to the maximum level as the difficulty increases; with 32 resistance levels, you can see that it gets rather intense but still doable. There’s no more or less noise, depending on how resistant you are.
Break
As previously mentioned, it has a break where you draw it back towards you instead of pressing it down, which makes it easier to adjust the saddle and allows it to slip in and out.
The Echelon Fit App
The monthly fee of the Echelon Fit app is $39, comparable to that of the Peloton app. Opting for a yearly subscription lowers the pricing point. Additionally, you can benefit from Echelon’s regular discounts, which are frequently offered when the bike is purchased.
The app allows you to select a class type, instructor, and live or on-demand workout that works for you. Classes last five to forty-five minutes, so pushing your body with more extended exercises is simple. There’s always something fresh to try out because new content is released daily.
You can also access off-the-saddle exercises using the app, such as strength training, flexibility, boxing, yoga, core, and meditation. Additionally, you can access outdoor routes featuring silent drones over breathtaking landscapes worldwide—no teacher or format required. Competitors can view who you work out with and how you rank on the dynamic Leaderboard.
Pros
- Very comfortable saddle and handlebars.
- Silent magnetic resistance.
- Lightweight.
- Will support up to 300 LB.
Cons
- Limited warranty.
- The screen is not as crisp as that of comparable bikes.
User Experience
Riding the Echelon EX-5S Connect bike has been a lot of fun; it’s incredibly comfy. I just wanted to bring out as a pro that I enjoy the saddle, which is probably one of my favorite aspects. The handles on this are also lovely. Additionally, the bike is quite comfy, and the magnetic resistance barely produces any noise. Thus, even though the flywheel is on the back, riding it does not affect how you feel.
Moreover, it is lightweight. The attached touchscreen is a wonderful addition, and at a reasonably affordable price, it’s a terrific option for anyone looking for something quiet, lightweight, and comfy. It weighs 124 pounds, which isn’t too heavy, so you can lift and roll it if necessary. It can also handle up to 300 pounds.
There are a few things to note, such as the short warranty. It’s important to note that the parts and labor guarantee is limited to one year and is less costly than that of other bikes.
Here are a few things to be aware of: The Echelon Connect EX-5s spin bike requires a subscription, so know that if you’re jumping into this bike, it doesn’t have a lot of functionality without the subscription. The other thing is that the touchscreen is not quite as clear and crisp as some of the other tested bikes.
We put them side to side, and I moved from one bike to another; you could see that the Screen could be more on parts than others. Overall, we were impressed. It was cozy and entertaining.
Conclusion
The Echelon EX-5S Connect bike is pretty comfortable to ride. One advantage is that the saddle and handlebars may be readily adjusted. Silent magnetic resistance also produces minimal sound. Although there is a flywheel on the rear, riding on it doesn’t feel any different because of it.
Additionally, at 124 pounds, it is light. It is reasonably priced, has a connected touchscreen, and can be lifted and rolled if necessary.
FAQs
Can I use an Echelon bike without a subscription?
There is limited use for both Peloton and Echelon cycles, which do not require subscriptions.
How much is the cheapest Echelon subscription?
The affordable plan starts at $11.99/month.
What apps work with Echelon?
Connect your Echelon to FitBit, ZSwift, Apple Health, and Strava.
