Bowflex C6 vs. Peloton Bike: Why I Bought the C6!

The new technology that is being created today for indoor cycling bikes is incredible. The industry is revamping the rider experience making it more fascinating and interactive with added bike features and capabilities. The Bowflex C6 and Peloton models are incredibly similar with their sleek design, belt-driven flywheels, magnetic resistance systems, and red and black color scheme. While these two bikes include many similarities, they also have significant differences. 

When I recently decided to purchase a new indoor cycling bike, I thoroughly vetted each option to find which one was right for me. Although, in the end, I bought the Bowflex C6, we will examine what makes both of these cycles exceptional to help identify which model is suitable for you.

Quick Comparison Table

Where C6 is Better

The Bowflex C6 is priced at $999, making it an affordable indoor cycling option while delivering a bike design and riding experience that you would expect from a more expensive bike. In addition, both the handlebars and saddle offer four-way adjustability, making it easier to find the correct riding position. This feature is especially critical for shorter riders.

The Bowflex C6 doesn’t have a cycling platform built into the bike, so it allows you to have greater versatility in selecting a riding program of your choice. Many other bikes on the market, including the Peloton, lose some functionality if you decide not to purchase a membership to the riding platform associated with the cycle. The C6 can be used with Peloton®, Zwift, Sufferfest, Rouvy, FulGaz, Tacx, TrainerRoad, MyFitnessPal, and now Bowflex’s JRNY app.

Where Peloton is Better

Let’s be honest, the Peloton has the most incredible live class riding experience on the market, and all of the other companies are playing catch-up. That is not to say that Peloton will remain supreme in this category, but they have a corner on the market regarding the riding experience they offer. Their leaderboard is an exciting component of their riding experience, and it can only be enjoyed on an actual Peloton bike. In addition, how Peloton’s technology is built dire

Bowflex C6 Review

Bowflex C6 Bike

4.5

An excellent alternative option to Peloton or other streaming bikes. A quiet magnetic resistance bike, proficient enough to link with the many available streaming devices such as Peloton® and Zwift®.

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Main Specs

• User height range: 4’ 6”- 6’6”
• Height: 51.8″
• Width: 21.2″
• Length: 48.7″
• Item weight: 106 pounds
• User weight maximum: 330 pounds

Bowflex C6 Main Features

• Flywheel weight: 40 pounds
• Backlit LCD metric console
• Magnetic resistance with 100 micro-adjustable resistance levels
• 3lb hand-weights included
• 4-way seat and handlebar adjustability
• Dual water bottle holder
• Tablet rest
• Dual-sided pedals including standard SPD clips and toe cages
• Bluetooth connectivity

The Bowflex C6 is a belt-driven cycle that includes a 40-pound flywheel. This cycle, created by Nautilus, offers 100 magnetic resistance levels and includes a backlit LCD metric console. This bike is designed with commercial-grade materials and is available at an affordable price. One purchaser commented, “Great, just like Peloton but 1/3 the cost and no extra $40 a month membership.” The 40-pound flywheel offers an exceptionally smooth ride that is practically silent due to the belt system. 

I can easily ride this bike when my house is sleeping, and nobody knows I am working out. This purchase includes 3-pound weights and a Bluetooth heart rate monitor that connects to the LCD monitor. The LCD monitor displays metrics such as cadence, distance, MPH, calories, and heart rate. The C6 also works seamlessly with streaming services such as Peloton, Zwift, FulGaz, and Sufferfest.

The handlebars offer four-way adjustability, therefore accommodating a more comprehensive range of participants. As a 5’4” rider, four-way adjustability for handlebars is an absolute must in any bike purchase that I make. I have been highly impressed with the customer service. I currently have an issue with my pedals not holding my SPD clips tight enough. The customer service agent not only spent time with me while they walked me through tightening bolts to troubleshoot what I was experiencing but quickly ordered new pedals to be delivered to rectify the issue after the troubleshooting was unsuccessful.

Bowflex C6 Pros & Cons

Peloton Bike Review

Peloton Bike

4.4

Maybe the most popular indoor cycle, and for a good reason. Excellent quality with an excellent app for beginners and experts. The only downside it that users cannot change resistance when using apps like Zwift etc.

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Main Specs

• Height: 53″
• Width: 23”
• Length: 59″
• Item weight: 135 pounds
• User maximum weight: 297 pounds 
• User maximum height: 6’5”

Peloton Main Features

• Integrated app into the bike
• Flywheel weight: 30 pounds
• HD Touchscreen
• Peloton application
• Magnetic resistance with 100 micro-adjustable resistance levels
• 3-pound hand-weights included
• Dual water bottle holder
• 4-way seat adjustability
• 2-way handlebar adjustability

I had the opportunity to use the Peloton bike during a leisure trip and had a pretty good experience!

The Peloton bike offers a riding experience and build quality that closely matches my current bike (Bowflex C6), with thoughtful design elements like vertically adjustable handlebars that cater to shorter riders. While the Peloton’s integrated screen simplifies access to classes, the seat is less comfortable, and the lack of 4-way handlebar adjustability could be a drawback. The hand weights are better positioned behind the saddle, unlike my C6 where they can sometimes fall out during intense rides.

Where Peloton truly shines is its app experience and content, with high production quality and a strong lineup of instructors that set it apart from competitors. However, the bike’s overall value is tempered by its higher cost, especially when factoring in the mandatory $44/month All-Access Membership. Financing options and a standard warranty are available, but the Peloton remains a more expensive choice compared to my current setup.

This bike’s captivating component is the Peloton membership fully incorporated into the bike’s design and technology. The community created through this membership has an almost cult-like following due to the inspiring instructors and collection of class formats. Users describe the community with words such as fun, encouraging, and fabulous. One participant exclaimed, “I’m addicted!” I can relate to those that enjoy the Peloton instructors as I love classes from Kendall Toole and Olivia Amato! 

Peloton Pros & Cons

Detailed Comparison of Peloton & Bowflex C6 

Below we will examine the differences and similarities for the Peloton and Bowflex C6 bikes.

Drive System

Both cycles offer a belt drive system. This system allows for an extremely quiet riding experience. This type of driven system also requires less maintenance. 

Flywheel

Each bike option includes a weighted flywheel that is located in the front of the cycle. The Bowflex C6 offers a forty-pound flywheel, while the Peloton only uses a thirty-pound flywheel. Flywheels with a higher weight are often associated with a smoother ride.

Magnetic Resistance

Each cycle option includes 100 levels of resistance. However, it is essential to note that the resistance levels do vary. Please refer to the conversion chart at the end of this article.

Handlebar and Seat Adjustability

C6 offers greater riding position customization than that of the Peloton. The C6 provides four-way adjustability for the seat and the handlebars. This means that the seat and handlebars can move up/down and front/back. Adjusting the handlebars in multiple directions is crucial for shorter riders as the handlebars’ ability to move closer to the bike center is essential. 

The limitation of adjusting the Peloton’s handlebars was one of the most important differences that I found between the two cycles. As a rider that is only 5’4”, the Bowflex C6 provided a much more comfortable ride than the Peloton.

Katie Pierson, Certified Spinning® Instructor

The Peloton handlebars only can move up and down due to the static positioning of the touchscreen. The saddle does have the capability of four-way adjustability.

Adjustable Levelers

Both bikes include adjustable levelers to decrease potential side-to-side rocking during a workout.

Pedals

The Bowflex C6 offers dual pedals that include SPD clips and toe cages. SPD clips are often used within indoor cycling classes, so other shoes are not required. The Peloton bike only uses specific Delta pedals, and therefore specific shoes are required from Peloton. 

Apps

While the Bowflex connects to various cycling applications, including the Peloton digital app, the Peloton is unmatched with its integration of the bike technology with the Peloton membership. 

Budget

The Bowflex C6 is currently priced at $999, while the Peloton was recently reduced to $1,895. 

Overall Performance

The Peloton and Bowflex C6 offer a remarkably similar ride due to the weighted flywheel placement, magnetic resistance, and belt drive system. 

What Type of Rider is Best for Each Bike

Related
1. Bowflex C6 vs Schwinn IC4
2. Best Peloton Alternative Bikes

Using the Peloton App with the Bowflex C6

The ability to use the Peloton digital application with a non-peloton bike like the Bowflex C6 is effortless and affordable. I currently use the digital app with my C6. Below we will examine the app’s characteristics, how to link it to your C6, limitations to the digital application, and resistance conversion.

Connect Your C6 with the Peloton in 8 Easy Steps 

There are only eight steps required for a successful connection between your C6 and your device. 

Digital Application Limitations

One of the most outstanding features of the Peloton application is the virtual Leaderboard. The Leaderboard features all of the riders actively taking the class and ranks them based on their output. Output is calculated by taking the average output, multiplying that number by the total number of seconds in the class, and dividing it by 1,000.

Unfortunately, although a C6 owner can see their cadence and heart rate displayed, the Leaderboard is not a feature they have access to use. If you do not have a currently included device in their operating system requirements, showing cadence and heart rate in the app is also not available. Unfortunately for me, my current phone doesn’t fit the operating system requirements, so I must use a different device to enjoy the maximum number of features. 

Bowflex C6 vs. Peloton Resistance Conversion

When I first purchased the bike, it did not even cross my mind that the resistance numbers would vary so vastly between the Bowflex C6 and Peloton since both bikes include 100 levels of resistance. When I tried to complete my first digital Peloton workout on my C6, cranking my resistance to whatever the instructor told me, I barely made it through my 45-minute workout. I did not know at the time that a level 5 on a C6 was a level 25 on a Peloton. Below you will find a conversion chart not to make the same mistake I did when riding the C6.

Bottomline

If you are not interested in spending $2,500 in addition to a $44 monthly subscription, the Bowflex C6 is a fantastic choice. The C6 offers a quality ride for a fraction of the price of a Peloton.