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Nordictrack S10i vs concept 2 model E

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Jul 18, 2020 4:00:00 PM

Nordictrack S10i vs concept 2 model E

This is a comparison of the Nordictrack S10i and the concept 2 model E including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the concept 2 model E

The Concept 2 Model E comes in at $1100. In this article you will learn more about the product itself, its Pros and cons and alternatives you might want to consider. This article has originally been published in the overview "Which conditioning equipment to buy from Rogue".

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Overview of the Concept 2 model E

 
The concept 2 model E tower is one of the top of range rower options from concept 2. The main difference to other rowers is the seat height and protection of the chain. Think of this as a beefed up version of towers that you can easier get on and off. 
 
Concept 2 also delivers the PM5 Monitor with the Model E rower. This computer gets very good feedback a across the board in the industry. It enables you to link multiple rowers together to have a race. Whatever you get, make sure that it has a function to store your times and race against yourself. That is very satisfying and useful. The concept 2 model e rower comes with the following specifications: 
 
  • 54” monorail length
  • 20” seat height 
  • 5-year warranty frame parts
  • 2-year warranty all part
 
The concept 2 Model E is a great option to beef up your existing rower assortment or to directly start with a model that has been perfected over time.
 

Pros of the concept 2 model E

 
The pros of the model E rower are: 
 
  • Static arm 
  • Higher seat 
  • PM5 monitor
  • Bulkier frame 
 
The PM5 monitor is fixed on a status arm compared to other rower models. This makes it easier to keep it in place and the material is less likely to fail. Even though the adjustable arms seems nice they actually cause more trouble than extra value. Over time you have to tighten the screws and take care so that monitor will not be all over the place during a challenge challenging workout. A static arm is much preferred in my opinion as long as it fixed at a height that makes sense to do the readings.
 
A higher seat has several advantages. If you have very big athletes or someone who can not get on the lower seat option from other rowers, than this is the solution. It is also great if you want to switch between workouts quickly in circuit training. 
 
The PM5 monitor is also an advantage of other models. This monitor is becoming standard across the concept 2 range but just check before purchase whether it is really on or you need to select another option. I hear a lot of good about this monitor. 
 
The bulkier frame will make it possible for the model E to take more of beating if your intention is to use it in a gym setup. 
 

Cons of the concept 2 model E

 
The cons of the concept 2 model e are 
 
  • Price 
  • Specificity 
  • Space requirements 
 
The price of the model E is quite a bit higher than for most other rower options. If you only want to row you might be able to save the worth of a barbell or a couple of plates by going for a different option.
 
Rowing is not very specific to most sports except CrossFit and rowing itself. If you are building a team that competes in some kind of major league you will still need treadmills besides the rowers. In addition, the higher seat is also less specific to actual rowing. The Olympic rowing boats are tiny and you sit very closely to the ground. 
 
The last disadvantage of a rower is the space requirement. Compared to a bike, especially for a home gym, the length of the unit can turn into a real headache. 
 

Alternatives to the Concept 2 model E

 
Alternatives to the concept 2 model E rower are
 
 
The concept 2 model d rower would be the logical choice if you want to save some money. It is basically the same machine, just with slower seat and less fancy. If you want to row and be budget conscious this might be the option for you.
 
The Rogue echo bike is a solid alternative for the home gym to kick your butt. It costs considerably less than the model E and delivers a challenging, maybe even better impact on your cardiovascular system.
 
The air assault runner is the budget option for self-propelled running. It is still a lot triple the price of the model E. If you are running an establishment to produce the best you probably need a rower and one of these self-propelled machines. 
 

Summary for the Concept 2 model E

 
The model E is a sound upgrade on the model E aimed at rehab or big boys. It is also one of the best things money can buy from concept 2. Is it worth the extra money compared to the model D? Probably not if you care more about the budget than having the best things in life.
 
 
 

Overview and review of the Nordictrack S10i 1699 (UK)

This article discusses the pros, cons, and alternatives for the Nordictrack S10i.This review was originally posted in “Which Nordictrack bike to get”. Follow the links for more details.

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The S10i is the oldest bike from Nordictrack in the S line up and is currently only available for purchase in the UK. I would expect that after the available stocks are sold, this model will go end of life. The main features of the S10i are the 10 inch Touch screen, 20% incline, and the free dumbbells which come with the purchase. The full list of features includes:
 
  • 10” Smart HD Touchscreen
  • Free Ground Floor Installation Included
  • Watts Power Readout
  • Includes 1 Years iFit Family Membership
  • Auxiliary Music Port
  • Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
  • Ergonomic Padded Saddle
  • AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
  • Non-slip, Multi-position Handlebar
  • Vertical & Horizontal Seat Adjustment
  • Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
  • -10% – 20% Incline
  • SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
  • OneTouch® Controls
  • Enhanced Corrosion Resistance
  • Large Diameter Adjustable Leveling Feet
  • 22 Digital Resistance Levels
  • 150 kg User Capacity
  • Commercial Grade Steel Construction
  • Dual Water Bottle Holders
  • Two 3 Lb. Dumbbells Included
  • Compatible with Standard Road Bike Pedals & Seat
  • Front-mounted Transport Wheels
  • Assembled Dimensions - 140 L x 56 W x 141 H cm
  • Warranty - 2 Years parts and labor; 5-year frame guarantee upon warranty registration within 28 days of purchase.
If you want a bike from Nordictrack with a 20% incline, this is the best value for money you can get as long as you do not mind the smaller screen compared to the rest of the S line. 
 

Pros of the Nordictrack S10i

 
The pros of the S10i are:
 
  • Money to incline ratio
  • Touch screen 
 
The biggest pro of the S10i is the amount of money you spent on the incline. Currently,  this is the cheapest option in the Nordictrack bike line up to get your hands on a 20% incline. The trade-off is a 10inch touch screen which is the smallest compared to the S line models. 
 
For this price range, it is also good to get a touch screen instead of a backlit or LED screen. Other models in the same price range might not provide a touch screen as the S10i used to be the flagship bike when Nordictrack made the swing from Backlit to touch screen displays. 
 

Cons of the S10i 

 
The cons of the S10i are
 
  • No Bluetooth
  • Small touch screen 
  • Oldest model out of the S line
As with the entire S line, the S10i also only has an aux rather than Bluetooth compatibility. This is an oversight of Nordictrack as they did modernize the screens, but did not upgrade the frames for the S series. If engineering had looked for Touch screens with inbuilt Bluetooth they would not have the problem of offering 1000 - 2000 bikes which you can not hook up to your Bluetooth earphones. 
 
If you care about screen real estate than this bike is the worst option in the S line. I also think this is the wrong way of looking at this bike. If you buy it, buy it for the incline, not for the screen. If a big screen is your main concern and you want to save money you can go for the Grand Tour Pro in the US and save some money while still getting a 10inch. 
 
Another downside is that S10i is the oldest model in the S line of bikes from Nordictrack. You can not buy it in the US anymore while it is still available in the UK. If you do not mind fixing things yourself or you are not a heavy user this is no problem. But if you are a gym owner who wants to buy ten of these and use them for 5 years, then you might want to opt for a newer model. 
 

Alternatives to the S10i 

 
Alternatives to the S10i bike are
 
 
The S40 treadmill is part of the older range of treadmills which is still available in the UK. If you want a treadmill which is cheaper now, as it got a bit out of date but was one of the best in its heyday, this is the one to get. 
 
The T7.5 treadmill is currently the best-balanced treadmill of Nordictrack in the lower price range around 1500.  It is also still being sold in the US which makes it a safer investment than the S40 for commercial use. 
 
The 12.9i elliptical from Nordictrack would be a price neutral option if you want to accommodate for more fitness levels in your house. It is usually easier to strike a balance for all users with an elliptical than with a bike. This assumes that you can fit an elliptical in the dedicated space, as they are considerably bigger than the bikes. 
 
The concept 2 model D rower is always a good alternative to safe money when you buy in bulk or can hang it on the wall in a home gym. With the concept 2 model D you can push the cost for your cardio machine under 1000 and own a proven industry standard. Most people think of the concept 2 model D when they think of a rowing machine. Unless they watched too much house of cards. 
 
The Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite for home gym use. This machine is as solid as a tank and has been stripped to the bare necessities to make you sweat. Based on this it comes in at a very competitive price point of around 700. If you are a no-nonsense weekend warrior you can get the Rogue Echo bike and some heavy kettlebells for the price of one S10i bike and get cracking.
 

Summary for the Nordictrack S10i

 
The S10i bike is a great option for someone who does not mind the exercises provided via Ifit too much and already has a screen in their gym. If you are looking for a 20% incline bike of high quality without a lot of entertainment attached to it, this is the machine for you. 10inch used to be the best of the best, but in a time of 32-inch screens latched onto cardio machines the S10i just fell behind. 
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