Stryde Bike Review

Key Features & Specifications

The key to a successful cycling workout is the bike. It needs to be comfortable, robust, and easy to use. The good news is that the Stryde exercise bike ticks all the right boxes to deliver an enjoyable workout.

The main features and specifications of the Stryde bike are:

• Electromagnetic resistance/braking system – with no moving parts and nothing to wear out, this system ensures that, unlike friction brakes, nothing needs adjusting or calibrating, and the resistance is always smooth. So, no jerky pedaling! It also means that bike is all but silent in use.
• 100 resistance levels – you can fine-tune your workout to your exact needs by selecting one of 100 resistance levels, making this bike ideal for beginner and advanced riders alike.
• SPD pedals and toe cages – these pedals can be used while wearing regular sneakers or specialized cycling shoes. A lot of exercise bikes only offer these as an added extra, and not as standard.
• Powder-coated frame – indoor cycling is one of the sweatiest workouts around, and that can take its toll on your bike. Powder-coating the frame ensures this bike won’t rust and should provide years of faithful, maintenance-free service.
• 21.5” tablet screen – control your bike and follow online workouts with ease on this big, easy to use screen. Offering full 1080 HD and ANT+ wireless, this tablet is perfect for all your workout needs.
• Audio system – you can wear headphones that connect by Bluetooth to the tablet, but the built-in speakers are such high quality that you don’t need to. There are two speakers for full stereo and a 3.5mm jack if you prefer to use wired headphones.
• Built-in heart rate receiver – if you wear an ANT+ chest strap (not supplied), your heart rate will be displayed on the tablet screen so you can monitor workout intensity.
• Sealed belt drive – the belt drive between the pedals and the wheels is housed inside a transparent ABS plastic shell to keep it free from dust and sweat, and to stop your shoelaces catching inside the mechanism. Belts also require much less maintenance than chains and are quieter and smoother too.
• Fully-adjustable sports seat – you can customize your seat by moving it forward or back and changing the angle up or down. It’s also easy to adjust the height to ensure you have the best possible position. The seat also has built-in racks for dumbbells – weights not supplied.
• Fully-adjustable multi-positional handlebars – change hand positions as often as you like with the triathlon-style handlebars. They’re lightly padded and can be moved up or down quickly and easily. There are bottle holders on the front of the bars for easy rehydration during your workout.
• Built-in trolley wheels – just tilt and roll the bike easily whenever you need to relocate it.

The bike itself is well-built, compact, and very stable. Its measurements are:

• 4’ long x 2’ wide
• Total weight, including console – 135 lbs.

Classes Offered

While the bike itself is excellent and should provide hours of comfortable, productive workouts, the main feature of the Stryde bike is its ability to connect to the internet and, more specifically, access a wide range of on-demand fitness classes.

With your Stryde subscription (which costs $29.99 per month), you have access to an almost unlimited number of live and recorded classes from well-known gyms, cycling studios, and instructors.

There is a wide range of classes to choose from for all levels of fitness. Some are pure cycling classes, while others involve calisthenic and even dumbbell and core exercises to provide an all-over workout. Classes are mostly between 30-45 minutes long, although there are a few that are longer or shorter than this.

Every workout you complete is stored in your history so you can compare your current performance with what you have done before, or revisit previous workouts and do your favorites again and again.

There are currently over 200 classes to choose from, and Stryde is committed to adding more.

For a more immersive experience, you can even stream your workout via your smart TV for a big-screen view of your instructor.

Workout metrics (heart rate, power output, level, RPM, etc.) are displayed on the screen so you can monitor your performance as you work out, providing motivating feedback.

The tablet has full internet connectivity, and these classes are only available online – they’re not pre-programmed. But, providing you have access to wi-fi, this also means that, if you prefer, you don’t have to subscribe to Stryde’s subscription service, and can use the browser to access other workout sources.

Comfort

The last thing you want during a cycling workout is back pain or, worse still, butt pain! Thankfully, the Stryde bike is built for comfort as well as performance. The seat is fully adjustable and sufficiently padded, and the handlebars are adjustable, too, so you should be able to set the bike up for a perfect anatomical fit.

In addition, the frame is long enough to cater for taller riders, but not so long that shorter riders will feel overstretched.

This IS a spinning bike, to it doesn’t have the relaxed riding position and very padded seat that some basic exercise bikes have. It’s built like a road racer, and that means the riding position can take a little getting used to. But, after a few workouts and some fine-tuning of your riding position, you should be comfortable.

Assembly

Stryde bikes come with free curbside delivery, so you’ll need to assemble the bike yourself when it arrives. Everything you need is supplied, and it’s not a complicated process as all the major components are ready to go.

According to Stryde, the assembly should take between 30-45 minutes and can be done by one person, although it may go smoother with two.

Warranty

Stryde bikes are designed in Germany and made in Taiwan. They are backed by 12-month parts and labor warranty. There is also a 30-day return policy, so if you buy and then don’t like your new Stryde bike, you can send it back for a full refund.

How does it compare to Peloton?

As mentioned at the top of this review, Stryde shares several similarities with Peloton. But there are a few notable differences:

Bike cost – Stryde bikes are about 25% cheaper than Peloton bikes, which is a significant saving.

Classes – Stryde classes don’t just come from one source. Instead, there are clubs, studios, and instructors all over the country to choose from.

Monthly fee – Stryde monthly subscription, at $29.99 PCM, is currently 25% cheaper than Peloton.

So, the main difference is the price, with Stryde being significantly cheaper than Peloton while supplying bikes and classes that are certainly comparable.

Bottom Line

Group exercise classes are one of the most motivating ways to work out. As part of a group, you are more likely to turn up to exercise and push yourself to the correct level of intensity. The instructor is there to guide you through your workout, and all you have to do is try and keep up!

But, getting to a class is not always practical. With Stryde, you can enjoy all the benefits of a group spinning class in the comfort of your own home. In many ways, the Stryde system is BETTER than going to a spinning studio because you can work out whenever you want and have a whole lot more classes to choose from.

While you will need to pay a monthly subscription, the price compares very favorably to a gym or studio membership. But, unlike a studio class, you aren’t tied to specific times or days. And, with your own high-quality bike, you’ll always have a comfortable, enjoyable workout.

If you want an immersive bike workout and are happy to pay for a monthly subscription, Stryde bikes are an excellent option. The bikes themselves are top-notch, and the bikes and the subscription are considerably cheaper than Peloton, making them both excellent value.

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