Best Exercise Bikes · head-to-head

Echelon Connect EX-5 vs Sole SB900 Indoor Cycle

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Echelon Connect EX-5 is cheaper at $899.99. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Echelon Connect EX-5 or Sole SB900 Indoor Cycle?

The Echelon Connect EX-5 wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Echelon Connect EX-5 is the cheaper at $899.99. The Echelon Connect EX-5 both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.

Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Echelon Connect EX-5 Sole SB900 Indoor Cycle
US price $899.99 $1199.99
BrandEchelonSole
Released2020
Bike type indoor indoor
Resistance type magnetic magnetic (eddy current)
Resistance levels 32 100
Touchscreen (in)
Flywheel (lb) 28 35.27
Max user weight (lb) 300 300
Subscription required No No
Release 2020

Sources — Echelon Connect EX-5: echelonfit.com (verified 2026-06-15). Sole SB900 Indoor Cycle: soletreadmills.com (verified 2026-06-15).

What's the difference between the Echelon Connect EX-5 and Sole SB900 Indoor Cycle?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Resistance type: Echelon Connect EX-5 magnetic vs Sole SB900 Indoor Cycle magnetic (eddy current)
  • Resistance levels: Echelon Connect EX-5 32 vs Sole SB900 Indoor Cycle 100
  • Flywheel (lb): Echelon Connect EX-5 28 vs Sole SB900 Indoor Cycle 35.27

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.

Sole SB900 Indoor Cycle

Two whitelisted outlets review the exact SB900, but neither lab-measured it: Garage Gym Reviews openly states it has not tested the bike, and BarBend reports no measured numbers. Both praise the durable build, lifetime frame warranty, heavy 48-pound flywheel, and near-silent magnetic resistance, while flagging the small, bare LCD console and absent preset programs. They diverge on the resistance system's labeling and on Bluetooth support. (2 sourced reviews.)

Praised: Durable, high-quality build backed by a lifetime frame warranty; Smooth, near-silent magnetic (eddy current) resistance with heavy 48-lb flywheel; Seat and handlebars adjust vertically and horizontally to fit most riders.

Flagged: No preset or pre-programmed workouts and no built-in touchscreen; Small, basic LCD console with minimal tech; Resistance knob has no labeled levels; hard to return to a set level.

← All exercise bikes compared · Open data