Is NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike better overall than the Peloton Bike? Are its exclusive key features worth it?

The NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike is a smart workout bike that’s packed with special features to provide a cycling studio-like experience in the comfort of your home.

In addition to offering multiple levels of digital resistance, built-in speakers, and a variety of streaming indoor cycling classes, it’s one of the few stationary bikes to include automatic trainer control and multiple levels of incline and decline.

However, because of its higher price point, you may wonder whether it’s worth the cost.

This article reviews the main specs and features of the NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike to help you decide whether it’s the right bike for your exercise needs.

Pros

  • includes a built-in touch screen to stream live and on-demand workout classes
  • offers 24 levels of digital resistance and incline/decline levels of -10% to 20%
  • equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, built-in speakers, and automatic trainer control
  • has a higher weight capacity than many similar bikes on the market
  • has a longer warranty than competitors
  • easy to use and assemble
  • can be used with athletic shoes or SPD-compatible cycling cleats

Cons

  • more expensive than some alternatives, such as the Peloton Bike
  • several additional costs to consider, including monthly iFit membership
  • some reports of issues with touch screen responsiveness and buffering

Watch our video review of the NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike

How much does the NordicTrack S22i cost?

The NordicTrack S22i retails for $1,999, which includes a 30-day iFit family membership and free standard delivery.

Several warranties, including 10 years on the frame, 2 years on parts, and 1 year on labor, protect your purchase.

While the first month of iFit is free, you’ll need to renew your membership to continue using it. You can opt for a family plan, which costs $39 per month or $396 per year, or an individual plan, which costs $180 per year.

To make the bike more affordable, NordicTrack offers several financing options for qualified customers. You can apply for financing online during checkout.

What’s the background on the NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike?

The S22i Studio Bike is a high tech workout bike produced by NordicTrack, a company that manufactures multiple types of fitness equipment, including:

  • treadmills
  • ellipticals
  • rowing machines

The S22i is particularly popular among fitness enthusiasts thanks to its built-in touch screen and compatibility with the iFit training app, which features interactive workout classes led by trainers from around the globe.

It also includes a wide range of resistance levels and is one of the few workout bikes to offer several incline and decline levels.

NordicTrack S22i specs and features

The NordicTrack S22i is equipped with several impressive features, including a 22-inch (in) (56-centimeter [cm]) rotating touch screen that you can use to stream an assortment of live and on-demand exercise classes from iFit.

It also displays multiple metrics of your workout, including your:

  • time
  • distance
  • speed
  • pace

Using your iFit membership, you can stream other types of workout classes as well, including:

Although it’s not compatible with other fitness platforms, you can use the S22i in manual mode without iFit.

The bike features 24 levels of digital resistance, as well as incline and decline levels of -10% to 20%.

It also offers automatic trainer control, which adjusts your incline and resistance levels automatically to match your trainer’s levels during class.

Other notable features are the:

  • two built-in speakers
  • ergonomic padded saddle
  • dual water bottle holders
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity that makes it easy to pair your headphones or heart rate monitor with your bike

The bike also comes with a pair of 3-pound (lb) (1.4-kg) dumbbells.

Plus, it has dual-sided pedals that have both SPD-compatible clips and toe cages, so you can choose whether you want to wear cycling shoes or athletic shoes.

The NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike measures 61 in (155 cm) long by 22 in (56 cm) wide and 58 in (147 cm) tall.

It has a maximum weight capacity of 350 lb (159 kg) and can be adjusted to accommodate users of different sizes.

NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike quick specs

  • Dimensions: 61 x 22 x 58 in (155 x 56 x 147 cm)
  • Weight: 205 lb (93 kg)
  • Max user weight capacity: 350 lb (159 kg)
  • Warranty: 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor
  • Resistance: 24 levels of digital resistance
  • Workout programs: live and on-demand classes using iFit
  • Screen: 22-in (56-cm) rotating touch screen
  • App connectivity: pairs with iFit app
  • Other features: automatic trainer control, incline and decline levels of -10% to 20%, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, built-in speakers, included pair of 3-lb (1.4-kg) dumbbells, transport wheels

Is the NordicTrack S22i easy to use and assemble?

The NordicTrack S22i is easy to assemble and comes with detailed instructions to help you get started. In most cases, it takes less than an hour to assemble and set up.

However, the frame is very heavy, so it may require two people to lift and transport.

Once you’ve assembled the bike, you can use the knobs to adjust the seat both vertically and horizontally to find the position that’s most comfortable for you. You can also move the handlebars up or down as needed.

The iFit app is simple and straightforward to use.

The app offers a wide selection of rides and workouts to choose from, which you can scroll through and select using the touch screen.

If you don’t want to follow an iFit workout class, you can select “Manual Start” on the touch screen and adjust the bike’s incline and resistance manually using the buttons on the left and right handlebars.

Note that some customers have reported issues with the responsiveness of the touch screen and problems with the app crashing or buffering in the middle of a workout.

Another common complaint is that filtering or searching for rides on the app can be difficult, which can make it challenging to use if you’re looking for a specific class.

Who is the NordicTrack S22i for?

The NordicTrack S22i is a great option for fitness enthusiasts looking for a high quality stationary bike packed with impressive features.

Although it has a higher price point compared with some other workout bikes on the market, the NordicTrack S22i offers many training options that competitors lack, including automatic trainer control and multiple levels of incline and decline.

It also provides access to an extensive library of workout classes through iFit, which includes many other exercise options in addition to cycling to help mix up your routine.

However, if these features are not important for your exercise routine, several more affordable bikes like the Peloton Bike are available that offer a similar set of training options.

How do reviewers feel about the NordicTrack S22i?

NordicTrack is not currently accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) but holds an A rating from the organization, which is based on factors like the company’s business practices and response to customer complaints.

It has a 1.42 BBB customer review rating out of 5 based on 1,170 reviews. It has averaged about 1,200 BBB complaints a year for the past 3 years, mostly regarding customer service delays in responding to warranty, repair, and parts replacement issues.

As of the time of publication, NordicTrack has an average rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot based on 1,221 customer reviews.

Some reviewers report experiencing issues with the long-term functionality of equipment and the responsiveness of customer service.

A few customers who purchased the S22i Studio Bike also mention issues with faulty or missing parts, as well as difficulties assembling the bike.

On the other hand, reviewers appreciate the many features and training options that the S22i provides, the easy ordering process, and the long warranty that comes with the bike.

The S22i has a 3.8 Google customer review rating and a 2.2 Amazon customer review rating.

Comparison with competitors

Several comparable exercise bikes on the market offer a similar set of features to the NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike.

Here’s a closer look at a few of the S22i’s main competitors: the Peloton Bikes, and the Echelon Connect EX-5s.

S22i Studio BikePeloton BikeEchelon Connect EX-5s
Price• $1,999
• free standard delivery
Peloton Bike
• $1,445 new (or $89/mo. rental + $150 setup fee)
• $1,145 refurbished
• free delivery and assembly
All-Access membership ($44/mo.) required to access Peloton content

Peloton Bike+
• $2,495 new (or $119/mo. rental + $150 setup fee)
• $1,995 refurbished
• free delivery and assembly
All-Access membership ($44/mo.) required to access Peloton content
• $1,799 or $1,999, depending on screen size
• shipping fees applied at checkout; free shipping with 1- or 2-year membership
Warranty• 10-year frame
• 2-year parts
• 1-year labor
12-month limited12-month limited parts and labor
Screen22-in (56-cm) rotating touchscreenPeloton Bike
• 21.5-in (55-cm) touchscreen

Peloton Bike+
• 23.8-in (60.5-cm) rotating touchscreen
10-in (25-cm) or 22-in (56-cm) tilting touchscreen
Training optionslive and on-demand classes through iFit ($39/month after 30-day trial ends)live and on-demand classes with All-Access membership ($44/mo.)live and on-demand classes with Echelon Fit app ($39.99/mo.)
Pedalsdual-sided with SPD clips and toe cagesDelta-compatible aluminum pedalsdual-sided with SPD clips and toe cages
Resistance24 levels100 levels32 levels
Incline/decline-10–20%nonenone
Weight capacity350 lb (159 kg)297 lb (135 kg)300 lb (136 kg)
Other features• built-in speakers
• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
• automatic trainer control
• 3-lb (1.4-kg) dumbbells and transport wheels included
Peloton Bike
• built-in speakers
• Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi connectivity

Peloton Bike+
•auto-resistance option
• Apple GymKit integration
• upgraded processor, sound system, RAM, and Wi-Fi connection
• built-in speakers
• Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi connectivity
• built-in speakers
• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity

Frequently asked questions about the NordicTrack S22i

Can the NordicTrack S22i be used without a subscription?

The NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike comes with a free 30-day iFit membership, but you do not need a subscription to use the bike. You can use the bike in manual mode, adjusting your incline and resistance with the handlebar controls.

Do you need special shoes to ride the S22i?

The S22i has dual-sided pedals, so you can use it with regular athletic shoes or SPD-compatible cycling shoes.

Which one is better, NordicTrack or Peloton?

Whether NordicTrack or Peloton is a better fit for you depends on your:

  • training needs
  • budget
  • preferences

The Peloton Bike is more affordable, lightweight, and compact than the NordicTrack S22i. However, the Peloton Bike has a lower weight capacity and a shorter warranty, and it requires specific cycling shoes.

The Peloton Bike+ has automatic trainer control and a rotating touch screen, but those features come with a higher price tag.

Compared to the Peloton Bike, the NordicTrack S22i has more training options, such as automatic trainer control, adjustable incline and decline levels, and a rotating touch screen. However, it’s also heavier and more expensive.

The bottom line

The NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike is a high quality bike that boasts a long list of features.

It’s a particularly good choice if you enjoy streaming interactive workout classes and are looking for an exercise bike with plenty of training options to choose from.

However, if you do not need some of the S22i’s special features, you may want to consider a more budget-friendly exercise bike.