Best Exercise Bikes · head-to-head

Peloton Cross Training Bike vs Echelon Connect EX-5

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 Peloton Cross Training Bike or Echelon Connect EX-5?

The Peloton Cross Training Bike 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. Get the Peloton Cross Training Bike for the stronger spec sheet, the Echelon Connect EX-5 to spend less.

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 Peloton Cross Training Bike Echelon Connect EX-5
US price $1695 $899.99
BrandPelotonEchelon
Released2025-102020
Bike type indoor indoor
Resistance type magnetic (manual knob) magnetic
Resistance levels — 32
Touchscreen (in) 21.5 —
Flywheel (lb) — 28
Max user weight (lb) 297 300
Subscription required Yes No
Release 2025-10 2020

Sources — Peloton Cross Training Bike: onepeloton.com (verified 2026-10-10). Echelon Connect EX-5: echelonfit.com (verified 2026-09-28).

What's the difference between the Peloton Cross Training Bike and Echelon Connect EX-5?

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

  • Resistance type: Peloton Cross Training Bike magnetic (manual knob) vs Echelon Connect EX-5 magnetic
  • Max user weight (lb): Peloton Cross Training Bike 297 vs Echelon Connect EX-5 300
  • Subscription required: Peloton Cross Training Bike true vs Echelon Connect EX-5 false

What reviewers say

Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.

Peloton Cross Training Bike

Three whitelisted outlets (TechRadar, Tom's Guide, BarBend) each rode the base, non-Plus Peloton Bike — the model listed here as the Cross Training Bike — hands-on. All praise the deep library of live and on-demand classes with energetic instructors plus the premium, compact, durable build, while flagging the steep cost (bike price plus a $39-$44/month membership) and a fixed screen that won't swivel for off-bike work. None published independent lab measurements, and the higher-spec Bike+ was excluded. (3 sourced reviews, 3 lab-tested.)

Praised: Deep library of live and on-demand classes with energetic, motivating instructors; Premium, durable hardware with a sleek, compact footprint that fits a home; Smooth, quiet ride quality (smooth pedaling per TechRadar; quiet magnetic resistance per BarBend).

Flagged: Very expensive: high bike cost plus an ongoing $39-$44/month membership; Little value without a paid subscription (only a basic 'Just Ride' mode works unsubscribed); Fixed screen does not swivel/rotate for off-bike (floor) workouts.

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.

← All exercise bikes compared · Open data