Rogue Echo Bike Review 2024: Is This Air Bike Right for Your Home Gym?

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.

Rogue Echo Bike 2024 Key Features:

• Unlimited wind-powered resistance
• Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible
• Heavy-duty reinforced steel frame
• Adjustable padded seat with 13 positions

If you’re looking for a high-intensity workout or a new cardio machine to add to your CrossFit routine in 2024, a powerful air bike is one of your best bets. Since air bikes are wind-powered with unlimited resistance, your ride becomes more challenging the faster you pedal and generates massive bursts of power–which makes air bikes a top pick for high-intensity interval training. While this exercise bike offers more advanced workouts than other indoor bikes, it’s still a great piece of equipment for beginners looking to increase speed, endurance and/or fitness level.

One of our favorite air bikes is the Rogue Echo Bike, a heavy-duty steel stationary bike that offers a high-quality machine for your home gym at an affordable price point. With one of the best values in the air bike market, the Rogue Echo Bike works your upper and lower body and is a top choice for HIIT workouts. Still, is this air bike as good as customer reviews say it is—coming in at a 4.9 out of five-star rating—and does it stack up against other leading cardio machines? Our in-depth Rogue Echo Bike review will answer all of your questions.

What Is the Rogue Echo Bike?

The Rogue Echo Bike is an air bike produced by Rogue Fitness, a Columbus, Ohio-headquartered fitness brand that specializes in strength training equipment and accessories. Its Rogue Echo Bike falls under its conditioning category which also includes other cardio machines like treadmills and indoor rowers. Now in its third version, the Rogue Echo Bike V3.0—as it’s formally called—costs $895 for the stand-alone bike and includes optional accessories that you can purchase for an additional fee like a wind guard, phone holder and water bottle cage.

Rogue Echo Bike is built with a heavy-duty reinforced steel frame and a belt-driven fan cage in the front of the machine. While some air bikes use fan blades made out of plastic, this air bike takes construction one step further with thin gauge steel fan blades that are powder-coated and welded to the center of the fan cage, a smart move that boosts both durability and overall style. With a heavier weight of 123 pounds, you can expect this air bike to have a stable ride that’s wobble-free, and thick rubber leveling feet under each base tube also help increase stability.

This air bike comes with an adjustable padded seat designed in a standard performance style that allows for 13 overall combinations. The seat can lock into eight different height positions and can be moved in five different front-to-back settings. It’s also the same bike seat that you’ll find on the Schwinn Airdyne, another popular air bike. In addition, the Rogue Echo has rubber grip handlebars, metal pedals and knurled foot pegs to rest your feet on if you want to use the bike for upper body workouts; the knurling helps grip your shoes and keep your legs steady as you pull. On the front of the Rogue Echo, you’ll find transport wheels for easy storage.

At the top of the bike is a five-inch LCD display that tracks metrics like time, distance, calories and more. The LCD console has quick-touch controls for built-in workout modes like interval and target training and is powered by four AA batteries (which are included with your purchase). One of the higher-end features included in the Echo Bike from Rogue is a Bluetooth and ANT+ compatibility within the LCD display. This allows bike users to connect to leading cycling and fitness apps. If you’re not familiar with ANT+, it’s a Bluetooth alternative and low-energy wireless system that collects and transfers data to ANT-enabled sensors like heart rate monitors.

Overall, the Rogue Echo Bike has a high user weight capacity of 330 pounds that beats the weight capacity of many top air bikes, which can often support a maximum user weight of 300 pounds. Rogue Fitness also sells an optional turf tire and handle kit for $90 that lets you replace the front feet of the machine with two large polyurethane tires for improved portability. These tires let you roll the air bike over dirt or pavement, for example, if you want to exercise outdoors or move the bike to your garage gym. The kit also has knurled grip handles that further boost bike portability. Be prepared to pay roughly an additional $150 if you purchase all Rogue Echo add-ons. The wind guard is $30, the phone holder is $10 and the water bottle cage is $9.

Working Out With the Rogue Echo Bike

Fan bikes are low-impact machines, similar to using an ellipticals or indoor rowing machine. Since the fan is air or wind-powered, you can easily control the intensity of your exercise by pedaling lighter or harder. While the grippy metal bike pedals are designed for use with training shoes, you can swap them out for Shimano SPD pedals if you want to ride with cycling shoes. While this might sound like a headache, it’s actually an easy swap and worth it if you prefer to exercise in specialized shoes, rather than your everyday training footwear.

Typically, air bikes come with one of two operating systems: a chain drive or a belt drive. Chain drives are what you’ll typically find on older outdoor bicycles, but they’re often used on air bikes because they offer better value. This bike, however, has a belt-drive system that requires much less maintenance and offers a surprisingly quiet ride; air bikes are notorious for being noisy. As for the steel blades in the flywheel themselves, they’re much thicker than plastic blades you’ll find on comparable models, but slice through air nicely. That’s why the Rogue Echo is widely hailed as one of the most stable and smoothest air rides in the home gym bike market.

Many customers praise the Rogue Echo Bike for its seamless and bump-free riding experience. There’s little to no wobble, and its overbuilt design and high weight limit give this air bike an extremely sturdy ride. The powerful air blades generate an extra boost of resistance, but the tradeoff is that the bike generates more wind in return. This issue can be alleviated, however, by purchasing an optional wind guard for $30, which might be a worthy investment. However, some customers complain that the wind guard offered for this model does little in the way of blocking wind. For that reason, we wish a wind guard was included to save customers the cost of buying a separate wind guard (especially if the spend ends up not being as worth it as it seems).

However, a questionable wind guard is a minor issue compared to the many great qualities of this air bike. The adjustable seat is fairly comfortable, and while it has a performance-style design, it’s still much larger than many other bike seats. The textured vinyl cover is strong and durable, but some users might find the seat too stiff and may want to consider purchasing a cushioned seat cover to make the riding experience even more comfortable. One of the great benefits of owning an air bike is that you can easily choose to do just lower body or upper body workouts, or a full-body workout that includes both pedaling and arm movements. Luckily, the thick, knurled footrests are grippy enough to keep your feet secure during an upper body day, but some customers note that the 40-millimeter handlebars are slightly too thick for a good grip.

A crowning feature of the Rogue Echo Bike is its new and improved LCD monitor. Not only does it track all of your important workout metrics like speed, cadence, time, distance and calories, but it has one-touch controls that make it easy to switch between different workout modes. This is an extremely helpful feature for fast-paced workouts like CrossFit or HIIT training, and we also love that the console is both Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible. While a battery-powered console is a bit of a hassle to maintain, we like that this bike doesn’t need electricity to operate—making it versatile for outdoor workouts that a bike that needs to plug in wouldn’t be suitable for. We would also like to see the console backlit (which it isn’t) for easier readability.

Overall, the Rogue Echo Bike offers a powerful workout and can withstand high speeds. It’s a great cardio or CrossFit choice for non-weightlifting days that can help you increase your fitness level and endurance. The front-mounted wheels make it easy to transport and the optional turf tire and handle kit is a worthwhile investment if you plan on taking this bike outdoors or to your garage gym. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that air bikes are larger than many spin or upright bikes. They take up a decent chunk of space, so if you’re working with a very limited workout area, be sure to carefully measure your space before buying this air bike.

The Pros of Rogue Echo Bike

• Reinforced steel build and steel fan blades
• High user weight capacity of 330 pounds
• 13-way adjustable padded seat
• Detailed metrics tracking on LCD monitor
• Compatible with Bluetooth and ANT+ devices
• Accommodates isolated upper or lower body workouts
• Belt drive system is easy to maintain
• Front wheels offer convenient transport

The Cons of Rogue Echo Bike

• Water bottle holder and add-ons sold separately
• Thick handles might be uncomfortable for some
• Not available for sale on Amazon
• Limited two-year warranty

Who Should Buy the Rogue Echo Bike

Air bike workouts might seem advanced and for more experienced cyclists, but machines like the Rogue Echo Bike are extremely beginner-friendly, making them a great choice for all fitness levels and for individuals interested in building up their endurance. As a low-impact workout, the Rogue Echo Bike is a good cardio option for people with joint pain or injuries, but it’s equally beneficial for serious athletes looking for a new machine for their CrossFit or HIIT regimen. People with weight loss goals can also benefit from owning a Rogue Echo Bike, since studies show that indoor cycling can be effective for weight loss when paired with a healthy diet.

Who Shouldn’t Buy the Rogue Echo Bike

While the Rogue Echo Bike is beginner-friendly, it’s still not for everyone. Be prepared to sweat and be challenged on this bike, so if you’re looking for more casual riding, you may want to lean towards a recumbent bike instead. Due to the bike’s height of just over 52 inches, shorter users might have trouble climbing onto this machine, but this will be more of a nuisance if anything. If you have a very small space, this bike could also be too bulky for your home gym. Another thing to keep in mind is that air bikes are noisy, although the Rogue Echo is quieter than most air bikes. Still, you’ll get some whooshing sound, even with a wind guard, so this is something to consider if you live in an apartment building or have a large household.

Rogue Echo Bike Assembly and Footprint

You’ll need to assemble the Rogue Echo Bike on your own since Rogue Fitness doesn’t offer any in-home assembly options (but on the plus side, the bike comes with free shipping). Luckily, most customers say that the assembly process is very straightforward with clear instructions. As for dimensions, this air bike has a larger footprint than other home gym air bikes on the market. Its specs include a height of 52.5 inches, a length of 55 inches and a width of 29.5 inches. Since the air bike runs on the bulky side, be sure to take careful measurements and also factor in the wind that this bike generates, especially if you choose not to purchase an optional wind guard. While light items around the bike won’t go flying while you exercise, you probably won’t want to keep your Rogue Echo by a desk filled with loose papers or post-it notes, for example.

Warranty and Return Policy

The Rogue Echo Bike comes with a short two-year warranty, which is lacking compared to other cardio machines. This warranty covers the frame and parts, but labor remains your responsibility to pay for, even if repairs are done within the two-year warranty window. Keep in mind that the limited two-year warranty also won’t cover any normal wear and tear on parts like foot pedals, transportation wheels, rubber grips and plastic end caps. Improper assembly also isn’t covered.

If you’re not happy with your Rogue Echo Bike purchase, the company offers a 30-day return policy to return or exchange an unused item in new condition. Items must include original packaging, and items that are used or damaged could be denied a refund or exchange. Therefore, if you sense off the bat that your Rogue Echo isn’t right for you, be sure to submit a return request right away to avoid facing this potential issue if you continue to use your bike.

How Rogue Echo Bike Stacks Up Against Other Products

The Rogue Echo Bike is a popular choice for home gym use, but many great cardio machines dominate the market. Here’s how Rogue Echo Bike compares to other leading products.

Rogue Echo Bike vs Assault AirBike

The Assault AirBike, a leading air bike produced by Assault Fitness, is like a little brother to the Rogue Echo Bike. Once upon a time, the Assault AirBike was the official exercise bike for CrossFit games, and has since been replaced by the Echo Bike as the bike of choice. The main difference between the two bikes is the drivetrain. While the Rogue Echo uses a belt drive, the Assault Bike uses a much noisier chain drive. For that reason, the Rogue Echo Bike offers a fairly quieter workout, and will also require less maintenance to keep up the belt drive. On the flipside, the Assault Bike is smaller than the Echo Bike in height, length and width. This makes the Assault AirBike a more popular choice for smaller users or people with compact home gyms. Then, there's the price. The Rogue Echo costs $895, while the Assault Bike costs $699.

Rogue Echo Bike vs Concept2 Rower

The Concept2 Rower is an air rowing machine that operates on a similar principle as an air bike: Your workouts are powered by wind resistance. With a fan flywheel in the front of the machine and a display monitor that’s also Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible, Rogue Echo Bike and Concept2 Rower have several similarities (and they’re both bestsellers in their categories). These machines also offer full-body workouts, but the difference with the Rogue Echo is that you can isolate upper and lower body workouts, while Concept2 workouts will be full-body at all times. While both machines hover at similar price points—the Rogue Echo is $895, while the Concept2 Rower is $990—the deciding factor will be which type of workout style you prefer.

Rogue Echo Bike vs Peloton Bike

Peloton is often considered to be the holy grail of all exercise bikes, but comparing the Rogue Echo Bike to the Peloton exercise bike is like comparing apples and oranges. While the Rogue Echo offers manual workouts powered by unlimited wind resistance, Peloton is a spin bike that uses silent magnetic resistance—and has a resistance limit of 100 levels. Peloton is also an interactive cardio machine that relies heavily on live and on-demand classes powered by the Peloton fitness subscription program, and the Peloton community is a major selling point for most customers. If you’re looking for a high-end luxury exercise bike buy, then Peloton is your best bet, but those looking for an aggressive (yet low-key) workout will enjoy the Rogue Echo. You’ll also need a Peloton app subscription to get the most out of your Peloton bike buy.

Rogue Echo Bike FAQs

Here’s everything else there is to know about the Rogue Echo Bike.

How do you train with a Rogue Echo Bike?

There are a number of ways you can train with a Rogue Echo Bike. The easiest option is to exercise on a manual setting or use the quick-touch controls to select a preset workout mode like interval or target training. Thanks to its Bluetooth compatibility, however, you can also use your Rogue Echo with many popular fitness apps and train alongside a guided class. Rogue Echo is most commonly used for CrossFit programs and high-intensity interval training.

Is the Rogue Echo Bike a full-body workout?

Yes, the Rogue Echo Bike offers a full-body workout since pedaling works your lower body while arm or pulling movements work your upper body. However, one of the benefits of this air bike is that you can easily isolate your workouts to target only lower or upper body muscles. With two grippy knurled footrests near the bottom of the bike, you can rest your feet on the footrests while only doing arm movements, and therefore isolate your upper body muscles. On the flip side, you can choose to pedal without holding the handlebars to only exercise your lower body muscles.

Can you lose weight with the Rogue Echo Bike?

Rogue Echo Bike is a great choice for weight loss. Research shows that when paired with a healthy diet, indoor cycling can improve blood work, promote weight loss and reduce blood pressure. Data also supports interval training as an effective solution for weight loss. When compared to moderate-intensity continuous training, studies found that interval training offers a staggering 28.5 percent more effectiveness at reducing body fat percentage than continuous training. Therefore, if you use your Rogue Echo regularly and combine it with a healthy diet, it’s likely that you’ll see weight loss (and perhaps even more so if you use it for interval training).

How long does it take to burn 50 calories on the Rogue Echo Bike?

On average, you can expect to burn anywhere from eight to 11 calories per minute on an air bike like the Rogue Echo. How many calories you burn will depend on your weight, fitness level and the intensity of your exercise. To burn 50 calories, it may take roughly five to six minutes.

How long does the Rogue Echo Bike last?

While the Rogue Echo Bike warranty is for two years, you can expect a much longer lifespan for your air bike if you take care of your bike properly. On average, most cardio machines can last anywhere from seven to 10 years, but this window might be shorter or longer depending on how often you use the Rogue Echo bike and its overall condition. Dusting your air bike, wiping it down after workouts if you sweat heavily and storing it away from direct sunlight or extremely cold or warm rooms can help improve its lifespan.

Can you build muscle with the Rogue Echo Bike?

Using a Rogue Echo Bike (or any other air bike) won’t necessarily build muscle, but can help you condition and tone your body. As a machine designed for conditioning and endurance, the Rogue Echo Bike is a great choice for improving your overall fitness level and capacity.

Is the Rogue Echo Bike Worth It?

Our bottom line is that we believe the Rogue Echo Bike is an excellent investment for your home or garage gym—and that the nearly five-star review the bike generates on the Rogue website is for good reason. With a reinforced steel build and a smooth riding experience, we love the Rogue Echo Bike for its sheer power for serious training, but also its versatility as a beginner-friendly machine for people just beginning their fitness journeys. Whether you’re a CrossFit pro, a HIIT fan or simply on the lookout for a unique cardio machine for your home gym that goes beyond a basic treadmill, the Rogue Echo is an affordable and high-quality choice.

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