Nordictrack S22i Exercise Bike Review – Pros & Con’s (2022) – Treadmill Reviews 2022 – Best Treadmills Compared

In-depth Review of NordicTrack S22i Exercise Bike

Construction

Frame

• The base, stabilizers and posts on the s22i are all steel. Handlebars are coated with a soft grip material. Black plastic molding protects intersecting joints and post shafts. Some serious engineering went into designing this bike. As opposed to other indoor cycling bikes that look like someone bought a spin bike and attached a TV to the top, the s22i has been designed from the ground up. Wires and cables are internal, the drive train is quiet, and the frame is surprisingly solid for a bike that pivots up and down. I felt very stable as I rode both in and out of the saddle.

• Points of Adjustment are well-designed. There are three adjustment points on the s22i to help different size riders find proper bike fit:
  • Forward/Aft adjustment on the seat carriage moves the saddle forward and back.
  • Up/Down adjustment via the stem post lifts and lowers the seat carriage.
  • Up/Down adjustment in the handlebar post lifts the handlebars to the appropriate height.
  • You can tilt the seat slightly up or down by loosening the bolt on the seat carriage. Retighten when you find the right angle. This adjustment requires a wrench.

Geometry:

• S22i Studio Bike geometry resembles a road bike. Unlike traditional upright bikes where the seat is set lower than the handlebars, the design on the s22i more closely resembles the structure of a road bike. Handlebars are designed to be in line with the saddle. Rather than angle up at a 120 degree angle, the s22i handlebars extend forward parallel to the floor and so riders lean forward while riding rather than sit up. This position might seem uncomfortable initially, but it facilitates greater hamstring and glute engagement as opposed to a repetitively quad-dominant downward stroke. It also more similarly mimics outdoor road bike riding.

• 25” (63.5cm) Span from Handlebars to Saddle: There is a 25” span between the seat tube and the head tube when the handlebars are set at their lowest height, parallel with the saddle. This span will decrease if you pull the seat forward, but it will increase when you raise the seat because the seat tube is angled back slightly. This range should provide adequate room for most riders. Click here for a quick video on proper bike fit.

• 19” (48.25cm) from center of pedal crank to center of flywheel (belt drive)

• 14” (35.5cm) from center of pedal crank to floor

• 20” (50.8cm) from center of flywheel to handlebar stem

FlyWheel: 32 Pounds

• The flywheel on the s22i is 32 pounds, which is a good weight for a home-use indoor studio cycle. Commercial bikes used in gyms have flywheel that weighs closer to 50 pounds. In general, a large, heavy flywheel creates smoother movement and better resistance on a stationary bike. However, because the s22i has both an inertia-enhanced flywheel and magnetic resistance, it can produce fluid motion with minimal noise and ample resistance — all while weighing less. This makes it easier to move while maintaining functionality.

• The s22i uses Magnetic Resistance. This is a more expensive type of resistance because of thematerials and mechanics involved. It is usually found on higher-end models. There are several benefits to magnetic resistance:
  • No need to replace parts. There are no brake pads or friction points on the belt or flywheel with magnetic resistance. This reduces the need to replace parts that wear out due to friction.
  • Magnetic resistance is practically silent. Because there is no contact or friction, the flywheel doesn’t make noise while spinning or braking. Conversely, flywheel resistance from either wind resistance or brake pad contact produce substantial noise.
  • Magnetic resistance can be specifically calibrated and measured. This enables the s22i to provide 24 levels of resistance that are always the same. Have you ever taken a spin class and all the instructor says is, “Turn up your resistance!” What does that mean? How much is a turn? Is it a quantifiable resistance? This kind of variability is not helpful to riders looking for accurate wattage and consistent settings. Specificity in resistance levels is a definite benefit on the s22i.

Saddle: Adjusts forward/aft and up/down. Replaceable.

• Comfort: One area the s22i could use a bit of improvement is in saddle comfort.
  • Typically, on an indoor bike you want a narrow, very slightly padded seat with a smooth surface to prevent moisture build-up. A narrow design allows the leg to move freely with each pedal rotation without too much thigh friction from the saddle itself. Overly wide or padded saddles feel better initially, but they are more likely to cause friction sores on the inside of the thigh due to increased surface area.
  • The s22i saddle is designed well, but it feels a little stiff. Comparatively, the Peloton bike has a more comfortable seat.

• Compatibility: Saddle can be replaced with any compatible bike seat.

Pedals: Flat with cages. Replaceable.

• Included pedals have a flat surface with cages for secure foothold
• Pedals can be swapped out for clipless pedals (road or SPD) if desired

Console/Controls

Screen: 22” Touchscreen

• Size: The 22 inch touchscreen is large and impressive. It makes you feel like you are in the class or on the road with a trainer. The screen sits 12” behind the handlebars. While it is positioned to be within arm’s reach, I didn’t feel it encroached on my head space while riding up out of the saddle. If you feel like the screen is in your face while standing, check the saddle position to make sure your knees aren’t too far forward as this will bring your head too close to the screen.

• Screen Movement: The screen rotates side to side and pivots up and down so you can find the right height and angle. By comparison, the Peloton screen only pivots up and down, it will not rotate from side to side. The pivot feature makes it so you can see the screen regardless of height (and avoid glare from overhead lights). NordicTrack also makes the screen swivel so you can do iFit workouts off the bike and rotate the screen for easy view.

• Resolution: The display is crisp with good graphics. I had to adjust the settings a little to get the resolution I wanted. On the home screen, select the main menu icon and then go down to equipment settings. From here, you can increase or decrease the brightness and select your resolution level. The bike comes with settings standardized for a moderate-speed internet connection, so you may want to turn it up if you have a good connection and like the highest resolution. If you find the video buffering a long time or lagging a bit, turn the resolution down to see if that helps (or get a stronger internet connection – the iFit videos are amazing with good resolution).

• Touchscreen: The touchscreen capabilities on the s22i make navigating the bike and the onboard programs easy and intuitive. It is easy to reach the screen while seated in the saddle. You can use the touchscreen to change incline and resistance or toggle through display options on the white stat bar. I like how NordicTrack has incorporated much of the functionality of iFit and the onboard programs into the touchscreen so there aren’t extra buttons on the bike or screen bevel.

• Functionality: The screen enhances the functionality of the bike by bringing touch controls within easy reach. Adjusting resistance, incline, screen settings, volume, stat readout or any other feature is intuitive on the touchscreen. My only complaint is the speakers are in the back of the screen so the volume projects out rather than towards you. If you set your bike in a corner, this should create a nice surround sound as the volume bounces back. If you plan to set your bike up facing the room, be aware that the speakers are in the back and will project into the room.

Handlebars: Adjust up/down. Multiple grips

• Design: The handlebars have a horizontal grip bar, tri-position resting loop, and grip bar extensions that angle up gently on either side.

• Comfort: The handlebars are coated with a spongy grip material that is soft on hands and arms. The overall design and comfort of the handlebars facilitates good position while riding.

• Measurements:
  • 18.5” (47cm) Span between Handlebar Grips: The span between the bar grips is 18.5 inches, with about 9 inches of width on each side. When reaching forward to grab or rest on the handlebars, you want your elbows to stay in alignment with your shoulders. A good span between handlebars facilitates proper resting form. For smaller riders, the horizontal bar provides a narrower option; while the bar grip span works for those with wide shoulders.
  • 11” (28cm) Depth of Handlebars: From the front of the horizontal bar to the back of the bar grips is 11 inches. I could use a bit more depth here, because the QuickTouch controls are positioned on the end of the grips, but the depth is sufficient.
  • 12” (30.5cm) Span from Screen to handlebars: There is a 12” span from the front of the horizontal handlebar and the screen. Two, 3-pound weights rest in between the handlebars and the screen. I recommend placing the weights on the floor whenever you adjust the head tube to raise the handlebars.

Accessories

• Fans: The fans attached below the screen produce good airflow. You can adjust the direction of the fans by tilting the screen.

• Weights: Two, 3 pound weights are included with the bike. These rest on a tray in between the handlebars and screen.

• No Tablet holder or shelf for phone storage.

Storage

• Storage Cups: Two storage cups are positioned just underneath the handlebars. These will hold a moderate-sized water bottle or other accessories

Functionality

Incline / Decline range

• The NordicTrack cycles are the only bikes on the market that provide incline and decline in addition to resistance. A motor on the rear stabilizer lifts and lowers the bike frame to simulate actual hills and descents. You feel like you are really riding outside as the incline/decline automatically adjusts for you.

• The incline/decline also adds variability to your training routine. Rather than just ride in a linear plane with variable resistance, you now have to compensate for body angle as the bike moves. This engages and strengthens the powerhouse muscles of the lower body.

• Incline/Decline also enhances calorie burn when combined with resistance because it makes the workout more challenging. You will get more metabolic stimulus in a shorter amount of time when incline is combined with resistance.

Resistance Levels

• 22 Resistance levels provide enough range on the s22i (but not too much). By the time you get to level 22, the magnetic resistance creates heavy push-back on the pedals. Comparatively, the Peloton bike has 100 resistance levels — which is too many — you have to increase by 10 just to feel a difference. Magnetic resistance is a significant upgrade because it is consistent and accurate, reduces noise, and doesn’t cause any friction or wear on moving parts.

• Resistance can be adjusted on the QuickTouch control on the bar grip or on the touchscreen.

Free Workouts

• Manual Workout: A white track and stat bar display stats and distance. You can manually adjust the incline and resistance to create your own workout.

• Maps: Select from an array of full-color Google map images anywhere from Lake Como, Italy to the beach in Cambodia. Display options include: Street View; Map View; Satelite; and Rotate (which toggles between views). The images update every f