TITAN fan bike vs Nordictrack S15i

This is a comparison between the TITAN fan bike and the Nordictrack S15i including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article has been originally published in which conditioning equipment to get from TITAN. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the Nordictrack S15i 2199 / 1599 (UK/US)

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:

14” Smart HD Touchscreen
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 - 141 L x 55 W x 154 H cm
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:

14-inch screen
20% incline
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

The Cons of the Nordictrack S15i are:

No hrm
Price to screen ratio
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.

Overview and review of the TITAN fan bike

This is an overview of the TITAN fan bike including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article was originally published in Which cardio equipment to get from TITAN. Follow the links for more details.

Overview of the TITAN Fan bike

The TITAN fan bike is a clone of the Rogue Echo bike with massive wheels on it. One other major difference is that it is driven by a chain rather than a belt. Price-wise it undercuts the Rogue echo bike. Fanbikes are ideal for interval training to really kick your butt with Tabata training or other forms of interval training. For this, fan bikes are far superior to treadmills or rowing machine. If you want to burn the maximum amount of calories in the shortest amount of time, fan bikes are the best option for the lowest price. The details of the TITAN fan bike are:

Height: 50-in

Seat height: 33 - 42.75 in

Footprint: 50.25-in x 20.375-in

Handle diameter: 38 mm

Wheel diameter: 10-in x 3-in.

Finish: Powder-Coated Black

Material: Heavy-Duty Steel

Weight capacity: 330lb

Product weight: 111lb.

- Fully enclosed metal chain drive

- Removable fan guard

- LCD Console Display with customizable modes

- Bluetooth Heart Rate function pairs with Polar® Bluetooth Heart Rate Transmitters

- Tracks Time, Distance, Heart Rate, RPM, Calories, Watts, Odometer

- High-Intensity Interval Training Programs

- Large ergonomic seat with multi-adjustment options

- Knurled footpegs and rear handle

- Reinforced metal foot pedals

- Sealed cartridge bearings utilized in every pivot

- Turf tires for easy moving over any terrain

- Aluminum Water Bottle Holder

- Phone holder with grippy pad

- Assembly hardware

This is a solid low price fan bike, especially if you want to use it outside. The only downside is the chain which is more likely to break than a belt.

Pros of the TITAN Fan bike

Price
Big wheels

The price of the TITAN fan bike is something to behold and undercuts the Rogue Echo bike even further. The Echo bike already was an attack on the $1000 mark in the Airbike sector and TITAN is taking it one step further by making it even cheaper.

Another bonus are the bigger wheels on the TITAN. This is a smart move on TITAN's behalf to differentiate the TITAN fan bike from the rest of the line up in fan bikes. These big wheels are great for the outdoors or a garage gym with very rough surfaces.

Cons of the TITAN fan bike

The cons of the TITAN fan bike are:

Computer unit
Chain drive
Build

The computer unit and arrangement of the buttons is not as convenient as with other vendors on the market. The computer of the Rogue Echo bike has different programs on speed dial beside the panel and the display is also bigger. The display is also a little removed from you so that your sweat won't drop as easily on it. If you lean forward on the TITAN fan bike on a strenuous session, your sweat will be all over the screen.

Chain drives are cheaper and easier to build but also make for a less smooth transition of force to the flywheel and make the machine more prone to malfunction. This is more of a consideration for very heavy users, as it takes some time to get a chain to break, but still, something to consider, especially in commercial settings.

Overall the TITAN fan bike is one of the air bikes that feels the flimsiest of the different products which are available in the market from bigger vendors. This is TITAN's style of cutting corners where they can to bring you the cheapest possible viable product for a given purpose. If you want to save money, you'll like it.

Alternatives to the TITAN Fan bike

Alternatives to the TITAN fan bike are:

Rogue Echo bike
NordicTrack VU 19
Schwinn Airdyne
Versaclimber

The Rogue Echo bike has been the disruptor in the market of air bikes. It was the first air bike of a reputable brand that undercut the $1000 mark while still being sturdy. This is the gold standard and if you want to be sure what you are getting, opt for the Echo bike. I own one myself and have put it to a lot of abuse. The only downside of this bike is that it does not have a screen for watching movies, but that is the same for the TITAN fan bike.

The Nordictrack VU 19 is one of the cheapest bikes in the collection of Nordictrack. This bike is more focused on long-distance cycling and comfort for the masses. You will get a small screen to watch movies or browse the internet. This is what would work for the entire family without intimidating anyone. The only disadvantage is that this bike is $1000 instead of considerably lower like the Rogue echo bike and TITAN fan bike.

The Schwinn Airdyne fan bike is the original market leader in the industry which has been dethroned by the Rogue Echo bike. If you want to buy from a company that has been around for a long time and focuses majorly on cardio machines then Schwinn is the right bet.

Versaclimber is the tool to get if you want to burn the most calories possible in the shortest amount of time on the smallest footprint. A workout on a Versaclimber is relentless and will get your pulse racing and sweat rolling. To top this of these machines also have a very small footprint and therefore save space in any home gym environment. The disadvantages are that you need a high ceiling and that the price is far beyond $1000. If you only want the best and be fast

Conclusion for the TITAN Fan bike

The TITAN fan bike is everything that TITAN stands for. They take a great product where another company took the lead. Then they try to get a share of that market by becoming the cost leader. This is reflected in the product, its finish, and the subtle little details like the sweat dripping directly on the electronics. The Fan bike will do its job and it will do it well. If you want to be proud of your equipment you might want to look somewhere else. But in the end, it is just fitness equipment.