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.

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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 2026-06-15). Echelon Connect EX-5: echelonfit.com (verified 2026-06-15).

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.

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