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adidas Exercise Bikes: Both Top Models Compared
adidas brings its design-led approach to home cardio with two exercise bikes: the C-21x, a heavy-flywheel Bluetooth indoor cycle, and the C-24c, a feature-packed upright. Both connect to Zwift and Kinomap without a subscription. Here is how the two compare, scored with FitRank, with honest notes on specs, value and the brand premium you pay for the three stripes.
A quick word on the brand, because it matters for expectations. adidas-branded fitness equipment is produced under licence by RFE International rather than by adidas itself, which is normal for sportswear names in the hardware space. In practice that means a design-led, recognisable range with solid mid-market build quality, sold through retailers like Argos, Decathlon and Sweatband, but also a modest premium for the badge: you can find similar specifications for less from specialist brands. Set against that, both bikes are genuinely well equipped, and the C-21x in particular is a serious piece of kit. We have scored both with FitRank below.
adidas C-21x
A proper indoor cycle: a heavy 16kg rear-drive flywheel, an 8-level manual resistance paddle, and Bluetooth for Zwift, Peloton and Kinomap. Sprint saddle, SPD-ready pedals and a chest strap included. Reassuringly heavy and quiet.
adidas C-24c
A well-equipped upright: a 9kg flywheel, 32 electronic resistance levels on a control dial, 18 programmes, Zwift and Kinomap, USB charging and full adjustability. Good kit, though similar specs cost less elsewhere.
adidas exercise bikes compared
| Model | Type | Flywheel | Resistance | Apps | Price | FitRank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-21x | Indoor cycle | 16kg | 8 levels, manual paddle | Zwift, Peloton, Kinomap | £699 | 4.0 |
| C-24c | Upright | 9kg | 32 levels, electronic | Zwift, Kinomap | £446.99 | 3.8 |
Both connect over Bluetooth and use your own tablet rather than a built-in screen, and neither needs a subscription. The C-24c has a 120kg user limit; adidas does not prominently publish a figure for the C-21x, so heavier riders should confirm with the retailer. The C-24c is sold through Argos and Amazon, the C-21x through Sweatband and Decathlon.
Is adidas a good brand for exercise bikes?
For what they are, yes, with the brand caveat in mind. Because the range is licensed, you are buying adidas styling and a recognisable name on top of hardware that sits in the solid mid-market rather than the specialist top tier. Both bikes are well built, well equipped and back up their spec sheets, and the C-21x’s heavy 16kg flywheel and the C-24c’s 32 electronic resistance levels are genuinely good. The honest catch is value: a specialist brand will often sell you a comparable specification for less, so you are paying something for the three stripes. If you like the design and the brand, both bikes deliver; if you are chasing the most performance per pound, it is worth comparing against the alternatives below.
C-21x indoor cycle or C-24c upright?
The two bikes are aimed at different riders, so the format decides it.
adidas C-21x (indoor cycle)
This is a spin-style bike with a forward-leaning, athletic position, built for harder, sweatier training. Its 16kg rear-drive flywheel is genuinely heavy, giving a smooth, road-like feel, and the 8-level manual resistance paddle adjusts quickly mid-sprint, the way a traditional spin bike does. With a sprint saddle, SPD-compatible pedals, a chest strap in the box and Zwift, Peloton and Kinomap support, it suits committed riders who want intensity. Choose it if you want a proper indoor cycle.
adidas C-24c (upright)
The C-24c seats you in a more traditional, comfortable upright position and leans on electronics rather than a heavy flywheel. Its 9kg flywheel, 32 electronic resistance levels, 18 preset programmes, USB charging and adjustable seat and handlebars make it a versatile bike for steady cardio and general fitness. Choose it if you want comfort, programmes and fine resistance control rather than a hard spin workout.
Apps without a subscription
Both adidas bikes are quietly appealing for one reason: they give you connected training with no monthly fee. Each connects over Bluetooth to Zwift and Kinomap, with the C-21x adding Peloton, so you can ride virtual routes, follow classes and gamify your sessions on your own tablet in the integrated holder, using each app’s own free or paid plan. There is no adidas subscription. The C-21x even includes a chest strap and ships with a 60-day Kinomap trial. That puts adidas alongside brands like Reebok and Viavito as a route to app-led training without the recurring membership that Peloton, Echelon and iFIT bikes rely on.
How adidas compares
It is worth seeing both bikes against their natural rivals. The C-24c’s specification, a 9kg flywheel with 32 levels and Zwift and Kinomap, is strikingly close to the Viavito Satori, which sells for around half the price, so the adidas charges a clear brand premium for a similar upright. The C-21x is the more competitive of the two: at £699 it lines up against the electromagnetic, app-controlled Reebok Z-Tech Sprint at the same price, and our top spin pick the JTX Studio Pro, which matches its 16kg flywheel for £799. Against those, the adidas trades app-controlled resistance for a simpler manual paddle, but counters with a heavy flywheel and the included chest strap.
Which adidas bike should you buy?
If you want a serious indoor cycle and like the brand, the C-21x is the one to have: the heavy flywheel, sprint setup and Peloton support make it a capable spin bike, and at £699 down from £900 it is the better value of the two. The C-24c is the pick if you would rather have a comfortable upright with electronic resistance and built-in programmes for steady cardio, though it is worth weighing against cheaper uprights with similar specs first. For most buyers drawn to this range, the C-21x is the more compelling bike.
adidas discounts and where to buy
The two bikes are sold through different retailers: the C-24c via Argos and Amazon, and the C-21x via Sweatband and Decathlon. Prices move with regular promotions, the C-21x is currently reduced to £699 from a £900 list price, and seasonal sales tend to bring the sharpest cuts. We show the live price on each bike in the cards above.
Frequently asked questions
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What is the difference between the C-21x and C-24c?
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For exercise bikes beyond adidas, see our main best exercise bikes guide, and read how we score every product on the FitRank page.
Chris writes the home fitness reviews across our sites, including our sister site HomeTreadmill.co.uk. He compares every machine against its rivals on UK pricing and specs, and scores each one with FitRank.