Echelon EX4s+ PLUS from Costco

This is the Echelon Connect EX4s+ review – last year I made a review on the original Echelon Connect EX4s (non-plus model). This is the updated 2022 model, sold at Costco. Let’s take a look at the differences and also compare a few key components to the Echelon GT+ they just launched as well. (You can watch my Echelon GT+ review here).

Costco is one of those stores where it’s easy to make a impulse decision that you might end up regretting, but somewhere in the back of your mind you know their return policy is so excellent, you feel safe with your “risk free” purchase. When you’re buying an item that weighs over 100 pounds and requires an hour of assembly, I wouldn’t really recommend buying this indoor exercise bike on a whim.

If you’re considering buying an exercise bike, I’d highly recommend you don’t simply buy this because it’s on sale and seems like a good deal, without learning more about it and at least comparing it to a few other models I’ve reviewed on my YouTube channel in a similar price point: namely:

  • The Schwinn IC4 which is highly popular and reliable, great build quality, see my Schwinn IC4 review here. It costs just a tiny bit more usually, but sometimes goes on sale for even less than this costco bike you’re looking at.

You can also learn about a variety of Peloton Alternative indoor bikes in this video:

SCREEN AND AUDIO

At first glance, it looks basically almost the exact same as the Echelon EX4s, except for an obvious bigger screen (15.6″) that also flips over 180 degrees to do off-bike workouts. The screen, however, does not rotate side-to-side on the Echelon EX4s+, just like the other Echelon bikes. The smaller 10″ screen was one of my complaints about the Echelon EX4s, and the much bigger screen is lot more usable on the Echelon EX4s+. The Echelon EX4s+ also has speakers that face forward on this model, so you’re going to get much more clear audio with the speakers facing towards you. The tablet being attached, however, does mean that you are locked into using it for the Echelon classes. In contrast, bikes without a tablet do require that you bring your own tablet or phone, however, that does give you the freedom to run whatever you would like on your own personal device (such as Echelon, Peloton, Netflix, or Youtube, etc). On the Echelon EX4s+, you are only capable of running Echelon on their attached tablet that comes with the Echelon EX4s+. There are buttons on the front for easily adjusting audio, as well as a 3.5mm jack for headphones. There is also wired internet connections available and an HDMI out that you could connect up to a bigger screen if this screen isn’t big enough for you.

HANDLEBARS AND KNOBS

The next thing I’m noticing on the Echelon EX4s+ at Costco is the handlebars are different than the original Echelon EX4s. One complaint I had about the Echelon EX4s was the handlebars had very narrow tubing, and not only that, they were not adjustable forwards and backwards. The Echelon EX4s+ solved both of these complaints I had. The Echelon EX4s+ handlebars are adjustable forwards and backwards, just like on the GT+ video I just made. The also have wider and flatter handlebars for a more comfortable and ergonomic position (exact same as the GT+ handlebars). So these are improved handlebars on the new Echelon EX4s+ at Costco. There are 7 levels of adjustments for moving the handlebars forwards and backwards with no hole to click into the adjustment which allows for micro adjustments to be made. The adjustment knobs on the Echelon EX4s+ are also really nice and grippy and great material, just like on the GT+. There are 16 plus 1 (maximum level) levels of adjustments for moving the handlebars up and down.

SADDLE

Unfortunately, it looks like they’re still rolling with the same exact saddle on the Echelon EX4s+ that is on the original Echelon EX4s. I don’t particularly love this saddle on the Echelon EX4s+ because it is so narrow and squishy. I definitely prefer the saddle on the Echelon GT+. You get 8 levels adjustment plus max. There are holes to click into here on the front, and there’s also holes on the back for raising and lowering saddle to clip in for that extra security so the saddle won’t slide down. The grips are nice all around with nice rubber coated material, you can really grip and tighten your adjustments nicely on this bike.

RESISTANCE

The resistance on the Echelon EX4s+ is a digital magnetic resistance. I can feel that rotating this knob does not physically adjust the resistance on this bike, so this does not adjust the resistance when it’s not plugged in. The Echelon EX4s+ has 32 levels of resistance, standard on most Echelon models. The resistance feels the same as the Echelon GT+. With all Echelon bikes, the majority of people looking to get a good workout in and burn fat will be satisfied with the resistance on these bikes, however, if you are in a small category and a particularly strong rider who needs a lot of resistance, the Echelon bikes may leave more to be desired for resistance levels.

PEDALS

The pedals on the Echelon EX4s+ are basically the exact same pedals that you see on a lot of Echelon bikes. They have the SPD clip-in on one side, and the other side has the cage style pedals so you don’t need any special sort of shoes to ride this bike, you can just hop on it with your normal tennis shoes (or SPD clip-ins).

WATER BOTTLE AND WEIGHT HOLDERS

On the Echelon EX4s+ you get convenient weight holders on the back. The Echelon EX4s+ and Echelon GT+ both have an angle to the weight holders which allow for you to angle the bike and move it on its wheels with a lower risk of the weights falling out in transit. On the front, there are dual water bottle holders placed on the side, so pretty convenient for grabbing water when you’re on the bike. However, with the water bottle holders all the way down there, it won’t be quite as convenient as on the Echelon GT+ which have the water bottles holders behind the handlebars.

PRICE

The price of the Echelon EX4s+ is $999.99, but on sale for $200 off at Costco for $799.99 at the time of this post. With the purchase of the Echelon EX4s+ you do also get the one year Premiere Echelon membership.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Echelon EX4s+ has a good drive train, it feels nice to ride. For $800, if you want to do the Echelon platform and you’re not worried about Peloton or Apple Fitness+ or running any other apps on this tablet, it seems like a pretty quality bike and not really too bad of a price, but the tablet and the software isn’t the smoothest.

See how it compares to the Peloton Bike Plus

Or get an echelon bike without the tablet and avoid any of the potential software issues down the road.