Echelon Connect Bike REVIEW - We need to talk about the $500 Echelon Bike

This is my Echelon Bike review, in this video you see the $500 echelon ex-15 which was renamed from the Amazon Prime Bike, and it's also mostly the same as the Walmart Echelon Connect Sport. In the next few minutes I'm going to rate it on a scale of 0 – 10 in each of the ten separate categories of the TailHappy Score and discuss my thoughts and opinions along the way, then at the end of this Echelon review i'll add up the individual category ratings and give the Echelon Bike (aka the echelon connect or the echelon ex-15 or echelon sport) a TailHappy Score to see how this bike compares on a scale from 0-100 to other popular peloton alternative indoor cycling bikes.

Pedals/shoes:

Popular accessories for indoor cycling:

#TailHappyScore

Starting this echelon bike review with the basics, the Echelon connect bike costs about $500 depending when and where you buy it from, I got my echelon on Amazon and it shipped to my front door for free it's not calle dthe echelon prime anymore, they renamed it to the echelon ex-15 and it's the same bike as the echelon connect sport in walmart. It's a relatively silent machine with it's belt driven, magnetic resistance 15.4 pound fly wheel, which leads me straight into the first category of the tailhappy score, and probably one of the most important components of a bike; the Drive train feel, which simply put is, how does the drive train feel overall? Some bikes feel amazing to get on and put power down to the pedals, and they beg you to push them harder and they feel great to ride, while others just kinda feel like you're riding with a flat tire and don't really inspire you to push harder and get that feel good factor back from the drive train.

We've had this echelon bike connect sport for longer than any of the other 5 indoor cycling bikes I currently have in my apartment right now, and this was the initial indoor bike we bought as a cheaper peloton alternative, which we have since purchased the peloton bike, and I did compare this echelon bike head to head vs the $2,495 peloton bike plus in another video so check that video out next if you'd like to see how this echelon bike stacks up against the king of indoor cycling.

When we first got started with indoor cycling, it simply didn't make sense to drop thousands of dollars on an indoor bike plus an additional $39 per month for the peloton digital app, so $500 for the echelon connect plus only having to pay $13 per month for the peloton digital app sounded a lot more appealing, however, the drive train feel category doesn't measure value, we'll get to that category in just a moment.

Simply put the drive train on the echelon connect feels really nice. This bike does have magnetic resistance, it's belt driven, and even though the echelon faq page has the fly wheel mass listed at 7 kg, aka 15.4 lbs, the inertia from the flywheel is pretty good and it's a nice feeling drive train. After spending quite a bit of time on this bike and also hoping on and off this bike and comparing between 6 highly popular indoor cycling bikes side by side overall i'd give this bike a 7 out of 10 on drive train feel.

The next category on the tailhappy score is Max resistance, which is exactly what you think it is, how high does that resistance knob crank up to. On the echelon bike connect sport and prime, the answer is 32, but that number doesn't mean anything, how hard is the bike to pedal while on max resistance.

The echelon bike give you cadence, resistance, and power. Can you see these numbers displayed on the echelon indoor bike somehow? For the echelon connect sport the answer is yes since this bike is bluetooth enabled and all you need to do is hook up the echelon app to the bike and you don't need to pay for the echelon subscription to get these numbers, just put the app into freestyle mode and you get the cadence, resistance, and estimated power output right there on the screen on the app. Since there isn't a display on the echelon ex-15 bike you do need to hook up your own device to get these numbers, which is a minor inconvenience, overall I give the echelon bike sport connect an 8 out of 10 for metrics.

[TailHappyTV]

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[MultiBishop]

Just wanted to chime in here - after watching your many videos, I decided on the Echelon EX-15 based on what I'm looking to buy. I read hundreds of reviews on Amazon and couldn't come to a definitive decision on my options until I found your videos literally on Monday of this week. So thanks for your work reviewing these bikes!

[kathrynn]

I watched at least a dozen of your videos while trying to making a decision about which spin bike to purchase. Because of this video, I decided to buy the Echelon Connect and I'm so happy I did. Thank you for what you do!

[sarakemccarthy]

Just ordered the Echelon- I was thinking of getting the Joroto or the Yosuda before I found this channel. These videos are AWESOME and totally convinced me to go with the Echelon. You just can't beat those metrics, and I personally love the look. I made sure to purchase through the link on your video- hopefully you get a cut because you 100% got them my business. Thanks for the awesome review!

[ArizonaLuxe]

Just ordered this from Walmart because of your review! Excited to get it. Thanks for the awesome review!

[damattice]

I got this as my first bike and overall I love it. I do need the handlebars closer to me. I’m 5’4”. I also agree that the handlebars could be a bit more ergonomic. I like the enclosed wheel since I have to move my bike each time I use it, so less moving parts to deal with.

[sylvancreekfarm]

Thank you! Your information and analysis motivated me to buy the Schwinn. I need adjustments in all directions because I have a spinal cord injury, and my right side leg muscles are weaker than the left. And chronic pain. I hope I can make the Schwinn work for me! Excellent video.

[crazzei]

Just ordered mine today! I’m going to use apple fitness plus along with it since they seem to have a bunch of cycling classes and I already pay for it!

[littledevildee]

The handlebars are adjustable; there are several drop/click in holes. Although a tool is required, it won’t be an issue for those who are the only ones using the bike. Not sure if a knob like the others already on the bike can be used. Great video. Thanks.

[greenlion]

This bike is as close to perfect in the $500 range as you can get. I suppose you could customize the bike a bit if there are features you feel you're missing out on. I do wish the handles were adjustable, and maybe they will be in future versions.

Bravo to the creator of this channel. Thank you, Sir. Well done! I am going to purchase this bike.

[KosterMonsterAlex]

Been using this bike for 6 months from Walmart, best value and NO issues with this bike. Quality is amazing for the $ and I'm surprised you only gave it a 7. I use my Phone for classes online, super easy to prop it up.

[marvello]

Fantastic review, I actually ordered this bike earlier today after watching your other videos, it is being delivered tomorrow. Glad to see you now have the correct flywheel weight listed. I was worried that 7KG would not be heavy enough but you have put my mind at rest. I was considering the EX-3 but that is £500 more. Can't wait to get going on it, take care.

[shamrock]

What is a better ride this or Schwinn IC4?

[MattFoushee]

(01:34:17 AM) Me: Is there a difference in the sport plan trial and the united?
(01:34:27 AM) Echelon: Yes
(01:34:54 AM) Echelon: With the sport plan that you get form Walmart you can only access the on demand classes
(01:35:05 AM) Me: Not live?
(01:35:13 AM) Echelon: the united plan offers Live classes, pre recorded, and scenic classes
(01:35:29 AM) Me: I'll keep the other trial. I wish that was specified better when purchasing the bike The Echelon connects sport bike description is misleading. Many of us are finding this out. It says all the things you can do with the bike and then says there is a 6-month trial. Once you buy the bike get it and register it, they are not offering the 6-month trial. If you contact them directly they give you the same directions as you just tried and try to say you're not doing it right and get you to go away. after that they give you a trial that does not do all of the things but it is very restricted.

No challenges either. I'm waiting for a call back from Walmart management for resolution.

[richardpeters]

Hi... I got the Walmart version of this bike - 1 week ago. Had about 4 rides. Your review is pretty much spot on. I am using the echelon app to track Cadence and resistance while following along with Peloton classes.. The value of the bike far outweighs the small issues you noted.
The MAIN issue I have is the high end resistance. I enjoy steep, standup climbs but at its highest 32 resistance - it's about a 7.5/10.
I tend to ride never lower than 19-21 - and at 32 its a nice tough resistance while sitting - but just so-so when standing...but for the value - acceptable.

Worth noting - I ordered AFTER I ordered the Sunny SF-B1714 bike... still waiting for that to be delivered... then will have to decide .
The Sunny model via other reviews has a 40lb flywheel with great high end resistance - at around 200/more (here in Canada)..
As for this Echelon Connect Sport model... it's hard to argue the value for the price... and I might end up keeping it...

For your earlier review on this bike...I did not note any clicking of the flywheel nor the clicking of the adjustment knob or the momentary locking at 32 resistance..
Question:
In Canada, you get a 6 month free subscription with Echelon - which I'll cancel at some point before the trail period - would the freestyle ride option continue to work w/o a membership?

[NuggetMasta]

I’ve had the Echelon Ex-15 for a year and a half and crank arm broke completely off of the bike. I’ve been dealing with echelon’s customer service for a month now, and I’ll been getting the runaround. I would literally give this bike a -5 if I could. Please don’t get this bike they don’t last much.

[SaltLifeGeo]

Bro has a cycling gym in his living room 🙌

[annieb]

Is the Walmart echlon sport just as good as this bike? What about if you’re 6’4’’?
Thanks for all the great content we love your reviews!!!

[mattq]

I'm hearing the Echelon Connect has issues due it's bluetooth connection vs a wired connection. I think one of the videos point that out also?

[pentapandamusic]

Is this the best choice for small form factor bikes? My rooms are already very packed, looking for a small but sturdy bike, hopefully smaller than peloton.