Horizon fitness Upright U bike vs Horizon Evolve 5 elliptical
This is a comparison of the Horizon fitness Upright U bike and the Horizon Evolve 5 elliptical including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

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Overview and review of the Horizon fitness Evolve 5 elliptical
This is an overview of the Horizon fitness Evolve 5 elliptical including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article was first published in Which Horizon fitness elliptical to get?
For the most up to date information and asking direct questions you can follow me on Instagram.
Overview of the Evolve 5 elliptical $1,399
The
Horizon Evolve 5 elliptical is the current flagship elliptical in the Horizon lineup. It’s main distinguishing feature is the big flywheel which provides a smoother ride and lower need for maintenance. This is the right choice if you like Horizon and the idea of an elliptical and do not want to compromise. The full specifications of this machine run as follows:
Frame Type: Sic Star Folding
Flywheel:23
Stride Length: 20
Incline Range: N/A
Resistance Range: 20 Electronically adjustable
Step on height (inches): 10
Extras: Built-in speakers, Energy Saver Mode, Passport ready, Tablet rack, Water Bottle holder
Electrical requirements: 110 lot and 220 Volt
Weight: 181 lbs.
Assembled dimensions: 69" x 28" x 69"
Max user weight: 300
Warranty - Frame: Lifetime
Warranty - Brake: 3 years
Warranty - Flywheel: N/A
Warranty - Parts: 3 years
Warranty - Labor: 1 year
Pros of the Evolve 5 elliptical
This elliptical has all the bells and whistles and the biggest flywheel that Horizon currently offers. With the finding mechanic, it takes up considerably less space when it is not in use. If you want the most amount of elliptical money can buy from Horizon, then this is the model for you.
Cons of the Evolve 5 elliptical
With $1400 the
Horizon Evolve 5 is the highest priced elliptical in the Horizon lineup. For that high price, I think you get not a lot of extra compared to the
Evolve 3 or
AE 7.0. The only thing the
Evolve 5 has going for it is the big flywheel. This is only relevant when you either go very hard at it or intend to be a lot of mileage on it in a short frame of time. The console is not internet-ready and only gives you updates about the preloaded workouts.
Alternatives to the Evolve 5 elliptical
The
Evolve 3 is in my opinion the better option if you buy into the idea of a foldable elliptical. It costs less and almost does the same as the
Horizon Evolve 5 except for a smaller flywheel.
The
Nordictrack SE 7i is the entry-level elliptical from Nordictrack. If Horizon is out of stock or you want to compare prices you can go with this one too.
The
Rogue Echo Bike is is my opinion the best option for homeowners who want to go hard at it on a small footprint on a bike. Its low-budget competitor is the
TITAN fan bike.
Conclusion for the Evolve 5 elliptical
The
Horizon Evolve 5 is great when you like to buy the best and have berthing for your home gym elliptical. For commercial use I think the folding approach to the frame is not a great idea as it provides too much opportunity for things to break. For home gym users I think that the
AE 7.0 Elliptical is a better value for money.
Overview and review of the Horizon fitness Upright U bike
This is an overview of the Horizon fitness Upright U bike including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article was first published in Which Horizon fitness bike to get?
For the most up to date information and asking direct questions you can follow me on Instagram.
Overview of the Horizon Comfort U upright bike $679
The
Horizon Comfort U upright bike is a good choice for anyone who does not want to go hard at their workout and life prevents them to go outside to get exercise. This is the right bike for anyone who can not get out of the house to have a walk or cycle that often because you live in a very hot or cold area. If you live in an area where you rather not step outside at certain times because you feel vulnerable then this bike is also a way to get in your exercise anytime you want without making it too strenuous. A great alternative to sitting on the couch whilst watching TV or browsing through the internet leisurely as long as you do not lumbar support to do this. The full specifications of this machine are:
Frame Type: Upright
Pedal Type: Self Balancing pedals
Seat Type: Gel comfort seat
Seat Adjustment: Horizontal, Vertical
Resistance System: ECB Magnetic Brake
Heart rate: Handgrips, Polar wireless receiver
Extras: Built-in speakers, Energy saver mode, tablet rack, Water bottle holder
Max user weight: 300
Weight: 77lbs
Assembled dimensions: 65 x 26 x 53
Home Warranty - Frame: Lifetime
Home Warranty - Parts: 1 year
Home Warranty - Labor: 1 year
Pros of the Horizon Comfort U upright bike
The pros of the Horizon U upright bike are:
-
Simple design
-
Good tablet holder
-
Warranty
The Horizon U is simple in its design and therefore not intimidating to get on and off on or use. Just step on and start to cycle while watching your favorite streaming service on your own device. The tablet holder is in a good spot and makes a lot of sense to use. Nothing to fancy, but sometimes simple just wins. Compared to other options you can get for less money, especially on no-name Amazon resellers, you know that you will be covered by a good warranty from a company that specializes in exercise equipment.
Cons of the Horizon Comfort U upright bike
-
Lightweight
-
Handle positioning
-
Console
The main con of this bike is that it is very light. If you are heavy or unstable you might want to opt for something with a bigger frame or a
recumbent bike to feel safer. If you still can easily ride your own bicycle, go for this one.
The handle positioning of this bike can not be changed. Depending on how your body is shaped you might find it awkward to get into the cycling position and then you are stuck with that setting. Other bikes provide a little more flexibility with different handles or handles that can be adjusted more.
The last con of this bike is the console. If you prefer your multimedia options to be integrated into the console rather than using your own device, then this machine is not the best pick.
Alternatives to the Horizon Comfort U upright bike
The
Horizon Comfort R is the Horizon
recumbent bike with lumbar support. This means you get a full seat with this bike where you can rest your back against. If you can not sit upright on a bike yourself or if you are very heavy then this machine might be the better option for you.
The
Nordictrack VU19 is another option on a comfortable upright bike from Nordictrack. If Horizon is out of stock and you want something fast, or if you just want to keep your options open, then have a look at the
VU19 as an alternative.
The
concept 2 skierg provides a moderate workout that can be scaled to very intense workouts on a small footprint. If you want a machine that you can easily fit into your home that can address all kinds of intensities without being too noisy then this is a good pick. The only downsides are that you have to be able to stand for the duration of your workout and that it mainly works your upper body instead of your lower body.
The
Nordictrack VR25 is the recumbent bike alternative from Nordictrack to the
Horizon Recumbent R. If you are buying for yourself you might want to give it a look before hitting buy.
Conclusion for the Horizon Comfort U upright bike
The
Horizon Comfort U upright bike is a great option for anyone who wants to simulate a leisure bike ride at home because whether or surroundings do not allow for this. It is not designed for very heavy athletes or very intense workouts as the frame is rather light.