What Is Peloton?
Peloton is a brand that makes top-of-the-range exercise bikes that you can use at home. There are two different Peloton Bike types to choose from. These are the Peloton Bike and the Peloton Bike+. Both come with the Peloton app, which you can use to stream content while you’re cycling.
As well as stationary bikes, Peloton also makes treadmills. The Peloton Tread and the Peloton Tread+ are two of the best treadmills I’ve used in my home gym. I really like Peloton’s accessories in general – I’m a huge fan of their headphones, cycling shoes, and heart rate monitors.
What Is ProForm Tour De France?
The ProForm Tour De France is one of the most innovative ProForm bikes on the market. It’s a cutting-edge exercise bike designed to provide professional training in the comfort of your own home. As with a Peloton bike, the ProForm Tour De France has a touchscreen that allows you to access cycling workouts and track your stats.
Advantages Of Peloton
Like the ProForm TDF, the Peloton Bike and Peloton Bike+ are easy to set up. It takes a matter of minutes to install one of these beauties, and height adjustments are a breeze. The Peloton reps helped me to set up my new Peloton Bike when it was delivered. This is a great example of the amazing customer service that Peloton offers.
I was impressed with how well my Peloton Bike dealt with long, sweaty workouts. The Peloton Bike pedals, handlebars, and saddle have substantial grip to stay anchored during intense sessions.
It’s very straightforward to alter the magnetic resistance when you’re pedaling during live classes (or at any time). Just use the red knob that sits above the flywheel and you’re good to go.
In terms of design, the Peloton Bike is a work of art. All its parts are premium quality, which is one of the reasons that even the basic package is on the expensive side.
The bike is built of high-grade, powder-coated carbon steel. This gives it an incredible amount of durability and longevity, but does make it very heavy. Fortunately, Peloton has included two wheels on the front end to make it easier to move into different positions.
Advantages Of ProForm TDF
The ProForm TDF is a stationary bike that’s built for durability, with a max user weight of 337 pounds. That’s pretty incredible and shows you just how sturdy this exercise bike is.
It’s also a relatively easy to assemble – a huge plus. The seat post needs to be greased, and the wiring for the front post is a little tricky, but the set-up was fairly straightforward overall.
When I first tried the ProForm TDF I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth it felt – more like riding a real road bike than a stationary bike.
Its features include racer-style pedals and handlebars, gear paddles, a stiff frame, and a hill simulator. In my opinion, it might be the best exercise bike for simulating outdoor rides that I’ve ever come across.
The ProForm TDF has gears that allow you to alter the level of magnetic resistance. I found this gave me full control over the intensity of my workouts – very convenient and helpful for building fitness.
Peloton Vs. Proform Tour De France
It’s hard to find a serious cyclist who doesn’t agree that working out on a stationary bike is essential to stay fit and healthy. Most will also agree that choosing between the Peloton vs Proform tour de France.
Lucky for you, all you need to know about Peloton and ProForm Tour de France, two of the most popular bike models on the market, is on offer here so read on and you’ll soon become an expert when it comes to these two upright exercise bikes
We’ll look into how these two models measure up against each other to help you narrow down your choice and by the end, you’ll know exactly which bike is for you. That said, there is a reason why Proform and Peloton bikes are all the rage right now. They both perform well so you can’t go wrong with choosing either option. However, there are some differences that we’re going to discuss.
So, let’s jump right in.
Why The Proform Tour De France And Peloton?
The ProForm bike has become very popular as it has begun to crop up in stores for over half the price of a Peloton along with a free year of access to the iFit app while the Peloton bike plus is also very popular, but it’s also extremely expensive upfront at $2495 along with a monthly $39 cost for the peloton membership.
To put the icing on the cake Peloton bike orders are in high demand in some places, taking longer than 2 -3 months for delivery of a Peloton bike, so many people are looking for cheaper peloton alternative bikes, and also options that are less expensive.
If you want an indoor cycling bike with magnetic resistance and an app to follow along with instructor leads and advice, the Proform tour de France CBC from Costco may be a good option for you. The bike does have a few weaknesses, however, as with anything.
The handlebars don’t rise up very high, so if you are a tall rider you may find yourself in a digressing indoor cycling riding position which may cause strain on your back and neck if you ride for extended periods of time. The peloton bike does not suffer from this lack of handlebar adjustment though.
Similarities And Differences
Similarities
- Both the Proform TDF exercise bike and Peloton feature adjustable seats and handlebars
- Built-in speakers
- Water bottle holders
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Live classes through iFit and Peloton’s Digital App.
Differences
- The Peloton has a 22″ Touch Screen. On the other hand, Proform only has a 10″ display.
- Proform has terrain matching technology and a digital resistance system whereas the Peloton indoor bike features magnetic resistance.
- Proform has a lifetime warranty on the frame while Peloton only offers five years on the frame.
- Peloton only supports a max user weight capacity of 305 lbs while Proform has a max user weight of 350 pounds.
- The Proform Tour De France has an interchangeable pedal with a toe cage and support for cleated shoes. In contrast, the Peloton bike only supports Look Delta Compatible Pedals.
Features and Specs
Price
The price is going to be the sticking point for many people because the Proform model is simply much cheaper. Coming in with a one-time fee of $1499 depending on where you’re buying, that’s all you’re going to pay. While it is more expensive than some other bikes on the market, it’s likely not too demanding on most people’s wallets
When looking at the Peloton though, this bike is going to come in at a pricy $2245, so it’s elevated into its own upper echelon. As soon as you go over $2000, many people are going to pause and wonder if it really is worth it which many exercise bike enthusiasts would shout yes, yes it is.
But that’s not all. On top of that, you also have a $39 monthly membership you have to pay in order to use the bike’s features. So this is what will immediately put many people off. Getting into a monthly membership situation is not something that many people even remotely want to do especially as they could spend a monthly membership on going to the gym, so you may find that makes your mind up instantly. The bike is nice, but it simply doesn’t have enough to offer to go that route.
So there you have some important points to remember when considering the Peloton vs. the Proform Tour De France. Both bikes are very good options, but you will likely find that the Proform fits your budget more.
Console Features
When it comes to the console, both bikes are very well done with bright LED screens that are easy to navigate and fun to use. The Peloton screen is used to stream spinning classes all over the world, led by an instructor so you get that additional motivational push.
The Proform Tour De France console on the other hand is used to help guide you through different races done on le Tour De France, so it gives you that realistic biking experience.
We can’t really say that one is better than the other here definitively, as it all boils down to personal preference. If you are more motivated by actually feeling like you are going somewhere and a change of scenery, chances are you will enjoy the Proform model more.
If, on the other hand, you prefer motivation that comes from an instructor, the Peloton will be a better choice for you.
iFit
The Proform bike does come with iFit enabled, so you can track your workouts and get workouts on-demand.
Peloton doesn’t offer this, however with its live-streaming fitness classes, you get something totally else. You can tune into a spin class all around the world, anytime you want to ride.
Incline
Perhaps one of the most notable features of the Peloton vs. Tour De France is the fact that the Tour De France model comes with great incline features. This allows you to actually adjust the positioning on the bike so that it mimics going up a hill which is a very unique feature.
With most bikes, you simply just need to increase the resistance in order to give that feeling that you are pedaling upwards, but with this one, you get that lifelike feel. The added resistance will only add another layer on top of it.
Peloton vs ProForm Bike Screen Comparison
When it comes to the screens on these two bikes, it’s pretty hard to separate them. They both have bright LED screens that are very user-friendly. The Peloton screen allows you to access live classes led by an instructor. I absolutely love this feature – it’s perfect for giving me motivation on days where I’m feeling sluggish.
The screen on the ProForm TDF allows you to simulate different stages of the Tour De France. I found this to be a lot of fun and very challenging – not to mention motivating!
In terms of size, Peloton’s screens are much bigger than ProForm’s. My Peloton Bike has a 21.5-inch multitouch screen, and my ProForm TDS has a 10-inch screen. I find that the 10-inch screen is actually big enough, as it’s close to my face when I’m pedaling. Still, the 21.5-inch Peloton screen is pretty sweet.
Overall, I’d say that Peloton edges it in terms of screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Peloton better than a treadmill?
Peloton exercise bikes are better than treadmills for a number of reasons. For a start, they’re much safer than treadmills, and they reduce the risk of injury when you work out.
Cycling has a much lower impact than running, putting less stress on joints, bones, and connective tissues. This makes it a better form of exercise than walking or running on a treadmill. If you have chronic pain or injuries, an exercise bike is the wisest choice.
Is ProForm bike a good brand?
ProForm is one of the most respected brands when it comes to stationary bikes. Its products, like the ProForm Studio Bike Pro, feature high-quality LED screens, solid bike ergonomics, and magnetic digital resistance.
ProForm also allows you to access subscription-based classes and trainers. The ProForm Studio Bike Pro and the ProForm Tour De France have excellent durability, functionality and are easy to assemble. Although Peloton may be the more popular brand, ProForm is also a great option.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Peloton?
Peloton is an amazing brand, but its products do tend to be pretty expensive. The Peloton Bike costs $1,445 and the Peloton Bike+ costs $2,495. If this is outside of your budget, there are cheaper alternatives to Peloton available.
Echelon is a great brand that makes solid exercise bikes, and its products cost significantly less than Peloton’s. The Echelon Sport Smart Connect is available for around $800 and the subscription fees for virtual classes are much lower than what Peloton charges.
Echelon’s bikes aren’t quite up to the standard of Peloton, but they still have really good features considering their relatively low price point.
How does a stationary bike help your body?
- Easy on Joints: Stationary bikes are a low impact on your joints. Just make sure the bike is set appropriately for your body. You definitely want your legs in the right position so you don’t cause undue wear and tear on your knees.
- Cardio: Riding a stationary bike can provide a great cardio workout – especially when you are using a bike like the Proform TDF Bike and the iFit program. The rides are built to give you a great workout and that includes getting your heart rate up.
- Home Workout: The first thing that is great about a stationary bike is that it can live in your home. In the long run that saves you on gym memberships. It also saves you a whole lot of time.
Is using an exercise bike a good way to lose weight?
Riding a stationary bike can be great for weight loss. As with any workout, it depends on the duration and intensity of your workout, but cycling can be a great way to burn calories and work up a sweat.
How long should you ride an exercise bike?
Around 30 to 60 minutes per day should suffice, however, if you’re just starting out it’s ok to spend a little less time. Just ensure you don’t feel any pain when cycling if you do then this is a sign to stop or change how you’re riding.
Verdict
We’ve tested many stationary bikes and even elaborated on the Proform Vs. Peloton debate in another article and while we love the Peloton and ProForm TDF exercise bike. We’ve tested other superior competitors too such as Schwinn and Peloton still comes out on top.
However, looking only at the bikes we compared in this article, we have to give the win to the Peloton bike as it is a higher quality bike than the Proform. With price being the only primary factor that the Peloton loses at it’s clear that in terms of quality the Peloton wins by a lot.
However, as you can tell already the Proform Tour De France is by no means a bad indoor spin bike and still well worth its price. If you’re on a budget then ProForm is the way to go but if you’re willing to invest in your cardio workout then Peloton wins any day of the week.
At the end of the day though, we can’t tell you for sure which is the best. You have the info now and it’s up to you on which bike will help you with your exercise. So good luck and…
Keep pedalling!
Sources
https://www.proform.com/exercise-bikes/tour-de-france-pro-4-bike
https://www.t3.com/reviews/peloton-bike-plus
