Quick Summary
Echelon’s latest entry into the arena for high-end indoor exercise is equipment is the Connect Bike EX-7S, complete with a 21.5-inch HD touchscreen which can pivot 180 degrees. The bike is very comparable to the NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle which is equipped with iFit Coach and comes with a 1-year Family Membership, valued at $468. Price-wise, the EX-7S comes in at $2,038.98 relative to the NordicTrack’s $2,399, which is nearly the same when considering the 1-year iFit package. But online specials and discounts will undoubtedly be offered going forward for each. Meanwhile, the EX-7S is marketed as Echelon’s most heavy-duty bike yet for good reason, as customers can rest assured they’re getting a solid machine.
Specifications
| Model | Echelon Connect Bike EX-7S |
| Rating |  90% |
| List Price | $2039.98 |
| Best Price | $2040 |
| Resistance | electronic magnetic |
| Resistance Type | silent magnetic resistance |
| Type | Indoor |
| Drive System | Kevlar PolyV power drive belt |
| Frame | steel |
| Seat | quad-adjustable |
| Pedals | Commercial grade SPD clips and toe cage |
| Programs | Echelon FitPass |
| Heart Rate | Bluetooth telemetry |
| Display | 21.5" |
| Max. Weight | 325 lbs |
| Dimensions | 54" x 20" |
| Accessory Tray |  |
| Speakers |  |
| Cooling Fans |  |
| Portable? | |
| Warranty | 1-year parts and labor |
Rating:
Our Rating
Rating: 90/100. Exercise bikes entering the 2021 market are connecting the living room to the outside world. The newest entry into this realm of virtual fitness is the Echelon Connect Bike EX-7S. This luxury ride is equipped with a 21.5-inch HD touchscreen and ready for the Echelon FitPass. Pricing for the FitPass starts at $11.99 per month and goes up to $699 for the 2-year plan, with most bike users on the $39.99 per month plan which allows them access to specific programming. With world-class professional trainers on the screen, members have access to both live and pre-programmed classes. Feedback offered includes leader boards for competition, as well as heart rate, calories burned, and the usual RPMs and mileage. Live and pre-set workouts for Yoga, Core, Boxing, Meditation, and both Upper and Lower Body, are included. The membership can also be accessed via other tablets, phones, or smart television sets, allowing users freedom to use the program with other machines and locations.
The Echelon Connect Bike EX-7S is a luxury indoor exercise bike which brings commercial-grade features to the home. Equipped with a 21.5-inch HD touch screen which can swivel 180 degrees, the bike is powered by a lightweight magnetic flywheel for silent operation. The swivel screen allows users to get off the bike for warm-up and cool-down, and incorporate Yoga or Pilates into their biking routine. With a maximum user weight of 325 pounds, and adjustability for heights ranging from 4-feet 5-inches to 6-feet 8-inches, the EX-7S can work well for a family of diverse body types.
The Echelon Connect Bike EX-7S is the brand’s most advanced cycle trainer for the 2021 model year, leading their line-up of equipment which also includes rowers. Comparable to past offerings, the EX-7S brings live-streamed workouts to the home and offers the advantage of a larger screen and more connectivity. With HD resolution and front-facing audio, this extra-wide display allows users to fully immerse themselves in the world of fun fitness irrespective their ability or goals.
Another interesting addition to this unit is the built-in dumbbell holders which allow users to hop on and off the bike for a mixture of workout styles, all in time with the pivoting screen. Two, heavy-duty, comfort-coated steel water bottle holders are also included, meaning users can work up a sweat and satiate their thirst in style.
With a foot print measuring 54 by 20 inches and a machine weight of 124 pounds, the EX-7S fits into users’ homes easily and can be moved around if needed. Customers do need to know in advance the bike requires 110V or 240V, with two ports, front and rear of the frame. Using commercial-grade SPD clips and toe cages, the oversized pedals assist in maximizing comfort during the longer rides. In addition to the dynamic, touchscreen, the bike comes with user-facing dual speakers, Bluetooth audio, and a standard 3.5mm audio jack for either music or workout instructions.
Workout data displayed includes a live leaderboard, watts, RPM, MPH, calories, distance, time, heart rate, and resistance level. Heart rate is taken by way of Bluetooth telemetry, and this does of course require either an Internet connection or WiFi with download speeds at minimum 25 Mbits, and uploads of 512 Kbits. An Ethernet connection is available in port rear of the frame.
With a seat built for comfort, the EX-7S has a quad-adjustable seat, with up/down and handlebars which also move up/down, as well as side to side. The machine operates off a commercial grade crank with a Kevlar PolyV power drive belt. The resistance is generated by way of a silent electronic magnetic Eddy current brake, with neodymium rare earth magnets. And don’t worry about speeding up, a safety brake is included with a simple brake lever.
Whether for use with the included 21.5-inch HD touchscreen, or another device, the bike is clearly designed to be partnered with the Echelon FitPass. This interactive program affords users live streamed workouts, as well as a library of other programs. Workout styles and trainers are as diverse as the potential users, with interests ranging from HIIT to slower paces. As the bike comes equipped with dumbbell holders, users can pivot the screen as they jump off and throw in a few sets of cross-training into the cardio day.
Membership in the Echelon FitPass program is not required to enjoy the bike and screen though. Users could always incorporate a different program, or perhaps just watch television, as they pedal about their program. With fees around $39.99 per month, the Echelon FitPass is very competitive with its rivals, so it really just depends on the user preference.
Full price for the bike is $2,039.98, or as low as $52 per month through the company’s financing. That said, the bike is new to the market for 2021 and specials are sure to come throughout the year. The Echelon Connect Bike EX-7S comes with a 30-day money back guarantee and a one-year warranty on parts and labor. This is one area where rivals do offer a little more, as the warranty is a bit short.
Overall though, the bike is a terrific addition to the Echelon line-up and geared towards advanced riders who want to exercise in comfort and style. The price strikes one as a little higher than other models, but it is a bigger and more robust package than the simpler units. The bike is definitely worth our high rating, although we would like to see a little stronger warranty in return for the price.
Pros:
- Echelon FitPass-ready for spin class videos and live workouts
- 21.5-inch touch screen with high definition
- Diverse levels of resistance
- Quiet magnetic flywheel system
- Quad-adjustable padded seat
- Commercial-grade SPD clips and toe cages
- Multigrip handlebars
- Dumbbell holders for upper-body exercise (Dumbbells sold separately)
- User-facing dual speakers; Bluetooth audio; standard 3.5 mm audio jack
- Bluetooth telemetry for heart rate
- Two water bottle holders
- 325-pound user weight capacity
- Kevlar PolyV power drive belt
Cons:
- Pricier than the average home exercise bike
- Only a 1-year warranty on parts and labor
Introduction
The Echelon Connect Bike EX-7S is a digitally connected home exercise bike with a 21.5-inch screen ready for rolling. This top-flight fitness machine can stream live workouts led by professional trainers in remote locations, as well as utilize other programs and videos, or pre-recorded workouts. Pedal away to the scenes and sounds of locomotives riding the rails of any country, or perhaps through the deserts, mountains, or beaches. Specs include silent magnetic resistance and Bluetooth telemetry, as well as audio options which make for a complete experience.
Workout Programs
The Echelon Connect Bike EX-7S can be used with, or without, the Echelon FitPass package. If one does utilize that program, one membership can be accessed on multiple devices, not just the bike’s 21.5-inch screen. Whether hooked up to a phone, tablet, or a smart television, participants can access live classes led by professional trainers, as well as pre-built programs. Class diversity ranges from Yoga and Pilates to boxing and cardio.
Spin class videos available on-demand are also part of the package, but keep in mind the screen can be used without that particular app. The great thing about in-home exercise bikes is that they can be located anywhere in the house where a large screen television is. Equipped with user-facing dual speakers, Bluetooth audio, and a standard 3.5 mm audio jack, users can surround themselves with sound while enjoying the visuals. Workout data displayed includes the live leaderboard, watts, RPM, MPH, calories, distance, time, heart rate, and resistance level.
Connect Bike EX-7S Features
The Echelon Connect Bike EX-7S’ most eye-catching feature is the 21.5-inch HD touchscreen which can display live workouts by way of the Echelon PitPass, or other workout apps of the user.
Many riders these days like to keep their mobile devices handy, and the bike can be utilized with an Ethernet connection or WiFi, which helps. The workout can be amplified by music using the front-facing dual speakers, Bluetooth audio, and a standard 3.5 mm audio jack.
The EX-7S requires 110V or 240V and has two ports, front and rear of frame. Built with commercial-grade SPD clips and toe cages on the pedals, the bike also has a quad-adjustable seat. With a weight capacity of 325 lbs, the unit can be adjusted for users between 4-feet 5-inches to 6-feet 8-inches, meaning nearly anyone.
Dumbbell holders are incorporated into the machine for cross-training and workouts which mix cardio and strength. Given that the 21.5-inch screen pivots 180 degrees, users can hop down on the floor for a few minutes of stretching at will. For heart rating monitoring, the EX-7S sports Bluetooth telemetry with read-out on the screen.
Warranty & Guarantee
The standard warranty for the Echelon Connect Bike EX-7S provides:
– 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
– Parts: 1 year
– Labor: 1 year
Conclusion
Top-notch among Echelon cycle trainers, the Connect Bike EX-7S has big appeal to luxury shoppers seeking a large screen and live-streaming. It’s the most heavy-duty of the brand’s indoor bikes, and comes built for use. This ride’s full price is high in relation to the warranty, but the customers looking at these models are probably accustomed to those dollar amounts.
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