Echelon EX-Pro Review 2026

August 19, 2026June 12, 2026 by ejh22

Echelon EX-Pro Commercial connected indoor cycle

Echelon · Indoor Cycle Review

Echelon EX-Pro Review 2026

By Chris Linford · Updated June 2026 · Rated with FitRank

The EX-Pro is Echelon’s commercial flagship, the bike you would find in a boutique studio. A 24-inch HD touchscreen, fast-reacting EMS indexing resistance, aero handlebars and a 159kg user limit put it in a different class to the rest of the range, with a price to match.

Echelon EX-Pro

Commercial connected indoor cycle

4.5/5

FitRank

Excellent

Performance4.7

Build4.8

Value3.9

Features4.8

£2,999

Check price at Echelon

Price and any code applied at checkout via Sweatband

The verdict

This is the most capable bike Echelon makes. The 24-inch HD touchscreen is the largest in the range and flips 180 degrees for off-bike classes, while the EMS indexing resistance reacts almost instantly, which matters in instructor-led classes where the resistance call changes every few seconds. The belt drive is quiet, the multi-adjustable aero handlebars suit serious riders, and at 75kg with a 159kg user limit it is rock solid no matter how hard you ride.

It is rated for unlimited commercial use, which tells you who it is really for: studios, gyms and high-end home setups where the bike will be ridden hard by many people. For a home buyer it is undeniably brilliant, but most will not need this much bike, and the £2,999 price is a lot to pay over the EX-5S or EX7s for benefits, like the indexing resistance and commercial warranty, that only some riders will use. If you want the very best and the budget is there, it delivers. Otherwise, the EX-5S remains the value-led choice.

Strengths

24-inch rotating HD touchscreen, the largest in the range
Fast EMS indexing resistance for class changes
Commercial-grade build, 159kg user limit
Aero handlebars and quiet belt drive
Rated for unlimited commercial use

Watch-outs

Expensive at £2,999
Far more bike than most home users need
Heavy at 75kg
Membership needed for the classes

Ride feel and real-world experience

The EX-Pro is the most capable and most planted ride Echelon makes. The belt drive is silent, and the standout is the resistance system: rather than the manual knob of the cheaper bikes, the EX-Pro uses fast-reacting EMS indexing resistance that changes almost instantly, which genuinely matters in an instructor-led class where the resistance call shifts every few seconds. At 75kg it is the heaviest bike in the range by some margin, and that mass translates into rock-solid stability no matter how hard you ride.

The multi-adjustable aero handlebars and competition-style seat suit serious riders, and the 24-inch screen, the largest Echelon fits, pivots 180 degrees for off-bike classes. With a 159kg user limit it accommodates a wider range of riders than the 136kg bikes below it. This is a bike built to be ridden hard and often, and it feels it, though the firm performance saddle is still one most riders will want to break in or upgrade.

Assembly, size and setup

As a commercial-grade machine the EX-Pro is heavy at 75kg, so assembly and positioning are firmly a two-person task, ideally more for getting it into place. The build is straightforward with the supplied tools, but the weight and the large screen make it the most demanding install in the range. Measure carefully, including clearance for the rotating screen, and decide on its final home before it arrives, because it is not a bike you will move on a whim.

Living with it: noise, footprint and storage

The EX-Pro is the largest and heaviest bike in the range at 75kg, and it is built to stay exactly where you install it. It does not fold, needs clearance for the 24-inch screen to rotate, and really wants a dedicated space, whether that is a home gym room or a studio floor. The belt drive keeps it quiet despite the commercial build, but the sheer mass means installation is a job for two or more, and once it is down it is not moving without effort. Plan the location carefully before delivery.

The Echelon app and subscription

The EX-Pro runs everything on its 24-inch screen, with the 45-day Premier Membership trial included and unlimited user profiles, so a household or a studio can each keep their own progress. The classes need the ongoing subscription and an internet connection. As Echelon’s commercial bike, its membership is geared towards multi-user settings, and wired CAT6 connectivity alongside wireless makes it suited to a gym network. Manual riding and Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit syncing remain available without a subscription.

Is the subscription worth it?

On a £2,999 commercial bike the subscription is almost beside the point: anyone spending this much is buying into the Echelon ecosystem wholesale, and the unlimited user profiles and commercial membership are designed for studios and shared settings where many riders use the classes. For a home buyer, the more useful value check is whether you need a commercial machine at all, because the EX-5S delivers the same class library and a 22-inch screen for roughly a third of the price. If the answer is a genuine commercial setting, the membership and the bike make sense together.

How it compares

At £2,999 the EX-Pro is priced against commercial studio bikes from the likes of Stages and Life Fitness rather than home machines, and for most people at home it is simply more bike than they need. The far more sensible home comparison is in-range: the EX-5S gives you the same class platform and a 22-inch screen for roughly a third of the price, and even the premium EX7s undercuts it by a thousand pounds. If you want a subscription-free home bike instead, our top pick the JTX Studio Pro covers that for £799. The EX-Pro earns its price only if you want a true commercial machine or are kitting out a studio.

Who it is for

The EX-Pro is for studios, gyms and high-end home gyms that want the best Echelon makes. Home riders chasing value will be better served by the EX-5S, and those who want a premium home bike without full commercial spend should look at the EX7s.

Specifications

Resistance	Magnetic, EMS indexing, 32 levels
Drive	Belt
Screen	24-inch rotating HD touchscreen (180-degree flip)
Handlebars	Multi-adjustable aero
Pedals	Commercial dual-sided SPD plus cage
Connectivity	Bluetooth, wired or wireless (CAT6), Echelon Fit, syncs Strava, Apple Health, Fitbit
Maximum user weight	159kg
Machine weight	75kg
Warranty	2 years parts and labour, unlimited commercial use

Warranty and after-sales

The EX-Pro is rated for unlimited commercial use, the highest classification in the range, and carries a 2-year parts and labour warranty. That commercial-unlimited rating means it is certified for the kind of all-day, multi-user duty a studio or gym demands, not just home use, which is part of what you are paying for at this price. Cover runs two years on both parts and labour, it is sold and supported through Sweatband in the UK, and you should register it and retain proof of purchase.

FitRank breakdown

Performance 4.7

Fast EMS indexing resistance and a heavy, stable frame make for the most responsive, studio-accurate ride in the range.

Build quality 4.8

A 75kg commercial-grade frame with a 159kg user limit, rated for unlimited commercial use. As solid as Echelon gets.

Value 3.9

The lowest score here, not because it is bad but because the £2,999 price is far more than most home users need to spend.

Features 4.8

The 24-inch screen, indexing resistance, aero bars and wired networking are the most complete feature set in the range.

Frequently asked questions

Is the EX-Pro worth it for home use?

For most home users, no. The EX-5S offers the same classes and a 22-inch screen for around a third of the price. The EX-Pro is worth it only if you want a commercial-grade machine or are fitting out a studio.

What is EMS indexing resistance?

It is a fast-reacting resistance system that changes almost instantly when you turn the control or follow a class instruction, which suits the rapid resistance changes of instructor-led sessions better than a standard manual knob.

How many people can use it?

It supports unlimited user profiles and is rated for unlimited commercial use, so it suits households and studios where many riders share the bike.

Is the EX-Pro quiet?

Yes. The belt drive and magnetic resistance keep it quiet despite its size and commercial build.

Is the EX-Pro suitable for a commercial gym?

Yes. It is rated for unlimited commercial use with unlimited user profiles, which is exactly what a studio or gym needs.

Does the EX-Pro fold or move easily?

No. At 75kg it is the heaviest bike in the range and is designed to stay in place; installation needs at least two people.

Chris Linford · Fitness equipment reviewer
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.

We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.

← Back to all Echelon bikes

Echelon EX7s Review 2026

August 19, 2026June 12, 2026 by ejh22

Echelon · Indoor Cycle Review

Echelon EX7s Review 2026

By Chris Linford · Updated June 2026 · Rated with FitRank

The EX7s is Echelon’s premium connected bike, built to a light-commercial standard with a 22-inch rotating HD touchscreen, a quiet belt drive and bullhorn handlebars. It is made for riders who want immersion and a frame that will take years of hard use.

Echelon EX7s

Premium connected indoor cycle

4.4/5

FitRank

Excellent

Performance4.5

Build4.6

Value4.0

Features4.7

£1,999

Check price at Echelon

Price and any code applied at checkout via Sweatband

The verdict

Everything about the EX7s is geared towards a studio-style experience at home. The 22-inch HD touchscreen rotates 180 degrees for off-bike classes, the belt drive keeps things quiet and low-maintenance, and the elevated bullhorn handlebars with an elbow rest give you an aggressive, aero riding position the cheaper bikes do not. The frame is rated for light-commercial use, so it is comfortable in a shared household or a small studio.

The honest question is value. At £1,999 the EX7s costs nearly double the EX-5S, and the two share the same 22-inch screen and the same app. What you are paying the premium for is the belt drive, the bullhorn bars, the wired connectivity options and the heavier-duty commercial-grade frame. If those things matter to you, it is a lovely bike. If they do not, the EX-5S gives you the core experience for a lot less, which is the comparison most buyers should make.

Strengths

22-inch rotating HD touchscreen
Quiet, low-maintenance belt drive
Light-commercial frame
Bullhorn bars with elbow rest
Wired or wireless connectivity

Watch-outs

Nearly double the price of the EX-5S for a similar experience
Heavy and large
Membership needed for the classes

Ride feel and real-world experience

The EX7s is the most refined ride in the range. Its belt drive, a ribbed Poly-V design, runs whisper-quiet and needs virtually no maintenance, and reviewers consistently describe the resistance, adjusted through 32 indexed levels on a responsive knob, as smooth and progressive. The heavier flywheel and frame give a planted, seamless feel that the lighter bikes cannot match.

The standout at the contact points is the elevated bullhorn handlebar with built-in elbow rests, which gives more hand positions and a more aggressive, aero posture than the rest of the range, though some reviewers would still prefer true drop bars. The competition-style seat is supportive but, like most performance saddles, firm on long rides. Quad-adjustable bars and seat fit riders from roughly 4 foot 5 to 6 foot 8, and the 22-inch screen pivots 180 degrees for off-bike work. As on the other screen bikes, expect a touch of screen movement during all-out efforts. Front-facing speakers and a clear, responsive touchscreen round out the immersive feel, and an integrated tablet holder and dual bottle holders keep everything within easy reach mid-session.

Assembly, size and setup

At 53kg with a tall frame and a large screen, the EX7s is firmly a two-person assembly and install. The build itself is straightforward with the supplied tools and takes around an hour, and once in place the transport wheels allow small repositioning. It is a big bike, so measure your space, including room for the screen to rotate, before it arrives.

Living with it: noise, footprint and storage

The EX7s is a large, heavy bike at 53kg with a tall frame, so it commands a proper space rather than a spare corner. It does not fold, and you need clearance for the 22-inch screen to rotate. The belt drive and magnetic resistance make it one of the quietest bikes in the range, which is welcome in a flat or shared home, and the build feels made to stay put: once installed, you will move it only rarely, on its transport wheels, for cleaning or the occasional reshuffle.

The Echelon app and subscription

Everything runs on the built-in 22-inch screen, with the 45-day Premier Membership trial included and the classes requiring the ongoing subscription and an internet connection afterwards. The EX7s also offers wired connectivity through a CAT6 port as well as wireless, which is a nice touch if your home network is patchy where the bike lives. A point worth knowing for power users: the community QZ app can bridge an Echelon bike to other platforms and add automatic resistance, though that is a third-party workaround rather than an official feature. Manual riding and third-party syncing work without a membership.

Is the subscription worth it?

As a premium touchscreen bike, the EX7s leans on the subscription as much as the EX-5S does, since the on-board screen is built around the Echelon classes. The harder value question here is not the membership but the hardware: you are paying nearly twice the EX-5S for the same screen and app, so the subscription maths are identical and the extra outlay buys frame and finish rather than a better class experience. If you want the classes and a light-commercial build, the membership is part of the deal; if you only want the classes, the cheaper EX-5S reaches the same library.

How it compares

At £1,999 the EX7s competes with premium connected bikes like the Peloton Bike Plus and the NordicTrack S22i, but the closest question is simpler and closer to home: why not the EX-5S? The two share the same 22-inch screen and app, and the EX-5S costs several hundred pounds less, so the EX7s only makes sense if you specifically want its belt drive, bullhorn bars, wired networking and light-commercial frame. If you would rather avoid a subscription altogether, the JTX Studio Pro delivers a heavier flywheel and Zwift for £799, albeit without a screen or classes.

Who it is for

Buy the EX7s if you want a premium, light-commercial bike and the aero bullhorn riding position. Most people who simply want the screen will find the EX-5S gives the core experience for far less. If you want a full commercial machine, the EX-Pro is the flagship.

Specifications

Drive	Magnetic, belt drive
Resistance	32 levels
Screen	22-inch rotating HD touchscreen (180-degree flip)
Handlebars	Elevated bullhorn with elbow rest
Pedals	SPD plus cage
Connectivity	Bluetooth, wired or wireless (CAT6), Echelon Fit, syncs Strava, Apple Health, Fitbit
Maximum user weight	136kg
Machine weight	53kg
Warranty	2 years parts and labour, commercial-rated frame

Warranty and after-sales

The EX7s steps up to a commercial-rated frame, and Echelon backs it with a 2-year parts and labour warranty. The commercial rating means the frame is built and certified for heavier, shared use, such as a small studio or a busy household, rather than single-user home duty, which is reassuring at this price. Cover runs for two years on both parts and labour, it is sold through Sweatband in the UK, and you should register it and keep your receipt.

FitRank breakdown

Performance 4.5

A smooth, quiet belt drive and an aggressive bullhorn position make for an immersive, studio-style ride.

Build quality 4.6

A light-commercial frame rated for heavy, shared use, with wired connectivity options. Built to last.

Value 4.0

The weak spot. At nearly twice the EX-5S for a similar screen and app, you pay a real premium for the frame and finish.

Features 4.7

A 22-inch rotating screen, belt drive, bullhorn bars and wired networking add up to a premium feature set.

Frequently asked questions

Is the EX7s worth it over the EX-5S?

They share the same screen and app. The EX7s adds a belt drive, bullhorn bars, wired connectivity and a commercial-grade frame for around £900 more. For most home users the EX-5S is the smarter buy; the EX7s suits those who want the premium build or light-commercial use.

Is the EX7s quiet?

Yes. The ribbed Poly-V belt drive and magnetic resistance make it one of the quietest bikes in the range, fine for flats and shared spaces.

Does the EX7s need a tablet?

No. The 22-inch touchscreen is built into the bike.

Can it be used in a small studio?

Yes. Its frame is rated for light-commercial use, so it suits shared households and small studios as well as demanding home users.

Does the EX7s fold away?

No. It is a large, heavy bike that does not fold, and it needs space for the screen to rotate.

Does the EX7s screen need a subscription?

Yes, to access the classes it is built around. Manual riding and third-party syncing work without one.

Does the EX7s work with other apps like Peloton or Zwift?

Echelon bikes are built around the Echelon Fit app and sync to Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit. Some owners use the third-party QZ app to bridge an Echelon bike to other platforms and add automatic resistance, but that is an unofficial workaround rather than a supported feature.

We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.

← Back to all Echelon bikes

Echelon EX-5S Review 2026

August 19, 2026June 12, 2026 by ejh22

Echelon EX-5S Smart Connect indoor cycle

Echelon · Indoor Cycle Review

Echelon EX-5S Review 2026

By Chris Linford · Updated June 2026 · Rated with FitRank

The EX-5S is the value pick of Echelon’s touchscreen bikes. Take the EX-5’s excellent 13kg ride, bolt on a 22-inch rotating HD screen, and you have a fully self-contained connected bike for around £1,099, several hundred less than the EX7s above it.

Echelon EX-5S

Connected indoor cycle with 22-inch touchscreen

4.5/5

FitRank

Excellent

Performance4.5

Build4.5

Value4.4

Features4.6

£1,099£1,349

Save 19% Check price at Echelon

Price and any code applied at checkout via Sweatband

The verdict

The ride is the EX-5’s, and that is a compliment: the 13kg flywheel gives real momentum, the SPD pedals let you clip in, and the vented performance seat adjusts to fit. What you add over the EX-5 is the 22-inch HD touchscreen, which rotates 180 degrees so you can step off the bike and follow strength, yoga or boxing classes on the same screen. Everything runs on board, with no tablet to mount or charge.

It is a heavier bike at 56kg, so it is less something you wheel around between sessions, but that mass is part of why it feels planted. With the current 19% off it lands close to four figures, which for a 22-inch connected bike with a heavy flywheel is strong value. Unless you specifically want the bullhorn bars and light-commercial frame of the EX7s, the EX-5S gives you most of the same experience for noticeably less.

Strengths

22-inch rotating HD touchscreen built in
Heavy 13kg flywheel for a road-like ride
Rotates for off-bike strength and yoga classes
Strong value among the touchscreen bikes
19% off at the time of writing

Watch-outs

Heavy at 56kg, not easy to move
Membership needed for the classes
Still a premium price next to the no-screen EX-5

Ride feel and real-world experience

The EX-5S takes the EX-5’s well-regarded 13kg ride and adds the screen, and reviewers consistently describe the result as sleek, stable and well made. The magnetic resistance is quiet through all 32 levels, the performance seat and aero handlebars adjust to fit a wide range of heights, and the grippy bars hold up even when a session gets sweaty. As with the EX-5, the Q-factor is wider than a Peloton’s, so the stance feels slightly broader if you are coming from a road bike.

The headline is the 22-inch HD touchscreen, which pivots a full 180 degrees so you can swing it round and follow strength, yoga or boxing classes off the bike. It is a genuinely useful feature. The one trade-off testers note on big-screen bikes like this is a little screen wobble during very hard out-of-the-saddle efforts, and at 56kg the EX-5S is a bike you place once rather than move often. It does not fold or store vertically, so it needs a permanent home.

Assembly, size and setup

Assembly follows the familiar spin-bike routine and takes around an hour with the tools provided, but at 56kg this is a two-person job: the screen and frame make it awkward for one. Once built, the transport wheels help with small adjustments to position, though you will not be wheeling it far. Allow space not just for the footprint but for the screen to rotate.

Living with it: noise, footprint and storage

At 56kg and with a 22-inch screen on board, the EX-5S is a bike you place once and leave. It does not fold or store vertically, so it needs a permanent home with enough clearance for the screen to swing through its full 180-degree rotation. The magnetic resistance keeps it quiet in use, which helps in a flat, but the size and weight mean two people for the initial install and only occasional nudges on the transport wheels thereafter. Factor the screen rotation into your room plan, not just the footprint.

The Echelon app and subscription

With the screen built in, the EX-5S runs everything on board: classes, metrics and the off-bike workouts all live on the 22-inch display. The 45-day Premier Membership trial is included, after which the classes need the ongoing subscription and an internet connection, and it is fair to say the touchscreen is far less useful without a membership than a bring-your-own-tablet bike would be. The class library is mature and well regarded, though the free-ride side of the platform, FitOS World, is still developing and is not yet a rival to the likes of Zwift. Manual riding and Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit syncing work without the subscription.

Is the subscription worth it?

On a touchscreen bike the subscription question changes shape. Unlike a bring-your-own-tablet bike, the EX-5S’s built-in screen is far less useful without a membership, so you are realistically committing to the ongoing fee to get the most from it. The flip side is that the classes are mature and well regarded, and at the current membership rates Echelon usually works out cheaper to run than Peloton. Use the 45-day trial to be sure the class style suits you, because the value of this bike specifically is tied to actually using the screen it is built around.

How it compares

Most reviewers place the EX-5S closest to the original Peloton Bike on price and features, and it makes a strong case as the cheaper, more flexible alternative, with the advantage that it syncs openly to Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit. Against the iFit-based NordicTrack bikes it trades their auto-adjusting incline for a lower price and a simpler ride. If you would rather skip the subscription model entirely, our top pick, the JTX Studio Pro, gives you a heavier flywheel and Zwift support for £799 and no monthly fee, though you lose the built-in screen and the classes. Within the Echelon range, the EX-5S is the value choice against the £1,999 EX7s, which it closely matches on screen and app for several hundred pounds less.

Who it is for

The EX-5S is the best all-in-one for most people who want the screen built in. If you already own a tablet and want to save, the EX-5 gives the same ride for less. If you want a light-commercial frame and bullhorn bars, the EX7s is the step up.

Specifications

Flywheel	13kg
Resistance	Magnetic, 32 levels
Screen	22-inch rotating HD touchscreen (180-degree flip)
Pedals	SPD compatible plus cage
Seat	Vented performance, vertical and horizontal adjustment
Connectivity	Bluetooth, Echelon Fit, syncs Strava, Apple Health, Fitbit
Maximum user weight	136kg
Machine weight	56kg
Power	Mains
Warranty	2 years parts and labour (home use)

Warranty and after-sales

Echelon gives the EX-5S a 2-year parts and labour warranty, rated for home use. That covers both components and repair labour for two years, which is a fair level for a touchscreen bike in this class, and the screen and electronics are covered under the same terms as the frame and mechanicals. It is sold and supported in the UK through Sweatband, so register the bike on arrival and keep proof of purchase, which matters more on a bike with a screen to go wrong.

FitRank breakdown

Performance 4.5

The same strong 13kg ride as the EX-5, with SPD pedals and a performance seat. Excellent for class-led and free riding alike.

Build quality 4.5

A planted 56kg frame and a 136kg user limit. Solidly built, if heavy to move.

Value 4.4

The best-value touchscreen Echelon, especially with 19% off. Most of the EX7s for hundreds less.

Features 4.6

The 22-inch rotating screen, on-board classes and off-bike workouts make it genuinely self-contained.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the EX-5S and the EX7s?

Both have a 22-inch rotating screen and run the same app. The EX7s adds a belt drive, bullhorn handlebars and a light-commercial frame, while the EX-5S is cheaper and shares the EX-5’s 13kg ride.

How does the EX-5S compare with Peloton?

The EX-5S is usually cheaper than a comparable Peloton and syncs openly to Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit, where Peloton is more closed. Peloton’s class community is larger and its software more polished. For value and flexibility, the EX-5S makes the stronger case.

Does the screen wobble?

As with most big-screen bikes, testers note a little screen movement during very hard out-of-the-saddle efforts. It is not a dealbreaker, but it is a known trait of bikes with a 22-inch display.

Does the Echelon EX-5S need a tablet?

No. The 22-inch HD touchscreen is built into the bike, so the classes and metrics run on board.

Does the EX-5S fold?

No. It does not fold or store vertically, and you need room for the screen to rotate 180 degrees.

Is the EX-5S screen useful without a subscription?

Far less so. The built-in screen is built around the Echelon classes, which need the membership, so a bring-your-own-tablet bike makes more sense if you do not want to subscribe.

We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.

← Back to all Echelon bikes

Echelon EX-5 Review 2026

August 19, 2026June 12, 2026 by ejh22

Echelon · Indoor Cycle Review

Echelon EX-5 Review 2026

By Chris Linford · Updated June 2026 · Rated with FitRank

The EX-5 is where the Echelon range starts to feel like a serious bike. A heavier 13kg flywheel, SPD pedals and a competition-style seat give it a properly road-like ride, and because there is no built-in screen, you get that ride for hundreds less than the touchscreen models.

Echelon EX-5

Connected indoor cycle, bring your own screen

4.3/5

FitRank

Excellent

Performance4.4

Build4.4

Value4.2

Features4.2

£799£999

Save 20% Check price at Echelon

Price and any code applied at checkout via Sweatband

The verdict

Step on the EX-5 after one of the 7kg bikes and the difference is immediate. The 13kg flywheel carries far more momentum, which makes standing climbs and sprints feel smooth and natural rather than light and spinny. The competition-style seat has a 6-inch lever adjustment and the bike fits riders from roughly 4 foot 5 to 6 foot 8, so it suits a wide range of body shapes, and the SPD-compatible pedals let you clip in for a more efficient stroke.

The catch, if it is one, is that you supply the screen. You mount a tablet to run the Echelon Fit app and its classes, syncing as usual to Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit. For a lot of riders that is the smart trade: put the money into the ride rather than a screen you may not need, since most people already own a tablet. If you want the same 13kg ride with a 22-inch touchscreen built in, that is exactly what the EX-5S offers for a few hundred pounds more.

Strengths

Heavier 13kg flywheel for a road-like ride
SPD pedals and a competition-style seat
Wide rider height range
20% off at the time of writing
Syncs with Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit

Watch-outs

No built-in screen, bring your own tablet
Membership needed for the classes
Heavier and harder to move than the entry bikes

Ride feel and real-world experience

This is where the Echelon range starts to feel properly substantial underfoot. The 13kg flywheel carries far more momentum than the 7kg entry bikes, so standing climbs and sprints feel smooth and connected rather than light and spinny, and reviewers who have ridden it consistently praise the quality of the build and the sheer amount of adjustment on offer. The competition-style seat has a generous lever adjustment and the bike fits a wide span of heights, so taller and shorter riders can both get set up properly, though the firm saddle takes some breaking in.

One quirk worth knowing is the Q-factor, the distance between the pedals, which sits wider on Echelon bikes than on a Peloton, so if you are used to a road bike the stance feels a touch broader. The upside of having no built-in screen is that you avoid the slight screen wobble that testers note on the big-screen models during hard efforts: the EX-5 stays planted because there is nothing up top to move. You clip in with the SPD pedals, mount your tablet, and the magnetic resistance stays quiet through all 32 levels.

Assembly, size and setup

Assembly takes around an hour with the supplied tools and follows the usual spin-bike pattern. At 48kg the EX-5 is heavier than the entry bikes, so it is worth having a second person on hand to lift it into place, after which the transport wheels make repositioning easy. The footprint is compact for a bike of this quality, and it does not fold or store vertically, so plan a permanent home for it.

Living with it: noise, footprint and storage

The EX-5 is quiet in use thanks to its magnetic resistance, but it is a more permanent fixture than the entry bikes. At 48kg it is heavier to move, and because it does not fold or store vertically you will want a settled spot for it rather than planning to tuck it away. The footprint is reasonable for a bike of this quality, and the transport wheels help with small repositioning, but think of it as furniture you place once rather than kit you stow after every ride.

The Echelon app and subscription

The EX-5 is a bring-your-own-screen bike, so you run the Echelon Fit app from your own tablet or phone over Bluetooth. That keeps the price down and, as owners often point out, does not feel like a compromise: you get the same classes on whatever screen you already own. The 45-day Premier Membership trial is included, and the classes need the ongoing membership and an internet connection thereafter, but the manual resistance and Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit syncing all work without it.

Is the subscription worth it?

The EX-5 sharpens the subscription question because its closest rival, the JTX Studio Pro, costs the same £799 and charges nothing per month. If you commit to the Echelon classes, the EX-5 plus membership is a coherent package and the ride is excellent. If you are unsure, run the numbers: a year or two of membership can equal the price of the bike again, and a subscription-free alternative may work out cheaper overall for a rider who does not need classes. The 45-day trial exists precisely so you can answer this before committing.

How it compares

The EX-5 lands at exactly the same £799 as our top pick, the JTX Studio Pro, which makes them natural rivals. The Studio Pro counters with a heavier 16kg flywheel, Zwift and Kinomap support and, crucially, no subscription, so you pay once and own the experience. The EX-5 counters with the mature Echelon class library and leaderboard. The honest split is this: choose the EX-5 if instructor-led classes are the point, and the Studio Pro if you would rather a heavier ride with no monthly fee. In the wider market the EX-5 also competes with the ProForm Studio Bike 22 and connected bikes from NordicTrack, both of which tie you to the iFit subscription in the same way Echelon ties you to its own.

Who it is for

Buy the EX-5 if you want a proper, road-like ride and already own a tablet to run the classes. If you want that same ride with the screen built in, the EX-5S is the natural step up. If you only want the cheapest way onto the platform, the discounted EX-30 RCX is the one.

Specifications

Flywheel	13kg
Resistance	Magnetic, 32 levels
Screen	None, holder for your device
Pedals	SPD compatible plus toe cages
Seat	Competition-style, 6-inch lever adjustment
Rider height range	About 134 to 203cm
Connectivity	Bluetooth, Echelon Fit, syncs Strava, Apple Health, Fitbit
Maximum user weight	136kg
Machine weight	48kg
Power	Mains
Warranty	2 years parts and labour (home use)

Warranty and after-sales

The EX-5 carries Echelon’s 2-year parts and labour warranty, rated for home use. Two years of cover on both parts and labour is a solid level for a bike at this price, and on labour it is more generous than some rivals that taper to parts-only after the first year. As with the rest of the range it is sold through Sweatband in the UK, so register the bike on arrival and keep your receipt in case you ever need a repair.

FitRank breakdown

Performance 4.4

The 13kg flywheel transforms the ride, giving real momentum for climbs and sprints, with SPD pedals and a competition seat. A genuinely good cycling feel.

Build quality 4.4

A heavier 48kg frame, a wide height range and a 136kg user limit. Stable and built for regular use.

Value 4.2

Strong. The cheapest way to the 13kg ride, helped by the current 20% off. You save by skipping the screen.

Features 4.2

SPD pedals, wide adjustment and full app syncing. It loses points only for needing your own screen.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the EX-5 and the EX-5S?

They share the same 13kg flywheel and ride. The EX-5 has no screen, so you bring your own tablet, while the EX-5S adds a 22-inch rotating HD touchscreen built into the bike for more money.

How does the EX-5 compare with the JTX Studio Pro?

Both are £799. The Studio Pro has a heavier 16kg flywheel, Zwift support and no subscription. The EX-5 is built around the Echelon classes. Choose by whether you want classes or a subscription-free, heavier ride.

Does the Echelon EX-5 fold?

No. It does not fold or store vertically, so plan a permanent spot for it.

Is it heavy enough for standing climbs?

Yes. The 13kg flywheel gives the momentum that the lighter 7kg bikes lack, so standing climbs and sprints feel smooth and natural.

Does the EX-5 fold for storage?

No, it does not fold or store vertically, so plan a permanent place for it.

Is the EX-5 quiet enough for a flat?

Yes. The magnetic resistance is quiet, so it is well suited to flats and shared spaces.

We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.

← Back to all Echelon bikes

Echelon GT Review 2026

August 19, 2026June 12, 2026 by ejh22

Echelon · Indoor Cycle Review

Echelon GT Review 2026

By Chris Linford · Updated June 2026 · Rated with FitRank

The Echelon GT sits a rung above the entry EX-30, and the upgrades are the kind you feel: SPD-compatible pedals, mains power and a slip-resistant multi-grip bar. You still bring your own screen, but it is a more complete bike for not much more money.

Echelon GT

Entry connected indoor cycle

4.1/5

FitRank

Very good

Performance4.0

Build4.1

Value4.2

Features4.1

£499

Check price at Echelon

Price and any code applied at checkout via Sweatband

The verdict

Like the EX-30, the GT runs a 7kg flywheel and 32 magnetic levels, so the ride character is familiar: smooth, quiet and well suited to following classes. The differences are practical ones. The SPD-compatible pedals let you clip in with cycling shoes for a more efficient, secure pedal stroke, and the multi-grip handlebar gives you more hand positions for longer rides. An arm mount holds your tablet at a good viewing angle for the Echelon Fit app.

It is mains powered rather than battery, a small but welcome step up, and the usual Echelon connectivity is all present, with Bluetooth syncing to Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit. The 7kg flywheel is still the limiting factor: this is a bike for class-led and steady riding rather than heavy standing climbs, and if that is what you want, the heavier EX-5 is the better buy. As a no-screen entry bike with grown-up pedals, though, the GT makes a lot of sense.

Strengths

SPD-compatible pedals as standard
Mains powered
Multi-grip bar and tablet arm mount
Syncs with Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit
Strong 4.8-star owner rating

Watch-outs

Same light 7kg flywheel as the EX-30
No built-in screen
Best experience needs the membership
Pricier than the heavily discounted EX-30

Ride feel and real-world experience

The GT shares the EX-30’s 7kg flywheel, so the ride character is much the same: smooth, quiet and easy-spinning, well suited to following classes and steady cardio rather than heavy standing work. Where it pulls ahead is the contact points. The SPD-compatible pedals let you clip in with cycling shoes for a more efficient, secure stroke, and the slip-resistant multi-grip handlebar gives you more hand positions for longer rides, which makes a real difference once a session stretches past half an hour.

The magnetic resistance is quiet and adjusts through 32 levels on the knob, and the GT runs off the mains rather than batteries, so there is nothing to replace. The padded, fully adjustable seat will still feel firm at first, as competition-style saddles do, but the wide adjustment range means most riders can find a comfortable fit. You mount your own tablet on the arm mount, which holds it at a sensible viewing angle for the app.

Assembly, size and setup

Like the rest of the range, the GT goes together in around an hour with the tools provided, and the steps will feel familiar to anyone who has built a spin bike: stabilisers, pedals, seat, bars and the tablet arm mount. At 39kg it is still light enough for one person to handle, and the front transport wheels make it easy to move once built.

Living with it: noise, footprint and storage

The GT is as quiet and as easy to place as the EX-30, with the same near-silent magnetic resistance and a similar compact footprint. At 39kg it stays manageable for one person, and the transport wheels mean you can move it aside when it is not in use. Running off the mains, there are no batteries to keep topped up, so once it is set up there is very little to think about beyond the occasional wipe-down and a check that the pedals and bolts stay snug.

The Echelon app and subscription

As a Smart Connect bike the GT is built around the Echelon Fit app, with live and on-demand classes, scenic rides and a leaderboard, and a 45-day free trial of Premier Membership in the box. The classes need the ongoing membership and an internet connection to work, but the bike itself still functions as a manual magnetic trainer without one, syncing to Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit so your data is never trapped.

Is the subscription worth it?

As with every Echelon, the GT only makes sense over a plain magnetic bike if you will use the classes, so the membership maths matter and the 45-day trial is the time to decide. If you take to the instructor-led sessions and the leaderboard, the monthly fee buys you a genuine reason to keep riding. If you find you prefer your own playlist and a steady effort, a subscription-free bike such as the JTX Studio Pro gives you a heavier, app-connected ride with nothing to pay each month, which is the more honest choice for self-motivated riders.

How it compares

The GT sits in the same bracket as the subscription-free JTX Studio Pro, and the two make a clean contrast: the Studio Pro is £799 with a much heavier 16kg flywheel and Zwift support but no classes, while the GT is cheaper, lighter and built around the Echelon class platform. If classes matter most, the GT; if ride feel and no monthly fee matter most, the Studio Pro. The cheaper JTX Cyclo-3M undercuts both at £299 but drops the app ecosystem entirely. Within the Echelon range, the GT is the pick over the EX-30 if you want SPD pedals and mains power. Only the EX-5 above it changes the ride in a meaningful way, by adding the heavier 13kg flywheel; the jump from the EX-30 to the GT is about the pedals and the power supply rather than how the bike feels to ride.

Who it is for

The GT suits class-led riders who want SPD pedals and mains power without paying for a built-in screen. If you want a heavier, more road-like ride, the EX-5 is worth the step up. If you would rather the screen was built in, look at the EX-5S.

Specifications

Flywheel	7kg
Resistance	Magnetic, 32 levels
Screen	None, arm mount for your device
Connectivity	Bluetooth, Echelon Fit, syncs Strava, Apple Health, Fitbit
Pedals	SPD compatible plus toe cages
Handlebar	Slip-resistant multi-grip
Maximum user weight	136kg
Machine weight	39kg
Power	Mains
Warranty	2 years parts and labour (home use)

Warranty and after-sales

Echelon covers the GT with a 2-year parts and labour warranty, rated for home use, the same terms as the rest of the entry range. Both components and repair labour are covered for two years from purchase, which is a fair level for a bike at this price and better on labour than rivals that drop to parts-only after year one. It is sold and supported in the UK through Sweatband, so register the bike on arrival and keep your receipt.

FitRank breakdown

Performance 4.0

A 7kg flywheel and 32 levels make for a smooth, quiet, class-oriented ride, with SPD pedals adding efficiency. Lighter underfoot than the EX-5.

Build quality 4.1

Stable and mains powered, with a 136kg user limit and a 2-year warranty. A solid entry frame.

Value 4.2

Fair at £499 for SPD pedals and mains power, though the discounted EX-30 is the bigger bargain in the range.

Features 4.1

SPD pedals, a tablet arm mount and full app syncing. No built-in screen and a basic display keep it grounded.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Echelon GT and the EX-30 RCX?

The GT adds SPD-compatible pedals, mains power and a multi-grip handlebar, while sharing the same 7kg flywheel. The EX-30 is cheaper, runs on batteries and uses toe-cage pedals.

Does the Echelon GT have a screen?

No. You mount your own tablet or phone on the arm mount to run the Echelon Fit app.

How does the GT compare with the EX-5?

The GT uses a 7kg flywheel, the EX-5 a 13kg one. If you want more momentum and a more road-like feel for standing efforts, the EX-5 is the step up; the GT is lighter and class-focused.

Does it need a subscription?

It works as a manual magnetic bike and syncs to Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit without one. The classes need Echelon Premier Membership, which includes a 45-day free trial.

Can the GT be used without a subscription?

Yes, as a manual magnetic bike with Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit syncing. The Echelon classes need the membership and an internet connection.

Is the GT noisy?

No. The magnetic resistance is near silent, so it suits flats and shared spaces.

Can I clip in with the GT pedals?

Yes. The SPD-compatible pedals take cycling cleats on one side and have toe cages with straps on the other, so you can clip in with cycling shoes or simply wear trainers.

We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.

← Back to all Echelon bikes

Echelon EX-30 RCX Review 2026

August 19, 2026June 12, 2026 by ejh22

Echelon · Indoor Cycle Review

Echelon EX-30 RCX Review 2026

By Chris Linford · Updated June 2026 · Rated with FitRank

If you want onto the Echelon platform for as little as possible, the EX-30 RCX is the one to look at, and right now it is a genuine steal: half price, then £359.20 with the code EXTRA20. It is the entry cycle, so you bring your own tablet, but the core Echelon experience is all here.

Echelon EX-30 RCX

Entry connected indoor cycle

4.2/5

FitRank

Very good

Performance4.0

Build4.1

Value4.6

Features4.2

£449£899

Save 50% + EXTRA20 Check price at Echelon

Price and any code applied at checkout via Sweatband

The verdict

The EX-30 RCX keeps things simple and cheap. A 7kg flywheel and 32 magnetic levels give a smooth, quiet ride that suits class-led sessions, and at 38kg with a 136kg user limit it is stable enough for everyday training. You clip a tablet or phone to the holder, open the Echelon Fit app and you are away, with the bike syncing happily to Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit over Bluetooth.

What you give up at this price is weight and polish. The 7kg flywheel is on the light side, so the ride does not have the road-like momentum of the heavier EX-5, the console is a basic LCD, and it runs off AA batteries rather than the mains. None of that matters much when you are following a class on your own screen, which is how most people will use it. For the money, especially at the discounted price, it is hard to argue with.

Strengths

Cheapest way onto Echelon, especially with EXTRA20
Smooth, quiet 7kg magnetic ride
Syncs with Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit
Tablet holder and bottle holder included
Strong 4.8-star owner rating on Sweatband

Watch-outs

Light 7kg flywheel, less momentum than the EX-5
Basic LCD console
Battery powered, not mains
Toe-cage pedals only, no SPD
Best experience needs the paid membership

Ride feel and real-world experience

On the bike, the EX-30 RCX rides the way its spec sheet suggests: light, smooth and quiet. The 7kg flywheel is the lightest in the Echelon range, so it spins up easily and suits steady, class-led riding rather than heavy out-of-the-saddle efforts, where you notice the lack of momentum that the heavier 13kg bikes carry. The magnetic resistance is near silent, which is the recurring theme across the Echelon range, so it is genuinely flat-friendly and will not disturb anyone in the next room. You adjust resistance manually with the knob, and the LCD keeps you posted on speed, distance, time, calories and pulse.

The seat and handlebars adjust up, down and along, so most riders can dial in a comfortable position, though as with most spin bikes the firm competition-style saddle takes a few rides to get used to, and many owners add a gel cover or wear padded shorts. Because there is no built-in screen, you mount your own tablet, which keeps the bike light at 38kg and easy to wheel out of the way on its front transport wheels.

Assembly, size and setup

Assembly is straightforward and will feel familiar if you have built a spin bike before. You fit the stabilisers, pedals, seat, handlebars and the holders, with the tools supplied in the box, and most people are riding within an hour. At 38kg it is one of the lighter bikes in the range, so a single person can manage the build and reposition it afterwards. The footprint is compact at roughly 120 by 63cm, and the front transport wheels make it easy to tuck away between sessions.

Living with it: noise, footprint and storage

Living with the EX-30 RCX is easy. It is one of the quietest and most compact bikes here, with a footprint of around 120 by 63cm, so it slots into a spare corner or a bedroom without dominating the room. At 38kg it is light enough to wheel away on its front transport wheels between sessions, which makes it a sensible choice for a flat or a shared space where the bike cannot live out permanently. The only ongoing upkeep is the odd set of AA batteries for the console and the usual wipe-down after a sweaty ride.

The Echelon app and subscription

The EX-30 RCX is a Smart Connect bike, so the draw is the Echelon Fit app: live and on-demand classes, scenic rides and a leaderboard, with a 45-day free trial of Echelon Premier Membership included. After that the membership renews monthly, and it is worth being clear-eyed that the smart side of any Echelon needs both the subscription and an internet connection to shine. Without the membership you can still ride the bike manually and sync your sessions to Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit over Bluetooth, but you lose the classes, which are the main reason to choose an Echelon in the first place.

Is the subscription worth it?

Whether the membership is worth it is the real question with any Echelon, and on the cheapest bike it cuts both ways. The classes are the whole point of buying an EX-30 rather than a plain magnetic bike, so if you will actually use them, the membership earns its keep. If you suspect you will drift towards riding on your own, be honest with yourself first, because a subscription-free bike like the JTX Cyclo-3M does the manual-riding job for less up front and nothing per month. Use the 45-day trial to work out which kind of rider you are before the first payment lands.

How it compares

At this price the obvious cross-shop is our top budget pick, the JTX Cyclo-3M at £299. The Cyclo-3M is cheaper and similarly light, but it has no class platform of its own, so the EX-30 RCX earns its premium if you specifically want instructor-led classes. Step up to the subscription-free JTX Studio Pro at £799 and you get a much heavier 16kg flywheel and Zwift support with no monthly fee, which is the better buy if you would rather own your ride outright than rent the classes. Against Peloton, the EX-30 undercuts it heavily, since Peloton starts far higher and locks you into its own membership.

Who it is for

Buy the EX-30 RCX if you want the Echelon classes on a budget and already own a tablet to run them. It is the natural starting point, and the current discount makes it the best-value bike in the range. If you want a heavier, more road-like ride, step up to the EX-5. If you would rather the screen was built in, look at the EX-5S.

Specifications

Flywheel	7kg
Resistance	Magnetic, 32 levels
Console	LCD: speed, distance, time, calories, pulse
Screen	None, bring your own tablet
Connectivity	Bluetooth, Echelon Fit, syncs Strava, Apple Health, Fitbit
Pedals	Toe cage
Maximum user weight	136kg
Machine weight	38kg
Footprint	About 120 x 63cm
Power	AA batteries
Warranty	2 years parts and labour (home use)

Warranty and after-sales

Echelon covers the EX-30 RCX with a 2-year parts and labour warranty, rated for home use. In practice that means both the components and the cost of any repair work are covered for two years from purchase, which is a reasonable level of cover for a budget connected bike and, on labour in particular, more generous than some rivals that only cover labour for the first year. It is sold in the UK through Sweatband, so warranty and support run through Echelon and the retailer. Register the bike when it arrives and keep your proof of purchase in case you ever need a repair.

FitRank breakdown

Performance 4.0

A 7kg flywheel and 32 magnetic levels handle class-led riding and steady cardio well. Smooth and quiet, though lighter underfoot than the heavier bikes in the range.

Build quality 4.1

Solid and stable for an entry cycle, with a 136kg user limit and a 2-year warranty. The lighter, battery-powered build is what keeps the price down.

Value 4.6

The standout. Half price, then £359.20 with EXTRA20, for a fully connected Echelon bike is exceptional value and the main reason to buy it.

Features 4.2

App connectivity, third-party syncing and the class library are all here. It loses ground only on the basic LCD and the lack of a built-in screen or SPD pedals.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Echelon EX-30 RCX have a screen?

No. It has a basic LCD for your stats, and you mount your own tablet or phone to run the Echelon Fit app and its classes.

How much is the EX-30 RCX with the EXTRA20 code?

It drops to £359.20, which is half price and then a further 20% off with the code EXTRA20. Sale prices change, so check the current offer before buying.

Is the flywheel heavy enough?

At 7kg it is the lightest in the range, which suits class-led and steady riding. If you want the momentum for hard standing climbs and sprints, the 13kg EX-5 is the better choice.

How long does assembly take?

About an hour with the supplied tools, and one person can manage it. The bike weighs 38kg and moves on front transport wheels.

Does it need a subscription?

Not to function. You can ride it as a manual magnetic bike and sync to Strava, Apple Health or Fitbit. The classes need Echelon Premier Membership, which comes with a 45-day free trial.

Can I use the EX-30 RCX without the internet?

The manual resistance works offline, and you can track rides through Strava, Apple Health or Fitbit. The Echelon classes themselves need an internet connection.

What is the footprint of the EX-30 RCX?

Roughly 120cm long by 63cm wide, which is compact for an indoor cycle, and the front transport wheels make it easy to move.

We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.

← Back to all Echelon bikes

Echelon Exercise Bikes: The Full Range Compared

August 19, 2026June 12, 2026 by ejh22

The Echelon exercise bike range compared: EX-30 RCX, GT, EX-5, EX-5S, EX7s and EX-Pro

Brand Hub

Echelon Exercise Bikes: The Full Range Compared

Echelon is the main subscription-based rival to Peloton in the UK, and its indoor bikes run from a £359 entry cycle to a £2,999 commercial flagship with a 24-inch touchscreen. Here is the full Echelon bike range, scored with FitRank and grouped by whether you bring your own screen or the bike has one built in.

Echelon is one of the biggest names in connected indoor cycling. Every bike pairs manual magnetic resistance with the Echelon Fit app, which streams live and on-demand classes led by instructors, and each one ships with a 45-day free trial of Echelon Premier Membership. The range splits into two clear camps. On the more affordable bikes you bring your own screen, clipping a tablet or phone to a holder to run the app. On the premium bikes a large HD touchscreen is built in, so everything happens on the bike itself. In the UK the range sells through Sweatband, and every model carries a 2-year warranty.

All six bikes share the same core: 32 levels of magnetic resistance, Bluetooth, and syncing with Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit through the Echelon Fit app. What changes as you move up the range is the flywheel weight, the screen, the frame and the warranty class. We have scored each one with FitRank and grouped them below.

Bring your own screen

You mount a tablet or phone to run the Echelon Fit app. The cheaper, more flexible way onto the platform.

Budget pick

Echelon EX-30 RCX

FitRank 4.2£449£89950% off + EXTRA20

Echelon’s entry cycle and, right now, its biggest bargain: half price, then £359.20 with code EXTRA20. A 7kg flywheel and 32 magnetic levels, you supply the tablet. The cheapest way onto the Echelon platform.

Check price Specs

Entry

Echelon GT

FitRank 4.1£499

A step up from the EX-30 with the same 7kg flywheel and 32 levels, plus SPD-compatible pedals and a slip-resistant multi-grip bar. You supply the screen via the arm mount.

Check price Specs

Best ride, no screen

Echelon EX-5

FitRank 4.3£799£999Save 20%

The pick if you want a proper ride without paying for a built-in screen. A heavier 13kg flywheel, SPD pedals and a competition-style seat, with your own tablet running the classes.

Check price Specs

Built-in HD touchscreen

A large rotating screen is part of the bike, so the classes, metrics and off-bike workouts all run on board.

Best touchscreen value

Echelon EX-5S

FitRank 4.5£1,099£1,349Save 19%

The value sweet spot of the touchscreen range. A 22-inch rotating HD screen and a 13kg flywheel for around £1,099, most of the EX7s experience for several hundred pounds less.

Check price Specs

Premium

Echelon EX7s

FitRank 4.4£1,999

A premium connected bike with a 22-inch rotating HD touchscreen, quiet belt drive and a heavy-duty frame rated for light-commercial use. Built for immersion.

Check price Specs

Commercial flagship

Echelon EX-Pro

FitRank 4.5£2,999

The commercial flagship: a 24-inch HD touchscreen that flips 180 degrees, fast-reacting EMS indexing resistance, aero bars and a 159kg user limit. Studio-grade, priced to match.

Check price Specs

Echelon exercise bikes compared

Model	Flywheel	Screen	Pedals	Max user	Price	FitRank
EX-30 RCX	7kg	None (bring your own)	Toe cage	136kg	£449 (£359.20 with EXTRA20)	4.2
GT	7kg	None (bring your own)	SPD + toe cage	136kg	£499	4.1
EX-5	13kg	None (bring your own)	SPD + toe cage	136kg	£799	4.3
EX-5S	13kg	22″ rotating HD	SPD + cage	136kg	£1,099	4.5
EX7s	Magnetic, belt drive	22″ rotating HD	SPD + cage	136kg	£1,999	4.4
EX-Pro	EMS indexing, belt drive	24″ rotating HD	SPD + cage	159kg	£2,999	4.5

All six share 32 levels of magnetic resistance, Bluetooth, a 2-year warranty and the Echelon Fit app, which syncs with Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit. The EX7s and EX-Pro are rated for commercial use.

The Echelon subscription, explained

Echelon’s bikes are built around Echelon Premier Membership, the paid subscription that unlocks the live and on-demand classes, the leaderboard and the scenic rides through the Echelon Fit app. Every bike includes a 45-day free trial, after which the membership renews monthly unless you cancel. Echelon updates its pricing from time to time, so check the current monthly cost on Echelon’s site before you commit, because over a few years the membership can add up to more than the bike itself.

The important thing to know is that an Echelon bike is not bricked without a subscription. You can still ride it as a manual magnetic bike, adjust the 32 resistance levels yourself, and track your sessions through Strava, Apple Health or Fitbit. What you lose without the membership is the classes, which are the main reason to buy an Echelon in the first place. So when you are weighing an Echelon against a subscription-free bike like a JTX, you are really deciding whether the instructor-led classes are worth the ongoing fee to you.

Echelon discount codes and sales

Echelon and Sweatband run frequent promotions, and there are usually real savings to be had rather than paying full RRP. At the time of writing the EX-30 RCX is half price and drops to £359.20 with the code EXTRA20, the EX-5 has 20% off, and the EX-5S has 19% off. Codes and sale prices change, and the best Echelon deals in the UK tend to appear through Sweatband, so it is worth checking the current offer before buying. We flag the live discount on each bike in the cards above.

What about the EX3, Connect Sport and older Echelon bikes?

If you have been researching Echelon for a while you will have seen the EX3, the Connect Sport and the Sport Smart Connect bikes. These are earlier or differently badged models, and they are not part of the current UK line-up at Sweatband. If you read an Echelon EX3 review and liked the look of it, the closest current equivalents are the entry-level EX-30 RCX and the GT, both of which use the same bring-your-own-screen approach and a 7kg flywheel. Step up to the EX-5 or EX-5S and you get the heavier 13kg flywheel and, on the EX-5S, a built-in touchscreen.

How to choose an Echelon bike

Built-in screen, or bring your own?

This is the first decision, and it is mostly about money. The EX-30 RCX, GT and EX-5 have no screen, so you mount a tablet or phone and run the Echelon Fit app from that. It keeps the price down and many people already own a suitable tablet. The EX-5S, EX7s and EX-Pro have a large rotating HD touchscreen built in, which is more immersive and lets you flip the screen for off-bike classes like strength and yoga, but you pay several hundred pounds more for the convenience.

How heavy a flywheel?

The 7kg flywheel on the EX-30 RCX and GT is fine for class-led riding and steady cardio. If you want a weightier, more road-like feel, particularly for standing climbs and sprints, the 13kg flywheel on the EX-5 and EX-5S is the one to look for. The commercial EX7s and EX-Pro use heavier-duty magnetic systems again, with the EX-Pro’s fast-reacting indexing resistance aimed at studio-style class changes.

Which one for the money?

If you just want onto the platform as cheaply as possible, the discounted EX-30 RCX is unbeatable value right now. For the best ride without a screen, the EX-5. For the best all-in-one, the EX-5S is the value pick of the touchscreen bikes, with the EX7s and EX-Pro reserved for those who want a premium or light-commercial machine.

Is Echelon a good brand?

Echelon is one of the established names in connected fitness, and several of its bikes carry strong 4.8-star ratings on Sweatband. The appeal is a large class library, open syncing with Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit, and a hardware range that, unlike some rivals, lets you start cheaply by bringing your own screen. The catch is the same as with any subscription platform: the best of the experience sits behind the membership, so the ongoing cost matters as much as the up-front price. If you will use the classes, Echelon is a strong buy. If you only want a manual magnetic bike, you can spend less elsewhere.

Echelon versus Peloton

Echelon and Peloton are the two big subscription class platforms, and the comparison usually comes down to cost and flexibility. Echelon’s hardware is generally cheaper, its membership typically undercuts Peloton’s, and its bring-your-own-screen bikes let you start for a few hundred pounds rather than four figures. It also plays more openly with third-party apps such as Strava and Apple Health. Peloton’s counter is a slicker, more polished all-in-one ecosystem and a larger, more famous class community. For value and flexibility, Echelon makes the stronger case; for the most seamless out-of-the-box experience, Peloton still leads.

Echelon beyond exercise bikes

Echelon is not only a bike brand. It also makes rowing machines and the Stride line of treadmills, all running through the same Echelon Fit app and membership. If you are building a connected home gym around the platform, it is worth looking at the range as a whole. For treadmills specifically, our sister site HomeTreadmill.co.uk covers the category in depth.

Frequently asked questions

Do Echelon bikes need a subscription?

Not to function. You can ride any Echelon bike as a manual magnetic bike and track sessions through Strava, Apple Health or Fitbit. The Echelon Premier Membership unlocks the live and on-demand classes, which are the main draw, and every bike includes a 45-day free trial before it renews monthly.

Which Echelon bike is the best value?

Right now the EX-30 RCX is the cheapest way onto the platform at £359.20 with code EXTRA20. If you want a built-in touchscreen, the EX-5S is the value pick, offering a 22-inch rotating screen and 13kg flywheel for well under the price of the EX7s.

What is the difference between the EX-5 and the EX-5S?

Both share the same 13kg flywheel and ride quality. The EX-5 has no screen, so you bring your own tablet, while the EX-5S adds a 22-inch rotating HD touchscreen built into the bike. The EX-5S costs more but is fully self-contained.

Do all Echelon bikes have a screen?

No. The EX-30 RCX, GT and EX-5 have no built-in screen, so you mount your own device. The EX-5S, EX7s and EX-Pro have large rotating HD touchscreens built in.

Is there an Echelon discount code?

At the moment the EX-30 RCX drops to £359.20 with the code EXTRA20, and the EX-5 and EX-5S have money off. Echelon and Sweatband run regular promotions, so it is worth checking the current sale before you buy.

Can I use an Echelon bike with Zwift or Peloton?

Echelon bikes are built around the Echelon Fit app and sync with Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit. They are not designed to run the Peloton or Zwift apps natively, so if those platforms are essential, check compatibility before buying.

What warranty do Echelon bikes come with?

All six carry a 2-year parts and labour warranty. The EX7s and EX-Pro are built to a commercial standard, with the EX-Pro rated for unlimited commercial use.

For exercise bikes beyond Echelon, see our main best exercise bikes guide, and read how we score every product on the FitRank page.

← All exercise bikes

JTX Cyclo-3M Review 2026

August 19, 2026June 11, 2026 by ejh22

JTX Ignite AirX Rider seated erg-style air bike

JTX · Spin Bike Review

JTX Cyclo-3M Review 2026

By Chris Linford · Updated June 2026 · Rated with FitRank

Every range needs an honest entry point, and for JTX that is the Cyclo-3M. At £299 it is the cheapest bike they make: a compact, quiet magnetic spin bike that skips the tech and just gets you riding. For plenty of people starting out, that is exactly the right call.

JTX Cyclo-3M

Compact magnetic spin bike

3.9/5

FitRank

Very good

Performance3.8

Build4.0

Value4.4

Features3.4

£299

Summer Sale · 10% off Check price at JTX

Price and discount applied at checkout on jtxfitness.com

The verdict

What I like about the Cyclo-3M is that it does not pretend to be more than it is. This is a straightforward magnetic spin bike for people who want to ride at home without spending big or fiddling with apps. The resistance is quiet and smooth, the frame is steady enough for daily cardio, and at 30kg with transport wheels you can wheel it out of the way when you are done. It even picked up a best-buy nod on Channel 5’s Shop Smart Save Money, which tells you where it sits: a budget champion, with features you’d normally expect to find on a performance machine.

The compromises are the ones you would expect at this price. The 6kg flywheel is on the light side, so the ride does not carry the same momentum as the heavier bikes above it, and you get no Bluetooth, no app support and only hand-pulse heart rate on a basic console. For a beginner building the habit, none of that really matters. For anyone chasing structured training or virtual classes you will outgrow it, and that is fine, because that is not who it is for.

Strengths

Genuinely affordable entry to the JTX range at £299
Quiet, smooth magnetic resistance
Compact and light, with transport wheels for easy storage
Device and bottle holders included
Simple to use, ideal for building a routine

Watch-outs

Light 6kg flywheel, less momentum than pricier bikes
No app connectivity or Bluetooth
Hand-pulse heart rate only, no chest-strap support
Flat pedals and a basic console
1-year warranty, shorter than the rest of the range

Ride feel and real-world experience

For a budget bike, the Cyclo-3M rides better than its price suggests. JTX engineers the 6kg flywheel to spin faster so it mimics the momentum of a heavier one, and in practice the ride is smooth and whisper-quiet, helped by the magnetic resistance the brand uses across its spin range. It will not have the planted, road-like heft of the 16kg Studio Pro, and you notice that on hard standing efforts, but for steady cardio, daily weight-loss rides and class-style sessions it is more than smooth enough. It was even voted best bike by spinning instructors on Channel 5’s Shop Smart Save Money.

The padded seat adjusts vertically and horizontally and the handlebars adjust vertically, so most riders can find a comfortable position, and at a slim footprint with a 120kg user limit it stays stable despite being light. The resistance dial is easy to reach and there is an emergency stop. The console is basic but clear, covering speed, time, distance, RPM, calories and pulse through hand sensors, and there is no app connectivity, so this is a ride-and-go bike rather than a connected one.

Assembly, size and setup

The Cyclo-3M is the easiest bike in the range to live with from the off. It arrives mostly assembled with the tools included, and most people are riding within half an hour. At just 30kg it is light enough for one person to build and to move, and the front transport wheels make it genuinely easy to wheel out of the way and store, which is a big part of its appeal for smaller homes.

Living with it: noise, footprint and storage

This is the JTX bike for tight spaces and shared homes. The magnetic resistance makes it whisper-quiet, so early-morning and late-night rides will not disturb anyone, and at 30kg with transport wheels it is the one bike here you can realistically tuck away after each session. Its compact footprint suits a spare corner or a bedroom. Upkeep is minimal, with no friction pads to wear, and it runs the console from batteries so it does not need to sit near a socket.

Apps and connectivity

The Cyclo-3M keeps things deliberately simple: there is no Bluetooth or app connectivity. You ride to the on-board console, which tracks speed, time, distance, RPM, calories and pulse through hand sensors, and that is the extent of the tech. For a beginner building a habit that is no bad thing, but if you want to follow Zwift, Kinomap or class apps, you will need to step up to the Studio Pro, which adds app connectivity and a much heavier flywheel.

Running costs: the no-subscription advantage

At £299 the Cyclo-3M is already the cheapest bike in the range, and it stays cheap because there is nothing to pay after you buy it. There is no subscription, no app fee and no membership: you ride to the on-board console and that is that. If you do want classes, you are free to prop a tablet on the handlebars and follow free spin sessions on YouTube or a free app tier, which keeps your costs at zero. Against a subscription bike like the Echelon EX-30 RCX, whose classes need an ongoing fee, the Cyclo-3M’s pay-once simplicity is part of its budget appeal.

How it compares

At £299 the Cyclo-3M’s most direct rival is the Echelon EX-30 RCX, which when discounted lands near the same money. The difference is the platform: the Echelon is built around its paid class subscription, while the Cyclo-3M is a simple, subscription-free magnetic bike with no monthly fees ever. If you want instructor-led classes, the Echelon makes sense; if you just want to ride and keep costs down, the Cyclo-3M is the cleaner buy. Against cheap online spin bikes it stands out on JTX’s build quality, warranty and in-home support, and if you later want app connectivity and a heavier flywheel, the Studio Pro is the upgrade path.

Who it is for

This is the bike for beginners, casual riders and anyone who simply wants to do more cardio at home without overthinking it. If you want a heavier flywheel, app connectivity and a commercial-grade frame, step up to the JTX Studio Pro, which is the serious performance pick. You can weigh the whole range on the JTX exercise bikes hub.

Specifications

Bike type	Spin (compact indoor cycle)
Resistance	Magnetic, manually adjustable
Flywheel	6kg, inertia enhanced
Maximum user weight	120kg
Console	Distance, time, RPM, calories, watts, heart rate
Connectivity	None
Heart rate	Hand pulse sensors
Power supply	Batteries (self-powered)
Pedals	Flat pedals
Adjustment	Handlebars vertical, seat vertical and horizontal
Included	Device holder, bottle holder, transport wheels
Assembled size (l x w x h)	119 x 54 x 126 cm
Machine weight	30kg
Warranty	1-year in-home repair
Usage class	Home

Warranty and after-sales

The Cyclo-3M comes with a one-year in-home repair warranty covering parts and labour, registered automatically at purchase, along with JTX’s 28-day no-quibble returns policy. The one-year term is shorter than the rest of the range, reflecting its entry-level position, but in-home repair still means an engineer comes to you rather than you returning the bike. For a £299 bike backed by an established brand with proper UK support, that is solid reassurance, and more than you get with many budget online spin bikes.

FitRank breakdown

Performance 3.8

Smooth and quiet for steady riding, but the 6kg flywheel carries less momentum than heavier bikes, so the ride feels lighter under hard efforts. Good for beginners, not for high-intensity training.

Build quality 4.0

Solid and stable for a compact home bike, with a 120kg user limit and a 30kg frame. The 1-year warranty reflects its entry-level position in the range.

Value 4.4

The strongest pillar. At £299 from a brand with JTX’s support and warranty cover, it is a lot of reliable, no-fuss bike for the money.

Features 3.4

Deliberately minimal. A basic console, hand-pulse heart rate and no connectivity keep the price down, but mean there is little here for data-led or app-based training.

Frequently asked questions

Is the JTX Cyclo-3M good for beginners?

Yes. It is designed as an entry-level bike for beginners and casual riders, with simple magnetic resistance, a quiet ride and an easy setup. It is one of the most approachable bikes in the JTX range.

Does it connect to apps?

No. The Cyclo-3M has no Bluetooth or app connectivity. If you want to ride with Zwift or Kinomap, look at the JTX Studio Pro or Racer-M instead.

How heavy is the flywheel?

It uses a 6kg inertia-enhanced flywheel. That keeps the bike light and quiet, though it gives less momentum than the heavier flywheels on JTX’s higher-end bikes.

Can I move it easily?

Yes. At 30kg with built-in transport wheels, it is one of the easier bikes to wheel out of the way between sessions.

Is the 6kg flywheel powerful enough?

It is light on paper, but JTX engineers it to spin faster to mimic a heavier flywheel, so the ride stays smooth for steady and class-style riding. For hard standing climbs, the heavier Studio Pro is the better choice.

Is the Cyclo-3M quiet?

Yes, very. The magnetic resistance makes it whisper-quiet, so it suits early mornings, shared spaces and flats.

We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.

← Back to all JTX exercise bikes

JTX Mission Air Review 2026

August 19, 2026June 11, 2026 by ejh22

JTX Mission Air full-body fan bike with moving handlebars

JTX · Air Bike Review

JTX Mission Air Review 2026

By Chris Linford · Updated June 2026 · Rated with FitRank

The Mission Air is the classic fan bike done properly: moving handlebars, a big fan and resistance with no ceiling. It is JTX’s tool for the kind of conditioning work that leaves you on the floor. Push, pull and pedal harder, and it simply pushes back harder, all for £799.

JTX Mission Air

Full-body air bike with moving handles

4.3/5

FitRank

Very good

Performance4.6

Build4.6

Value4.3

Features3.9

£799

Summer Sale · 10% off Check price at JTX

Price and discount applied at checkout on jtxfitness.com

The verdict

This is the fan bike in the JTX range, the type with moving handlebars that drive your arms and legs together for a genuine full-body effort. The air resistance is effectively infinite, because there is no top level to hit: the faster you work the fan, the harder it fights back. That is exactly what you want for CrossFit-style and HIIT conditioning, where the machine needs to meet maximum effort with maximum resistance and never tap out before you do.

The build is gym-quality, rated to 160kg, and at 63.5kg it stays rooted to the spot through the most violent intervals. The honest limitation is connectivity. Unlike the AirX Rider, the Mission Air has no wireless app support, so everything lives on its own console with interval and target-heart-rate programmes. For most fan-bike buyers, who care about effort and output rather than pedalling through a virtual French village, that is no loss at all, but it is why it scores a little lower on features.

Strengths

Full-body workout from moving handlebars plus pedals
Infinite air resistance that scales with effort, ideal for HIIT
Gym-quality build, 160kg maximum user weight
Interval and target heart-rate programmes built in
Self-powered, no mains needed

Watch-outs

No wireless app connectivity
High noise rating, loudest format of bike here
Flat pedals only, no clip-in option
2-year home warranty, no separate commercial cover

Ride feel and real-world experience

The Mission Air is a classic full-body fan bike, and it rides the way that breed does: brutally honest. There is no resistance dial, because the fan sets the difficulty itself, so the harder you push the pedals and pull the moving handlebars, the more it fights back. That makes it superb for HIIT, Tabata and CrossFit-style conditioning, where you want a machine that meets maximum effort with maximum resistance and never tops out. Because the arms move with the legs, it works the whole body at once, chest, back, arms and core as well as the legs, which is why air bikes post some of the highest calorie-per-minute outputs of any cardio kit.

The flip side of all that fan is noise: the Mission Air carries a high noise rating, the loudest format of bike in the JTX range, so it is best in a garage, spare room or somewhere a roaring fan will not disturb anyone. The gym-quality build and 160kg user limit keep it stable through violent intervals, and at 63.5kg it does not wander. The console covers the metrics that matter for interval work, with interval and target-heart-rate programmes built in, though there is no app connectivity, so what you see is what you get.

Assembly, size and setup

The Mission Air comes with its tools and assembles in around an hour along familiar lines. At 63.5kg it is one of the heavier bikes in the range, so positioning is a two-person job, after which the transport wheels let you move it. It is self-powered, running the console from batteries, so it does not need to sit near a socket, which is handy given it is happiest in a garage or spare room.

Living with it: noise, footprint and storage

Noise is the headline consideration. As a fan bike the Mission Air is loud by design, so it is the wrong choice for a flat with thin walls or late-night sessions near sleeping family, and the right choice for a garage gym or a dedicated training space where you can let rip. It is a substantial bike that wants a permanent spot, and being battery-powered it can live anywhere there is room. Maintenance is minimal: there are no resistance pads to wear, just the occasional wipe-down and a bolt check.

Apps and connectivity

This is the one area where the Mission Air keeps things simple: there is no wireless app connectivity. Everything runs on its own console, which tracks the core metrics and includes interval and target-heart-rate programmes, with Polar H10 chest-strap support for heart rate. For most fan-bike buyers that is no great loss, since the appeal of an air bike is raw, effort-driven conditioning rather than virtual routes, but if app support matters to you, the Ignite AirX Rider is the air bike in the range that connects to Zwift.

Running costs: the no-subscription advantage

The Mission Air has the lowest running cost of any bike here, because there is nothing to pay and nothing to subscribe to. There is no app, no membership and no licence: it runs from batteries, and every feature, the interval and target programmes, the metrics and the heart-rate support, is included for the life of the bike. For the kind of effort-driven conditioning a fan bike is built for, that is all you need. Compared with a subscription bike whose monthly fee never stops, the Mission Air simply asks for the purchase price and nothing more.

How it compares

The Mission Air goes head to head with the icons of the category: the Assault AirBike, the Rogue Echo and the Schwinn Airdyne, all full-body fan bikes built for the same brutal conditioning work. It holds its own on build, with a gym-quality frame and a 160kg user limit, and JTX’s in-home warranty is more generous than many. Within the JTX range, if you want a seated, data-rich, Zwift-connected air bike instead of the full-body push-pull, the Ignite AirX Rider is the alternative, and if quiet matters more than full-body intensity, a magnetic spin bike like the Studio Pro or one of the Echelon bikes is the calmer, near-silent option.

Who it is for

Buy the Mission Air if you want full-body conditioning and do not care about apps or virtual routes, the CrossFit, HYROX and HIIT crowd who train by effort and output. If you would rather a seated, cycling-focused air bike with a performance console and Zwift support, the JTX Ignite AirX Rider is the better fit. The JTX exercise bikes hub compares both side by side.

Specifications

Bike type	Air bike (fan bike, moving handlebars)
Resistance	Air, infinite (effort scaled)
Maximum user weight	160kg
Console	Distance, time, RPM, speed, calories, heart rate, watts
Programmes	Interval, target
Connectivity	None
Heart rate	Polar H10 chest strap
Power supply	Batteries (self-powered)
Pedals	Flat pedals
Seat	Interchangeable universal seat, vertical and horizontal adjustment
Assembled size (l x w x h)	123 x 55 x 120 cm
Machine weight	63.5kg
Warranty	2-year in-home repair, 10-year frame
Usage class	Home

Warranty and after-sales

The Mission Air comes with a two-year in-home repair warranty covering parts and labour, plus a 10-year guarantee on the frame, registered automatically at purchase, and a 28-day no-quibble returns policy. In-home repair means JTX sends an engineer to you rather than asking you to crate up a 63.5kg bike. That is a reassuring package for an air bike, and more generous on home support than many of the big fan-bike brands offer.

FitRank breakdown

Performance 4.6

Infinite air resistance and moving handlebars deliver a genuine full-body workout that scales to any intensity. Excellent for conditioning, intervals and metabolic work.

Build quality 4.6

Gym-quality construction with a 160kg user limit and 63.5kg mass keeps it stable through hard efforts. A 10-year frame warranty backs the build.

Value 4.3

Solid for a gym-grade full-body air bike at £799, though the lack of connectivity means you are paying for build and resistance rather than tech.

Features 3.9

The weak spot. Useful interval and target programmes are on board, but with no wireless app support it trails the more connected machines in the range.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Mission Air connect to apps like Zwift?

No. The Mission Air has no wireless connectivity. Its metrics and interval and target programmes run on its own console. If app support matters to you, the JTX Ignite AirX Rider connects to Zwift.

Is it a full-body workout?

Yes. The moving handlebars work your arms and upper body while you pedal, so it trains the whole body rather than just the legs.

How loud is it?

It carries a high noise rating. Fan bikes are the loudest type of exercise bike because the fan moves a lot of air, so factor that in for flats or shared spaces.

Does it need to be plugged in?

No. It is self-powered and runs the console from batteries.

Is the Mission Air good for HIIT?

Yes, it is built for it. The infinite air resistance meets maximum effort with maximum resistance, which suits HIIT, Tabata and CrossFit-style conditioning perfectly.

Where should I put a fan bike?

Somewhere noise will not be a problem, such as a garage or spare room. Fan bikes are the loudest type of exercise bike because of the air the fan moves.

We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.

← Back to all JTX exercise bikes

JTX Ignite AirX Rider Review 2026

August 19, 2026June 11, 2026 by ejh22

JTX · Air Bike Review

JTX Ignite AirX Rider Review 2026

By Chris Linford · Updated June 2026 · Rated with FitRank

The Ignite AirX Rider is JTX’s erg-style air bike, and it is built for people who quietly enjoy the hurt of interval training. A freewheel, dynamic air resistance and a properly serious performance console, all for £799. If you want an air bike that rewards effort the way a good rower does, this is the one to look at.

JTX Ignite AirX Rider

Commercial-grade erg-style air bike

4.6/5

FitRank

Excellent

Performance4.7

Build4.7

Value4.4

Features4.5

£799

Summer Sale · 10% off Check price at JTX

Price and discount applied at checkout on jtxfitness.com

The verdict

Air bikes come in two flavours: the full-body fan bike with moving arms, and the seated erg-style rider built for the legs and lungs. The AirX Rider is firmly the second kind. Thanks to the freewheel and dynamic air resistance, it pushes back exactly as hard as you do, scaling from gentle zone-two spinning to eyeballs-out sprint intervals without a resistance dial anywhere in sight. The 160kg user limit and commercial-grade build mean it shrugs off the repeated hammering that interval work dishes out.

What lifts it above a bog-standard air bike is the console. On top of the usual numbers it gives you drag factor, pace, watts, interval and split data, and it stores your history, which is performance-rower territory and exactly what structured training lives on. It talks to Zwift, too. For a £799 home machine pointed at HYROX-style and race prep, that is a strong hand.

Strengths

Freewheel and dynamic air resistance that scales infinitely with effort
Performance console with drag factor, pace, splits and history
Commercial-grade build, 160kg maximum user weight
Connects to Zwift, interchangeable universal seat
Self-powered, no mains needed

Watch-outs

Moderate fan noise, as with any air bike
SPD pedals suit cycling shoes more than trainers
Seated rider format, not a full-body fan bike with arms
2-year home warranty, shorter than the Studio Pro’s 3

Ride feel and real-world experience

The Ignite AirX Rider rides like the race-focused tool it is. Air resistance has a character all of its own: there is no knob to set, because the faster and harder you pedal, the more the fan pushes back, so the bike scales seamlessly from a gentle warm-up to an all-out sprint and never runs out of resistance. The seated, erg-style position keeps the focus on your legs and lungs rather than the full-body push-pull of a fan bike, and the freewheel lets you coast, which matters for interval work where you back off between efforts.

Air bikes are inherently louder than magnetic spin bikes, since the fan moves a lot of air, so the AirX Rider carries a moderate noise rating: noticeable but not unreasonable for a home, and far from the loudest air bike out there. The commercial-grade build and 160kg user limit mean it stays planted through hard efforts, and the standout is the performance console, which reports drag factor, pace, watts, splits and stored history, the kind of data structured and race training actually uses. It connects to Zwift, and the interchangeable seat lets you fit a saddle you prefer.

Assembly, size and setup

The AirX Rider comes with the tools needed and goes together in around an hour. At 43kg it is lighter than the spin bikes but still easier to position with two people, partly because of its size: it is a tall, long machine at 144 by 62 by 150cm, so measure your space, including headroom, before it arrives. It is self-powered, so there is no need to place it near a socket, and transport wheels help you move it once built.

Living with it: noise, footprint and storage

The things to plan for are noise and space. As an air bike the AirX Rider is louder than a magnetic spin bike, so it is less suited to a flat with thin walls or late-night use next to a sleeping household, though it is far from the noisiest air bike around. It is a large machine that wants a proper footprint, and being self-powered it can go anywhere there is room rather than near a plug. Upkeep is minimal, with no resistance pads to wear, just the occasional wipe-down.

Apps and connectivity

The AirX Rider connects to Zwift over Bluetooth, which is unusual and welcome on an air bike, letting you ride virtual routes and structured sessions on your own screen. As with the rest of the JTX range there is no compulsory subscription. Its own performance console is the real draw, though, with rower-grade data including drag factor, pace, splits and workout history, plus Polar H10 chest-strap heart-rate support, so structured training works fully on the bike alone.

Running costs: the no-subscription advantage

As with the rest of the JTX range, the AirX Rider carries no compulsory subscription, which matters more than it sounds. Its performance console is fully featured out of the box, so the drag factor, pace, splits and history that structured training relies on cost you nothing on an ongoing basis. If you want virtual riding you can add Zwift on your own terms, but plenty of air-bike training, intervals, calorie sprints and conditioning work, needs no app at all. Set against a subscription bike, where the monthly fee continues for as long as you own it, the AirX Rider is a pay-once machine.

How it compares

As an air bike the AirX Rider competes less with Echelon’s spin bikes and more with dedicated fan and erg bikes like the Assault AirBike, the Schwinn AD7 and the Rogue Echo. Where most of those are full-body fan bikes with moving arms, the AirX Rider is a seated erg-style rider, closer in spirit to a leg-and-lung erg machine, and its performance console matches or beats theirs for data. Within the JTX range, if you want the full-body push-pull instead, the Mission Air is the fan bike to choose, and if you would rather a quiet magnetic spin bike for class-style riding, the Studio Pro is the better fit.

Who it is for

This is the bike for interval and race training, anyone doing HYROX, CrossFit-style conditioning or structured cycling who wants honest, effort-scaled resistance and the data to train by. If you would rather have a full-body air bike that works your arms as well as your legs, look at the JTX Mission Air instead. For a broader look at where air bikes sit against spin bikes, the JTX exercise bikes hub lays out the whole range.

Specifications

Bike type	Erg-style air bike, freewheel
Resistance	Air, dynamic (10 levels of damper)
Maximum user weight	160kg
Console	Distance, time, RPM, pace, calories, watts, heart rate, drag factor, interval and split data, workout history
Connectivity	Wireless, Zwift
Heart rate	Polar H10 chest strap
Power supply	Batteries (self-powered)
Pedals	SPD
Seat	Interchangeable universal seat, vertical and horizontal adjustment
Assembled size (l x w x h)	144 x 62 x 150 cm
Machine weight	43kg
Warranty	2-year in-home repair, 10-year frame, 1-year commercial
Usage class	Commercial

Warranty and after-sales

The AirX Rider carries a two-year in-home repair warranty covering parts and labour, a 10-year guarantee on the frame, and a one-year commercial warranty, with cover registered automatically at purchase and a 28-day no-quibble returns policy. As with all JTX kit, in-home repair means an engineer comes to you rather than you returning the bike. Two years of parts-and-labour cover plus a decade on the frame is a strong package for an air bike, and matches or beats what most dedicated air-bike brands offer.

FitRank breakdown

Performance 4.7

Freewheel air resistance that scales with effort makes this genuinely excellent for intervals and endurance alike. The harder you ride, the more it gives back, with no ceiling to hit.

Build quality 4.7

Commercial-grade construction and a 160kg user limit, sharing the build and warranty of JTX’s well-rated rower. Comfortably rated for repeated high-intensity sessions.

Value 4.4

A performance air bike with rower-grade data for £799 is competitive, though air bikes are a more niche buy than spin bikes, which tempers the score slightly.

Features 4.5

The standout is the console: drag factor, splits, history and Zwift support put it ahead of most home air bikes, which often ship with only a basic metrics screen.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between this and the JTX Mission Air?

The Ignite AirX Rider is a seated erg-style bike focused on the legs, with a freewheel and a performance console. The Mission Air is a full-body fan bike with moving handlebars that works the arms and legs together. Choose the Rider for cycling-style intervals, the Mission Air for full-body conditioning.

Is it noisy?

It carries a moderate noise rating. Air bikes generate sound from the fan as you pedal, so it is louder than a magnetic spin bike but reasonable for a home setting.

Does it need mains power?

No. It is self-powered and runs the console from batteries, so you can place it anywhere without being near a socket.

Can I use it with Zwift?

Yes, it connects wirelessly to Zwift. There is no compulsory subscription from JTX itself.

Is the AirX Rider a full-body workout?

Not in the way a fan bike is. The AirX Rider is a seated erg-style bike that focuses on the legs and lungs. For full-body push-pull with moving arms, the JTX Mission Air is the one to choose.

Who is the AirX Rider best for?

Interval and race training: HYROX, CrossFit-style conditioning and structured cycling, where you want effort-scaled resistance and detailed performance data.

We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.

← Back to all JTX exercise bikes