Overview and review of the NordicTrack FS5i 1499

 

 

 

 

 

The Nordictrack S22i stationary bike is the flagship bike in the current Nordictrack portfolio. Its main features are its 20% incline, 22 HD Touchscreen and the included 3lb dumbbells to be able to do full-body workouts on this machine. This is the bike to get if you want to max out all features with Nordictrack and you are not afraid of paying up to do so. The full feature list includes:

 

• 22” 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

• Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
• Powergrade Incline & Decline Drive System
• -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

• Ergonomic Padded Saddle
• AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
• Non-slip, Multi-position Handlebar
• Vertical & Horizontal Seat Adjustment

• Dual Water Bottle Holders
• Two 3 Lb. Dumbbells Included
• Assembled Dimensions - 140 L x 55 W x 146H cm
• Front-mounted Transport Wheels
• Compatible with Standard Road Bike Pedals & Seat
• Warranty - 2 Years parts and labour; 5 year frame guarantee upon warranty registration within 28 days of purchase.

Pros of the S22i 

It is possible to exchange the seat of the S22i with the one you are already using for your outdoor bike. The same goes for the pedals. This is usually a good option for anyone who already cycles a lot outside and has a semi-professional or even professional setup with their current bike. You can clip into the pedals and give it your all. Still, less experienced cyclists will also get a fully functioning setup with good pedals and a seat.

 

The massive 22-inch screen on the S22i is one of the main factors which drives price. It even has an HDMI connector to take up even more screen real estate. This can interesting if you want to run classes with inexperienced trainers. You just buy the S22i for the instructor and get some other bikes, which are a bit cheaper, in bulk. Hook up the main bike to a projector and you have a good group setup which is not too expensive. I can not really see how you would want even more screen estate at home. I personally think the 22 inch is even overkill. But go for it, if you want to tread yourself. 

 

The S22i bike also comes with an incline/decline system so that you can simulate hill climbs and downhill biking in the sense of the tour de france. You will not recreate the experience of a mountain bike on this, but it is a very good option to take challenging tracks indoors and simulate them when you combine the bike with the Ifit subscription.

 

The S22i also comes with a good sound system that will fill the room with the music and instructions from the available Ifit exercises. This will be needed as the bike does not come with Bluetooth to hook up your earphones to it. 

 

 

The cons of the S22i are:

 

You will have to watch and tighten the seat and the pedals regularly, especially if you are a heavy user. If you compare this to a street bike, it will be more maintenance than you are used to. Still, if you are an average user, you will probably experience this less. 

 

The pedals are attached to an inertia flywheel which means that they will keep moving even if you break. If you are used to using indoor machines and ellipticals this is something you are already familiar with. If you are a very dedicated outdoor cyclist who bought the S22i to press even more miles into a week than spend a little to get used to the mechanics. They are different from how your street bike would react and you might hurt yourself if you want to break at high speed instinctively. 

 

A big oversight for a stationary bike with such a high price tag is that you can not use Bluetooth with the machine. If you are already investing in such a big touch screen it is very safe to assume that you want to make heavy use of the preprogrammed I Fit content. For this, you can not hook the sound up to your earphone. This is bad for use at home or in a gym. For such a high price I would expect Bluetooth to be included.

 

Another con to the S22i is weight capacity. Officially it only goes up to 150kg. If you want to get active to lose some weight, you might want to look at the ellipticals or heavy-duty treadmills to use for walking. Possible models can be the X22i treadmill or the SE7i elliptical.

 

 

Alternatives to the Nordictrack S22i are:

 

 

The Nordictrack 1750 will cost you roughly the same as the S22i bike. With this, you will get one of the most well-balanced treadmills in the Nordictrack portfolio. 1750 is the bread butter machine of Nordictrack and leaves little to be desired if you are an average user or heavy user who does not need a massive incline or screen. Compared to the S22i you get a smaller screen and in return a very reliable treadmill which is good value for money. Of course, this is will take up more space in your home compared to a bike.

 

The Nordictrack X11i is in the same price range as the Nordictrack 1750. With this treadmill, you will get a whopping 40%  incline. It is one of the least costly treadmills out of the 40% incline line up from Nordictrack. If you are a dedicated runner who wants all options on the incline or just wants to maximize calorie burn per minute, this might be the better option. Keep in mind, that a treadmill will have bigger space requirements than a bike.

 

The FS7i elliptical is the most modern elliptical to date from Nordictrack which you can get in the UK and a solid mid-range option in the US. The free stride technology makes this machine a stepper, treadmill, and elliptical in one machine. If you like the cushioned experience of ellipticals and have a good balance, this might be an option for you. The only downsides to this machine are that it is more error-prone than ellipticals with a set range of motion and that you need to get used to how to balance on the machine. Compared to the S22i you will get a smaller screen, it will take up more space, but it will be more friendly for users with a lower fitness level and provide more options for your home gym. Good buy to make the entire family happy, if the most sporty person in the household is willing to compromise.

 

The concept 2 model D rower is an option for anyone who prefers rowing over biking. You will also save about 1000 compared to the S22i. The concept 2 model D rower is a good option fur budget home gym owners or commercial gyms who want to buy in bulk. You can also hang these rowers on the wall quite easily to save space, once you have the right hooks for it.

 

The Rogue Echo Bike is my personal favorite as a choice for a home gym bike with no bells and whistles. It is built like a tank and has been stripped of most of the multimedia features which I find unnecessary. This airbike will take any abuse and has everything on board to get you sweating for around 700 bucks. If you do not need to be motivated by fancy colors and screens, this is a solid bet. 

 

 

The S22i is a great piece of equipment for the dedicated home gym owner who likes to be entertained while he or she is cycling. It can also be a viable option for boutique gyms who want to make their clients feel special and buy in small quantities. That there is no Bluetooth option for the price tag is a major let down. Budget-conscious home gym owners or commercial gyms which have more than 20 people in the cardio area at peaks will not find this to be a viable option because of the high price tag.