Echelon Connect EX-5s Review

Ride Experience & Programming

Echelon gave the EX-5s a sleek design that stands out a bit from the crowd, thanks to the weighted flywheel at the back of the bike. The bike is well-made and impressively sturdy with ample fit adjustments to suit most riders, 32 levels of smooth, nearly silent magnetic resistance, and excellent integration with the Echelon app through the large 22-inch touchscreen. The app offers a vast number of live and on-demand cycling workouts, as well as off-the-bike exercises. When we tested the bike, it could be used as a standalone device or with a third-party app, but a software update has limited its function to only when connected to an Echelon server; so basically the bike is locked behind a paywall.

In this price range, the majority of models are fairly high quality and provide an exercise experience reminiscent of a commercial spin studio exercise bike, and the EX-5s is no exception. The bike is not only sleek-looking but also well-made and sturdy-feeling. The handlebar and seat adjustments enable you to fine-tune your body position for optimal comfort and performance. 32 levels of magnetic resistance provide an ample range of difficulty to suit riders of all fitness levels, from newbies to seasoned riders. Some other brands, such as Peloton, offer 100 levels of resistance. While the overall range of difficulty is roughly the same, having more levels results in smaller jumps in resistance, and vice versa. On the upside, you don't have to turn the knob as much on the Echelon to get a noticeable increase in resistance. Regardless, I found the EX-5s to provide a high-quality workout with adequate resistance and stability for everything from easy recovery spins to the hardest of workouts.

A wide variety of cycling workouts and an extensive library of off-bike workouts, including everything from strength training to stretching, provide you with variety. The screen does not rotate, but it can be flipped over so off-the-bike workouts can be viewed from the front of the bike. This expands the EX-5s' versatility, providing an option for whole-body fitness and making it more than just an exercise bike. You can also sync with Strava, Fitbit, or Apple Health to track and analyze your fitness data there.

Companion App/Connectivity

Similar to other bikes with touchscreens, the EX-5s uses WiFi to connect to the Echelon app, and Bluetooth to pair with wireless accessories. The Echelon app is fairly mature at this point, and arguably the closest you can get to the Peloton experience without using Peloton. Anyone seeking the at-home studio cycling experience will find a lot to love here.

Through the touchscreen, you log in to your WiFi network, and in our experience, the EX-5s had no issues connecting and never dropped the connection while in use. Through Bluetooth, you can pair with wireless headphones or earbuds to keep your workouts quiet, as well as heart rate monitors (not included). There is also an auxiliary plug to connect wired headphones, as well as a USB port to keep your devices charged while you ride. For those who prefer a wired internet connection, there is also an Ethernet port on the back of the screen.

Once connected, you'll need to log in to your Echelon account or sign up for one if you're new. Echelon offers several membership plan options for the app, and it is just slightly less expensive than Peloton. It costs $39.99 billed monthly, or $399 for a full year. As with other connected exercise bikes, the ongoing price of the Echelon app is something to consider. Your Echelon membership allows up to five user profiles and gets you access to all of its content for use on Echelon equipment and off-equipment/FitPass (FitPass can also be purchased separately for $11.99/month). So, the app can be used across all other Echelon products, including their Stride treadmills, smart rowers, Reflect Mirrors, or through a tablet or phone if you're not using any equipment.

They also offer 35+ live studio classes a day, which further enhances their already extensive library. For cycling specifically, they offer all of the typical studio options like HIIT, Tabata, Power, Fusion, Speed, Intervals, Hills, and more, with varying lengths, instructors, music genres (including featured artists like Pitbull and Old Dominion), etc, to choose from. Of course, they also have filters so you can narrow down your search to find the specific length of time, trainer, music, or type of ride you're looking for. There are several scenic rides as well, some of which are “guided” by an instructor who provides prompts like in a studio workout. While these scenic rides are a nice option, most of them appear to have been filmed from a vehicle, and the resolution is poor. If you choose not to do any of the studio classes, you also have the option to do a freestyle ride, and you can sync to your Spotify account to listen to your music through the screen.

Echelon's studio workouts are all based on cadence and resistance, and those numbers are shown at the bottom of the screen along with estimated distance, speed, calories, and output in watts. They also have a leaderboard if you like to compare yourself to other users, and you can choose to compare yourself by age, gender, friends, etc, or hide the leaderboard if you choose. Like any home exercise bike, however, how hard you work out on this machine is entirely up to you, as you control the resistance. The app also has a “progress” page that keeps track of all your workouts.

The Echelon app has much more than just cycling workouts. It includes a huge variety of strength classes, including total body, upper body, arms and abs, glutes and thighs, as well as HIIT, boxing, Barre, Zumba, pilates, yoga, and meditation. Just like the cycling classes, the off-the-bike workouts vary in length, instructor, music genre, etc. Since the screen flips over, you can easily view it from the front of the bike, but unfortunately, it doesn't swivel, which limits your viewing options somewhat. Fortunately, you can also view all of these workouts on a tablet or phone, so you can follow along from wherever you like.

Fit & Adjustability

Like most quality exercise bikes, the EX-5s has adequate fit adjustability to suit users of varying sizes. Echelon claims a recommended user height range of 4'11" to 6'4", although, in the FAQ section of their website, they mention that some users shorter and taller than that range have been able to fit on the bike. Either way, the EX-5s should work for most people up to the bike's 300 lb weight limit.

To achieve such a wide range of adjustability, Echelon has given the EX-5s 9 inches of seat height adjustment with 17 indexed positions, along with 3.25 inches of fore/aft adjustability. Similarly, the handlebar can be raised and lowered a total of 4 inches with 9 indexed positions, and it can also be moved fore and aft 2.5 inches. This should afford most users a comfortable setup for spinning away the hours. The fit adjustments are very easy to make, with numbered markings so that you can easily find your preferred settings. The seat angle can also be adjusted, although that adjustment requires tools. The bike is fairly easy to get on and off, with a step-over height of just 18 inches. The Q-factor is 203mm, which is quite a bit wider than a traditional road or mountain bike, and while many users may not notice, those used to a narrower Q-factor may find it feels a bit wide.

The large, rubber-coated “bullhorn” handlebar offers a vast array of hand positions, including flattened “elbow rests”. The saddle is on the smaller, performance-oriented side, which is preferred for people who are doing some serious exercise or training. I found it quite comfortable, with an agreeable shape and ample padding. People who prefer a larger, more supportive seat may find it a little narrow for their taste. (Check out our bike seat review for tips on finding a comfortable one.) The EX-5 comes with dual-sided pedals that clip in on one side and have an adjustable toe cage on the other. This allows you to use your preferred shoe type, or multiple users can use it with different shoe types without having to change the pedals. The pedals did not include cleats, but they worked fine with standard Shimano SPD 2-bolt cleats.

Display & Controls

When purchasing the EX-5s, you can choose a 22-inch screen or no touchscreen. We chose the 22-inch version to utilize the larger field of view and experience more of the app's offerings. Unfortunately, the HD screen does not rotate, but flipping it over to view off-the-bike doesn't take much effort. The screen is bright, and when following the studio classes, it has good but not amazing picture quality. I found most videos to be slightly pixelated, but scrolling through the different classes, settings, etc., is easy and intuitive. There are also three buttons on the back right side of the monitor to control the speaker volume and power down the screen.

The large red knob below the handlebar controls the 32 levels of resistance. Increase the resistance by turning the knob clockwise or decrease it by turning it counterclockwise. The knob also serves as the flywheel brake, but instead of pushing it straight down like on other models, this one works more like a lever.

Build Quality & Accessories

The EX-5s isn't as feature-packed as some competitors, and it doesn't bring anything unique to the table, but we appreciated the features it does include.

One of the EX-5s' most noticeable features is the 22-inch tilting touchscreen. The screen has speakers that sound somewhat tinny, but you can use the auxiliary plug for wired headphones or Bluetooth for wireless headphones to get much better sound. A USB plug also comes in handy for keeping your devices charged while you ride.

The EX-5s has dual-sided pedals that you can clip into on one side, or use the toe cages on the other. There are two large bottle holders below the console and handlebars, so you can easily keep hydrated while you ride. This bike includes a dumbbell holder behind the seat, though it does not include dumbbells. Independent levelers at all four corners provide stability on uneven surfaces, and the two front wheels make it fairly easy to roll the bike around when it tips forward. While it seems fairly trivial, we found ourselves surprisingly pleased by the convenience of the dual power plugs, front and rear, that make it much easier to orient your bike regardless of power outlet location.

Size & Setup

I found the EX-5s to be among the easiest exercise bikes to assemble. It's not quite as easy as the models that include professional assembly in the purchase price, of course, but I got the Echelon bike together with little fuss. While the Echelon website doesn't specify it, you may be able to arrange professional assembly, though you will probably need to contact Echelon or the seller directly to see if it is available in your area.

One of the most challenging parts of setting up the EX-5s is getting the packaged bike to your assembly location. At 143 lbs, moving the boxed bike is a two-person job. I found it easiest to remove the bike from the box by flipping the box upside down, opening the bottom, then flipping the box back over and pulling it up off the top. This leaves the bike standing upright in its protective Styrofoam packaging, making it easy to remove the parts from the foam and the foam from the main body of the bike. It comes with detailed printed instructions with color photos and written instructions detailing each step in the assembly process, or you can find the manual and assembly video on the Echelon website. Assembled the EX-5s in just under an hour, and it was relatively hassle-free.

The EX-5s is comparable in size to the majority of the other bikes we tested, with a measured footprint of 21.5 inches wide x 58 inches long and a height of 61 inches at the top of the touchscreen. No matter what, this bike takes up a fair amount of space, but no more than its direct competitors. The Echelon weighs 124 lbs, which means it can be moved around more easily than others. Moving the EX-5s around on firm, flat surfaces is fairly easy thanks to the integrated transport wheels that allow you to roll them when tipped forward.

Should You Buy the Echelon Connect EX-5s?

The EX-5s is a great option for at-home studio cycling, if you like the Echelon app. This bike checks nearly all of our boxes and is priced significantly lower than the Peloton Bike+ while providing a very similar exercise experience. That said, it is closer to the original Peloton Bike in both price and features. Either way, if live and on-demand studio-style workouts are what you're after, and you're not committed to the cult of Peloton and don't require a swiveling screen, we think the EX-5s and the Echelon app are the next best thing. Additionally, at the current membership rates, you'll likely save a little money in the long run with Echelon.

What Other Exercise Bikes Should You Consider?

While the EX-5s is an excellent exercise bike, there are plenty of other great options. If you want more than just studio-style cycling workouts, the NordicTrack X24 is a compelling alternative. This bike has adjustable incline/decline, and it works with the iFit app for a unique indoor cycling experience. These trainer-led scenic rides take place in beautiful spots all over the world, and the large touchscreen and SmartAdjust resistance and incline help you feel truly immersed in the workout.