NordicTrack X24 exercise bike Review

NordicTrack has been building fitness equipment since 1975, having first produced a Nordic ski training device, their offerings now span multiple fitness categories and include some incredibly innovative products. They started building exercise bikes in the 1990s, and the X24 spin bike is their latest flagship model, which pairs with iFit for an immersive exercise experience. In these reviews, we share our real-world experience with the products we buy, and while there are sometimes experiences we deem anecdotal, we share them. This is the second NordicTrack bike we've tested with touch screen controls, and in both cases, the bikes arrived with screens that did not work. In both cases, getting a replacement took almost a month of calls and emails, but this time, NordicTrack has turned much of its customer service over to AI, which made resolving the issue far more frustrating. Ultimately we were sent an entirely new bike but spent close to 12 hours troubleshooting, verifying and re-verifying our purchase and working with different departments to find a solution. With that out of the way, read on to see our impressions of the properly working X24.

Performance Comparison

Exercise Quality

The NordicTrack X24 is a well-rounded spin bike that stands out with its unique incline ability. Not only does the bike raise and lower to mimic riding hills, but those adjustments happen automatically when riding an iFit workout. The bike is fairly conventional in layout with a forward mounted 32 lb flywheel that uses (SMR) silent magnetic resistance to create your virtual headwind. Turning the resistance up or down on a normal spin bike increases the effort required to turn the pedals, but unlike a real bike, your body position doesn't change. When you climb a hill on a real bike, the front end is raised, relaxing the seat tube angle and moving some of those efforts from your quadriceps into your hamstrings. This is what happens on the X24 that sets it apart from other spin bikes and helps you feel not only more challenged, but more engaged. The X24 replaces the S22i and builds upon its success with an updated screen and electronics.

Incline adjustments are made possible by an expanding support arm that supports the bike's front end. A small amount of flex in this joint creates a little wiggle in the bike that is exacerbated when you're out of the saddle. This makes the X24 feel different than a typical spin bike, it doesn't have that solid, planted feel, but this isn't necessarily negative. The bike's flex gives it a slightly more realistic feel; all-out efforts give it a bit of swagger and allow you to engage your upper body more effectively.

The rubber-coated handlebar provides multiple hand positions, letting you to adjust your reach on the long bull horns or dig into a climb on the center diamond. 170MM crank arms drive a belt connected to the flywheel, giving the drivetrain a smooth, heavy feel. The distance between the crank arms, known as the Q-factor, is 150mm, similar to a typical road bike. Many spin bikes have wider q-factors that can feel less natural and strain your knees. If you ride a typical bike for part of the year, hopping on the X24 feels refreshingly normal.

Despite the wiggle mentioned above, the bike provides a stable platform for as much power as you care to exert. The drivetrain resistance is smooth and increments between resistance levels are very gradual. At the lower end of the resistance, the flywheel provides enough inertia that you feel like you're riding downhill or with a strong tailwind. The resistance is adjusted through the screen or on the sweatproof buttons at the end of the handlebar. I liked the ergonomics of the handlebar buttons, but they have somewhat vague feelings with minimal feedback. There were many times when I wasn't sure if a press of the button registered or not. My legs didn't always detect the very mild change in resistance, so checking the numbers on the screen was the only way I knew that the resistance was increasing.

The bike is perfectly functional without connecting to iFit, but it's not exactly engaging. The iFit app elevates the quality of exercise by creating a far more entertaining and engaging experience. The X24 integrates with the app, letting the classes or instructor handle the adjustments for you. My favorite part of the iFit workout is doing scenic on-location workouts in some of the most beautiful locations in the world. The production quality through the large screen is outstanding, and the SmartAdjust features let you focus on your form and the scenery instead of making speed and incline adjustments.

24 levels of magnetic resistance are enough to give even our expert spin instructor a solid workout and the steps between those levels never feel too large. A set of 3lb dumbbells sit in a tray on the front of the bike, giving you quick access to involving your arms in the cardio quest. A phone tray between the bullhorn handlebars and dual water bottle holders is located just below.

Companion App/Connectivity

The iFit classes take on many forms and are suitable for beginners looking for inspiration and help with form, as well as advanced riders that enjoy hearing the trainers' stories and training tips. iFit offers studio classes like all other apps, but what sets it apart are the on-location scenic workouts and the impressive production quality. Some other apps have location-based rides that are essentially GoPro or dash cam footage of a ride / drive through a national park. iFit takes these on location rides to an entirely new level. If I sound effusive, it's because I don't think there is a more engaging or enjoyable way to work out on a spin bike. The iFit trainers are top notch and provide helpful training and interesting information about the area you're riding in that takes your mind off your burning quads.

Aside from production quality, iFit uses interconnectivity (essentially Bluetooth FTMS) between the bike and training app to make your workout match the terrain you're riding. This is what allows the app to control the bike's functions. It's awesome to follow a trainer up an incline and have the bike rise in the front and the resistance increase to simulate an incline. The bike tilts downward when descending, resistance drops, and the fan speed increases to mimic wind speed.

I've been using iFit as a form of active travel, I don't have the time or resources to ride the coast of Croatia with a group of professional cyclists, but that's the experience I had at 5 am. I find this virtual travel to be interesting and inspiring. Sometimes I might want to bail on a studio class, but with iFit, I want to see what's around the next corner. I find the iFit studio classes enjoyable but not as engaging as the Peloton studio classes.

If you get bored with studio classes or virtually travelling the world, the 24" display allows you to log in to your Netflix or Amazon Prime Video account and watch their content as you spin out the miles. I enjoyed watching documentaries while riding and found the content a time-warping distraction. Of course, this entertainment and inspiration isn't free, but iFit isn't the most expensive of the fitness apps. There are two types of iFit subscription, Train and Pro. You need the Pro subscription to use the app through a connected device like the X24. The Train subscription works on an iPad or a SmartTV but not on a connected machine's display. A monthly Pro subscription costs $39 or $396 annually and can be used on multiple machines by up to 5 family members. The Train subscription costs $15 per month or $144 if you purchase an annual subscription, it can be a great way to sample iFit before buying a bike and an annual membership.

Comfort

I found the X24 to offer above average comfort for a spin bike with an updated saddle and multiple options for my hands. The seatmast offers 13.5 inches of adjustment and the saddle can be moved fore /aft by 2 inches, letting you adjust your seat tube angle to focus on different muscle groups or match the angles of the bike you ride outdoors.

The handlebar has 5.5 inches of height adjustability, but that adjustment is straight up and down, which means there is no change to the reach. This was an issue for one of our testers who describes herself as short in the torso. NordicTrack doesn't make any claims about the recommended height for users, but the saddle-to-pedal height ranges from 29.5" to 43".

One of the things I appreciate most about the X24's adjustability is that the settings are not indexed so you can choose a height that doesn't exactly correspond to a number. There are numbers on the masts so you can easily return to a previous setting. Many popular spin bikes on the market use indexed adjustments that are too coarse, making you choose a saddle or handlebar height that is too low or too high. The machine's display offers 41 degrees of adjustability, which is sufficient to eliminate glare and find an optimal viewing angle.

The new ergonomic unisex saddle gathered no complaints from our testers, but it's on the narrower side, measuring 260mm X 160mm with a channel in the center. The foam cushioning and leather-like cover worked well with cycling or gym shorts. Saddles can be a personal preference, so if you'd prefer to use the saddle from your road bike, the mounting hardware is universal, making it easy to swap. The handlebar uses a rubberized coating that is slightly texturized, providing good grip when sweaty yet remains easy to clean. Two-sided pedals allow you to use standard SPD shoes or sneakers and cleats are included. If you're always using the SPD side of the pedals, removing the clips and straps from the other side prevents them from smacking around and making noise while you ride.

User Interface

The main interface with the bike is the 24" HD touchscreen with excellent picture quality and brightness. If you fully utilize iFit, you won't have to use the screen much once you've selected your workout. iFit can make resistance and incline adjustments for you, it can even control the fan speed with a feature called AutoBreeze that increases the airflow as your speed ramps up. The ends of the handlebars have physical buttons for adjusting resistance on the right and incline on the left. As I mentioned above, the buttons use a sweatproof cover that makes them feel a bit vague but they work fine for on the fly adjustments, especially when you're pedaling out of the saddle and don't want ot raise a hand to the screen. A phone tray sits in the center of the handlebar and the screen has a USB-C outlet to keep your battery charged while you spin.

Using Bluetooth, you can connect a compatible heart rate monitor or earbuds. The software allows you to adjust the app volume, trainer's voice, and music from FEED.FM separately. FEED.FM offers 11 popular music channels but you're limited to eight skips per hour. Speaking of skips, iFit workouts do not have a fast forward or rewind feature, you can't move forward or skip a hill section. This probably promotes continuity, but there have been times I wanted to reverse to a pretty view or move forward to a more challenging section, which isn't possible. While you can pair a heart rate monitor, the bike doesn't support ActivePulse, which adjusts your workout based on your heart rate like NordicTrack treadmills.

If you're currently using another fitness ecosystem, iFit can sync with it to import your health data and export your workout data, it currently works with Strava, Garmin Connect, Google Fit, and Apple Fitness. There is also a (beta) AI coach that can schedule your workouts and send you reminders. I found it basic and a bit lacking, but it may improve over time.

Unlike most other spin bikes, a knob on the frame does not control magnetic resistance but the X24 uses that space to provide an emergency brake. If you need to suddenly stop a workout, bringing the weighted flywheel to a halt can be a bit much for tired legs, so depressing the knob stops the wheel and cranks within a fraction of a second.

Features

The X24 has several features that increase the bike's usability. The most significant of these features is the bike's unique incline adjustment. I've used iFit on several other spin bikes and treadmills and have always found it engaging, but the X24 brings it to another level. By having adjustable incline, the bike moves your workout from a quad-intensive spin experience to a hamstring and glute oriented workout which helps the ride feel less mundane.

A set of 3 pound dumbbells in an easy-to-reach dumbbell rack is a nice way to engage your upper body, but very few of the classes I finished directed you to use the weights.

Transport wheels are a handy feature on exercise bikes and there aren't many without them. While the X24 has a nice set of wheels up front, the back of the bike doesn't have a handle for lifting, making the bike a bit more difficult to scoot about.

The swiveling screen allows you to use the bike for more than just spin classes. iFit offers an abundance of strength, yoga, and wellness classes that take place off the bike. Although the 24" screen is clear and capable of tilting down toward a floor position, I found the screen less enjoyable to work from than the wall mounted SmartTV, but it's a nice option.

Dual water bottle holders sit below the handlebars, which makes grabbing a bottle easy. I found this location preferable to the bike's downtube for quick access. While the bike includes dual-sided pedals (SPD or Cage), we mostly used Garmin power meter pedals to assess the accuracy of the bike's onboard power sensor.

Setup and Portability

Assembling the X24 isn't difficult, you can see in our time lapse video that the process took our tester about 45 minutes. The box weighs 205 pounds, so we used a pallet jack to get it into place. Those without a home pallet jack might consider removing all the packaging and moving the bike pieces to your assembly location individually. As you can see, the box is quite large and packed with an abundance of styrofoam. The packaging material was quite messy and much larger than most residential trash services will handle, so plan in advance if you're ordering this bike. Nothing about the actual assembly was difficult but having a friend hold the screen while you attach the screws might make the process easier.

Like most exercise bikes, the X24 has forward transport wheels that allow you to roll it on hard flooring, but the lack of a handle on the bike's rear and heavy weight made it more cumbersome to move than most. Extending the handlebar and saddle does little to expand the bike's footprint, but the large screen feels imposing when not in use. The bike has a footprint of 59.5" L x 22.2" W x 64.7" with the handlebars at full height. We'd recommend a space of at least 62" x 30" to use the bike safely and if you're placing it on carpet, make sure to use a protective mat underneath the bike.

Should You Buy the NordicTrack X24?

The X24 provides a fantastic fitness experience, but we'd consider a few things before jumping in. The bike is expensive and the iFit app that allows you to take full advantage of it adds a monthly fee. All spin bikes will have an up-front cost and ongoing app expenses, but this bike is premium priced. Our main reservation with this bike is the quality and customer service, having received multiple non-working models has allowed us to get familiar with the ins and outs of the NordicTrack customer service department, and the many hours we spent trying to rectify their quality control issues left us with a bad taste. That said, I vastly prefer the experience on this bike to any other we've tested.

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