Keiser M3i Bundle

Should you buy the Keiser M3i Bundle?

The Keiser M3i Bundle is for the rider who trains by power numbers and expects the bike to outlast several apartments. It is the same eddy-current magnetic bike found in commercial studios, with a rear-mounted 8 lb flywheel, 24 gears and an M Connect computer that broadcasts true watts to Zwift or the Peloton app. At $2,985 it costs more than a Peloton Bike+ and comes with no screen, so it only makes sense if you already know you want accurate data more than entertainment. Casual riders should look at the Schwinn IC4 instead.

Where it earns its score

• Quality scores 96. That ties the Concept2 RowErg as the best-built machine in the category, and it ships fully assembled.
• Real power data. The M Connect computer sends calibrated watts, cadence and heart rate to Zwift and the Peloton app, which cheaper bikes estimate rather than measure.
• Fits almost everyone. The V-frame accommodates riders from 4 feet 10 to 7 feet tall with a 350 lb capacity, in a compact 51 by 26 inch footprint.
• Long coverage. Ten years on the frame and three on parts, scoring 95 on Warranty.

What to know first

• Value is the lowest factor at 56. Nearly $3,000 for a bike with no screen and no included content is a hard number to justify unless durability and accuracy are your priorities.
• No built-in content. Like the Schwinn IC4, you supply the tablet and the subscription.
• Battery powered computer. The M Connect runs on batteries rather than a plug, which is convenient for placement but adds a small maintenance item.
• Only 24 gears. Against 100 levels on the IC4 and Peloton, the steps are coarser, though each gear is repeatable and consistent.

Questions buyers ask