Behind the Scenes of Peloton Refurbished Bikes

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing the Peloton Bike or Bike+ but are concerned about the price tag, you may be solely sticking to workouts on the Peloton App or Strength+ app. First of all, good for you, because you know the power of being able to work out anywhere, any time. But in this case, you can have the best of all Peloton has to offer. That’s because there’s a more affordable way to purchase a Peloton Bike or Bike+ through the Peloton Certified Refurbished program.  

What is a Refurbished Peloton Bike or Bike+?

A Peloton Certified Refurbished Bike or Bike+ is different from a pre-owned one you may see on Facebook Marketplace or other community groups. The key with a refurbished Bike or Bike+ is that it’s been returned directly to Peloton, so it undergoes thorough testing to guarantee it will operate as good as new. Offering refurbished products and supporting a long life for our equipment is key to supporting Peloton's commitment to reducing our carbon emissions and advancing circularity across our business. Wondering where these Bikes come from? Most are from Peloton’s 30-day return window. Others are returned from the Peloton Rental Program. 

What makes a refurbished Bike or Bike+ so special is that you’re getting a premium Peloton product with a steep discount. A refurbished Bike+ costs $1,995, compared to a new Bike+ at $2,495. Curious what a refurbished Bike or Bike+ is all about? Read on to learn about the process and the benefits of owning one.

The Journey of Refurbished Peloton Bikes

Lest you think a refurbished Bike or Bike+ is simply slapping some new stickers on it and sending it back out the door, the refurbishment process is an intricately detailed operation. To start, a dedicated team of refurbishment specialists takes a return and examines it to ensure it fits the criteria for refurbishment. This includes examining both the mechanics and cosmetics of the Bike or Bike+. Anything that is in poor condition, be it mechanically or cosmetically, doesn’t pass go in the refurbishment process—it gets recycled and is no longer in use.  Parts in good working condition with no cosmetic deficiencies are saved for use in refurbished equipment.

For those that do make it to refurbishment, there is a rigorous testing process they must clear along the way. Here’s a look at what goes into refurbishing a Peloton Bike or Bike+:

Step 1: Visual Inspection & Full Cleaning

Obvious cosmetic damage that can’t be repaired (such as rust or excessive sweat marks) stops the refurbishment process in its tracks. Then, the equipment is disinfected and thoroughly cleaned until it shines like new.

Step 2: Function Test & Drivetrain Inspection

From the outside, the Bike or Bike+ has passed the rigorous cosmetic standards to move forward. Now it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty. The Bike or Bike+ gets hooked up to a machine to run initial tests, checking that the pedals, brakes, resistance, and the components that impact cadence and other metrics are all running smoothly. If there are any issues with these components, assessments are made on whether to remove the Bike or Bike+ from the process or make repairs and continue with the evaluation. 

Step 3: Torque Check

Nuts, bolts, and screws on the Bikes that effect mechanics must be tightened to a specific degree to make sure it’s working properly. If not, a Member may find it easier or more difficult to pedal than it should be. Proper torque consists of measuring exactly how much force is applied to assemble the different parts, like pedals or crank arms. This matters because too much or too little force could result in performance issues over time.

Step 4: Calibration

What makes the Peloton Leaderboard so great is that everyone is using the same methodology: Resistance + Cadence = Output. Consistent output is important. Every Bike and Bike+ is properly calibrated to ensure that it works as expected. Following this inspection, every single Bike or Bike+ is re-calibrated to its original settings. This ensures that each Bike and Bike+ exits the refurbishment process in a factory setting and you don't have to worry about it impacting your output when you ride.

Step 5: Final Quality Inspection

Throughout the refurbishment process, parts of the Bike and Bike+ are disassembled, whether it’s for minor repairs, inspection, or cleaning. This last check makes sure everything has been reassembled properly and that all mechanical tests (such as the Function Test and Drivetrain Inspection) have given the Bike or Bike+ the green light.

From there, every Refurbished Bike or Bike+ receives any final brand-new components, as needed, and is ready to be delivered to a new Members’ home.

Peloton Certified Refurbished Bikes are cleaned, inspected, and thoroughly tested to meet Peloton’s strict quality standards.

Refurbished Peloton Bikes: A Sustainable Choice

When you choose a refurbished Bike, you’re not only getting a great deal, you’re also making a choice with lower environmental impacts. Peloton recently conducted a study to understand the carbon footprint of certain products and found that the carbon footprint of a Peloton Certified Refurbished Bike is 80 percent less than a new Peloton Bike. Peloton is committed to reducing its carbon emissions and advancing circularity offerings like the Peloton Certified Refurbished program is key to that commitment. The Peloton Certified Refurbished program extends the life of Bikes while keeping valuable materials in use, all while ensuring you get high-quality equipment that will help you reach your goals, for less.

Should You Buy a Refurbished Peloton Bike or Bike+?

Peloton’s high standards for refurbished Bikes mean you’re getting the same experience as if you had purchased a new Bike or Bike+. Here’s what else you can expect: