For years, my original Peloton Bike was the heart of my home fitness routine. It was a loyal steed, pushing me through countless PRs and challenging classes. But the whispers of the Peloton Bike+’s enhanced features eventually became a roar too loud to ignore. I finally took the plunge, made the upgrade, and let me tell you, the differences were noticeable from the very first ride. If you’re on the fence about upgrading or curious about what sets the Bike+ apart, here are the first five game-changing distinctions that jumped out at me.
1. The Magic of Auto-Follow Resistance
This is, without a doubt, the single most impactful difference. On the original Bike, adjusting resistance was a constant manual dance, especially during high-intensity intervals. With Auto-Follow Resistance on the Bike+, the bike automatically adjusts your resistance to match the instructor’s cues. It’s like having a personal coach fine-tuning your ride in real-time. This frees your mind to focus entirely on cadence, effort, and form, rather than constantly fiddling with the knob. It makes the ride feel smoother, more immersive, and surprisingly, more challenging because there’s no cheating!
2. The Freedom of the Rotating HD Touchscreen
The original Peloton screen was fantastic for cycling classes, but its fixed position meant I often had to crane my neck or position my mat awkwardly for off-bike workouts. Enter the Bike+’s glorious 360-degree rotating 23.8-inch HD touchscreen. This seemingly simple upgrade has revolutionized my entire fitness routine. Now, I can seamlessly transition from a cycling class to strength, yoga, or bootcamp without missing a beat. Just swivel the screen towards my mat, and I have a perfect view, enhancing my form and engagement in every non-cycling class.
3. Crystal Clear Audio: An Immersive Sound Experience
While the original Bike’s speakers were adequate, the Peloton Bike+ takes the audio experience to another level. The Bike+ features a four-speaker sound system with 2.2 channels, delivering noticeably richer, clearer, and more powerful sound. The bass feels deeper, and the treble is crisper, making the music more impactful and the instructor’s voice more distinct. It genuinely elevates the immersive quality of the rides and off-bike workouts, making you feel more connected to the class and the energy of the music.
4. Seamless Apple GymKit Integration
As an Apple Watch user, this feature was a pleasant surprise and a massive convenience. The Peloton Bike+ supports Apple GymKit, allowing for instant, one-tap pairing of your Apple Watch. Once connected, your workout metrics – heart rate, calories burned, and more – are automatically synced between your watch and the bike. No more manually starting a workout on your watch or worrying about discrepancies. It streamlines the data tracking process, ensuring all your fitness data lives cohesively within the Apple Health ecosystem.
5. Refined Design and Enhanced Build Quality
While both bikes are premium pieces of equipment, the Bike+ exudes an even higher level of refined design and build quality. The overall aesthetic feels sleeker, with more premium finishes. Small details like the USB-C charging port (perfect for keeping your phone charged during long rides) and the more robust resistance knob contribute to a feeling of greater durability and modern convenience. It’s not just about looks; the Bike+ feels incredibly sturdy and well-engineered, promising years of reliable, high-performance workouts.
Is the Peloton Bike+ Upgrade Worth It? My Verdict.
After experiencing these five immediate differences, I can confidently say that for me, the upgrade to the Peloton Bike+ was absolutely worth it. The automatic resistance and rotating screen alone justify the investment if you’re serious about maximizing your Peloton experience beyond just cycling. If you’re a multi-disciplinary Peloton user, an Apple Watch owner, or simply someone who craves the most seamless and immersive home fitness experience, the Bike+ delivers. It’s not just an incremental improvement; it’s a significant evolution that truly enhances every aspect of your workout.