By Robbie Ferri, Cyclist, Personal Trainer, and Group Exercise Instructor.
If you have been looking into spinning bikes, you would have probably come across the Keiser M3i. Many cyclists ask, is it worth the money? Yes, it is, and in this article, we’re going to tell you why and what makes it so unique.
Can you use the Keiser M3i with the Peloton Application?
Many indoor cyclists ask if they will be able to use the Peloton application with the Keiser M3i, and the answer is yes. You will have to use the application on a tablet or device, and it does come with some limitations. You will get all your on-demand classes, and you will be able to access the class library, but you will miss out on the leaderboard and some performance metrics that the
The application is much cheaper though, and many people choose the route as to when you buy a Peloton, you are tied into that application. Peloton built the application to give indoor cyclists a taste of the

Detailed Review & Bike Features
The Keiser M3i is an incredible
The App takes the cycle to another level, and with compatibility and connectivity, the bike offers all of the latest conveniences the digital age has to offer.
Specifications
- V-Shaped Design and Rear Facing Flywheel
- Construction Quality
- Portability
- Adjustability
- Comfort
- Self Tensioning Poly V Belt Drive System
- Resistance System
- Monitor with Power Function
- Connectivity and Applications
- Revolutionary Pedals
- Great Accessories
V-Shaped Design and Rear Facing Flywheel
This
The other stand-out part we see when we look at this

Secondly, to avoid sweat hurting any components. We all sweat, and typically on a modern front-facing flywheel, when we ride, the sweat falls into the front wheels and can destroy the bearings. On the Keiser M3i, this isn’t an issue, and the flywheel is protected and out of the way.
The flywheel is also much lighter than most on the market and spins the quickest of any
Construction Quality
One thing that I think sets this
Portability
With the flywheel at the rear, many people ask if it is easy to move around? The answer is yes. The flywheel is so light, and the design on the
Adjustability
With a design like this, will it be suitable for your
Another great feature of this design is that the seat and the handlebars are four-way adjustable, unlike many other bikes on the market, such as the Peloton. It can suit users from 4ft 10” all the way to 6ft 5”. This is an incredible range and plenty enough to fit a variety of different users. Not only does it cater for a wide range of users on the height front, but the weight front too and has a maximum user weight of 350lbs.
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®.
Comfort
As far as comfort goes, I thought the
Self Tensioning Poly V Belt Drive System
You might have heard of this term on a few other reviews of high-end spinning bikes and it is revolutionary as far as features go. A belt drive system is what some spinning bike companies use instead of a chain. The advantages are that it lasts longer, requires no maintenance, is smoother, and handles heavy resistance better, and the best thing is, unlike chains, it doesn’t require any oil or lubrication. Not only does the Keiser have one of these belts, but it also is self-tensioning, so unlike on other bikes, it won’t ever need adjusting either.
Resistance System
The resistance system on this
One thing that really impressed me with the Keiser was that the resistance isn’t done on a dial like many bikes, it’s on a lever. It is situated right in front of you, and you can switch it up and down to select the resistance level quickly and efficiently. I have only seen this on the Keiser, and it makes it incredibly easy to get in and out of sprints or climbs.
Internally it uses a frictionless resistance system which is the way all spin bikes should be. It means that instead of using a brake pad to create resistance on the
Monitor with Power Function
Like many bikes in its price range, the Keiser doesn’t have a big screen on the front, and the instructor isn’t going to shout you out anytime, but that’s not what this
The monitor is basic, but it is very advanced inside. On the front, it looks simple, and yes, cheaper bikes do look flashier, but it will tell you everything you need to know and connect to heart rate monitors and applications such as Zwift. Keiser hasn’t tried to make it too much, and I like that. Some people don’t want a massive screen in front of them, and I know people that regularly cycle indoors who find a screen too intrusive and just want to be in their own head.
Connectivity and Applications
The first thing I feel it’s vital to speak about is the connectivity of this



Keiser does have its application (M Series App), and it is fantastic. You can download it to your phone or tablet, and it will show all your metrics on the screen, and you will be able to spin away with a small data center in front of you and then check back later to see how your workout went.
Revolutionary Pedals
Although it’s not something we go into a lot when reviewing a
Unlike most pedals, the standard shoe side is quite unique. Firstly it is not flat. It is curved, so it bonds with your trainer better. Secondly, the toe strap is built into the pedals, not just a cheap add-on. Lastly, the bearings are upgraded and are much smoother and will last much longer than a typical spin
Accessories
Another thing I thought was pretty epic was the accessories that Keiser offers compared to other brands. You have stretch plates for the feet, and you have a seat cover, a tool kit, a media tray, and even a floor mat. They are of incredible quality and just finish the
Keiser M3 or M3i: What’s the Difference
You might have come across the two different models of Keiser on the market, the Keiser M3 and the M3i. They are very similar, and both are very good, but there are some significant differences you need to know about.
Read Also:
1. Keiser M3 vs M3i Detailed Comparison
2. Keiser M3i vs. M3i Total Body Trainer
Assembly
The assembly of the
How does it hold up to its competition?
There are many spinning bikes on the market, and Keiser is up there with the best, so how does it compare to the best bikes we currently have on the market?
Keiser M3i vs. Bowflex C6 / Schwinn IC4
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®.
Comes equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to link to several apps such as Peloton® and Zwift®. The Schwinn really does offer excellent quality at a very affordable price.
The Keiser M3i is a fantastic
Keiser M3i vs Echelon EX-7S
The Echelon EX-7s is designed to be strong and durable for use in hotels, apartments/condos, boutique gyms, and other fitness facility spaces. The bike’s heavy-duty infrastructure, adjustable features, and a rotating 22” class HD touchscreen help you to give your maximum effort in every workout.
The Keiser and the Echelon share a lot of similarities. They both have a rear-facing flywheel, both look incredible, and are at a similar price point. Just like the Peloton, for the Echelon, you’re going to have to pay a subscription cost, and you’re locked in the Echelon application. If you are buying a
Keiser M3i vs Peloton
The Peloton is an iconic spin
Read Also: Keiser M3i vs Peloton Detailed Comparison
Keiser M3i vs Stages SC3
The Stages is an incredible
Keiser M3i vs. Nordictrack S27i
The Nordic track is a
Keiser M3i vs Wahoo Kickr Bike
The Kickr
What do customer reviews say?
It’s easy for me to have an opinion as someone who has used a lot of spinning bikes, but what about other people? The main comments about the Keiser M3i are just how good the quality is, and it is an incredible machine. The only negative I seem to read about is the saddle isn’t the most comfortable. That is an easy change though, and it’s great to see the fantastic feedback on this
Warranty and Returns
What if you have any issues? Do you get a good warranty? Yes, you do two years, but that excludes labor and parts that wear out. This is a great warranty, but in my opinion, I don’t think it would get used as the quality is just so good.
FAQs
Why is the Keiser M3i so expensive?
The Keiser isn’t just your standard spin bike mass-produced overseas. The Keiser is an incredible machine that has been built to an excellent standard. It’s the kind of bike that can be situated in a gym, used for 5 hours each day, and still perform for years.
Is Keiser better than Peloton?
They are very different bikes. The Peloton doesn’t have the quality and is made more for entertainment purposes than general spinning.
Does the Keiser M3i need to be plugged in?
It doesn’t need to be plugged in and completely powers itself off your cycling energy. This is a fantastic feature and is why many gyms use Keiser.
Does Keiser M3i work with Rouvy?
Yeah, it has Bluetooth connectivity to link up to Rouvy and is a lot of fun to use on the application. Great for virtual riding.
How do I change the battery in my Keiser M3i?
You just need to unscrew the back and change the batteries out. It is a 2-minute job and very easy to do.
Conclusion
The Keiser M3i is a fantastic machine, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is in the market for a spinning
The App takes the cycle to another level, and with compatibility and connectivity, the bike offers all of the latest conveniences the digital age has to offer.
I really like the smooth motion, almost no maintenance effort and the power meter. However I found the minimum resistance for me to ride in control is 10. I am not a heavy rider so I can’t take advantage of body weight to push the pedal. Is Keiser m3i suitable for me or I am just a poor rider???