In this Echelon EX-8s Connect Bike review, we are going to cowl the whole lot it is best to know earlier than you resolve to purchase. This is Echelon’s finest bike but, and with tons of latest and revolutionary options, it has left me significantly impressed! Read (or watch) beneath to get the complete scoop.
Echelon EX-8s Bike video review
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A fast overview of the Echelon EX-8s
The new EX-8s Bike is Echelon’s latest and most feature-rich related health bike but. With a completely new dual-ring design, the EX-8s provides vital upgrades in lots of areas.
The major upgrades are a brand new 24″ HD curved contact display that may flip 180 levels, built-in and customizable LED flywheel lights, Bluetooth resistance controller, and the ‘E-Shock System,’ which helps decrease the influence when driving out of the saddle.
Echelon EX-8s Bike specs
Weight124 lbsMax User Weight300 lbsDimensions23” W x 59” L x 65” HAdjustability4-Way Adjustment Resistance TypeDigital Magnetic Resistance Resistance Levels32PedalsDual-Sided SPD + Toe CagesTouchscreenCurved 24″ HD TouchscreenSpeakers(2) 5-Watt SpeakersWarranty1-year Parts & Labor
Using the Echelon EX-8s
Dual-ring design with customizable LED lights
The most blatant change with the Echelon EX-8s is with the brand new dual-ring design and LED lights inside the flywheel. Not solely does this make the bike appear to be it’s straight out of the film Tron, nevertheless it additionally has a practical goal.
See, one of many issues that shocked me probably the most whereas driving the bike was how secure it feels. The further ring within the entrance (the precise flywheel is within the again) contributes to creating the bike extra supportive. At 124lbs, the EX-8s is way lighter than most premium bikes, nevertheless it feels simply as secure whereas driving.
The 15 LED lights, whereas not serving a practical goal, assist to make the bike extra enjoyable to trip. There are a ton of customizable choices with these lights as effectively. You can management the colour, brightness, whether or not you want them to ‘Breath’ or ‘Pulse,’ and even change colours relative to your coronary heart price or energy output!
Curved HD touchscreen and audio system
Another very distinguishing function of the Echelon EX-8s is the curved 24″ HD touchscreen. This is among the finest screens that I’ve seen on any related health gadget. It is shiny, clear, and the curve actually seems nice.
The display additionally is ready to flip 180 levels to face the again for while you wish to do power, yoga, or different lessons off of the bike. While this can restrict the place you exercise in comparison with 360-degree rotating screens, it’s nonetheless a pleasant function to have right here.
Unfortunately, the 2 five-watt audio system beneath the display are in all probability my least favourite a part of the Echelon EX-8s. While loud, the sound high quality that comes from them may be very poor, with little or no to no bass. It is unlucky to see such low-quality audio system right here when the whole lot else on the bike is so nice.
I even have observed a small fixed buzzing sound that comes from the audio system when no lessons are enjoying. This may very well be a private subject with my audio system, however I did wish to be aware it.
Bluetooth Resistance Controller
Included with the Echelon EX-8s is an extra Bluetooth resistance controller. This is an optionally available unit you can clamp onto your handlebars that enables you regulate your resistance with out turning the knob.
The controller works rather well and makes it even quicker to rapidly regulate resistance ranges. I additionally like that they made it utterly optionally available, with the flexibility to take it off the handlebars for many who favor the knob. The extra choices, the higher!
E-shock low influence help
I didn’t actually perceive what this new Echelon ‘E-shock’ system actually was till I began driving out of the saddle. That is while you actually really feel this in motion. The Echelon EX-8s is held inside a help body from gives a little bit of shock absorption while you transfer up and down. So while you trip out of the seat, it takes a few of that influence and pressure you could usually really feel.
Even as somebody who does not likely want much less influence when driving out of the saddle, I admire that it’s right here for many who are newer to biking or could also be heavier set.
Other options
The remainder of the Echelon EX-8s, whereas not as new or revolutionary, continues to be very effectively made. The four-way adjustment system right here permits for simple changes of the seat and handlebars. There are two giant bottle holders within the entrance beneath the handlebars. The pedals included are a hybrid of each SPD clips and a toe-cage as a way to trip the bike with or with out biking footwear.
The flywheel right here can also be surrounded by the body of the bike itself. As a father of a younger youngster, I at all times admire when bikes have this. With different bikes I at all times deliver out a toddler gate, however when the wheel is enclosed, there’s a lot much less to fret about.
Echelon exercises
This being a related health bike, the lessons you can be taking are sometimes simply as vital because the tools itself. Echelon’s membership, which prices $34.99 monthly, gives an enormous number of new content material each day. In truth, Echelon could have the most important quantity of latest each day content material of any health platform.
While these lessons can all be taken on-demand, they’re additionally obtainable dwell. A giant perk with Echelon is that it has dwell lessons happening all day lengthy to assist match up with anybody’s schedule.
Now Echelon positively goes for extra of a amount over high quality strategy right here. The optimistic with this strategy is that if you wish to discover a specific sort of class, you could have a whole lot of choices. Heart price coaching, intervals, bootcamps, power exercises, and even lessons like boxing or breakdancing are all right here.
Despite the manufacturing seeming to be much less extremely produced than different platforms, a number of the content material and coaches right here are literally fairly good. It additionally helps that Echelon is closely music targeted, and every class has a devoted playlist of songs that it’s designed round.
The detrimental with having so many lessons created each day is that it may be arduous to search out the diamonds amongst them. Once you dig in and begin determining which class sorts and coaches are finest for you, this turns into simpler. However, for a brand new member, simply know you’ll have to dig round for some time earlier than you discover what you’ll take pleasure in most.
Echelon EX-8s vs Echelon GT+
Currently at $2,299, the Echelon EX-8s is probably not for everybody. If you do not need the entire bells and whistles, just like the curved 24″ contact display or customized lights, you could wish to contemplate the Echelon GT+. While not having a display (you should utilize a pill or telephone), the Echelon GT+ has a considerably smaller price ticket of $899. It’s among the finest bikes obtainable at that value. You can learn my review right here.
Final ideas
With an superior new dual-ring design, 24″ curved HD touchscreen, and different revolutionary options, the EX-8s is Echelon’s finest bike but. It is a motorcycle that appears as enjoyable as it’s to trip, as the standard right here is aggressive with different premium bikes just like the Pelton Bike+ and NordicTrack S27i.
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