If you are looking for a high-end interactive studio bike, then you have come to the right place.
Today, we want to take a close look at the NordicTrack S27i studio bike. This is the top-of-the-range model in NordicTrack's commercial studio bike series.
It comes complete with all of the bells and whistles that you could ever want for an efficient and sweat-inducing workout. With a massive touchscreen display, many levels of resistance, a solid build, and more, you really can't go wrong.
This is our NordicTrack S27i review, so let's take a closer look at what it's all about.
NordicTrack S27i Specifications
- 27" smart HD touchscreen that can Swivel and tilt
- iFit enabled
- 13kg effective, inertia-enhanced flywheel
- 24 levels of Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR)
- -10% to +20% decline/ incline
- Android 9 OS
- Bluetooth headphone and heart rate connectivity
- Quick touch handle controls
- Horizontal and vertical seat adjustment
- Vertical handlebar adjustment
- Two-sided pedals with SPD toe clips and toe cages
- Dual 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi Connectivity
- AutoBreeze Fan
- 2 x 1.5kg dumbbells
- Premium steel frame
- Front-mounted transport wheels
- Product dimensions: 147cm (L) x 71cm (W) x 164cm (H)
- Product weight: 86kg
- Box Size: 130cm (L) x 40cm (W) x 87cm (H)
- Box Weight: 90kg
- Maximum user weight: 160kg
NordicTrack S27i Review
To get a complete understanding of the NordicTrack S27i's performance we will look at each area of the bike individually.
There is no denying the fact that the NordicTrack S27i is a true state-of-the-art bike. It comes with a huge 27-inch monitor complete with touchscreen functionality, along with iFit and the wide variety of workouts it has to offer.
Combine that with the 13kg effective, inertia-enhanced flywheel and the S27i can provide an enjoyable but challenging workout experience.
Let's take a look at all of the main features that this bike has to offer and start with the most noticeable feature which is the large screen.
27" Smart HD Touchscreen
Something that many people will appreciate about this exercise bike is the fact that it comes with a smart touchscreen display that is a whopping 27 inches across.
It's one of the biggest displays of any exercise bike out there, not to mention that it can rotate 360 degrees and tilt up and down.
This means that you can easily position the monitor in any way you want it, and you can rotate it so you can easily follow along to other classes such as yoga which don't require the bike.
Note: If you like this feature, NordicTrack have also realeased treadmills with tilt and swivel screens, as seen in our NordicTrack 2450 Review.
The touchscreen functionality makes navigation just that much easier and is very responsive which used to be an issue when touchscreens first started to appear on cardio equipment.
The display clearly shows you all the important biking metrics such as how much time you've spent riding, the calories you've burned, the distance you've travelled, the speed and pace at which you've travelled, what your incline or decline is, and more.
iFit Enabled
Using the iFit app, the NordicTrack S27i Exercise Bike allows you to engage in hundreds of workout programs through the application.
When you purchase the S27i you get a free 30-day trial of iFit included and then you do need to pay a subscription fee to keep using iFit. Currently, it costs about £11/m for an individual membership or £31 per month for a family membership. The prices can vary slightly and if you are happy to pay for a year's subscription you can get the cost down.
While paying a monthly subscription isn't ideal, iFit has one of the best interactive apps. But if you decide you don't want to pay the subscription fee, you can still use the machine without iFit and will have access to a handful of pre-programmed workouts.
But overall, the iFit workouts look great on the large screen and create an immersive workout experience. iFit will also track your progress over time so you can see your performance improve with time.
Using your workout information, NordicTrack has developed an AutoAdjust technology that will adjust the resistance as you get fitter. So the bike will keep challenging you to reach your goals quicker.
Silent Magnetic Resistance
Arguably the most important factor of any exercise bike is the resistance it can produce as this will have a direct impact on the quality of the workout it can deliver.
But as you would expect from a top-of-the-line model, the S27i produces plenty of resistance from the 13kg inertia-enhanced flywheel.
In total, there are 24 levels of digitally controlled resistance to choose from. This is a good range of resistance levels and will make it easy to find a level that is suitable for you. Plus, it is easy to change the resistance as you are cycling thanks to the quick control button built into the handlebars.
It also uses NordicTracks Silent Magnetic Resistance system (SMR) and lives up to the name of being silent when being used.
So, if you are looking for a bike that can be used for a leisurely ride or a high-intensity workout, the S27i can produce plenty of resistance to cater to a wide range of users.
Related: See our review of the NordicTrack S22i which is the small version of the S27i.
-10% to 20% Incline
A unique feature on the S27i that we don't see on many other studio bikes is the ability to incline/ decline which adds an extra dimension to your cycling experience.
It also makes the immersive experience of cycling your own route even more enjoyable as the bike will adjust the incline to match the terrain you are cycling. So you can enjoy a realistic feeling cycling experience without leaving the comfort of your home.
Pedals - SPD Clips and Toe Cages
For users who want to get the most out of their workouts, NordicTrack has included SPD clips on the pedals so you can use SPD cleats to secure your feet as you cycle. So if you want to push your limits with a high-intensity cycling session, you can be sure your feet won't slip out of place.
But they have also included toe cages for users who don't want to use SPD cleats. This way you can easily hop on and cycle whenever you want without changing your footwear.
Seat Adjustments and Comfort
When it comes to comfort, the seat is going to have one of the biggest impacts.
Firstly the seat is a road bike style seat which can take some time to get used to but the S27i comes with a little more padding than most road bike seats so it is more comfortable.
But we do often see users that don't like this style of seat and you can change the seat if you want to or add a gel seat cover for a little extra padding.
To make sure you can get a cycling position that is comfortable for you, the seat can be adjusted vertically and horizontally and there were no issues for taller users.
Extra Quality of Life Features
What’s nice about the NordicTrack S27i Exercise Bike is that it has a whole lot of useful miscellaneous features that make working out a lot easier and more enjoyable.
For instance, there are 230W speakers located under the monitor, which can be surprisingly loud when fully turned up. So with how quiet the bike is when being used, you will have no issue hearing the iFit trainers as you follow along to a workout.
Furthermore, to help keep you cool as you race through your workout, you also get a built-in fan with four different speeds to choose from, just for a bit of airflow.
There is also a tray so you can put your keys or phone if needed, although there is no holder for larger tablets. That said, there is a water bottle holder located conveniently on the unit for all of your hydration needs.
What's really cool is that the main unit also comes with 10 different music genres preloaded onto it, so you can put those speakers to use.
Even better is that there is also Bluetooth connectivity so you can attach your headphones or a heart rate monitor. To find out more about the heart rate monitoring features, keep on reading.
Heart Rate Monitoring
As mentioned above, this exercise bike does allow for heart rate monitoring, but you have to attach your own heart rate monitor through Bluetooth. At this time, the handlebars do not feature any built-in heart rate monitoring.
But more often than not, the built-in heart rate sensors on cardio equipment are inaccurate. So we would rather use a Bluetooth chest strap heart rate monitor for an accurate readout.
Weight, Dimensions, and Portability
With an advanced exercise bike like the NordicTrack S27i Exercise Bike, you have to consider that there is a bit of a tradeoff.
Yes, there are many features included, and the bike as a whole is made with solid materials, but this also means that it's not the most portable or space-efficient bike.
In terms of the dimensions, this exercise bike comes in at 147cm (L) x 71cm (W) x 164cm (H). No, it's not the largest bike out there, but certainly not the smallest either.
It also doesn't have any features like a folding frame that allow it to form a smaller package to save space. It takes up quite some space, so that is something you'll need to take into account.
Furthermore, the NordicTrack S27i Exercise Bike weighs 86kg, so it is very heavy as well. This means that moving it from one space to another will be a little more difficult. That said, it does have a set of wheels to make it just a little more portable, so if need be, you can move it short distances.
Keeping that in mind, we do want to note that being so heavy has its advantages, and it's not just the 160kg weight capacity. But it's also very stable. Even the strongest of users can pedal hard without causing this unit to wobble or vibrate very much. Having a stable and solid base underneath you is always important when exercising.
Build Quality
Something that needs to be said about the NordicTrack S27i Exercise Bike is that the build quality is excellent. And so it should be as this is meant to be built to commercial specifications.
The materials used are high quality and durable so you can expect the bike to last for many years to come.
They're designed to withstand a lot of impact, and rigorous use, and they can easily handle being sweat on as well.
The Cost
Anybody looking to buy this exercise bike should realise that it's certainly not the cheapest one out there. After everything is said and done, you'll end up spending around £2600 or if you are in the US about $2600.
Remember, the listing price isn't the only cost here, because you'll also need a membership for the application (although you can also just bike in manual mode).
It's important to note that while this is certainly not the most affordable exercise bike on the market, the NordicTrack S27i Exercise Bike is also one of the best, as you can see from our review.
Related: NordicTrack have plenty of other high-end equipment such as the NordicTrack X32i, which we have also reviewed.
NordicTrack S27i Exercise Bike Review – Final Thoughts
What it really comes down to is that the NordicTrack S27i Exercise Bike is a high-end exercise bike, an investment worth making if you are serious about your health and you absolutely love biking.
Although the upfront cost is quite high, the benefits you'll reap from it are even bigger. In terms of its overall comfort, features, durability, adjustability, and more, you really can't go wrong with the NordicTrack S27i Exercise Bike, as long as you are willing to pay the relatively high price.
