Which Echelon Bike Should I Choose? | Best Fit By Trim

You’re choosing between solid indoor cycles that share the same app, ride style, and magnetic resistance. The right pick comes down to three things: whether you want a built-in screen, how the frame fits your body, and how much you plan to spend. This guide lays out those trade-offs in plain terms so you can buy once and ride happy.

Which Echelon Bike Should I Choose? Model-By-Model Snapshot

Start with a quick pass over the current lineup. This table gives you the gist without marketing fluff.

Model	What Stands Out	Best For
EX-3	Tablet/phone shelf, 32 magnetic levels, rear flywheel	Riders who already own a tablet and want value
EX-5	Sturdier frame feel, upgraded adjustability, dual-sided pedals	Shared households and longer rides
EX-5s-22	22" HD touchscreen that flips for floor classes; elbow rests	All-in-one studio feel with no extra device
EX-8s	Premium look and lighting, advanced touchscreen package	Design-forward setups that want the flagship
GT+	Compact footprint with connected basics	Small spaces and casual sessions
EX-15 / Sport	Entry price, lighter flywheel, simple controls	New riders sampling app classes
EX-7s	Club-style build with integrated screen	Heavy use and tougher intervals

Choosing An Echelon Bike By Trim And Screen Size

Most shoppers start with one question: screen or no screen. A built-in display costs more but simplifies setup and removes the need for a stand or pairing routine. No-screen bikes lean on a tablet, which cuts cost and makes upgrades easy later.

Screen Or No Screen

EX-3 runs with your own device. Mount a tablet, open the Echelon Fit app, and you’re set. You get the same 32 levels of magnetic resistance and leaderboard, just routed through your iPad or phone.

EX-5s-22 bakes in a 22-inch HD touchscreen that rotates for floor work. That makes off-bike strength, yoga, and stretching feel seamless. If you hate juggling devices, this is the smoothest path.

Fit And Adjustments

Comfort is non-negotiable. On the EX-5 and above, the bar setup and elbow rests help during long climbs. The seat and handle sliders give more room to dial reach and height for taller or shorter riders. If multiple people will ride daily, those extra tweaks pay off fast.

Resistance And Ride Feel

Every Connect bike uses magnetic resistance with fine 1-step increments. The EX-3 and EX-5 feel closer to a studio spin rig thanks to the rear flywheel and belt drive. Entry bikes like the EX-15 feel lighter at the top end, which suits low-to-mid effort rides.

App And Membership

The Echelon Fit app ties it all together with live rides, on-demand classes, scenic routes, and stats. On the EX-5s-22 and EX-8s, the app runs on the built-in screen. On the EX-3 and EX-5, it runs on your device. Either way, your metrics feed the same leaderboards and progress charts.

Feature Checks That Matter Day To Day

Device Mounts And Ports

Using your own tablet? The EX-3’s rotating mount and a charge port make it easy to place and power a device while you ride. That simple detail keeps your screen at eye level and your battery topped up.

Pedals And Shoes

Dual-sided pedals on mid-to-high trims accept SPD clips and toe cages. Clip in for sprints or slide in with sneakers when you’re short on time. If you already own SPD shoes, plan to use the clip side from day one.

Handlebars And Elbow Rests

Bullhorn bars with elbow pads, found on the EX-5s-22 and many EX-5 builds, take pressure off your hands on longer climbs. If your wrists get sore, this upgrade is worth it.

Seat Shape And Cooling

Vented competition-style saddles breathe better during long sessions. If you’re coming from outdoor cycling, you’ll feel at home right away. If you’re new to bikes, add a thin cover or padded shorts until you adapt.

Price Tiers And What You Get

Here’s a simple way to map budget to value:

• Value tier: EX-3. Bring your own device, keep cost down, still get full app access.
• Mid tier: EX-5. Heavier feel and more frame tweaks for households that ride a lot.
• Screen tier: EX-5s-22. No tablet needed, easy flip-screen for floor work, premium touches.
• Flagship tier: EX-8s. Style and screen package for a showcase gym nook.

Real-World Picks By Use Case

Match a model to how you plan to ride. Use these pairings to cut choice overload.

Use Case	Best Match	Why It Fits
Small apartment	EX-3 or GT+	Shorter reach, tablet-based, easy to move
Family of riders	EX-5	More adjust points, sturdier feel for heavy use
All-in-one studio feel	EX-5s-22	Big screen that flips for strength and stretch
Metric-driven training	EX-5 or EX-7s	Dual-sided pedals and stable frame for hard efforts
Design showpiece	EX-8s	Flagship look with full feature stack
Entry budget	EX-15 / Sport	Lowest price to try app classes
Cross-training with floor work	EX-5s-22	Built-in screen, quick swap to off-bike modes

Space, Setup, And Noise

Most models share a compact footprint that slots near a wall. Magnetic resistance stays quiet, so early rides won’t wake the house. Lay down a mat to keep things stable and to catch sweat. Place the bike where airflow is easy and where Wi-Fi is strong for streaming classes.

Durability And Maintenance

Belt drives need little attention beyond a wipe-down. Keep pedals snug, check the seat clamp, and dust the flywheel cover. A two-minute wipe after class keeps sweat from building up and helps the frame stay clean.

Accessories That Add Comfort

• Fan: A small fan pointed at your torso will make interval days feel easier.
• Heart rate strap: Pair one with the app to keep zones on target.
• Dumbbells: Bikes with frame racks keep light weights handy for sculpt tracks.
• Mat: A dense mat quiets micro-vibrations and protects floors.

Membership Basics And Where To Check Specs

Want to compare screens, pedals, and frames side by side? Echelon posts a live Compare Connect bikes page with current trims and package details. For the big-screen option, the EX-5s-22 product page lists the 22-inch touchscreen, flip-screen design, dual-sided pedals, and the vented seat. Those two links are the quickest way to confirm what’s shipping now.

Which Model Fits Your Body Best

Frame reach and bar height affect comfort more than any single spec. If you’re under 5’4", look for shorter reach and easy seat height changes. If you’re over 6′, the EX-5 family gives a bit more room to stretch forward and breathe on hard climbs. Riders with wrist flare often like the elbow rests on the EX-5s-22 during long efforts.

When To Choose Used Or Refurb

Deals pop up on older EX-3 units and store-floor returns. If you go that route, check pedal threads, spin the cranks for smoothness, and verify that the resistance dial changes levels cleanly. Pair a tablet, run a free class preview, and watch for stable Bluetooth readings.

Sample 30-Day Plan To Test Your Pick

Week 1: Set The Base

Ride four days with lower resistance while you learn class layouts and cues. Mix one short climb day, two steady days, and a light recovery spin.

Week 2: Add Variety

Try a HIIT ride, one scenic session, and one low-impact spin. Note how your back and wrists feel with small bar tweaks.

Week 3: Stack Strength

Use the flip-screen or your tablet for two short strength blocks after rides. Keep form clean and reps smooth.

Week 4: Test And Adjust

Pick a benchmark climb and repeat it midweek. Log cadence and output at a repeatable resistance level. Adjust the seat or bar rise if anything feels cramped.

Answering The Core Question With Two Scenarios

You Own A Tablet And Want Value

Go with the EX-3. You keep the price down and still get the same app rides and 32 resistance steps. Add SPD shoes later if you want more pull on sprints.

You Want A Clean, All-In-One Setup

Pick the EX-5s-22. The big screen and elbow rests make long classes feel easy to settle into. Flip the screen for floor work without shuffling gear.

Final Checks Before You Buy

• Measure your space and ceiling height; leave room to stand on the pedals.
• Check shipping weight against your stair layout if you live upstairs.
• Confirm Wi-Fi strength where the bike will live.
• Plan where you’ll place a fan, mat, and water.

Where The Data Came From

I cross-checked Echelon’s public compare page and the EX-5s-22 specs, then matched those against hands-on reports about the EX-3 ride feel and resistance levels. That mix reflects both official specs and rider-level experience.

If you still catch yourself asking, “which echelon bike should i choose?” run the two-step test: screen needs and fit. Then read the use-case table again and pick the row that fits your routine. When friends ask “which echelon bike should i choose?” you’ll have a simple, clear answer that lands on the right model every time.