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. First of all, good for you, because you know the power of being able to work out anywhere, any time (particularly with the newly launched Peloton Gym.) 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+ 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+ is that it’s been returned directly to Peloton, so it undergoes thorough testing to guarantee it’s good as new—something secondhand Bikes do not. 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 taking into account Member feedback (i.e. whether they returned it because of lack of usage or because they found it uncomfortable) as well as 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. 

For the Bikes 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. Any small scratches or visual defects that can be repaired will be completed during this step. Then, the Bikes are disinfected and thoroughly cleaned until the equipment 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, cadence, and 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

Every single nut, bolt, and screw on the Bikes must be tightened to a specific degree to make sure it’s working properly. If not, a Member may find it’s 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+ goes through a factory calibration 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 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, much of the Bike and Bike+ gets 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. 

Wondering exactly what it looks like when Bikes are reassembled? Watch a satisfying rebuild completed by one of our expert team members.

From there, every Refurbished Bike or Bike+ receives brand-new components including pedals, a power cord, and loose parts like the screws used to hook up the monitor, and is ready to be delivered to a new Members’ home.

Other accessories like the handlebars are repurposed as long as they are in good form and working properly. 

Peloton Certified Refurbished Bikes are cleaned, inspected, and thoroughly tested to meet Peloton’s strict quality standards. So much so that if you didn’t see the discount, you may not even know if you owned a refurbished model or not.

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: