This article discusses the pros, cons, and alternatives for the Nordictrack S15i.This review was originally posted in “Which Nordictrack bike to get”. Follow the links for more details.
The
S15i Nordictrack is part of the flag line S series from Nordictrack. Its main features are the 14-inch screen, 20% incline, and the two free dumbbells which can be put on the bike. The
S15i will be a good choice for anyone who wants to exercise at home and bring the outdoors indoors. It comes with an I fit subscription for the first year and is more space-efficient than treadmills or ellipticals. The full list of features reads as followed:
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Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
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-10% – 20% Incline
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SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
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OneTouch® Controls
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Enhanced Corrosion Resistance
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Large Diameter Adjustable Leveling Feet
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22 Digital Resistance Levels
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150 kg User Capacity
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Commercial Grade Steel Construction
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Dual Water Bottle Holders
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Two 3 Lb. Dumbbells Included
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Compatible with Standard Road Bike Pedals & Seat
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Front-mounted Transport Wheels
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Assembled Dimensions - 141 L x 55 W x 154 H cm
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Warranty - 2 Years parts and labour; 5 year frame guarantee upon warranty registration within 28 days of purchase.
This is a solid option if the
S22i is not in stock and you are in a rush or just want a little smaller screen. Still, around 2000 for just a bike is a hefty investment for a home gym. For this amount of money, you can buy a squat stand, barbell, and plates if you are more into strength.
Pros of the S15i
The pros of the
S15i are as followed:
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14-inch screen
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20% incline
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Free dumbbells
The
S15i omes with a high-quality touch screen which Nordictrack also uses in their elliptical and treadmill setups. This is a good size and the screen is crisp. If you care about screens you will not be disappointed with this one.
The
S15i gives you a wide range of incline options from -10% up to 20%. With this you can simulate most outdoor rides at home. Combined with the Ifit this makes a compelling workout machine for the home which keeps you engaged a long time. From the easiest to the most challenging workouts you will find something for any level in the Nordictrack repository.
The free dumbbells are a nice bonus to make the
S15i a home gym rather than just a bike. Apart from the regular bike workouts Nordictrack also has stretches and strength exercises in their library which can be done on and off the bike to make it a 360-degree experience. Don't expect too much for strength results out of two 3lbs dumbbells, but they definitely will help anyone who likes to tone and stretch.
Cons of the S15i
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No hrm
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Price to screen ratio
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No Bluetooth
The
S15i, as the
S22i do not come with a Heart rate monitoring device and also has no Bluetooth. For a machine with such a price tag this is definitely an oversight on Nordictrack's behalf. Experienced cyclists might want to sync all of their data with their polar devices from the indoor and outdoor runs and just simply can not do that as there is no Bluetooth to hook up. Great for Nordictrack to monopolize the data and lock you in. Bad for anyone who wants to use more than just the
S15i to stay fit. As there is no Bluetooth you will also not be able to hook up your Bluetooth headphones to the machine. This can be a real bummer if you live in a house with thin walls or just like your music and instructions extra loud.
Another thing specific to the
S15i is the price to screen ratio. When you purchase you will at some stage make a decision whether you need a big touchscreen to keep engaged or not. If you decide that this is throwing money in a bottomless pit, you will probably not get any screen at all. If you decide you want a screen, you will probably tend towards getting one that is as big as possible. If that is the case you might as well go for the
S22i. The price of both bikes is the 2000 range so you might as well go for 22 instead of 14 inches and take it all the way down to town. If you can afford a 2000 bike you can afford one for 2500. Why compromise at the upper range of the portfolio?
Alternatives to the Nordictrack S15i
These are alternatives to the
S15i in the same price range:
The
Nordictrack X9i treadmill is the cheapest 40% incline treadmill in the Nordictrack portfolio. It is a little outdated as the Product range has moved on to the
X32i,
X22i, and
X11i in the United States. In the UK the
X9i is still available. The
X9i has a relatively small screen but makes up for it with a strong motor and incline. If you have space, run a lot, and care for an incline up to 40% this might be a better option than shelling out 2000 on the
S15i.
The
Nordictrack T9.5 is another option that would even save you a little money compared to the
S15i. The main point this treadmill has going for it is a very strong motor. If you want to put in a lot of miles per week without crazy inclines and a reasonable screen, this can also be an option.
If you have to accommodate different fitness levels in your home or do not have space in your commercial setting to have a lot of machines, then the
FS7i can be a good option. This elliptical has the option to function as a treadmill, stepper, and elliptical based on how you use it. This gives it a very wide range of people to work with. The downside of the design is that it takes up more space than the
S15i, is more prone to error, and has no option for a big screen to be attached. The free stride technology also requires a little bit of balance and fine motor skills to make it work for you. This might be overwhelming for the very clumsy among us. who are better off opting for an elliptical with a fixed range of motion.
The
concept 2 model D is the classic rowing machine that dominates this segment of the fitness market. If you want to save about 1000 compared to the
S15i and like rowing this is a viable option. It will take more space than a bike, but can be hanged on the wall if it is not used. In a commercial setting this is also more cost-efficient to built a fleet rather than paying 2000 per unit with the
S15i.
My personal favorite for home gyms is the
Rogue Echo bike. for about 700 you will get a tank of an airbike that has everything that is necessary to take everything out of you. If you do not need a screen to be entertained and want one of the best stationary bikes for home use, this is the one. However, this bike has been designed with the serious athlete in mind. Comfort or entertainment was only an afterthought in this design.
Summary for the Nordictrack S15i
The
S15i has the same bike as a base then the
S22i. The main reason to look into this direction in the Nordictrack portfolio is that you want a bike with a big screen but not go over 2000 to get it. In my opinion, this is a bit of a false economy to make you feel less bad about shelling out 2500 on a bike, when you could buy a used car for the kids for that. If you think you need the luxury of a touch screen to work out, you might as well buy the
S22i. If you want to justify the purchase you will use this bike for probably five years at least. So just spent 100 less a year on fitness toys and you are fine. Another option is to just get rid of the touch screen and save 2000.