Stryde Bike Review

Stryde Bike Key Features/Specifications

When it comes to spinning bikes, you very much get what you pay for. Cheap bikes aren’t usually made to last and have low-quality components, which means they are neither comfortable nor reliable.

Spinning is such a challenging workout, both on your body and your bike, that quality equipment can make the difference between an enjoyable workout and a disastrous one.

The good news is that Stryde bikes are very well made, and that makes them a joy to use. Because the bike is such good quality, you are free to concentrate on your workout without distraction.

The key specifications and features of the Stryde bike are:

100 resistance levels: With a Stryde bike, it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced rider; you can fine-tune your workout to meet your current fitness levels. And, unlike a lot of bikes, you change level with the push of a button rather than by turning a control knob. This allows you to select gears much more accurately and easily.

Electromagnetic braking system: Cheap bikes, and even some more expensive models, use friction brakes to manage the resistance. Friction brakes need frequent calibration, and the resistance is not always as smooth as it could be. Stryde bikes use electromagnetic braking, which is much smoother, and, with no moving parts, there is nothing to wear out. As an added benefit, electromagnetic braking is all but silent.

Powder-coated frame: Indoor cycling is a very sweaty workout, and all that sweat can wreak havoc on exposed metalwork. The Stryde bike is powder-coated, which means it won’t rust and should provide many years of trouble-free workouts.

Sealed belt drive: The belt drive connects your pedals to the flywheel. A belt provides a much smoother, quieter peddling action than a chain. However, this is also a component prone to wear because it’s exposed to falling sweat. On the Stryde bike, this area of inherent weakness is housed within a plastic case to keep it free from dust, dirt, and sweat. Subsequently, the belt will require very little maintenance to keep it in good working order.

Two-sided pedals: Many dedicated spinners like to wear cycling shoes for their workouts, while others prefer to wear regular sneakers. With the Stryde bike, you can do both as it’s fitted with two-sided pedals as standard.

21.5” tablet screen: All of the functions and features of the Stryde bike are accessed via this big, easy to use, 1080 HD screen. This is also where you’ll see the workout you are following and be able to view your workout metrics, such as cadence, elapsed time, calories, etc.

Built-in heart rate receiver: Monitor your workout intensity by keeping an eye on your heart rate. The monitor has a built-in ANT+ receiver, which is compatible with most heart rate chest straps. However, please note that the Stryde bike is not supplied with a chest strap, so you’ll need to purchase one separately.

Audio system: The tablet has two built-in stereo speakers, but, if you prefer, you can connect Bluetooth speakers or headphones to enhance your audio experience. There is also a 3.5mm headphone jack if you prefer to use wired headphones/speakers.

Fully adjustable seat and handlebars: The more comfortable you are, the more enjoyable your workout will be. The Stryde bike is supplied with a fully adjustable sports cycling seat that can be moved in four different directions to ensure you are as well-positioned as possible. The seat also has built-in racks so you can keep a pair of dumbbells close to hand for any upper body exercises you want to do using your cycling workout.

The triathlon-style handlebars are lightly padded for comfort and offer a range of positions so you can always put your hands in exactly the right place. There are water bottle holders, too, so you can rehydrate without stopping your workout. Like the saddle, the handlebars are fully adjustable so you can find the best possible cycling position.

Transport wheels: Moving your Stryde bike is easy! Just tilt and roll it into position. The bike itself is light and compact, making it ideal for even small apartment dwellers. The dimension of the bike are:

• 48” long x 24” wide
• Total weight, inc. the console – 135 lbs.

Classes

While there is nothing to stop you hopping on your Stryde bike and making up your own workouts, the real strength of Stryde is the ability to connect the tablet display to the internet and, using the Stryde app, access over 200 different spinning classes 24/7/365.

A Stryde subscription costs $29.99 per month, and, as a subscriber, you can do as many classes as you like. The classes are recorded and come from some of the most well-known gyms, studios, and spinning instructors in the US.

There are beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes, and most are 30-45 minutes long. Some are pure spinning classes, while others involve a mix of cycling and calisthenics.

As you exercise, your workout metrics are displayed on your screen, and your performance is recorded so you can compare your current stats to what you’ve done before. You can also save your favorite workouts in your library for easy reference.

With ANT+ connectivity, you can stream your workout onto your TV for an even more immersive workout experience.

If this system has a downside, it is that you need a stable Wi-Fi connection to access the classes. They are NOT stored on the tablet. However, this also means you can access additional workout apps using the tablet’s browser, and even find free workouts on platforms such as YouTube.

Assembly

The cost of a Stryde bike includes curbside delivery. That means you’ll need to put it together when it arrives. While this might sound like a daunting prospect, it’s actually a fairly simple, quick process as all of the major components are already assembled, and all you need to do is bolt and screw them together.

Everything you need to put the Stryde bike together is included, and assembly should take 30-45 minutes. It can be one by one person but maybe a little easier with two.

Warranty

Stryde bikes have a 12-month parts and labor warranty and a 30-day money-back return policy. That means, if you buy a Stryde bike and then decide you don’t like it, you can return it for a full refund. Stryde bikes are designed in Germany and made under license in Taiwan to USA manufacturing standards.

Stryde vs. Peloton

Stryde and Peloton are quite similar, both in terms of the bike and subscription services. However, there are a few differences you should consider when deciding which of these popular workout platforms is right for you:

Price of the bike – Peloton bikes cost about 25% more than Stryde bikes. The bikes are very similar, so it’s good to know you can get a top-quality Stryde spinning bike for considerably less than the price of a Peloton bike.

Classes – All Peloton classes come from Peloton HQ. In contrast, Stryde classes come from a range of sources. This is neither an advantage nor a benefit; it’s just one of the differences.

Monthly subscription – Peloton subscriptions are currently 25% more expensive than for Stryde.

To summarize, Stryde and Peloton’s main difference is the price, with Stryde coming in at around 25% cheaper than Peloton. However, despite being significantly less expensive, Stryde offers bikes and classes that compare favorably to what’s provided by Peloton.

Bottom Line

Group exercise classes don’t come much more popular than spinning. Cycling has always been a great form of exercise, but spinning classes take that to a whole new level. With no traffic, bad weather, or unsafe road conditions to contend with, you are free to focus on your workout.

But, it’s not always convenient to attend a group exercise class, especially if you don’t live near a suitable gym or studio or are unable to go when your favorite class is scheduled. The current COVID-19 situation may even mean that going to a group workout could be unsafe, too.

With Stryde, you can enjoy all the benefits of spinning without leaving your home. In fact, it may even make for a better workout because you have over 200 different classes to choose from, and you can workout at whatever time suits you best.

You will need to pay a monthly subscription to access the Stryde spinning classes, but it’s no more expensive than joining a spinning studio or gym. And, for your payment, you have unlimited access so you can work out as often as you want.

Whether you are new to the concept of home spinning or just looking for a cheaper system than Peloton, Stryde bikes are an excellent choice. The bikes are every bit as good, and so too are the classes. Staying fit at home is easy with Stryde!

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