A Complete Review of the NordicTrack S27i Exercise Bike

The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. Sports Illustrated editorial staff are not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here.

Key Features:

• Price: $2,499
• Dimensions: 57 inches L x 28 inches W x 65 inches H
• Bike weight: 217 pounds
• Monitor/Display: 27-inch HD rotating and tilting touchscreen
• Resistance levels: 24 levels of digital magnetic resistance
• User weight capacity: 350 pounds
• Recommended height range: 4'10"–6'6"
• Warranty: 10-year frame warranty, two-year parts warranty and one-year labor warranty

Buying an indoor cycling bike for at-home workouts brings the benefits of a cardio class to the privacy of your home gym. The NordicTrack Commercial S27i Studio Cycle is an indoor cycling bike designed specifically to replicate the feel of outdoor riding. Appropriate for avid cyclists and beginners alike, the S27i bike offers a large touchscreen to stream rides and on-demand classes and a unique incline and decline feature.

In this article, we provide a complete review of the NordicTrack Commercial S27i Studio Cycle, including the pros and cons of the bike, how it works, the performance specs and features, customer reviews and how the S27i compares to other top-rated indoor cycling bikes.

What Is the NordicTrack S27i Bike?

The NordicTrack S27i is a high-quality indoor cycling bike equipped with a 27-inch smart HD touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity for workout headphones and heart rate monitors. The bike comes with two-sided pedals—one is a standard flat pedal with a toe cage and straps to secure your foot, and the other is a clipless-style SPD pedal, which requires cycling shoes to use. 

There is an ergonomic padded bike seat, a water bottle holder, transport wheels and speakers integrated onto the back. The bike seat offers four-way adjustability, helping riders of all sizes find the right fit on the bike. The handlebars can be raised or lowered and offer multi-grip positions, so you can switch up your upper body positioning as you ride, depending on what's comfortable and what type of workout you're doing. Integrated quick controls allow you to easily change the resistance and incline without taking your hands off the handlebars.

The most unique feature of this indoor cycling bike is the adjustable incline and decline, ranging from -10 percent decline to 20 percent incline. This enables uphill and downhill training, allowing you to replicate real-life terrain and target different muscle groups. This increases the functionality and versatility of the machine, and makes it a great option for cyclists who want an option to train indoors during the winter.

How the NordicTrack S27i Bike Works

The S27i exercise bike plugs into an outlet. Once powered up and connected to your WiFi network, you can log into iFIT and choose from thousands of live or on-demand cycling workouts led by iFIT trainers. There are 24 levels of silent magnetic resistance (SMR), and the bike supports automatic trainer control, which means that if you’re following one of the iFIT classes, the resistance and incline will automatically adjust as you ride. Alternatively, if you do not want to use iFIT or you prefer to control the bike on your own, there are one-touch controls on the handlebars. You can also swivel the touchscreen so that you can view it off the bike for other supplementary strength-training workouts.

Working Out with the NordicTrack S27i Bike

Working out on the NordicTrack S27i bike can be a highly interactive and engaging experience because of the technological features and range of classes offered with iFIT and Explore the World. You can sort cycling workouts based on your fitness level, desired workout duration, trainer, preferred setting (outdoor vs studio classes) and more. There are also pre-programmed workouts right on the console and Google Maps routes or virtual cycling destinations. You can use your own playlists or listen to your own audio while streaming these workout programs. Additionally, you can follow workouts on your favorite cycling apps.

Customer Reviews

Overall, the customer reviews for the NordicTrack S27i bike are fairly positive on third-party sites like Best Buy and Amazon. (NordicTrack doesn't post reviews on their website.) For example, there are over 4,300 ratings and reviews on Amazon with an overall rating of 4.2/5 stars. The ratings for the S27i studio cycle on Best Buy are slightly lower, with an average of 3.5/5 stars. Most users love the iFIT classes, the ability to adjust the incline and decline, the range of resistance levels and how quiet and smooth the bike operates. However, numerous reviews note that the bike seat is uncomfortable, but keep in mind you can swap it out for a more comfortable seat of your choice.

For example, one Best Buy customer writes: “It's really nice to have an exercise bike at home for some cardio and warm up before workouts. This one has an incline/decline option which works great while the instructor is riding through the actual terrain. The feature makes it more challenging and it really gives a kick! I have replaced the seat, as the one it comes with is pretty hard.”

Some negative reviews also complain about issues hearing back from NordicTrack customer service when problems arise.

Pros of the NordicTrack S27i Bike

• Automatic incline and decline from -10 to 20 percent for uphill and downhill training
• Studio bike is said to replicate outdoor cycling for real-life feel, which is great for avid cyclists
• 27-inch smart HD touchscreen
• Hands-free, interactive training with iFIT membership
• 24 levels of silent digital magnetic resistance
• 32-pound inertia-enhanced flywheel for a smooth and stable ride
• Bluetooth connectivity for headphones and heart rate monitors (or you can use built-in speakers)
• Good warranty and free delivery and assembly when purchased through NordicTrack
• Extra features including a water bottle holder, transport wheels, dual-sided pedals, a workout fan and a padded ergonomic saddle

Cons of the NordicTrack S27i Bike

• Expensive compared to other studio bikes in the NordicTrack lineup
• Reviews complain that the bike seat is uncomfortable
• iFIT subscription is an added monthly cost

Who the NordicTrack S27i Bike Is Best For

The NordicTrack S27i indoor cycle bike is a great exercise bike for anyone looking to do low-impact cardio workouts. What’s unique about the S27i is that the design blends the feel and function of riding a high-quality exercise bike from spin class with the feel of real outdoor biking. For this reason, it’s a great option for people who love studio classes as well as avid cyclists looking to take their routine indoors with the comfort and convenience of home workouts. The sturdy frame supports a maximum user weight capacity of 350 pounds. Additionally, the heavier frame and flywheel help keep the bike stable during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts. User reviews note that the bike does not wobble or shake even when you come out of the saddle for climbs. Lastly, the S27i studio cycle is a good option for anyone looking to do guided iFIT workouts.

Who the NordicTrack S27i Bike Is Not For

The NordicTrack S27i indoor cycle is relatively expensive, and it’s best used with an iFIT membership. Therefore, if you’re on a tighter budget and don’t want to pay for an ongoing subscription, the S27i bike may not be the best fit. It also requires WiFi connectivity to stream workouts. Additionally, the adjustable incline and decline feature, along with all the high-tech capabilities, make this bike feel a little different than basic spin bikes used in commercial studio classes. If you're looking for a simple spin bike, this type of studio bike may not be the best fit. Lastly, riders who weigh more than 350 pounds should look for an exercise bike with a higher weight capacity.

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the NordicTrack S27i Bike

There are several important factors to consider when deciding whether the NordicTrack S27i is right for you.

Price

The NordicTrack S27i retails for $2,499, but the price may vary depending on promotions they are running or the retailer you buy it from.

Power

In order to use the bike, you must plug it into a standard outlet. It’s recommended to use a grounded outlet or surge protector. To stream iFIT classes, you'll need a WiFi connection.

Monitor and controls

The S27i has a 27-inch HD smart touchscreen display that can swivel so that you can view it easily on and off the bike. There are one-touch controls to adjust the resistance level and incline if you're not following a guided workout or don’t want to use automatic trainer control.

Subscription

The NordicTrack S27i studio cycle comes with a free 30-day iFIT Family Membership trial. After the free trial, you'll need to pay for an iFIT subscription, which costs $15 per month ($180 per year) for an individual membership or $39 a month ($396 a year) for the iFIT Family Membership.

Modes and features

Like all NordicTrack and ProForm cardio exercise equipment, the S27i indoor cycling bike offers automatic trainer control with iFIT cycling workouts and Google Maps courses. You can choose from studio classes or follow scenic outdoor courses in global destinations like Costa Rica and Mallorca. With the automatic trainer control feature, the bike automatically adjusts resistance and incline or decline based on the workout or course, so you don’t have to worry about fussing with the resistance or incline while riding. Many iFIT users say that this is a really nice feature because it allows you to focus solely on your performance and not on controlling the stationary bike.

Training programs

The iFIT library is a robust collection of thousands of on-demand studio and outdoor workouts for cycling. For example, integrated Google Maps technology allows you to draw a real-world cycling route, so if you're training for a race, you can replicate the exact course—including terrain.

User reviews note that one of the best features of the NordicTrack S27i is the vast library of live and on-demand workout videos, the option to train with celebrity personal trainers and the ability to download personalized workouts to follow. You can target your training to specific fitness goals and get workout recommendations based on your goals and previous performances. In this way, the iFIT Coach operates like a personal trainer to help you best achieve your fitness or goals.

Assembly

When you buy the bike from the manufacturer, delivery and assembly are free. When purchasing the bike through third-party retailers, such as Amazon or Best Buy, you'll need to assemble the bike on your own or pay for professional services. Most customer reviews say that assembly takes about two hours and that the instructions are fairly clear. However, certain parts are heavy, so you may want two people for assembly.

Warranty and return policy

The NordicTrack S27i is backed by a 10-year frame warranty, two-year parts warranty and one-year labor warranty. All NordicTrack exercise equipment is backed by a 30-day return policy. If you're unhappy with your purchase, you can return the bike, but you'll be subject to a $250 return shipping charge and a 10 percent processing fee.

How Does the NordicTrack S27i Stack Up Against Peloton?

The NordicTrack S27i and the Peloton Bike+ both offer interactive training with live and on-demand workouts, and are similarly priced, with the Bike+ starting at $2,495. One notable difference is that a Peloton All-Access Membership app ($44 a month) is required to use the bike, while the S27i can be used without an iFIT membership (though workouts would be limited).

The maximum weight capacity is only 297 pounds on the Peloton Bike compared with 350 pounds for the NordicTrack S27i. One of the biggest differences between the two bikes is the number of resistance levels. The Peloton Bike offers 100 levels of magnetic resistance, which is far more than the 24 resistance levels on the NordicTrack S27i. Moreover, the Peloton Bike does not offer incline and decline, whereas the NordicTrack indoor cycle has a wide range of adjustable incline from -10 percent to 20 percent grade.

And, Peloton’s touchscreen displays are much smaller, measuring just 21.5 inches for the Bike and 23.8 inches for the Bike+, compared to the NordicTrack’s 27-inch screen. Finally, the warranty on the NordicTrack exercise bikes is much better than the Peloton Bike+.

How Does the NordicTrack S27i Stack Up Against the NordicTrack S22i?

The S27i and the NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike are quite similar, but the S22i has a smaller, 22-inch display and comes with a slightly lower price tag. Additionally, the screen on the lower-end S22i doesn’t tilt, which makes it harder to see during iFIT workouts off the bike. Both bikes offer 24 levels of magnetic resistance and the same dual-sided pedals.

NordicTrack S27i FAQs

Can you use the NT S27i without an iFIT subscription?

Yes. There are several pre-programmed workouts on the console, so you do not need an iFIT membership to use the bike, though your workout options will be limited.

Does the S27i have Bluetooth?

Yes. The bike offers Bluetooth connectivity for headphones and heart rate monitors.

Do I need special shoes for the S27i ?

No. The NordicTrack S27i comes with dual-sided pedals, so you can choose between using workout shoes in the toe cages or clipless pedals with indoor cycling shoes.

Final Thoughts

The NordicTrack S27i studio cycle is a high-quality spin bike for home workouts. With the ability to stream iFIT cycling workouts, Explore the World and Google Maps routes, users can enjoy a wide variety of workouts on and off the bike. The adjustable incline and decline feature and 24 levels of digital magnetic resistance allow users of all ability levels to get a great workout and replicate real outdoor cycling.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.