MYX Fitness Bike vs. Echelon: The Options Abound

A completely different approach to the “Peloton Revolution” is seen when the comparing the MYX Fitness Bike and the Echelon Connect Exercise Bike series. The good news is, options are certainly abound. With the Echelon family of bikes first introduced in 2018, and the MYX Fitness Bike born in 2020, shoppers see two relatively young entrants into the realm of home fitness. And whereas the MYX brand has spent this time advancing its lineup into two bikes, the MYX Fitness Bike and the MYX Plus, the Echelon team has already spun out into the Connect EX-3, EX-5, EX-5S, EX-7S, and EX-Pro.

The two big differences customers will see between these biking systems is in the resistance and virtual fitness programming. Whereas the Echelon bikes utilize Silent Magnetic Resistance, the MYX Fitness Bikes have opted to stick with traditional friction resistance. Meanwhile, the Echelon Fitness App brings an assortment of thousands of live and on-demand classes which run the gamut of stylings. The MYX Fitness program meanwhile is designed around the concept of heartrate zones, with trainers and programs geared to help users personalize their workout around their own individual cardio levels.

Substantive differences at the qualitative level, but in the end both bikes are well liked by their respective fan bases. Read below as we break down the MYX Plus against the Echelon Connect EX-5S as comparable in terms of price. At $1,474 , the MYX Plus comes in slightly under the EX-5S at $1,599.99. To read our full review of the MYX Fitness Bike click here. To read our review of the Best Echelon Exercise Bikes, read here. Continue below to see why we think tech-savvy exercise fans should consider rolling one of these two bikes into their home as we outline the specs.

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MYX Plus Bike Specs & Highlights

The upper-level version of the MYX Fitness family, the MYX Plus brings the same overall philosophy of exercise to the home gym. Purchase comes with stabilizing mat and six-piece dumbbell set. The MYX Fitness approach is built around the idea of targeting personalized heartrate zones, and a Polar OH1 Heartrate Monitor is included with the purchase. The MYX Plus measures 54 inches x 21 inches x 47 inches, adjusts for riders between 4 feet 11 inches up to 6 feet 8 inches, and has a maximum user weight capacity of 350 pounds. Equipped with a 21.5-inch swiveling HD touch screen, the bike utilizes the MYX Fitness App which connects to Apple Watches, Apple Health, Apple TV, or Chromecast, and can be used on two different devices simultaneously, and is priced at $37 per month. Some of the top features of this bike include:

• Comfort-based ergonomics
• 21.5” HD touch screen which swivels
• Heavy 41-pound flywheel
• Purchase includes dumbbell packages and mat
• Separate Coach and Music volume controls
• Dual water bottle holders
• Dual sided petals—SPD clips and toe cages both fitted
• Can hold up to 350lbs

Read our full Myx Fitness Bike Review here.

EX-5S Specs & Highlights

Built for interactive training, the EX-5S was the first of the Echelon Connect Bikes to include a 21.5-inch screen which swivels. Earlier, less expensive, versions of the series required users to bring their own device. Designed with Silent Magnetic Resistance by way of a 13-kilogram flywheel, the bike offers up to 32 levels of resistance. The Echelon Fit App program, priced at $39.99 per month, features a large swath of on-demand or live training programs from professional trainers around the world. Measuring 54 inches in length x 20 inches wide, the bike has a maximum user weight of 300 pounds. Some of the top features of this bike include:

• 21.5” HD touch screen which swivels
• Silent Magnetic Resistance with 32 levels
• Thousands of different rides and workout options
• SPD compatible as well as full toe cages
• Dual water bottle holders
• Competition seat with 6-inch lever adjustment

Read our full EX-5S Bike Review here.

EX-5S Vs. MYX Plus Breakdown

Key Differences Between The MYX Plus Bike and EX-5S

Size-wise, they’re so close one can set them next to one another. The biggest differences between the entire lineup of Echelon bikes and MYX is that between traditional friction resistance and Silent Magnetic Resistance. And herein one has to go with their own preferences. That said, the magnetic system has tended to rule the market as of late due to its smooth ride as one increases speed. By the bike’s sliding magnets closer and further from the flywheel, resistance is smoothly increased or lowered without so much as a wobble. With friction, it can be a little rougher at the higher speeds, although a heavy 41-pound flywheel does offer a tremendous amount of stability.

The second big difference between these two fitness families is with the apps. Both machines are clearly designed to work with their own line of programming, and while both are comparably priced, there are significant differences. The Echelon Fitness App is more in line with other bike programs in that it offers thousands of live and on-demand videos, with professional trainers and stat tracking. Meanwhile, the MYX family of machines brings a heartrate zone approach with one-on-one training geared at getting riders into a zone appropriate for their own goals. Both apps offer non-bike exercises for the ground as well as on the feet, but the difference in strategies is stark.

Where The MYX Plus Bike Leads

• Size-wise the bikes are virtually the same, but the MYX Plus offers a 350-pound user weight maximum. This might be a deal-breaker for larger riders looking to lose weight.
• The MYX approach to cardio training by way of heartrate zones is not just unique, but research-driven. The bike comes with a great heartrate monitor and for those who want this type of training, it’s a good deal.
• We would normally offer as criticism the 1-year warranty as most other bikes come with significantly longer guarantees. That said, the competition here is the same and so it’s a tie.
• MYX did sneak in another feature that many will love—independent volume adjustment between the workout soundtrack and the instructors. Some people struggle with background noise, and others would rather listen to their own playlists, so this is a smart solution.

Where The EX-5S Bike Leads

• The EX-5S is slightly less expensive than the other bike, so we’ll give them the edge there.
• Silent Magnetic Resistance is consistently chosen by consumers and hard-core riders over traditional friction. If one is heavy pedal mover, then the smoother resistance here will win out for sure.
• For fans of Peloton-style apps, the Echelon Fitness App will be much more familiar. With thousands of different trainers, they’ll like the diverse nature of the training offered.
• Again, we’ll call the short warranty a tie here.

In Conclusion…

Frankly, if it comes down to price, we’d recommend checking into the entire Echelon Bike lineup as there are lower-priced models, although most are built for the user to bring their own tablet or phone. Or, as is the case with the MYX bikes, smart televisions are also an option for both. Overall though, we’re going with the Echelon Bikes due to the Silent Magnetic Resistance as opposed to traditional friction resistance. Unless someone is just all-in for heavy flywheel-based resistance, we’d say the Echelon Bikes are the way to go here.

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See the Echelon Connect EX-5S Price Here!