Pros
- Unique -10% to +20% motorized incline/decline — no Peloton equivalent
- 22" 360° swivel screen for off-bike classes
- 32 lb flywheel and silent magnetic resistance feel road-like
- iFit cheaper than Peloton (~$39 vs ~$50/mo)
- 10-year frame warranty
Cons
- iFit effectively required — no third-party streaming, limited manual mode
- Documented touchscreen/console failures; replacements run $425+
- Customer service and delivery widely criticized
- Flagged as discontinued by some retailers — verify availability and parts support
Specifications
- Incline / Decline
- -10% to +20% motorized
- Screen
- 22" HD touchscreen, 360° swivel
- Resistance
- 24 digital levels, silent magnetic
- Flywheel
- 32 lb
- Membership
- iFit ~$39/mo (functionally required)
- Weight capacity
- 350 lbs
- Warranty
- 10-yr frame, 2-yr parts, 1-yr labor
Performance
The S22i’s headline is terrain: the -10% to +20% powered incline/decline genuinely changes the workout and is the clearest reason to pick it over a Peloton. The 32 lb flywheel and 24-level magnetic resistance give a smooth, quiet, road-like feel, and the 22" screen swivels for off-bike iFit classes. The catch is the ecosystem — it is iFit or nothing, with no Netflix/third-party apps and a heavily limited manual mode.
Build Quality
The steel frame feels commercial-grade and the ride is quiet, but reliability is the soft spot: NordicTrack/iFit machines have a documented pattern of touchscreens going blank or unresponsive after updates, with replacement consoles running $425 or more, and customer service draws frequent complaints. Some owners also note handlebar wobble on hard standing climbs.
Value Assessment
On hardware-per-dollar the S22i is strong — roughly $1,999 buys incline/decline and a big swivel screen that Peloton can’t match at the price, and iFit costs less per month. The risks are non-price: the console-failure pattern and signals that the model is being wound down (raising parts/support questions) mean you should confirm current availability and warranty before committing.
Who Should Buy It
Riders who want simulated hills and descents and the most hardware for the money, will use iFit, and can accept the support track record.
Who Should Skip It
Anyone who wants the most polished class experience (Peloton Bike+), third-party streaming, or who is wary of buying a model that may be discontinued.
Final Recommendation
The NordicTrack Commercial S22i is the pick for incline training — a feature Peloton lacks — at a strong hardware price. Buy it if terrain and value lead your list and you will use iFit, but verify availability and factor in the brand’s mixed reliability and support record.