Rogue Echo Bike – Our Review

I can remember the first time I saw someone on an Echo Bike.

I was at CrossFit Circus (now CrossFit Fibonacci) in Playe del Carmen, Mexico. We had just finished a class and there was this girl who had stayed behind to do some “bike intervals”…or something. She jumped on what I now know to be the Echo Bike (like, Version 1.0) at the time and started going.

I hadn’t been doing CrossFit for very long at that point, but the anguish on her face may have been the worst I’d seen yet.

I know this beautiful anecdote probably isn’t exactly selling you on this beast, but I will say that looking back, that girl could hurt in workouts like nobody else doing classes at the time.

The Echo Bike is tough…but it makes you tough…

If I haven’t managed to scare you off just yet and you’re interested in learning more about what is pretty much the CrossFit fan bike, read on. I got a lot more to say on the topic…

Assembly

I’ll admit, I was slightly intimidated when I first got my Echo Bike, mainly due to its size and sheer number of pieces. Granted, there aren’t nearly as many pieces as there are on something like a Smith Machine or other large strength pieces, but it’s no ~6-piece Concept2 RowErg build.

Ultimately, this apprehension wasn’t really warranted as the Echo Bike really isn’t a difficult cardio machine to assemble and can easily be done solo in well under an hour (I think it took me somewhere between 35 and 45 minutes).

Rogue’s instructions aren’t overly detailed and you’re mainly relying on diagrams, but it’s a generally intuitive process and sticking to the perfectly linear steps outlined, mine came together without causing too much frustration.

Assembly: 95

Compatibility

This is the area where we focus on how much the calorie counting, distance counting, and, to a lesser extent, wattage counting of the Echo Bike match up with “CrossFit standards”. More specifically, this equates to “if a CrossFit workout calls for 40 Cals on a Fan Bike, how appropriate is the Echo Bike for this portion of the workout”.

Of course, there are a number of fan bikes on the market today, many of which would be appropriate for this kind of work, and, for a long period of time, the Assault Bike would have been the “default” (and even the “assumed”) fan bike for these purposes.

…but times have changed…the Echo Bike now holds that title.

Now, fan bikes don’t show up in the CrossFit Open and even a lot of official qualifier workouts opt for simplicity and usually stick to the Concept 2 RowErg. However, fan bike training is now a key component in most CrossFit programming and if you follow something like HWPO or Sentinel Training, you’re gonna see a lot of it.

Speaking more specifically to Sentinel, this is how every fan bike workout is written:

The Echo Bike is the default; others are included in “equipment modifications”.

We only knock a few points here due to the fact that it’s never mandated in the Open. This is by far the most important event for the vast majority of CrossFitters; if you don’t have an Echo Bike, you won’t be negatively affected during Open workouts (so no advantage in this specific context for having access to one).

I understand that you may not care about CrossFit or, even if you do, how “compatible” a machine is when training alone in your garage…but a lot of people do (and you should, too!) Being that this is one of the areas where the Echo Bike really shines, we care, too!

Compatibility: 95

Functionality

It’s easy to make the argument that possibly the fundamental selling point of the Echo Bike is its simplicity.

Of course, “simplicity” should not be equated with “easy” as anyone who has gone for more than ~9 seconds on this machine can attest, but it’s a tool that presents almost zero barrier to entry.

You can push the “Start” button or chose from a few different workout/program settings to get started…or you can just start pedaling and pushing.

Although, in recent times, there seems to be some models that have different/updated screens…no idea which models have these:

Naturally, making some adjustments to the Echo Bike’s seat, both seat height and distance from the handlebars can and will make a difference (in many cases, significant differences) to the riding experience, but these are neither required nor are overly difficult to facilitate or to determine (if achieving the “perfect” setup is your objective, that is).

Additionally, there are no resistance settings to mess with (the harder you push and pedal, the more resistance is created in the large flywheel), ultimately leaving just you, a simple distance/calorie/wattage-tracking monitor, and the machine.

Again…simple.

Unlike many fitness bikes, the Echo Bike is essentially a full-body machine, requiring significant effort from both the upper and lower body in order to maximize output while at the same time allowing for a bit more discretion than other machines. For example, doing “arms only” or “legs only” work on the bike isn’t by any means efficient, but it is certainly possible in a way that it isn’t really on something like the Concept2 RowErg.

While the Echo Bike does not have any significant barrier to entry, it does inherently create barriers in the form of intensity that it “allows”. Because resistance is completely user-generated, trainees who are physically incapable of generating great levels of power are much less likely to be able to seriously challenge themselves in the way that extremely powerful athletes are.

Workouts can be really tough for less powerful and/or less experienced trainees, but they don’t have the “potential” that workouts for more powerful and/or experienced trainees have.

This point aside, the Echo Bike is an excellent machine from a functionality standpoint. If anything, it gives those who can’t quite generate the power to really challenge themselves something to strive for!

Functionality: 95

Programs/Tech

The Rogue Echo Bike isn’t the most…”interactive” piece of gym equipment and compared to some of the other CrossFit cardio machine options, most notably the Concept2 gear, there really isn’t much about it that could be considered to be “high tech”.

You got your LCD screen, which is easy enough to read, but nothing special, and a few built-in “programs” (ex. “Tabata” intervals, set distance/time) as well as the ability to set more custom targets. However, as far as Rogue-specific programs/tech, this is where things pretty much end.

With that being said, with a Bluetooth connection you can use a number of different third-party application such as Strava, Echo, Zwift, and ErgZone to engage in “virtual rides”, progress tracking, and community challenges.

These apps are nice options, but they’re not exactly “novel” as they are available to many (most?) cardio machines today and none are “native” to Rogue.

Just remember that if you’re getting the Echo Bike, you’re getting it to do work…not to mess around in cyberspace…

Programs/Tech: 70

Noise

The Echo Bike leans towards the quieter end of the spectrum when it comes to larger cardio machines and I would argue that it is actually the quietest of any of the essential CrossFit cardio machines.

As you might expect, the bike’s large fan is the main (and in just about all cases, only) source of noise. However, unlike many other machines, it doesn’t exactly get louder as you pedal faster/work harder…it simply “hums” at a faster and more “abrupt” cadence. This might be slightly more annoying (and you’ll definitely not be able to listen to a podcast as you ride), but it’s by no means unbearably loud.

The thing that really helps the Echo Bike here is that it is a belt-drive fan bike as opposed to a chain-drive. If you’ve ever trained on an Assault Bike, you’re well aware of the incessant rattle that accompanies every rotation and how, unless manual stopped, how the noise continues long after each round.

In contrast, the Echo Bike’s belt makes zero sound and when you stop pedalling, all noise immediately haults.

Overall, I’m sure there are quieter machines out there, but this ain’t the machine to get if you want to bother your neighbors, visiting in-laws, or wife.

Noise: 90

Price

The Echo Bike has a unique distinction of being a piece of equipment that has become the industry standard in both use cases (as we mentioned before, it is pretty much the “it bike” for CrossFit at the moment) as well as for fan bike pricing.

At just under $900, it’s not difficult to find fan bike alternatives that are slightly-to-moderately less expensive, even among more reputable brands, as well as those that are slightly-to-moderately more expensive. The Echo Bike truly sits right in the middle of an increasingly crowded field.

We won’t go into a feature-by-feature comparison and attempt to really break down the value you may (or may not) be getting with the Echo Bike, but in absolute terms, it never shines nor pales in comparison to other options. For a bike of its stature, reputation, and quality, this is more than fair enough for us.

Price: 85

Customer Reviews

(almost) 4600 reviews…forty-six hundred reviews!

I’ll have to look back through our review history (I won’t actually, but whatever), but I’m almost positive that this is the most customer reviews a product we’ve done a deep dive on has ever received.

Quite the sample size, indeed.

More importantly, though, those 4600 reviews amount to a collective review score of 4.9 (out of a possible 5) which is…pretty good. I mean, you would have been happy with a 98 on your Algebra or English test (and if you wouldn’t have, you’re a dork).

I didn’t sift through all of the reviews (Rogue makes it difficult to skip to the crappy ones…which are the ones that you really want to see), but the only consistent “complaint” was that the bike is harder to handle (mainly due to seat positioning) for shorter riders. I fall into this category, but don’t find I’m more at a disadvantage on it than I would be on other erg or fan machines.

…plus, what am I gonna do in a competition? Refuse to use one on account of being sub-5’9″? I’m sure that would go down especially well in women’s comps…

End of the day, 49 out of 50 people who use the Echo Bike like it (I know that this is a spurious claim to make, but I’m okay with it). You’re probably not gonna be that 50th person!

Customer Reviews: 98

Customer Service

If you’re interested in an Echo Bike, you’re going to be ordering directly from Rogue (unless, of course, you go second-hand). Thankfully, dealing with Rogue has generally been a painless process for me, instilling a lot of confidence in me for future purchases.

I’ve had a few experiences where I needed to modify orders (in one case, a representative really went out of his way to intercept an about-to-ship order before it was dispatched, saving a lot of extra hassle on my end!) or needed more direct status updates about ordered items, almost always getting back to me within 24 hours.

I can also appreciate that many of the “bad” reviews on Rogue’s main site have responses from Rogue personnel attempting to reconcile the user’s negative experience, encouraging them to contact the company directly to address the issue.

Regarding warranty, the Echo Bike is covered for two years (specifically from material defects and workmanship). While this isn’t the most extensive warranty I’ve ever come across on cardio equipment (a combined 2-year/5-year warranty often applies to Concept2 gear), it’s not bad.

Overall, I wouldn’t say that Rogue’s customer service is perfect (I have gotten a few canned and, frankly, irrelevant replies before), but it’s pretty good.

Customer Service: 92.5

Who is the Rogue Echo Bike really for?

We included the Echo Bike on our list of the best air bikes on the market today, but interestingly enough…it didn’t “win” the title of the “best air bike”. This goes to show that while it’s an excellent bike for many people, there are others like it that may be more suitable for what you’ve got planned. Let’s take a closer look at who the Echo Bike is for…and who it isn’t for…

CrossFitters who already have a rower

You probably figured I’d say that this is the bike for CrossFitters…but maybe didn’t expect that second part. With that being said, if you’re serious about your training, you probably already know that the rower, specifically either the Concept2 RowErg or the Rogue Echo Rower should undoubtedly be your first cardio machine purchase.

Assuming you already have your rower, the Echo Bike is next in line; its compatibility makes it the most appropriate fan bike option for the workouts to come…

Trainees who want a belt-drive bike

We’ve mentioned the Assault Bike a few times so far (and we’ll mention it some again before it’s all said and done) and it should be noted that it was actually crowned “the best air bike” on the market today. It has its advantages…but it’s also a chain-drive air bike.

Many of you won’t care about this…many of you, whether for maintenance reasons or sound reasons, will care a lot. Looking back at that same “best of” list, the Rogue Echo Bike took home the title of “best belt-drive air bike”. With this in mind, if you really want a belt-drive bike, it doesn’t get much better than the Echo Bike.

People who want an inexpensive fan bike and don’t care about CrossFit

Truth be told, the Echo Bike isn’t that expensive relative to many of its peers, although if you really want a cheap(er) fan bike for CrossFit workouts, the Assault Bike is an option. However, if you don’t care about CrossFit and you don’t want to pay a premium for your bike, there are plenty of non-Echo Bike options that’ll allow you to get an intense workout without breaking the bank.

How we tested the Rogue Echo Bike

Like most CrossFit enthusiasts, my air bike journey actually started on the Assault Bike. This bike is similar to the Echo Bike in many ways, but there are some distinct differences (most notably the chain-drive vs. belt-drive differences). I figured when I first started regularly using an Echo Bike in 2023 (before finally getting my own in mid-2024), that the experience would be mostly similar.

I was mostly wrong.

(I say this so that you’re not too surprised of the difference if you’ve been training on an Assault Bike and also to clarify my Echo Bike-specific “testing”)

In that time, I have completed countless CrossFit metcons that have included the use of the Echo Bike as well as gruelling standalone Echo Bike workouts like this one I had for conditioning a few weeks back:

Although I can’t say I’ve generally enjoyed my time on the Echo Bike/Echo Bike experiences, I have nevertheless used it enough to develop a really good grasp on what it’s all about.

Rogue Echo Bike Alternatives

The Rogue Echo Bike..the fan bike of CrossFit…

A fan bike isn’t like a spin bike or even like a more…robust stationary bike like the Concept2 BikeErg.

You can “casually” ride one for ~30 minutes (or longer), but it isn’t nearly as easy to keep a legit Zone 2 pace on one.

If you really want a stationary training bike that you can be a bit more leisurely with, the Echo Bike probably isn’t the best option for you.

On the other hand, if you’re into high-intensity workouts that really hit the stimulus necessary to promote real changes in work capacity, lactate tolerance, and general conditioning, there are few pieces of equipment that allows you to go as hard and as fast.

Also, while it isn’t as common as the Concept2 rower and will likely never be featured in the CrossFit Open, more and more competitions are opting for Echo Bikes over Assault Bikes so…ya know…may as well get used to that feeling now.

I can’t say that I particularly “like” the Echo Bike, but I can say that I really appreciate what it has done for me.