
Spinning® Instructor & Owner of C6
I have owned this
Is Bowflex C6 Worth It?
The Bowflex C6 is absolutely worth the investment if you are looking for a fantastic
Note: To validate our own thoughts, we also asked 165 owners of this bike to tell us how satisfied they are with their
More info in the next sections…
An excellent alternative option to Peloton or other streaming bikes. A quiet magnetic resistance bike, proficient enough to link with the many available streaming devices such as Peloton® and Zwift®.
Why Did I Choose Bowflex C6 for my Home Indoor Cycle?
Throughout my
YouTube Video Review from Girl Bike Love
In the following video, you can see my quick review of the Bowflex C6
Bowflex C6 vs. Peloton
Quick Comparison Table
Bowflex C6 | Peloton | |
---|---|---|
Resistance Type | Magnetic | Magnetic |
Levels of Resistance | 100 | 100 |
Drive System | Belt | Belt |
Price | $999 | $1,495 |
Cycling Platform Available | Yes, JRNY | Yes, Peloton |
Platform Membership Required for Full | No | Yes |
Integrates with Multiple Cycling Apps | Yes | No |
4-Way Handlebar Adjustability | Yes | No |
Where C6 is Better
The Bowflex C6 is priced at $999, making it an affordable indoor cycling option while delivering a
The Bowflex C6 doesn’t come with a cycling platform built into the
Where Peloton is Better
Let’s be honest, the Peloton has the most incredible live class riding experience on the market, and all of the other companies are playing catch-up. That is not to say that Peloton will remain supreme in this category, but they have a corner on the market regarding the riding experience they offer. Their leaderboard is an exciting component of their riding experience, and it can only be enjoyed on an actual Peloton
How Is My Experience So Far with C6?

My experience so far with the C6 has been great. I am not going to lie, but I will always favor bikes with friction resistance as they feel a little more natural, but even the magnetic resistance is growing on me with the C6. Most of the time, when I click in for a ride, I am riding to a live or pre-recorded workout on the Peloton® digital app. I love switching between cycling apps, and my
Pros & Cons
Did I have any issues till now?
Not long after owning my C6, I started having issues with my pedals. It is usual for pedals to be a little tight when you first begin clicking your cleats in and eventually loosen to a certain degree, but the float became too much with my SPD cleats, and I started shredding the screws on the SPD pedals. Customer service was great to work with to rectify the issue, and they sent me new pedals after spending a significant amount of time with me on the phone trying to troubleshoot the problem. Hopefully, these pedals will continue to work better. If not, I can always swap them for SPD pedals, as I have done with most of my previous models.
Would I Recommend the Bowflex C6?
Yes! I recommend the Bowflex C6. It has a great design at a fantastic price. This model keeps getting better now with the offer of the Bowflex JRNY app that is included free for the first year you own your
Mechanics & Detailed Specs
An excellent alternative option to Peloton or other streaming bikes. A quiet magnetic resistance bike, proficient enough to link with the many available streaming devices such as Peloton® and Zwift®.
Bowflex C6
- User height range: 4′ 6″- 6’6″
- Height: 51.8″
- Width: 21.2″
- Length: 48.7″
- Item weight: 106 pounds
- User weight maximum: 330 pounds
- 100 levels magnetic resistance
Construction Quality
Nautilus has created an incredibly sturdy indoor cycle. Outstanding design features include a steel frame, a soft coating for the steel handlebars, a plastic cover for the drive system, and a sweat guard to protect the flywheel from sweat-erosion.
Resistance & Smoothness of the Ride
This cycle offers 100 levels of magnetic resistance. Magnetic resistance is quieter than friction resistance since nothing comes in contact with the flywheel. Magnets move closer or farther away from the flywheel, adjusting resistance. This type of resistance is not only quieter but also requires less maintenance. The 40-pound flywheel and belt drive create an incredibly smooth ride. Heavier flywheels allow for a more even pedal stroke due to the inertia created and maintained by the weighted flywheel as it spins, which increases the smoothness of the ride.
Console

The backlit LCD console displays cadence, distance, calories, speed, duration, resistance, and heart rate. A free Bluetooth armband heart rate monitor is included with the purchase of the
Pedals

Dual pedals come standard with the C6 that includes caged and SPD options. If you do not wish to purchase cycling shoes, the toe cages make using your regular athletic shoes easy. If you do not plan to use the toe cages and only want the SPD option, the toe cages are easy to remove with the right tools. SPD cleats are among the most standard cleats found in
Seat and Seat Cushion


A race-style saddle is available with this
Note: If you feel an increase in saddle soreness, do not forget to check your riding position, as slouching can increase soreness. If your form is on point and the seat is still uncomfortable, gel seats and cycling shorts are also available. You can check our guide on the Best Women’s Shorts.
App Connectivity

As mentioned earlier, the primary reason for developing the Bowflex C6 was to make it compatible with popular streaming apps such as Peloton App, Zwift, Sufferfest, and many others. The
Almost all of these
As with any app, they all offer their pros and cons and can offer vastly different workout experiences from App to App. Zwift offers life-like virtual worlds and courses, making it feel like you are riding outside; the graphics and interface are fantastic and straightforward to use.
Some of the indoor cycling apps like Zwift allow the user to see their position on a virtual leaderboard, motivating the athlete to want to improve their performance.
To sum-up:
Note: Bowflex C6 is fully supported by Peloton App. The only downside is that you cannot access the virtual leaderboard.
Portability

Two wheels are located at the
Additional Features
There are a couple of other features to note about the C6. First, the handlebars are incredibly comfortable and include not one but two water bottle holders located under the handlebars. This makes it easy to hydrate while keeping the water bottles out of your way while riding. Also found under the handlebars are 3-pound weights included with the purchase of this
Adjustability
The adjustability of the C6 accounts for the extensive height range of 4’6″-6’6″ available. In addition, both the saddle and handlebars include four-way adjustability. Four-way adjustability is when the handlebars or saddle can move up and down and forward and back. For example, taller riders often find it difficult to avoid hitting their knees on the handlebars when riding out of the saddle if the handlebars cannot move farther away from the saddle. In contrast, shorter riders (like me) need to have a shorter distance between the saddle and handlebars to find a suitable position when riding in the saddle.
Assembly
Many other purchasers said that it took approximately an hour to assemble the Bowflex C6 by themselves or with the help of one other person. I decided not to assemble the C6 myself, and I paid a little over $100 for professional assembly. Instead, I coordinated with Bowflex the delivery of my
Peloton to Bowflex C6 Conversion Chart
We said that Bowflex C6 can be an excellent alternative to Peloton and I personally believe that it is the best value for money indoor cycle. So, if you go with the C6 but want to use Peloton App, you can create or buy a Resistance Conversion Chart. You can find such products on Etsy or eBay.
There are many conversion charts in various online forums & sites which you can follow. However, it is important to note that all bikes are calibrated slightly differently. Even two identical C6 bikes might have a slight difficulty with their resistance.
Pro Tip: take all the resistance off after each rode as it seems to help keep the resistance calibrated better for future rides.
Now, if you want to have a starting point, we suggest the following conversion chart that has been endorsed by both Bowflex Official and Reddit Peloton Community.

Where to Buy Bowflex C6 Bike
If you live in the U.S., the best place to purchase the Bowflex C6 is from bowflex.com. Bowflex delivers within the United States but does not deliver to international destinations or U.S. territories. At times, the C6 is available at Best Buy Canada, but only the Schwinn IC4 is currently available, which is extremely similar.
Warranty and Return Policy
Warranty Policy
The Bowflex warranty policy is more extensive than other bikes, including the Peloton. Bowflex’s warranty policy includes:
- 10-year frame
- 3-year mechanical and electronics
- 1-year labor
For an additional $109, Bowflex offers a 5-year protection plan that covers labor and parts.
Return Policy
To return your C6, you must obtain a return merchandise authorization (RMA) number for Bowflex to accept your return. Your
Bowflex Customer Support
Bowflex Customer Support is excellent. They are available via phone or by chat. Unlike other customer service lines that bounce you from person to person, your Bowflex Customer Support person helps you from start to finish. I found this extremely helpful when I was fighting a pedal issue.
Useful Info from our Survey
In our survey of 165 C6 bike owners, 33 respondents answered our optional question, “If you used Bowflex / Schwinn Support for the Issues you had, how do you rate it?”. 24 out of the 33 people (72%) that answered this question rated the support with at least a 3 out of 5.

Bowflex C6 Mat Size
A quality mat can provide stability and save you from damages to your carpet or floor. Bowflex recommends a mat of 4’9″ L x 2’11” W (145 L x 89 W cm) size. You can find it here.
Community
So, you bought this versatile
Worry not!
We suggest the Private Facebook Group “Schwinn IC4 and Bowflex C6 Riders” with a huge number of members: almost 20.000! Besides, you can join Reddit on “Bowflex C6 & IC4 Owners” with more than 2500 members.
Bowflex C6 Alternatives
Bowflex C7

Almost identical to the Bowflex C6 except for one significant difference. While the C6 includes only a digital console, the C7 offers a 7” Wi-Fi-connected touchscreen that helps connect to your favorite streaming services and cycling apps.
Whether or not the C7 is worth the investment instead of purchasing the Bowflex C6 will vary from person to person. If you are someone that wants a wide variety of activities and platforms you can use while riding, then the C7 might be worth it. On the other hand, riders who only want to use one or two cycling platforms and do not mind using their tablet or smartphone might be more inclined to purchase the C6.
Schwinn IC4

In many ways, the Schwinn IC4 is almost identical, and if it wasn’t for the decals and stickers, you might not spot the difference. They have several features in common, and the only main difference you need to factor in is the price point.
The Schwinn IC4 is an excellent exercise
The Schwinn IC4 also comes equipped with magnetic resistance and offers the rider 100 different settings allowing you to find the correct form and technique. Another benefit of having 100 settings is that people of any
The Schwinn IC4 also comes equipped with a heart rate monitor that fits nicely around your arm and connects seamlessly to Bluetooth. These heart rate monitors are a great way to track your workouts, and over a long period, they provide valuable data points.
MYX II Bike

The power of the whole Beachbody experience is now available with the recent introduction of the MYX 2 Bike. Riders can instantly enjoy live and on-demand



Since I have owned these two bikes for more than 1 year, I have also written a detailed C6 vs. MYX II comparison, which you can read if you are between those two bikes.
Bowflex Velocore

The VeloCore is a little more on the pricey side, but, in my opinion, it still manages to squeeze into the affordable
As a matter of fact, you can even pay an extra $500 and upgrade to the 22-inch LCD screen. The real stand-out feature is that the VeloCore not only moves forwards and backward but can also move side to side.
This provides the rider with an incredibly realistic riding experience, closely simulating riding outside on roads or up and down your favorite mountain climb.
The VeloCore also allows users to link to their favorite cycling &
Echelon

If you’re searching for an excellent option for the Bowflex C6
Cost does vary, and the company also offers an excellent package that includes a yearly subscription giving you unlimited access to all classes and other features.
The
One big negative is that you are unable to sync with Peloton or ZWift, and at this stage, Echelon only offers the link to their own App.
Keiser M3i

The Keiser M3i is a great indoor cycling
An extremely quietexercise
At just over $2000, the Keiser M3i is quite an expensive
If you have the money for this rather great exercise
Life Fitness IC7

This indoor cycling
Peloton
An exceptional alternative to the Bowflex C6, the Peloton
It has all the characteristics you’d anticipate from a
Nevertheless, the cost is considerably steep at just over $2000, and if you don’t have Look-Delta shoes, you will need to buy some to ensure adaptability. The indoor cycling classes possible are incredible but are a hefty $37 monthly.
Overall the Peloton
Factors to Take Into Consideration Before Buying an Indoor Cycle
Several factors need to be considered before purchasing an exercise or spin
The Bottom Line

The Bowflex C6 is a fantastic option for those who do not want to spend thousands of dollars but still want an incredible riding experience.
An excellent alternative option to Peloton or other streaming bikes. A quiet magnetic resistance bike, proficient enough to link with the many available streaming devices such as Peloton® and Zwift®.
Bonus Content: GirlBikeLove.com C6 & IC4 Survey
GirlBikeLove.com Blog is always trying to find the most critical and useful information for our users. That’s why, except for our own Bowflex C6 review, we asked 165 C6 & IC4
You can see the whole survey and results here.
In short, we had the following results, based on the answers we got.
How happy are the owners with their bike ?

We asked owners to rate their exercise
Most Loved Bike Features

It seems that connectivity, construction quality, and smoothness of the ride were the most loved attributes of the IC4 and C6 bikes. Other high-ranking features included the
Some of our respondents made the following statements regarding connectivity capability:
- “I like that the
bike is not tied to a specific streaming service…” - “It feels really sturdy. You can more or less just jump on and jump off…”
- “I like the smooth motion of the flywheel when it’s operating smoothly.”
Common Bowflex C6 Problems/ Issues
Based on our survey that included 165 owners of either the Bowflex C6 or the Schwinn IC4 models, 70% of them didn’t have any issues with their
For the 30% of people who did find something that bothered them, noise, pedal, and crank arm issues are some of the most common issues.

Below is a selection of responses from our participants describing
- “Clicking noise on the right pedal when pedaling down. It seems to happen when I’m standing, and I’m really putting my weight into it.”
- “Need to recalibrate as too much tension at bottom end.”
- “Seat post wobbles and appears to be squeaking.”
Pro Tip: Most of the owners replaced their pedals with quality SPD or flat pedals. With an extra cost of $50-$100, you can get an excellent Shimano or a Venzo set; and yet your IC4 or C6
The Bowflex C6 and Schwinn IC4 are exceptionally well-constructed cycles. With the insight provided by our 165 respondents, it is clear to see why owners rated these models so high. Yes, a few issues have the potential to occur and need to be addressed, but they are not significant enough to change whether or not someone should purchase one of these models. With first-rate customer service provided by Bowflex and Schwinn, a dedicated team is standing by to rectify the issue even if a problem does occur.
Quick Summary
Bowflex C6

An excellent alternative option to Peloton or other streaming bikes. A quiet magnetic resistance bike, proficient enough to link with the many available streaming devices such as Peloton® and Zwift®.
Product SKU: 100894
Product Brand: Bowflex
4.5
Pros
- Price
- Adjustability
- Versatility
- SPD Compatible
- Tablet Rest
Cons
- Extra Weights Placement
I just purchased this C6 bike less than a week ago. I have 3-1 hr rides on it post assessment ride. Here’s what I’ve found so far:
1-The included HR monitor does not pair with the c6 bike display and jrny app simultaneously. It one or the other.
2-When using the jrny app, opening another app such as YouTube causes jrny to stop working.
3-The jrny app distance statistic records far short of the distance shown on the bike display. The app indicates a cadence of 65/70 over 1 hour records 4.5-5.0 miles. The bike display records a distance of 17-19 miles for the same time and cadence.
It appears to me the digital side of the product has several design flaws.