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Comment by cellis | Hacker News Reader

This is pretty insane. I've used the Peloton bike because there's one in my apartment complex. It's a really nice exercise bike ( very stable, smooth, continuous pedalling without locking up ), but the tablet/software they attach to it left quite a lot to be desired. For instance, the UI is very clunky and I couldn't even figure out how to turn off the damn music. It's hard to just set a "free form" type of ride ( instead, you have to use their "classes" -- basically a video of someone telling you whats happening during the ride, whether or not you're in sync with the cadence ). I don't think it would take much for one of the better bike manufacturers to duplicate the "nice bike" part, and the UI should honestly just be a bluetooth to your phone with a mount.

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I don't know if it has long term legs or is just an (extended, at this point) fad, since I've never used one or done soulcycle or whatever, but all the stuff that bugged you about it is the selling point. The hook is that nobody ends up using standalone just-do-what-you-will fitness gear (I do have experience on this side!). Some level of "training" programming has been much more effective for a lot of people, and this is taking this outside the studio into a broadcast form.

My suspicion is that once you take it out of the class setting you've lost that hook, though.

I've had one for a bit over a year now and I really love it. You're exactly right about the hook for this product. Before using the bike I've just stuck with the same training I did in high school football because I've always needed structure and a way to track progress. The bike classes are kind of addicting since the instructors keep the tempo up (depending on the class) and you have leader board showing with a live ranking. Even if you aren't at the top it's still fun because you'll get used to seeing the same names around your rank (if you're doing the live classes) and it'll push you to compete with them. It's a lot like having a running group except you'll always have someone that is around your skill level to compete with.

> I don't think it would take much for one of the better bike manufacturers to duplicate the "nice bike" part, and the UI should honestly just be a bluetooth to your phone with a mount.

Like say, Wahoo? https://www.wahoofitness.com/

It'll run you at least $900 anyway: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/bike-trainers/kickr-cor...

Proud Kickr owner here.

Kickr/Tacx/etc + $600-800 road bike + Zwift and you have comparable experience. Sure you wont get the human in your face thing, but a lot of communities on Zwift are embracing voice chat to communicate during the rides. Combine this with a much more realistic feeling to riding and it's pretty hard to beat. Thankfully some more companies are beginning to show up to try and make Zwift get better (like RoadGrandTour).

I just got a road bike and it's a hassle riding outside with so many cars living downtown. Thanks for your advice about zwift.

100% it's a great experience, especially for those cold winters.

There is a "Just Ride" mode, hidden under the "Other" options. I use it often for quick rides.

You know you don't have to turn it on right? My mother has one that I've used and I just treat it like an old exercise bike. There's a knob between your legs for adjusting the difficulty.

I know you can do all that, but it's hard, and I'm kind of surprised they've raised a billion dollars to build and market this, given it's relative shortcomings. If you had told me they raised $20 million, I would have been surprised. Today I found out they raised $1 billion...I don't have any words to describe my shock.

> I don't think it would take much for one of the better bike manufacturers to duplicate the "nice bike" part.

No need to duplicate Peleton's nice bike. Quality indoor bikes were around long before Peloton added the connected/remote class angle to one. Example: https://www.keiser.com/fitness-equipment/cardio-training/m3i...

In many ways, though, this is a content and social play. It's debatable if most bike manufacturers have that DNA.

In light of what people are paying for Soul Cycle, etc., this makes a lot of sense, regardless how good the UI or bike is.

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