Winter is just around the corner and passionate racing cyclists or other fans of outdoor sports are forced to move their training sessions indoors. However, lower temperatures are not the only reason why people prefer to exercise at home. For many people, it is also simply a question of time management. It is generally more time-efficient to do a training session at home than to go to the local gym. Regardless of whether you belong to one group or the other: Speediance may have the right solution with its home trainers and its Gym Monster 2 (€ 3,607.00 *) not only offers a suitable solution for a comprehensive full-body workout. The company has also thought about cardio fans. In our Speediance VeloNix test, we put the manufacturer’s smart indoor bike through its paces.
Technical data
| Model | Speediance VeloNix |
| Drive | – Electric direct drive – Resistance via motor control – Electric motor |
| Power output | Maximum 2,300 W |
| Incline/descent simulation | Up to approx. 30% incline |
| Display | – 21.5 inch full HD (1,920 x 1,080) – Touch screen – 90° horizontal rotation – 0-42° vertical tilt |
| Connections | 2x USB-C |
| Frame material and construction | Aluminum housing, die-casting construction (fully enclosed) |
| Space requirement / footprint | approx. 0.85 m² |
| Adjustment range | – Users up to approx. 220 cm tall – Weight up to approx. 130 kg |
| Adjustment options | – Seat (horizontal/vertical) – Handlebar (vertical) |
| Control elements | – Volume buttons on the screen – Standby button on the screen – Resistance control on the handlebars |
| Price | € 2,299.00 * |
Scope of delivery
- VeloNix main frame with drive unit
- Seat and seat stays
- Handlebars and associated adjustment mechanism
- Display unit (21.5″ touchscreen) incl. mounting arm
- Power supply unit and connection cable
- Tools (e.g. Allen key)
- Operating/assembly instructions
Speediance VeloNix test: design and workmanship
When it comes to design, the VeloNix is beyond reproach. The look of the indoor bike is consistently designed for a modern exterior. The clean lines, the color mix of dark grey and black and the absence of visible mechanics or other external components such as chains or gears ensure a cool look. In places, it is undoubtedly reminiscent of its biggest competitor – the Peloton Bike (€ 1,899.00 *). But there is one crucial difference.
While the Peloton Bike focuses on spinning units and therefore comes with a heavy flywheel with magnetic brakes at the front, the VeloNix relies more on classic bicycle technology. There is no flywheel here. Instead, the resistance is generated by the electric motor at the rear. This comes with a maximum output of 2,300 W. This difference not only ensures that the VeloNix looks slimmer and is lighter than the Peloton.
On top of that, the closed design without a flywheel or other open components ensures safety. This should be of particular interest to parents and pet owners who fear that their loved ones could injure themselves on the device while it is in use. However, the lack of a flywheel also means that the VeloNix has a different center of gravity to a Peloton, which is particularly noticeable when riding in a standing position. More on this later.
The saddle has a sporty design and is neither too hard nor too soft for my taste. If you want, you can simply swap it for another one if necessary. There is a practical cup holder in the middle of the frame. Unfortunately, there is no smartphone holder. However, this can be remedied. A suitable holder for a smartphone or tablet can be installed on the sporty handlebars via a tripod thread.
To ensure that your device has a full battery for longer journeys, you can simply connect it to one of the two USB-C ports. These are located at the back of the practical LED lighting, which shows you which training area you are in by changing color while riding. This is particularly practical if you want to stream your favorite series during your sports session and don’t want to be disturbed by training data on the display.
Speaking of the display. At 21.5 inches, it is a pleasing size, offers high brightness and a Full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080p). You can swivel and tilt it as required, which is pleasantly smooth. There are two volume buttons and a standby button on the side of the display. Unfortunately, there is no on/off switch. If you want to save power and, like me, are annoyed by the noise of the VeloNix in standby mode, you’ll have to unplug it.
Incidentally, unlike the Peloton, you can connect the power cable not only at the lower rear. Instead, Speediance gives you the choice between front and rear. This means that the VeloNix can be positioned flexibly in the room without you having to think about where to plug it in. The smart indoor bike makes a really great impression in terms of build quality and design. But that’s what you would expect given the price.
Speediance VeloNix test: assembly and setup
If you receive notification from the shipping company that the VeloNix is about to be delivered, you should organize a friend to help with transport and assembly. Because this smart indoor bike is no lightweight. However, once you have taken the box to the desired location, it will be easy to assemble.
The only important thing is that you have enough space available. Once you have unpacked everything, it is best to use the quick-start guide. This is clearly formulated and, in combination with numbered boxes with tools and elements to be installed, ensured that I had the indoor bike completely assembled in just over half an hour.
As soon as the bike is set up, you should adjust it to your height. Speediance also has practical tips for this, which you can watch in a tutorial video on the display. The saddle should be high enough so that it is roughly level with your hip bone. The distance between the saddle and the handlebars should be as long as the distance between your elbow and your fingertips.
Now it’s time to adjust the handlebar height. How high this is positioned is a matter of taste. Experience has shown that very sporty riders with road bike experience will place the handlebars a little lower. Speediance recommends that it should be at least as high as the saddle. The setup via the display worked largely smoothly in the test.
Only the integration into my WLAN proved to be a little problematic. At the beginning, I regularly received connection errors including a missing network connection. However, this problem has now been resolved. Once the bike is connected to the internet, you first create a Speediance account and then land on the start page.
Here you should first complete the tutorials before diving into the training videos. The software itself is not available in German. If you don’t speak English, you should keep that in mind. However, I can well imagine that this will be rectified in future software updates.
Speediance VeloNix test: Realistic riding experience
As I mentioned at the beginning, the VeloNix clearly differs from the Peloton in one respect. While the Peloton with its front-mounted flywheel appeals more to fans of the classic spinning course, the VeloNix is aimed at all those who want to bring the racing bike home. This is ensured by the 2,300 watt electric motor, which can build up a fairly natural resistance and can therefore simulate uphill rides very well, for example. This gives you a pleasantly natural riding experience.
Adjusting the resistance is also more comfortable. While you have to reach for the dial on the frame at all times on the Peloton, you can use a classic rear derailleur on the VeloNix. You can choose between different paddle shifters depending on your current position on the bike or handlebars. Minor weaknesses in the ride feel are evident when riding uphill in a standing position. As the standing position is essential in some cases, especially when there is a lot of resistance, I think this is a significant factor.
During standing phases, I noticed that the resistance system was a little weak. My sheer body weight meant that the pedals moved downwards too easily for my liking, which felt a little unnatural. Passionate road cyclists might have problems with this. Another thing I noticed was the wobbling during operation. In my opinion, the VeloNix is a little more wobbly than a Peloton, even when riding smoothly. However, the Peloton with its heavy flywheel also has a decisive advantage in terms of center of gravity.
The VeloNix’s feet have been fine-tuned to provide some relief. The smart fitness bike can be leveled using two rotating feet. We must praise the low noise level when using the VeloNix. So if you have noise-sensitive neighbors, you don’t have to worry about noise complaints. However, I was annoyed by an occasional squeaking noise when riding. I assume that it came from the saddle, but I couldn’t pinpoint the source. But I know that from the peloton too.
Speediance VeloNix test: display, software & content
The coronavirus pandemic gave smart indoor bikes a real boost. The reason for this was closed gyms and a suitable customer base who simply wanted to bring their training into their own four walls. It was a smart move on Peloton’s part to also create suitable training videos. Given this success story, it is not surprising that VeloNix is building on this concept.
Unfortunately, however, it cannot (yet) keep up with the competition. This starts with the localization. If you don’t speak English, you’ll be left in the lurch in the menu and during training runs. After all (as of October 2025), there is still no German menu navigation, let alone German-speaking trainers. There are also no live sessions here. For many Peloton fans, this is the non-plus-ultra. On top of that, the trainers seemed a little “pale” and unmotivated to me.
This is definitely in contrast to the high-quality training settings in a futuristic design that Speediance has created. However, it can be assumed that more trainers with a more motivating personality will follow over time. You can only access the now extensive library of the “VeloNix Academy” with a premium subscription. However, a few videos are also available without a subscription. I very much hope that something will be done in terms of music.
While Peloton relies on a cooperation with Spotify and delivers energizing beats from the streaming service’s extensive repertoire during training sessions, the VeloNix only offers in-house background music from Speediance itself or ready-made playlists for Apple Music subscribers. Apart from that, however, the VeloNix can shine. You can not only do free training here. You can also complete scenic rides in beautiful places around the world.
From the maritime beach to the green Scandinavian landscape, there are many different routes available. On top of that, you can complete huge routes and take on legendary cycling races such as the Tour de France or the Giro d’Italia. As you can naturally lose motivation over time on a five to six-hour route, you can easily interrupt the long races and continue the next time.
Apart from these sporting challenges, the Speediance VeloNix is a real entertainment grenade. If, like me, you prefer to stream your favorite series or even a complete movie during a sports session, the Speediance fitness bike is the perfect choice. With Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+, HBO and Hulu, you’ll never be bored in the saddle. The 21.5-inch display itself shines with its good brightness and sufficiently high resolution.
The connectivity is also cool. The whole thing can be connected to Apple Health as well as services such as Zwift or Strava. In general, the scope out of the box is really impressive. If, like me, you can do without the VeloNix Academy videos, you get a lot here. That’s a big advantage over Peloton. With the competition, you can only complete free rides and not even use the streaming services without a suitable premium subscription.
Speediance VeloNix test: comfort & ergonomics
With its small footprint of just 0.85 m², the VeloNix takes up very little space. Thanks to the two wheels at the front, the smart fitness bike can also be easily moved around. The included mat protects your floor. But it’s not just the location that can be adjusted. As already mentioned, you can also adjust the saddle and handlebars. According to the manufacturer, the VeloNix is suitable for people with a height of up to 220 cm and a maximum weight of 130 kg.
To be honest, it is a mystery to me how such tall people can sit comfortably on the fitness bike. With my height of 181 cm, I had already reached the marked maximum line of the VeloNix seat post. Speaking of the saddle. In my opinion, the saddle you get from the factory is neither too hard nor too soft. The factory saddle on the Peloton is significantly harder, which is why you can’t avoid wearing padded cycling shorts on the competition. You can also take a seat on the VeloNix with normal sports shorts.
There are no additional costs for shoes either. While the Peloton comes with clipless pedals ex works, which can only be used with suitable cycling shoes, you can also use normal shoes with the VeloNix. This makes the ride more suitable for everyday use, as you can get off the bike faster and, above all, more comfortably. When riding, the indoor bike is pleasantly smooth. The VeloNix is only a little wobbly when pedaling hard.
Conclusion
The Speediance VeloNix impresses with its elegant design, powerful technology and realistic riding experience. The electric direct drive delivers up to 2,300 watts of power and simulates riding very naturally – even if the bike feels a little wobbly during intensive standing sections. The design, workmanship and comfort are top-notch, and use with normal sports shoes is particularly practical. The large 21.5-inch display with streaming apps such as Netflix or YouTube provides the best entertainment. The connection to services such as Strava, Zwift or Apple Health rounds off the package.
There are weaknesses in the software: no German menu texts, no German trainers, no live sessions and rather average training content. However, there is potential for future updates to improve the quality of the academy courses. In short: The Speediance VeloNix is a modern, quiet and versatile indoor bike with realistic riding dynamics – ideal for road bike fans and home training if you can do without motivating live courses.
PRO
CONTRA
The Speediance VeloNix is a modern, quiet and versatile indoor bike with realistic riding dynamics - ideal for racing bike fans and home training. However, there is room for improvement in the training videos.
Speediance VeloNix
Design and processing
Hardware
Software
Equipment
Price-performance ratio
92/100
