Riding an exercise bike is one of the best ways to implement cardio into your workout regimen without putting unnecessary stress on your joints. While it can be overwhelming to look at the sheer number of options online, the NordicTrack VU 29 is a solid upright bike for those looking for moderate intensity in their cardio workouts. This bike features a 19-pound flywheel with 24 levels of magnetic resistance and a 325-pound weight limit. In addition, the 14-inch touchscreen monitor grants you access to the thousands of workouts from iFit, and you’ll receive a one-month trial with your purchase.
During the iFit workouts, your trainer will adjust the resistance level during your ride based on the specific class, and the integration of Google Maps™ allows you to travel the world for your cardio sessions. While the $1,300 price tag may be a little steep for some, we think the VU29 is a solid upright bike for those who want a bike with modern technology but don’t necessarily want a high level of intensity for their workouts.
Main Takeaways
- The 14-inch touchscreen display creates an immersive experience for your cardio workouts.
- The automatic resistance adjustments help mimic hilly terrain, creating a more immersive virtual ride.
- You’ll receive a one-month trial to iFit with your purchase.
This upright exercise bike offers automatic adjustments to the 24 levels of magnetic resistance, features a 19-pound flywheel, and is fully integrated with iFit and Google Maps™.
NordicTrack VU 29 Exercise Bike Highlights
The NordicTrack VU 29 was made with the average cardio lover in mind with a 19-pound flywheel. The weight of the flywheel matters because it determines the overall difficulty of your rides and the momentum you can maintain. The extensive catalog from iFit also means you won’t have a shortage of workouts. So if you sign up for a membership after the one-month trial, you can bust out the dumbbells to sculpt your biceps and pull out your exercise mat.
During cycling iFit classes, the trainer will automatically adjust the 24 levels of magnetic resistance to match the terrain of the course while you ride, but you can always manually adjust the difficulty when necessary. The integration of Google Maps™ is one of our favorite features this bike offers, as it allows you to virtually travel the globe for your rides. Select a city, and the street camera view will give you a true sense of the location during your custom workouts.
Even though the flywheel may not be ideal for elite cyclists, it can still help you reach your cardio goals. The $1,300 price tag may also be too steep for some folks, but the high-quality build and luxury features on the VU 29 make it worth it.
Pros
- The 14-inch touchscreen display provides an immersive experience for your rides.
- The automatic adjustments to the 24 levels of magnetic resistance are a bonus for those who are complacent with their cardio efforts.
- The integration with Google Maps™ allows you to virtually travel the globe for your rides. A virtual bike ride in Paris? Oui, si’l vous plait.
Cons
- A membership to iFit is required to get the full experience of the VU 29.
- The 19-pound flywheel is light and might not provide as smooth a ride as a bike with a heavier flywheel can.
- There are no pulse sensors to monitor your heart rate, so you’ll have to purchase a separate heart rate monitor if you don’t already own one.
Price
The starting price for the NordicTrack VU 29 is about $1,300, but the final price tag is determined by your choice of iFit membership and if you want a warranty plan or white glove assembly. So, you could potentially spend about $2,650 for the three-year iFit plan, the three-year extended maintenance plan, and the white glove assembly.
It’s not much of a secret that this is a chunk of change for an exercise bike with such a light flywheel. But this bike is tailored to people who value luxury features over high intensity in their cardio workouts, so if you’d rather burn calories while you watch your favorite show on Netflix than podium in a race, this is probably the bike for you. You can also finance this bike directly through NordicTrack over 12 or 39 months if you don’t want to spend all that upfront.
Overall Build and Quality
The NordicTrack VU 29 is perfect for those who want their cardio equipment to have modern technology, and for those short on space, it’s pretty compact with a 55.29” x 24.86” x 41.49” footprint. It features a 14-inch touchscreen display and automatic adjustments for the 24 levels of magnetic resistance during your iFit workouts. The bike only weighs 115 pounds, but the sturdy steel frame has a max weight capacity of 325 pounds. You’ll also receive a 10-year warranty on the frame, a two-year warranty on parts, and a one-year labor warranty.
Features
This modernized bike features a 14-inch touchscreen display to browse the various iFit workouts and track your metrics. The two-inch speakers provide a solid amount of sound for your rides, but you can always connect your Bluetooth earbuds when necessary. The automatic adjustments to the resistance are about as bougie as it gets, and the integration of Google Maps™ is one of the most unique features you’ll find on a cardio machine.
Stat Tracking and Display
Keeping tabs on your metrics while working out is easy to do with the 14-inch touchscreen display on the VU 29. During your rides, you’ll notice a bar at the top of the screen that tracks your time spent riding, how much time is left in your workout, your estimated calories burned, your pace, and your speed.
Included workouts
Aside from the manual workout mode, there are no programmed workouts on the NordicTrack VU 29.
Workout Apps, Compatibility and Subscription Options
With your purchase, you’ll receive a free month to iFit. iFit has a catalog of over 16,000 on-demand and live workout classes that you can stream from the VU 29 or from your phone or tablet via the companion app. Some cycling classes will take place in a studio, while others will take you to various destinations worldwide. You can select anything from strength training to yoga and HIIT workouts for the off-bike workouts. There are even fun features like monthly challenges that you can follow.
After your free trial expires, you’ll automatically enroll in a $40 monthly membership, but you can select from one of the three yearly plans if you want to save money long-term. The one-year plan will run you around $400, the two-year plan is about $700, and the three-year plan is roughly $900.
Ride Feel and Comfort
Since the VU 29 has a lighter flywheel than most (19 pounds), your rides most likely won’t be as smooth as a bike with a 40-pound flywheel. However, it might balance out a bit, thanks to the magnetic resistance.
Heart Rate Monitoring
The NordicTrack VU 29 has no built-in pulse sensors to track your heart rate, so you’ll have to connect one to the bike via Bluetooth to monitor your HRV.
Fans
The VU 29 features a fan under the display to keep you cool while riding. A “cool” feature about this fan is that it has an auto mode that increases or decreases the speed based on your pedaling speed. So, if you’re cruising, the fan speed will be low, and vice versa.
Speakers
Two two-inch speakers above the display will keep your iFit classes loud and clear.
Water Bottle, Cup Holders, Tablet and Phone Holders
This exercise bike has only one cup holder, and that’s it. So, while you can keep your water bottle on deck to stay hydrated, you don’t have a designated spot for your phone or tablet.
Bluetooth and Audio Options
The NordicTrack VU 29 features Bluetooth connectivity to synch a heart rate monitor or your favorite earbuds.
HDMI, USB and Other Inputs
There are no plug-ins on this bike, but with the ability to stream workouts from the display, you might not feel like you’re missing out on anything.
Product Specs
The NordicTrack VU 29 is an upright exercise bike with a small footprint ideal for those tight on space. The 19-pound flywheel and 24 levels of magnetic resistance are also perfect for those who don’t want or need high intensity in their cardio workouts. The fixed handlebars might be uncomfortable for some athletes, but the padded seat can accommodate your height. It weighs 115 pounds and has a weight capacity of 325 pounds.
Bike Type
This upright exercise bike might not be the best fit for those with lower back pain. If you’re struggling with any back ailments in general, you might be better off with a recumbent bike, as they allow you to sit in a more comfortable position.
Resistance
The NordicTrack VU 29 offers 24 levels of magnetic resistance from the 19-pound flywheel. Magnetic resistance has become popular because it is the quietest form available, making it ideal for those with other household members. While you can adjust the resistance level with the manual buttons under the display, your trainer will take care of that for you during the middle of your iFit workouts to mimic the terrain of your ride.
The downside with a 19-pound flywheel is that it can’t offer the same level of difficulty as a heavier one can provide. But on the other hand, a heavier flywheel also allows you to maintain your momentum better while riding. So, if you’re a hardcore cyclist, you might be better off targeting a bike with a heavier flywheel to meet your needs.
Pedals
The oversized pedals on the VU 29 are about as basic as it gets, with a simple adjustable strap that goes over the top of your foot.
Seat and Handlebars
The oversized padded seat on this bike offers moderate comfort and should satisfy most athletes, and it can be adjusted vertically and horizontally. However, the handlebars leave a bit to be desired. Not only do they not feature pulse grips or manual adjustment buttons, but they also cannot be adjusted to fit your comfort level.
Dimensions and Weight
This bike is pretty compact, measuring 55.29” x 24.86” x 41.49”, and it only weighs 115 pounds.
Weight Capacity
The VU 29 has a respectable weight capacity of 325 pounds.
Portability
A pair of wheels on the front of this bike makes it relatively easy to move around your personal space, but it would be nice to have a designated handle to grab rather than relying on the seat.
Electrical Requirements
The NordicTrack VU 29 relies on a standard 110v outlet in your home for power.
Noise
Thanks to the magnetic resistance, your workouts on the VU 29 will be pretty quiet. You might not even hear it over the noise of the trainer and music.
Warranties
The NordicTrack VU 29 comes with a 10-year warranty on the frame, a two-year warranty on parts, and a one-year labor warranty.
Places to Buy
You can buy this bike directly through the NordicTrack website.
Company Information
NordicTrack is one of the leaders in manufacturing cardio equipment, with products ranging from exercise bikes to treadmills, ellipticals, and rowing machines. Your purchase comes with a 30-day trial period, so if you aren’t satisfied with your purchase, you’re eligible for a full refund. If you need to speak to a team member, call them at 888-308-9616.
Final Word
The NordicTrack VU 29 Exercise Bike is ideal for those who want a bike with modern technology. It sports a 14-inch touchscreen display where all your iFit workouts will be streamed. In addition, the 24 levels of magnetic resistance are virtually silent, and you’ll experience automatic adjustments during your trainer-led workouts to best mimic the terrain of your course. We also love the integration of Google Maps™, as it allows you to travel the globe for your cardio sessions.
Since this bike has a 19-pound flywheel, it’s best suited for athletes who don’t need a heavy flywheel to achieve a proper workout. It’s also a bit expensive with a $1,300 price tag, and you have to pay for an iFit membership to get the full experience of this bike. But the overall high-quality build will likely make the VU 29 worth it for those who can afford it.
FAQs
How much does the NordicTrack VU 29 Exercise Bike cost?
The starting price for this bike is around $1,300, but the final price tag is determined by whether or not you want one of the three yearly iFit membership plans, white glove assembly, and an extended warranty. All in all, you could spend over $2,600 on this bike, which is a pretty penny.
Does the NordicTrack VU 29 Exercise Bike offer any programmed workouts?
Aside from the manual workout mode, there are no programmed workouts on the NordicTrack VU 29. So to get the full experience of this bike, you’ll have to pay for an iFit membership.
How heavy is the flywheel on the NordicTrack VU 29 Exercise Bike?
This bike features a 19-pound flywheel. This is pretty light compared to other bikes on the market, and for those who don’t know, a flywheel determines the overall difficulty of your workout and the amount of momentum you can maintain. So, this bike is best suited for beginners rather than avid cyclists.
