Echelon
Echelon Connect EX-5
$899.99Cheaper
Released 2020
Best Exercise Bikes · head-to-head
Echelon Connect EX-5 vs Keiser M3i Indoor Bike
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Echelon Connect EX-5 is cheaper at $899.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Keiser
Keiser M3i Indoor Bike
$2985
Released 2019
Which is better: the Echelon Connect EX-5 or Keiser M3i Indoor Bike?
They split the 2 specs we compare evenly. The Echelon Connect EX-5 is the cheaper at $899.99.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Echelon Connect EX-5 | Keiser M3i Indoor Bike |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $899.99 | $2985 |
| Brand | Echelon | Keiser |
| Released | 2020 | 2019 |
| Bike type | indoor | indoor |
| Resistance type | magnetic | eddy current magnetic (non-contact) |
| Resistance levels | 32 | 24 |
| Touchscreen (in) | — | — |
| Flywheel (lb) | 28 | 8 |
| Max user weight (lb) | 300 | 350 |
| Subscription required | No | No |
| Release | 2020 | 2019 |
Sources — Echelon Connect EX-5: echelonfit.com (verified 2026-06-15). Keiser M3i Indoor Bike: keiser.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Echelon Connect EX-5 and Keiser M3i Indoor Bike?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Resistance type: Echelon Connect EX-5 magnetic vs Keiser M3i Indoor Bike eddy current magnetic (non-contact)
- Resistance levels: Echelon Connect EX-5 32 vs Keiser M3i Indoor Bike 24
- Flywheel (lb): Echelon Connect EX-5 28 vs Keiser M3i Indoor Bike 8
- Max user weight (lb): Echelon Connect EX-5 300 vs Keiser M3i Indoor Bike 350
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Echelon Connect EX-5
Two whitelisted testers cover the base EX-5 (no built-in screen); BarBend and Garage Gym Reviews both frame it as a strong-value bike with 32 magnetic-resistance levels and a 180-degree flip device holder, dinged for no touchscreen and a short 12-month warranty. Neither page published hands-on measured figures — BarBend explicitly hadn't ridden the EX-5 and extrapolated from the EX-8s, and touchscreen EX-5s variants were excluded. (2 sourced reviews.)
Praised: Strong value — skips paying for a built-in screen while keeping the Echelon Fit app and a quality build; 32 levels of magnetic resistance give a wide range; Device holder flips 180 degrees for off-bike workouts.
Flagged: No built-in touchscreen/monitor — you must supply your own tablet or phone; Short 12-month warranty (5 years only with a paid Echelon Premier membership); Relatively light 28-pound flywheel.
Keiser M3i Indoor Bike
Only one whitelisted source, Garage Gym Reviews, published usable prose for the exact Keiser M3i; Wirecutter, TechGearLab, Reviewed and Tom's Guide had no M3i review. GGR calls it a durable, extremely smooth, time-tested studio-grade bike it deems worth its $2,000-plus price, while flagging a primitive, small display and the lack of a built-in screen. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: Extremely smooth ride; Durable, time-tested build that fits riders 4'10"-7' with a 350-lb capacity; Cheap app access at only $6.99/mo for interactive programming.
Flagged: Primitive and small display; No built-in screen to view interactive programming; High price (more than $2,400).