Home / Spin Bikes / NordicTrack S22i Spin Bike

NordicTrack S22i Indoor Cycling Bike Review

Name: NordicTrack S22i Bike
Brand: NordicTrack
Price: 1599 USD
Availability: InStock

By Fitnosia Team – Last Updated: March 2021

NordicTrack S22i Overview

The NordicTrack S22i exercise bike is a stand-alone workout studio in its own right. It has all the features you could need with a price tag to match the high-quality design and incredible number of features that it comes with. The NordicTrack S22i price is $2,000 plus, so it is at the higher end of the price range, but once you have seen all that it has to offer, you will understand why this is one of the most expensive indoor exercise bikes on the market. NordicTrack is so confident about the high-quality design and finished on the S22i they provide a 10-year frame and 2-year parts warranty.

Due to the size and the sheer number of features, the NordicTrack S22i is not as easy to assemble as more simple exercise bikes. Still, with a bit of patience, you will be able to get the bike in working order. Just make sure you assemble the NordicTrack S22i where you will want to be riding it, as it is cumbersome and a bit cumbersome to move, even with the little transportation wheels.

Being a top-of-the-range NordicTrack indoor exercise bike, you have to expect that it comes with everything you will need for a killer indoor cycling workout, and it does not disappoint. Throughout this NordicTrack S22i review, we will look a bit more in-depth into all the different features and highlight what makes this exercise bike unique. Hopefully, by the end of this review, you will be able to decide if this is the right exercise bike for you.

Bike Monitor

One of the stand-out features of the NordicTrack S22i is the 360 degrees rotatable 22” HD display. This is one of the few exercise bikes that provides you with a detailed display so that you do not have to connect up a tablet. The fact that it is rotatable means that you can use the plethora of iFit workouts (more on that below) and use the NordicTrack S22i for more than just a cycling workout.

The large display shows you all the training data you need throughout your workout including, time, watts (estimation watt, not direct), RPM, speed, distance, calories, and HR. There is also an HDMI port as well as speakers, and cooling fan.

Connectivity

The Nordictrack S22i comes with both Bluetooth and ANT+. However, the bike does not broadcast any fitness data via Bluetooth, so you cannot connect it up to apps such as Zwift or Peleton. That being said, the iFit 1-year subscription is more than enough to get you hooked on the slightly lesser-known fitness and workout app iFit. The iFit app has hundreds of saved spinning workouts and various other all-body workouts that you can follow. It also has a neat Google Maps ride feature that allows you to set 2 points on a map and virtually ride that route. With the Nordictrack S22i, you need to be comfortable using iFit, as this is pretty much your only option to make use of all the great features on this exercise bike.

The other great feature of the iFit compatibility is that the resistance levels and the incline level are synced up with the workout or terrain you choose. Leaving you to focus solely on your cadence while working out. There are also controls of the resistance and incline/decline on the handlebar’s ends if you prefer to remain in complete control.

It is worth noting that this also comes with a USB port to allow you to connect a music player or iPod to play out through the built-in speakers. Alternatively, you can make use of Bluetooth to connect up some wireless headphones if you do not want your whole household to hear the fitness instructor on your next spin session (it also has an auxiliary port if you have wired headphones).

Power Source

The NordicTrack S22i does require a wired connection. However, that is hardly surprising when you look at the tech packed into this exercise bike. Not only does it have to power the wifi-enabled touchscreen, but it also has the electronic incline/decline, built-in fan and speakers to keep powered up.

Resistance

Thanks to the SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance system from NordicTrack, this bike is incredibly smooth to ride and near-silent (other than the music you will have blaring out of the speakers). As you would expect from such a techy exercise bike, there is no knob to adjust the resistance. You use the buttons on the handlebars’ end.

It comes with 24 levels of resistance to choose from and can allow the iFit workouts to take over the control so that all you have to worry about is keeping the pedals spinning. Do not worry, manual controls override automated controls if you need to take it a little easier.

Transmission

The transmission on the NordicTrack 22i is a simple poly-v belt. This type of transmission is super low maintenance as you do not have to worry about it rusting or needing to oil a chain transmission system. It is also very quiet compared to other transmission systems. As soon as you start pedaling, you can feel the magnetic resistance kicking in, and there is instant feedback.

Flywheel Weight

The 32 lbs flywheel on the NordicTrack S22i is located at the front of the bike, under the bars. It is not covered, so you need to make sure no children are playing near you while you are working out. The flywheel may not be the heaviest on the market; however, the inertia-enhanced flywheel with a magnetic resistance system provides a smooth riding experience and super-smooth gear changes. Also, this system adds to the near-silent running of the NordicTrack S22i.

Q-Factor Size

The Q-factor on the NordicTrack S22i is just 150mm. This is one of the smallest on the market. An interesting decision for a bike that is being marketed as a comprehensive workout solution for anyone. This smaller q-factor could mean that cycling on the NordicTrack S22i indoor exercise bike would not be comfortable for people with wider hips, especially on longer rides.

There may only be a few centimeters difference in exercise bike q-factors. However, when you consider you will be doing over 90 rotations a minute, a poor-fitting q-factor can quickly become uncomfortable on your joints and muscles. The benefit of having such a small q-factor is that it simulates the feeling of riding a road bike and, for some riders will feel more natural as their leg joints will be in alignment.

Pedals and Cranks

The NordicTrack S22i only comes with flat pedals and toe clips, with no compatibility with cleats. However, it is relatively inexpensive to get a new set of pedals that include an SPD fitting. That being said, it is a shame for an exercise bike of this price that they have not included dual-sided pedals as has become the norm with more indoor bikes.

Specifications and Adjustability

This is a very sturdy and well-made exercise bike. You can tell from looking at the NordicTrack S22i that it was designed from the ground up. The steel frame and stabilizers are very sturdy and keep the exercise bike well grounded. With a sizeable maximum rider weight of 350lbs, you do not have to worry about this bike not being able to handle the most intense spinning workouts.

The NordicTrack S22i has the most adjustability possible on an exercise bike, in addition to the 4-way adjustability of both the handlebars and the seat. You are also able to tilt the seat slightly up or down. This is something that is incredibly useful on a road bike and can make a massive difference to your comfort, especially on longer rides. This, in addition to the incline/decline function on the front of the bike, makes this one of the most realistic feeling indoor bikes on the market.

Accessories

Ready for the longest list of accessories across all indoor exercise bikes. In addition to the 22” HD display, the NordicTrack S22i spin bike also comes with, built-in fan (4 levels of power), Speakers, 2 x 3lb weights (on the handlebar), a phone tray on the bars, and 2 water bottle holders within an easy reach just under the handlebars.

Even if you do not use all of these accessories and features, they are beneficial to have on hand. It is also very nice not to buy any additional accessories after you have purchased the bike.

NordicTrack S22i Indoor Bike Pros:

All-in-one fitness studio that once set up will do much more than your average indoor exercise bike
The 22” touchscreen HD screen is super user-friendly and easy to navigate
1-year free iFit family subscription offers plenty of workouts and live spin classes, in addition to extra features like the google map tracking
Fully electronic resistant and incline/decline so that the bike responds to the workout you are following without you having to touch the controls
Very smooth riding experience and thanks to the narrow q-factor and adjustability options, the geometry and riding position is very similar to riding a finely tuned road bike

NordicTrack S22i Indoor Bike Cons:

With all this built-in tech, you are restricted to having to use iFit. While the first year is thrown in for free. You do need to put your credit card details in when you sign up (although no money is taken for a year). The monthly subscription is around $39, still less than the likes of Peleton, but an expense you will need to pay if you want to make the most of all the features on the NordicTrack S22i after the year freebie runs out
The pedals only come with toe clips and no cleat compatibility. This is surprising for a bike that performs so well and would be popular amongst experienced cyclists due to its road bike like riding experience

The Final Verdict

The NordicTrack S22i indoor bike has all the latest bells and whistles. There is more to go wrong with so much tech; however, often, turning it off and on again will work to recalibrate all the electronics (not something you will have to do often). If you need the added motivation of online workouts, then integrating the iFit app is a big selling point. Also, the fact that the bike syncs with the workouts and automatically simulates the change of resistance (gears) and incline/decline is a really fun feature that helps you get immersed in your training.

The addition of a built-in fan, speakers, hand weights, and bottle holders make this a super all-around exercise bike. With all this tech and the robust design, this is one of the heaviest indoor exercise bikes on the market, so make sure you have enough space to leave the NordicTrack S22i in the same place.

If you have enough in your budget to afford the NordicTrack S22i, it is well worth the investment. However, you need to be willing to get used to the iFit app and be prepared to pay for the monthly subscription within 1 year of owning the bike (still cheaper than Peleton). The NordicTrack S22i is very similar to riding a road bike in terms of riding experience and adjustability. If you want to make use of longer workouts, you will need to invest in either a comfortable Nordictrack S22i replacement seat or an indoor bike seat cover. You will probably want to upgrade the pedals to a set that allows for cleats.