When my cheap Amazon spin bike broke, I wanted to upgrade to something better. But even though I was already following along with Peloton videos on the company's app, I thought getting an actual Peloton was out of reach. Yet as I shopped, I began to change my mind: Even a good off-brand spin bike will start in the high triple digits, and it turns out Pelotons can be rented, or even purchased used. Thus began my quest for a cheaper Peloton, and in the end, I bought a used model I’m very happy with.
Mine cost $950 through a Facebook Marketplace sale in 2022. If I had taken the time to shop around and negotiate more, I likely could have found one for less. (Used Pelotons are also a lot cheaper now than they were then.) But before I could find a bike to buy, there were a lot of questions that needed answering. Let me take you on a tour through my shopping process.
Peloton Indoor Exercise Bike $1,195.00 at Amazon $1,445.00 Save $250.00 Shop Now Shop Now $1,195.00 at Amazon $1,445.00 Save $250.00The difference between the Peloton Bike and the Bike+
I put together a full guide to the differences between the Peloton Bike and the Bike+, but the biggest differences between the two models are:
The Bike+ can automatically adjust the resistance as you follow along with a class. With a regular Bike, you have to listen to the instructor tell you what resistance to use, and turn the knob yourself.
The Bike+ has a slightly larger touchscreen (24 inches versus 22 inches) and a nicer sound system. It also has nicer components throughout, including a faster processor and more RAM.
Peloton Bike+ $2,145.00 at Amazon $2,495.00 Save $350.00 Shop Now Shop Now $2,145.00 at Amazon $2,495.00 Save $350.00If you don’t have a subscription, you can still use the Bike in “Just Ride” mode, which shows you a plain black screen and some basic metrics: your cadence, resistance, output, and time. You can even use a device called the DFC to broadcast data to watches or third-party apps. So if you just want to get a workout in, but you don’t care about consuming Peloton-branded content, you can still do that without paying a monthly fee. (In that case, though, you'd probably be better off buying a non-Peloton spin bike.)
How much you'll pay for a used, new, or refurbished Peloton, or just renting
Used Peloton bikes vary wildly in price and quality. Some are gently used and come with accessories; others may be cheaper but have significant wear and tear. I’m currently seeing asking prices from $400 to $850 for the standard model Bike, and $900 to $1,200 for the Bike+ (subscription not included, of course).
Peloton Bike rentals run $119/month for the Bike+ (original Bike rentals are not currently available), plus a one-time $150 delivery and setup fee. The rental includes a pair of cycling shoes and the subscription fee for video content. There is also a warranty for the life of the subscription period.
As you’d expect, used Bikes are cheaper than refurbished, and refurbished is cheaper than new. Where do rentals fall? We need to crunch some more numbers to see.
What you need to know about renting a Peloton
You have the option to buy your rental at any time, and the price varies based on how long you’ve been renting. If you decide to buy the Bike+ the moment it arrives, it will cost you $2,345. At that point you’ll have already paid the $150 delivery fee and probably your first month’s $119 rental fee, meaning the Bike will effectively cost $2,614—a little more than the full price of a brand-new Bike. (Remember that your rental Bike might be a new Bike, but it might also be a refurbished model, which sells for less.)
That means buying a brand-new Bike+ at full price is a better deal than renting, no matter when or whether you decide to buy out your Bike+. When I'd done these calculations in previous years (when the Bike was offered in the rental program), the costs were much closer. Now, the rental program is clearly the worse deal. I wouldn't recommend renting now unless you know you won't be using the Bike+ long term. If you're planning to move soon, or simply expect to lose interest, the free pickup at the end of the rental term may be worth the extra cost.
The first thing to consider is resale price. When I was shopping for mine, $950 was an excellent deal compared to the new, rental, and refurbished prices. Since then, prices have dropped on the used market and sales on new Bikes have been occurring more often.
Besides the price, though, you might want to consider two other factors that will affect how good a deal you’re getting if you buy used.
Used Bikes require a $95 activation fee
New and refurbished Pelotons come with a 12-month warranty that covers the touchscreen, parts (including pedals), and the labor to replace them. If something breaks, you just contact customer support and they’ll send somebody out to fix your Bike.
Without a warranty or protection plan, you’re on the hook for any repair costs, including labor. I had to replace the bearings on my Bike shortly after I got it, and I believe I paid Peloton around $45 to send me the part I needed. Fortunately, it was easy to install. On the other extreme, if something went wrong with the touchscreen, it would cost $375 to replace, labor not included.
Used Bikes may have wear and tear
Peloton Bikes tend to be pretty sturdy, and indoor bikes don’t accumulate as much damage as something you’d ride outside. But it’s still worth considering when you might have to replace parts. If you’re buying a used bike, you’ll want to check these parts for wear:
Speaking of recalls, the seat post on all Peloton bikes was recalled in 2023 because it could break. If you’re buying used, make sure the owner has installed the new post.
Cosmetic damage may also be an issue. There could be dents or scratches on a used bike, worn areas on the handlebars, and so on. Refurbished Bikes may have minor cosmetic issues; all bets are off when it comes to a used Bike.
The models haven’t changed much over the years, with one exception. The Generation 1 Bikes are no longer supported; the software in their touchscreens will no longer be updated. These Bikes have an orange power button at the top of the touchscreen and were manufactured before September 2016.
Where to find used Peloton Bikes
There are plenty for sale on places like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, and there are also Peloton-related Facebook groups that allow members to post Bikes for sale. Check anywhere you would look for used items, like OfferUp and the local search options on Ebay.
When you’re looking at a specific used Bike, Peloton's history tool (still in beta) may be able to tell you about the history of a Bike or Bike+ if you know the serial number. You'll have to ask the seller for the number, and then cross your fingers and hope that it's one of the Bikes included in the beta program. Besides that, here are some things to ask to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
Peloton recommends you ask the owner to show you proof of the original purchase. It warns that rental Bikes aren’t supposed to be sold, and if you buy one, you won’t be able to activate a subscription on it. Make sure that the Bike is not a rental; there have been scams where a seller shows a buyer a purchase receipt, and then swaps in a rental when it's time to pick your Bike up. Check that the serial numbers match.
How many rides has this Bike had?
There’s going to be a difference in wear-and-tear between a Bike that was ridden a few times versus a Bike that gets hours of use every day. You don’t need to know the exact number, but it can be good to get a sense of how much use the bike has seen.
Peloton Bikes’ seat posts (but not the Bike+) were recalled in 2023. Although the rollout was slow, everyone should have gotten their new ones by now. You can check whether the seat post is the newest type by looking at the bottom-most measuring line on the post.
This is also a good time to ask about repairs, in general. Has anything broken, and if so, was it fixed and when? Does the Bike have any ongoing problems?
Can I ride it?
Peloton also recommends checking that the adjustment levers and screws move smoothly, and that there aren’t any signs of over-tightening, like cracks. Check that the power cable is in good shape, and that the bike is clean and appears well-cared for.
How to move a Peloton
Peloton has a guide to moving Bikes here. Importantly, you’ll want to remove the touchscreen first. I wrapped mine in towels and put it in the front seat of my car; the rest of the Bike went in the back. Peloton also recommends taking off the water bottle holders and the cage on the back that holds the dumbbells. Lower the handlebars and seat to their lowest position, and tighten all the adjustment levers so nothing moves in transit. I didn’t remove the pedals, but Peloton says you should.
System > Factory Reset. When you set your Bike up at home, follow the prompts on the screen to register the Bike and set up your new subscription.
What else you'll need to buy to enjoy your Peloton
You’ll want cycling shoes. They don’t have to be Peloton brand (the standard Peloton shoes kind of suck, if I'm being honest), but they do need Delta LOOK cleats to fit the pedals. That said, you can replace the pedals with another type if you prefer. If you plan to ride a lot, padded cycling shorts are also a good idea.
You may want a mat to put under your Bike to protect your floor from dripping sweat. You’ll likely also want a towel, a water bottle, and maybe a heart rate chest strap to sync with the Bike (even my cheapo strap syncs just fine).
Spin instructor (and Lifehacker features editor, we're so lucky) Lindsey Ellefson has a more complete guide here to the things you may want to pick up to make the most of your new Peloton.
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