So I started researching Pelotons for my wife yesterday, and have major issue spending that much. Came upon this Echelon company in another SD thread. See that they have an EX3 that has no screen, and then an EX5 that has a big Peloton-size screen but that is like $1600 or something. Costco online has that EX5 for delivery and there are a fair number of negative reviews.
Someone had mentioned this EX4 in store Costco so I went to my store today and they had 6 on the floor. Nothing online I can find about it. Has a 10 inch "HD" screen so certainly smaller than an EX5, but better than EX3 which has none. I don't know the stats on flywheel but I can say that the box was surprisingly freakin heavy (says 120 pounds) so something in there must be "solid" haha.
I nabbed it just to have it, in case these start flying off the shelves once I post this haha. It says it comes with 1 yr of the app membership, which right there would be worth $480 I think. For me, much better to spend a thou and see if my wife really uses this, and can always do Peloton later or just stick with Echelon. We might find out that the 1yr app membership is hobbled in some way (like doesn't include live classes or something) but will see. I just nabbed the item and will store it till Xmas and then figure it out. If anyone else gets better info they can share. Benefit of this unit beyond the price is that I actually have it in hand, vs some vaporware delivery slot for Echelon EX5 or Peloton....
Store locator:
https://www.costco.com/warehouse-locations
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There are some reviews on YT comparing both, I think either way would be a good choice quality wise.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/U...g7Gr35jcrA
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And no, I don't work for Zwift or any other bike related company, but I suppose I'm happily drinking the cool aid. After using MMR for many years on my smartphone for free, recently syncing to Strava via Wahoo computer, I see basically everyone who enjoys outdoor cycling uses Zwift. No, it is not exactly the same as riding outdoors, but it's about as close as you can get. And I'll see how immersive my experience gets once my new TCL 75" TV shows up on Friday from the Best Buy deal this week
With cycling, like most other sports or even golf, there's some great simulators out there, but if someone could ride a real bike outdoors with friends or go sit inside a hot gym working out with friends, most people would rather be outside. If you're getting a device to work out inside when it's cold out, do you really want that indoor exercise device to simulate you working out indoors in a different room with more people and a trainer yelling at you, or as if you're outside, maybe even with other friends?
There's plenty of other Zwift alternatives that most smart trainers, at least my Wahoo trainer, is compatible with for Zwift/Peloton like interactivity:
https://www.wahoofitnes
And my Wahoo computer I use primarily outdoors also allows me to control the bike directly from that, zero internet or paid service required:
https://youtu.be/fXiIgoj0JiU?t=7
Route mode is particularly cool as the exercise bike will provide you the same virtual workout as you'd have outdoors, with same climb (ie: 3.7% grade for .64 miles) as if you were doing the ride outdoors. It will show me how far ahead/behind my standard time I am for the whole ride, a climb, segment, etc. For me this is great so for first time ever, come Spring, when I get back outside to try my standard 20 minute loop around town it's not like I'm starting over, instead I'm picking up right where I left off and then some.
For now my question is: does anyone have any ideas for a molded plastic tray type holder that can hold a TV remote or a phone?
I notice their instructors have a tray like contraption attached to their bikes (I'm assuming they use the EX5S which comes with it) that can hold water bottles and the like? I'm okay with the flimsy bottle holder but would like to add something that can hold a remote and a phone.
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