Bowflex - VeloCore Bike (16" Console) - Black

We've been NordicTrack customers for years. While we liked the quality of their products, encountered nothing but problems with the iFit software. The NordicTrack/iFit support couldn't figure out what was going wrong. Nautilus/Bowflex is really the only other option out there for multiple exercise machines using a different app, JRNY. As such, we've been converting over the Bowflex line of machines and just added this VeloCore bike. Love it ..but much more importantly, love the JRNY app which works great!

Assembly was very straightforward, took my wife and I about an hour and a half. Screen is bright and clear. I have concerns about the Android OS and long-term updates (if Netflix, Disney, etc. stop supporting the version of Android being used, will Bowflex update the OS or sell an updated screen/tablet?) I've only had the bike for a few days, so I can't speak to long-term usage, but first impressions are that the bike is solid, the riding experience is comfortable, and I'm looking forward to my journey with JRNY! We've added a padded seat cover for additional comfort.

We had the Velocore 22" for 2 weeks, and returned it. I thought the "lean" feature was mildly interesting, possibly annoying (though you can always lock it, of course), and at the cost of a more complicated bike that also comes with a shorter warranty. I didn't think the "upper body workout" was significant enough to justify the downsides. JRNY has great elements to it, and the thing I liked best about the bike. I really like the "adaptive" workout features, and the "dial" telling you at all ties exactly how hard to work. I like how I could layer a workout over other media, or choose a "real life ride" or music. I also really like the "journal", where I get to see the frequency and calorie-burn of my workouts. It's simple, and motivating! The JRNY workouts are minimally sufficient in number, but I suspect this will grow with time, so this is not a big complaint. The screen quality is mediocre. Not nearly as good as Peleton. The trainers seemed like nice folk, but, perhaps bc all the workouts are filmed without music (you layer your own on top, from categories provided, or from your own library), they are just very straight forward, pretty suburban, and the experience is less exciting/motivating than Peleton or other music-driven classes/rides. Still, there is excellent feedback on how hard you should be working, plus your ride profile past and future is tracked for you in real time, and this might make up for it for the music for some people. It's great. All in, I REALLY like the JRNY app and strongly recommend considering the stationary Bowflex C7 to retain access. Judging from the Velocore (minus lean), the quality is similar to Peleton, but you'll be able to use both JRNY and Peleton apps if you choose. You can't get on the Peleton leaderboard of course, but everything else is functional, and the subscription is only $13/month! See casting note below. The only reason we didn't go this way is because my daughter wanted access to Sufferfest, and Bowflex cannot currently interact with it, or be adapted to do so, unless you buy a $400 "Power meter." Also note that while Peleton and Zwift are "compatible," only the JRNY app will appear on the included screen. The bike will send basic data to these apps, but you will need to connect via your phone/iPad, and if you want a larger screen, cast from there to that larger screen. We went with a Keiser bike, probably the best bike available at home, bc it also connects easily with all the open apps. I love my new bike. But I miss the JRNY app a little.

Great bike but the support is not as good as I hoped. Took about an hour for two of us to setup the bike. I called tech support for an issue and I was on hold for a little over an hour before someone answered. If support is important to you, I would probably look at other bikes. I do like the fact that the bike will lean as you ride. It is a little more difficult with the lean and that engages a few more mussels. The display is good and there are a lot of choices of where and how to ride. The musical choices are a bit limited and I wish they offered classical music as a choice. The bike should get 5 stars and the support should get 3. Average is 4 and that's why I've given it what I did.

This bike is is incredible, fun to ride and the side-to-side lean option makes it more engaging and helps make it not so boring. The bike is great, the only downside to this bike is the Bowflex JRNY application that you have to subscribe to. The software is junk, and worthless and the fact that they charge for it is a joke. They actually should pay owners to use this crappy application. it has nothing new, and the recorded videos are a silly and so bad. They never have new content and it never changes or offers anything to help you advance. So great bike, lousy software.

I’m a fan of Bowflex great support and quality products. I’m glad I bought this exercise bike with the monitor. It really keeps you focused on your workout. If you are handy with simple tools, you can save $200 setup fee, as I assembled it in about 60 minutes. I recommend watching the online assembly video and you will not have any issues. Comes with 6 month subscription to JRNY, the recommended workouts will challenge you. The side to side will work your core as was the intent and gives similarities of riding.

Fantastic ride, really wish Bowflex would develop technology/software that utilizes the bikes tilt/turn function. Maybe a series of challenges or games that allow you to use the bikes turn feature to control yourself on the screen? This bike looks nicer than a peloton, and it allows you to break free from the typical indoor bike ride. The icing on the cake is that the android tablet is compatible with nearly all workout subscriptions..even peloton

Love the bike. Best Buy sent a couple of men to set it up, and they showed up when they said they would, hauled off my old elliptical, and set this new one up. Very professional. A few weeks later, there was a small noise coming from the bike. I called Bowflex and within 15 minutes had tightened some bolts on the flywheel, and all was good. I really like the bike a lot. While I don't always use the "lean", it does make it unique and I a bit more realistic. I did sign up to the workouts and have enjoyed them. I can wholeheartedly recommend this bike.