We’ve Tested and Rated Them: The Best NordicTrack Exercise Bikes

If you’re spinning your wheels trying to find a good indoor exercise bike from a trusted brand, then I strongly recommend looking at NordicTrack bikes. These high-tech, feature-filled cardio machines are among the best exercise bikes on the market. And I would know; our team—including me—has used these bikes as well as dozens of others to assess their quality.

Here, we’ll break down the best NordicTrack exercise bikes available on the brand’s website to highlight the key features and warn you about potential downsides.

We Know NordicTrack

Since this site was founded, our team of expert product testers, certified personal trainers, cardio junkies, and endurance masochists have relished in putting treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes to the test. We have personally tested the best NordicTrack treadmills and the best NordicTrack ellipticals, even venturing to the brand’s headquarters to learn the ins and outs of what makes these machines tick. We’ve conducted extensive multi-point testing using our fitness equipment testing methodology and written half a dozen NordicTrack exercise bike reviews to illustrate the ups and downs of these popular products.

Best NordicTrack Exercise Bikes

• Best NordicTrack Bike Overall: NordicTrack X24 Bike
• Best NordicTrack Bike With Programming: NordicTrack Commercial S27i Studio Bike
• Best Recumbent NordicTrack Bike: NordicTrack Commercial R35
• Best Budget NordicTrack Bike: NordicTrack Commercial VU 29 

Best NordicTrack Bike Overall: NordicTrack X24 Bike

Good for: Those who want the traditional bike feel with immersive interactive programming

Best Overall

NordicTrack X24 Bike

GGR Score: 4.25

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Product Highlights

• -10% to 20% incline range

• Compatible with iFIT platform

• SmartAdjust technology

• Massive 24-inch touchscreen display

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Compatible with iFIT online workout platform
• SmartAdjust technology for convenient resistance and incline toggles
• Large 24-inch pivoting touchscreen
• Silent Magnetic Resistance for smooth, quiet cycling sessions

Cons

• Heavy profile at 205 pounds
• Expensive price tag may be too high for some
• Seat can be uncomfortable, per customer reviews

Bottom Line

The X24 is NordicTrack’s latest exercise bike offering an impressive incline range between -10% and 20% alongside iFIT compatibility for engaging on-demand workout programming. This all-new stationary bike also comes with two 3-pound dumbbells, which are ideal for taking part in iFIT’s library of non-cycling modules as well.

If you’re looking for a bike from NordicTrack that gives an upgraded road bike experience, we recommend the feature-packed X24. This bike is similar to what you’d see in a cycling class and akin to products like the ever-popular Peloton Bike in a lot of ways: a large 24-inch touchscreen, interactive programming via iFIT, and a sleek design. 

“Great construction, super sturdy, and it’s built with a solid steel frame,” says Garage Gym Reviews Everything Lead Reviewer Lindsay Scheele, CF-L1, CPT, CNC.

While some bikes offer limited incline and decline training options, the X24 boasts an impressive -10% to 20% range. With the iFIT’s “AutoAdjust” technology, the bike will change resistance and incline levels on its own along with iFIT programming.

“This handles like a dream and has a incline and decline which moves seamlessly during your workouts,” Lindsay explains. “I didn’t notice any wobbling or shaking when using it.”

RELATED: Indoor vs Outdoor Cycling

The X24 offers a lot of feature comforts as well: dual water bottle holders, built-in speakers, a seat that adjusts horizontally and vertically, and a fan that automatically adjusts with the intensity of your workouts. Plus, it comes with two three-pound dumbbells to be used with iFIT workouts.

Another aspect about the X24 that left Linday impressed: the noise (or lack thereof). She rated it a 5 out of 5 in this category.

“This machine is super quiet even when you’re changing the resistance or incline or decline levels,” she explains.

However, I do have a few words of caution if you’re interested in the X24. First, you get what you pay for, and this is a high-quality bike that comes with a high price tag (around $3,000). Financing is available, and we do see it go on sale around major holidays like Black Friday and the 4th of July. While the impressive touchscreen and incline/decline features make it unique, I don’t think it’s worth it if you won’t be using the iFIT programming.

RELATED: Best Black Friday Exercise Bike Deals

Ultimately, this premium-priced machine provides tremendous versatility and functionality, earning the nod for our best overall exercise bike.

“Although it seems bigger than other bikes, I would tell people to check this one out if they are looking for a comfortable bike with lots of programming options,” Lindsay says.

Price	$2,899
Bike type	Studio cycle
Resistance	24 levels of digital resistance
Incline	-10% to 20%
Footprint	56.4” L x 21.8” W x 62.7” H
Weight	205 lbs in box
Weight capacity	350 lbs
Display	24” pivoting HD touchscreen
Pedals	2-sided pedals with SPD and toe clips + straps
Adjustability	Handles adjust vertically; seat adjusts vertically and horizontally
Programming	iFIT
Flywheel	Inertia-enhanced
Wi-Fi	Dual 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz Wi-Fi connectivity
Warranty	10-year frame; 2-year parts; 1-year labor
Extras	AutoBreeze fan, 2 3-lb dumbbells included, dumbbell holder, USB-C charging port, 2 premium speakers, Bluetooth headphone connectivity

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Best NordicTrack Bike With Programming: NordicTrack Commercial S27i Studio Bike

Good for: People who want a bike with a large touchscreen

Best With Programming

NordicTrack S27i Studio Cycle

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Product Highlights

• Well-built luxury exercise bike
• iFIT programming with automated control
• Incline and decline capabilities
• Financing available

Pros & Cons

Pros

• iFIT programming with automated control
• Incline and decline capabilities
• 27” rotating touch screen for on- and off-bike workouts
• 24 digital resistance levels
• Silent magnetic resistance (SMR)
• Financing available
• Hybrid toe cage and clip-in pedals included

Cons

• Large footprint at 57” x 28” x 65”
• Heavy at 217 lbs
• Placing in your garage voids warranty
• No online customer reviews available at time of publishing

Bottom Line

The NordicTrack 27i Studio Cycle has just about anything you could ever want from an exercise bike. It comes with a steep price tag, but is worth it if you can afford it.

Best Recumbent Bike NordicTrack: NordicTrack Commercial R35

Good for: Those looking for an easy-to-use, easy-on-the-body workout option

Best Recumbent

NordicTrack R35 Recumbent Bike

GGR Score: 3.98

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Product Highlights

• Easy-glide horizontal seat adjustment
• Oversized lumbar support
• Max user weight of 350 lbs
• 14” HD smart touchscreen display
• Bluetooth audio capabilities
• 26 levels of digital resistance
• Free 30-day iFIT family membership
• Automatic trainer control settings

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High weight capacity
• Interactive screen
• 2 digitally amplified speakers with Bluetooth capabilities
• Ergonomic pedals and lumbar support
• Quiet and smooth ride

Cons

• Large footprint
• Not easily transported
• No pre-programmed workout options

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a recumbent bike that offers immersive training, NordicTrack’s R35 is a high-quality one worth considering.

By and large, recumbent bikes are known for their comfort and ease of use. NordicTrack currently has one in this lineup: the R35.

The first thing former staff writer Caroline Lubinksy took note of when she used the R35 is how supportive the seat is. This is a mainstay in recumbent bikes, which are purposely designed to take pressure off the user’s back. They feature a seat with back support and place the pedals in front of your body rather than under them. 

The NordicTrack recumbent bike specifically has a padded seat that adjusts horizontally to accommodate users of just about any height. The pedals are touted as being ergonomic; rather than toe cages, they have straps that can be adjusted over the user’s shoes. These features led us to rate the R35 a 4 out of 5 for ergonomics and adjustability.

Of course, a signature of NordicTrack cardio equipment is iFIT programming. The R35 is compatible with the app, which streams from the touchscreen and takes people through on-demand indoor cycling classes. iFIT also offers off-bike workouts in modalities like yoga, Pilates, and weight training. Plus, iFIT trainers can automatically adjust your bike’s settings for you in the middle of your workout. “The auto-adjust technology makes it easy to stay engaged with your class instead of worrying about fumbling with the controls,” Caroline noted, rating the bike a perfect 5 out of 5 for dynamic programming.

The downside of many recumbent bikes is the large footprint. Because the pedals are in front of you, the length of recumbent bikes is significantly longer than what you’d find on a typical indoor cycling bike. We rated the R35 just 3.75 out of 5 stars for footprint and portability; it doesn’t fold and is not the easiest thing to move around.

For a more detailed look at this bike, check out our NordicTrack Commercial R35 review.

Price	$1,499
Bike type	Recumbent
Resistance	26 levels of digital resistance
Incline	N/A
Footprint	68.22” L x 23.69” W x 53.42” H
Weight	192 lbs in box
Weight capacity	350 lbs
Display	14” HD touchscreen
Pedals	Adjustable straps
Adjustability	Seat adjusts horizontally
Programming	iFIT
Flywheel	25-lb inertia-enhanced
Wi-Fi	WiFi-enabled
Warranty	10-year frame; 2-year parts; 1-year labor
Extras	Oversized seat with lumbar support, 2 Bluetooth speakers, workout fan, transport wheels, water bottle holder

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Best Budget NordicTrack Bike: NordicTrack Commercial VU 29

Good for: Those on a budget looking for a compact exercise bike with excellent functionality

Best Budget

NordicTrack Commercial VU 29 Bike

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Product Highlights

• iFIT-compatible upright indoor exercise bike 
• Equipped with a 14″ HD touchscreen 
• Oversized pedals 
• Built-in speakers

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 24 resistance levels
• Oversized cushioned seat
• Quiet while in use
• iFIT programming
• Touchscreen display

Cons

• No heart rate monitor
• Family iFIT membership auto-renews

Bottom Line

The NordicTrack Commercial VU 29 upright exercise bike is a solid bike for any indoor workout.

NordicTrack Exercise Bikes Comparison Chart

Discontinued NordicTrack Exercise Bikes

NordicTrack used to sell three other exercise bikes:

• The S15i
• The VR25
• The VU 19

Formerly part of the brand’s Commercial Studio line, the S15i was like a more basic version of the S22i. It had a smaller 14-inch monitor and lower-quality speakers, but the footprint was about the same. As we mentioned in our NordicTrack S15i bike review, we did like how it came with a free year of iFIT. But in almost every other aspect, the S22i is a big upgrade.

The VR25 belonged to NordicTrack’s recumbent bike line. It had 26 digital resistance levels, as the R35 has, but had a slightly smaller footprint. It also had a much smaller 7-inch touchscreen, compared to the 14-inch screen on the R35.

The NordicTrack VU 19 was an upright bike almost identical to the VU 29. However, the one thing that set it apart was that it had 32 onboard workouts. It was a good option for people who wanted a high-quality bike but didn’t want to pay a recurring fee for programming. You can learn more in our NordicTrack VU 19 review.

Which NordicTrack Bike Should You Buy?

To narrow down your search, first choose from one of three NordicTrack bike lines:

• Commercial Studio Series: Bikes you would typically see in a cycling class
• Recumbent Series: Bikes with a well-padded seat that have back support
• Upright Series: Bikes that feature a smaller footprint and put the body in an upright position

Keep reading to learn more about these categories and the specific products in each.

What to Look For in NordicTrack Exercise Bikes

If you’re in the market for a stationary bike, particularly from NordicTrack, here are a few factors to consider:

Type of Bike: Studio, Recumbent, Upright 

The easiest way to start narrowing down your search is to choose which type of exercise bike is best for your at-home workouts. 

A studio bike may be the most recognizable of all home exercise bikes, thanks to the popularity of cycling classes and bikes like the Peloton. These can deliver high-intensity workouts thanks to an abundance of resistance levels as well as the leaning-over body position they demand, engaging upper-body and core muscles on top of the work your legs are doing.

A recumbent bike is often used for those who need a very low-impact workout. The pedals are in front of your body, which rests in a large, padded seat that has a high back for additional support. You can still get an excellent workout on a recumbent bike, though it may not be as intense as other bike options deliver. 

An upright bike puts your body into a very tall, vertical position, with the pedals under you. This is great for people who want to engage their core muscles while riding without putting as much stress on the lower back than, say, a studio bike causes.

Resistance 

Most home exercise bikes come with at least a handful of resistance levels. These can be digital, as in you can adjust the resistance with a button, or manual, which requires you to crank a knob. NordicTrack bikes use silent magnetic resistance, which is optimal compared to friction resistance. Bikes that use friction resistance feature padded brakes that wear down over time (and can be quite noisy). Magnetic resistance is near-silent and requires less maintenance.

Incline

If you are serious about training and want indoor fitness equipment that can help you meet your cycling goals, then finding a bike with incline is a near-must. The NordicTrack Studio Series has both incline and decline options, which is rare. It’s also awesome, as it truly simulates riding up and down hills (your legs will feel it, I promise). 

RELATED: The Best ProForm Exercise Bikes

Programming

You can hop on any old bike and pedal. If you’re like me, however, you can get bored pretty quickly and want some variety. If that sounds familiar, then find a bike with some kind of workout programming.

Every NordicTrack bike on the website as of this writing is iFIT-enabled. iFIT features live and on-demand classes for cycling as well as treadmill workouts, weight training, yoga, and more. A monthly subscription is required, which is typically an additional cost outside of flash deals where the equipment is “free” with the purchase of a years-long iFIT membership.

NordicTrack usually offers a free 30-day trial of iFIT with your purchase. Afterward, you can expect to pay $396 for a one-year family membership or $180 for a yearly individual membership. If you choose month-to-month payments, it will cost $39/month for a family membership or $15/month for an individual membership.

Don’t want the membership? There are still some free iFIT workouts you may be able to access from your equipment, and you can always use your bike in “manual” mode. However, the selling point of NordicTrack bikes is easily the iFIT programming. If you don’t want the subscription, you may be better off purchasing a cheaper bike for your home fitness.

Durability: Weight Capacity and Flywheel

The weight capacity of a bike refers to how much user weight it can hold without suffering damage. NordicTrack bikes have inclusive capacity ratings at either 325 or 350 pounds. This is a good sign that the bikes are well-constructed.

The flywheel of a bike also lends itself to durability, as the weight of the flywheel helps to stabilize the bike. Typically, we like to see flywheels of 20 pounds or higher. Some of NordicTrack’s bikes are listed as having “inertia-enhanced” flywheels. These flywheels are designed to have smooth movement instead of the jerkiness you might see in a flywheel that isn’t weighted properly.

Technology

There is nothing wrong with basic LCD screens that spit out your performance metrics, but you won’t find them on the NordicTrack bikes currently for sale. Each of these bikes with a screen offers an interactive experience with smart HD touchscreen capabilities.

When it comes to other technology options, keep in mind that the more you want, the more you’ll pay. NordicTrack bikes are pretty tricked out in this area, touting just about all the high-end features you would expect to find in a higher price range. Here are a few considerations:

• Wi-Fi capability
• Bluetooth connectivity 
• Digital speakers
• “One-touch” controls for resistance and incline
• Heart rate monitors

Many people ask if you can use streaming services like Netflix on NordicTrack machines. The answer? No. If that’s important to you, there is a bike with that functionality. Our team has tested the Bowflex Velocore, which uses the JRNY app that enables you to stream from programs like Disney+ and Hulu through the built-in screen.

Conveniences

What do you like to have when you use cardio machines at home? Each NordicTrack bike has all or most of the following:

• Water bottle holder
• Fan
• Dumbbell holders
• Padded seat
• Adjustable handles and seat

One notably missing feature on NordicTrack bikes is a tablet or device holder. The bikes come with a touchscreen, so perhaps the brand felt you wouldn’t need a special tray to stream something from your own device? This is a bit of a letdown and something I’d like to see NordicTrack correct on future iterations of their machines.

RELATED: Echelon EX-8s Review

Brand Policies

A bike is only as good as the brand that stands behind it. NordicTrack has a solid reputation in the cardio industry; let’s dig into their policies.

Warranty

The warranty on each of the bikes currently listed on NordicTrack’s site is the same: a 10-year warranty on the frame, a two-year warranty on parts, and a one-year warranty on labor. I’d like to see a longer frame warranty, as you’d think bikes in this price range would be built to last until eternity. 

Another important callout: NordicTrack (and its sibling company, ProForm) voids your warranty if you store your equipment in your garage. As a team dedicated to helping people build garage gyms, we take issue with this point. 

Non-climate-controlled spaces that collect dust and debris may not be the ideal spot for fancy electronics and exercise equipment, but too many homeowners use their garages as gyms. This is an area where we’d like to see some wiggle room from a brand popular among home gym owners, especially considering many garage gyms do have climate control.

Returns

NordicTrack’s return policy is fairly run-of-the-mill at first glance: You get 30 days from the delivery date to return your equipment. However, they will charge you $250 plus a 10% restocking fee for the return, and they won’t refund any of your shipping charges. If there is wear and tear on the machine, the brand reserves the right to charge you for that as well.

Financing

Currently—and in recent memory—NordicTrack has offered 0% financing over 48 months on just about all of their large equipment. The website says this is a limited-time offer, and financing is otherwise 29.99%. However, we nearly always see the 0% offered, especially around holidays like Memorial Day.

Final Verdict of NordicTrack Exercise Bikes

Our team has always enjoyed testing cardio equipment from NordicTrack. The brand’s bikes have nearly all the technology, conveniences, and performance specs you might expect from machines that cost what these bikes do. More importantly: The bikes function well, as we have learned through countless hours of testing them. 

Best NordicTrack Exercise Bikes: FAQs 

Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1

Kate has nearly two decades of experience working in both the fitness and content industries. On the fitness side, she has worked in a number of settings: youth athletics, owned a CrossFit affiliate, personal training, weightlifting coach, CrossFit coach, and fitness floor consultant at a YMCA. Personally, Kate enjoys competing in weightlifting and stores her barbell in her bedroom.Certifications:NASM Certified Personal Trainer CrossFit Level 1 Trainer USA Weightlifting Level 1 Trainer

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