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Smart Trainer, Peloton, Echelon or?

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coskigirl

coskigirl

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Nice work! You are disciplined. Start taking power zone classes from Dennis and Matt. Join the powerzone pack Facebook group and do one of their six week programs. You'll see big improvement in your FTP following a structured program of rides hitting all your power zones and not just pinning every workout. I just followed you.

While I've been pretty disciplined with school I just don't have the ability to commit to something like the powerzone programs right now. It is on my radar for when I do have some bandwidth.

As far as the ad goes I have mixed feelings. While I understand the resentment of people that she was skinny didn't lose weight, I understand that Peloton's point was more toward the making time for herself and committing to it. I think they could have done a better job of depicting that though. As far as who it's aimed at, I think it's aimed at both men (look how awesome you'd be for buying your wife a Peloton) and women (you can make a commitment to yourself and do it for a whole year.) It's been airing on so many platforms that I don't think you can narrow it by that. The drama in the various Peloton FB groups has been super annoying and stupid. Good thing I'm in the middle of finals and have kind of checked out of those places for a bit. I am pissy that my stock took a hit though. (I only bought a couple of shares for the novelty of it, I don't really care.)
 

Wasatchman

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While I've been pretty disciplined with school I just don't have the ability to commit to something like the powerzone programs right now. It is on my radar for when I do have some bandwidth.

As far as the ad goes I have mixed feelings. While I understand the resentment of people that she was skinny didn't lose weight, I understand that Peloton's point was more toward the making time for herself and committing to it. I think they could have done a better job of depicting that though. As far as who it's aimed at, I think it's aimed at both men (look how awesome you'd be for buying your wife a Peloton) and women (you can make a commitment to yourself and do it for a whole year.) It's been airing on so many platforms that I don't think you can narrow it by that. The drama in the various Peloton FB groups has been super annoying and stupid. Good thing I'm in the middle of finals and have kind of checked out of those places for a bit. I am pissy that my stock took a hit though. (I only bought a couple of shares for the novelty of it, I don't really care.)
I'd be surprised if the impact to the share price isn't simply temporary. But who knows. I increasingly feel out of touch with the modern day world so I'm probably not a good judge
 
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coskigirl

coskigirl

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I'd be surprised if the impact to the share price isn't simply temporary. But who knows. I increasingly feel out of touch with the modern day world so I'm probably not a good judge

I’m sure it is and it’s still higher than what I bought it at.
 

fatbob

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I’m sure it is and it’s still higher than what I bought it at.

Long term though I question the business model - it's hard to sustain growth rates once you've saturated the early adopter and the price insensitive/cash rich-time poor bits of the market. Every incremental sale becomes harder , all the "me too" competition is making inroads, meanwhile your base is decaying away because they are onto the next craze. These things are very good solid businesses - I do question whether IPOs are ultimately the best thing for their customers.
 

Wasatchman

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Long term though I question the business model - it's hard to sustain growth rates once you've saturated the early adopter and the price insensitive/cash rich-time poor bits of the market. Every incremental sale becomes harder , all the "me too" competition is making inroads, meanwhile your base is decaying away because they are onto the next craze. These things are very good solid businesses - I do question whether IPOs are ultimately the best thing for their customers.
Hard to know. Could go either way. It's not profitable now but could become insanely profitable once it flips with an attractive recurring subscription revenue stream. Or a dud to your point.

I am not involved either way. I'm a horrible judge of these things. I thought yoga would be a fad like cardio kickboxing haha.

EDIT: and I am particularly bad at trying to predict millennial behavior. I am Gen X and just don't understand this modern world at all
 
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coskigirl

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They actually don’t make the bulk of their money on hardware sales as they are low margin. Currently they offer both a bike and a treadmill In the last few months they have made a move to improve that margin by buying the manufacturer in Taiwan. There is speculation that they will either buy a rower company such as Hydrow or they are doing R&D to build one. There is also speculation about a smaller, less expensive treadmill, probably aimed at the European market given smaller housing there.

Their real cash flow comes from the subscription sales. I pay $40 a month for unlimited access to the content (bike, tread, outdoor running, yoga, strength, bootcamp, stretching, and meditation. They have an incredibly low drop rate. They also have a digital only version that you can use with other equipment but doesn't track metrics. They just adjusted that pricing this week so it will be interesting to see how it plays out.
 

Decreed_It

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Just took my 3rd FTP test, up to 175 on my way to the 200 by 50 goal which I think I need to revise higher. Should hit 200 by end of ski season. Guy on FB is 60, similar height/weight and has a 300! Love seeing what is possible.

@coskigirl definitely check out PowerZone training if you haven't yet - I was a disciple of MAF training (https://philmaffetone.com/want-speed-slow-down/) and the Peloton is perfect for that. Don't run very much anymore, biking is where its at!

RE: the ad - typical internet lynch mob BS based on a sad kernel of truth. Saw that ad, understand the criticism sorta/kinda - I think they tried but missed the mark. Still think it's really good hardware with a game changing/disruptor level UX and subscription model. They really nailed it.
 
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coskigirl

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Tried but missed the mark is exactly my thought. They just didn't do a good job of pointing out the benefits that aren't immediately obvious physically.

PZ is on my list for when I can commit. Maybe after I get back from my ski break in January as I have a slightly lighter load next semester and my class schedule is a bit more forgiving. I did manage to ride 16/16 class days this semester beating my goal of 13/16. Last night I got on and did a Just Ride while I did some more studying. Speaking of studying, I really need to close this page and get back to constitutional law so I can puke it out in 2 1500 word essays during tomorrows final.
 

fatbob

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I don't know millennial behaviour either. What I do know is that many millennials in Europe are not bringing in the sort of income that enables them to have the space for a peloton in their rented homes etc.

I get it that customers are totally willing to pay the equivalent of a gym membership for virtual classes and that loyalty is high. But I think part of that is a reflection on the degree of commitment required for such a high barrier to entry. The ads are beyond funny with their level of aspirational property porn, the latest publicity won't do them any harm - how many customers will aspire to be like the model, rather than concerned about the patriarchical connotations.

I can sort of see how they can pivot to a "real life" version of ads with real people using their pelotons in cupboards, basements and dark corners of garages. The marketing message I'd put with that is the endorphin high is what counts, the staging is just for poseurs. In fact that's easy challenger positioning to sweep up cynics and contrarians - they need to lock that down for themselves by taking themselves a bit less seriously.
 

Wasatchman

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Yeah, I'm with you on the model in the ads. The cynic that I am, if I am going to buy exercise equipment I'm still buying the brand with the hot models all else equal. Any branding with a likeness even remotely like me wouldn't get two nickels from me or anyone else for that matter.

Not sure about the real life pivot for the ads is a good idea. Real life is boring (at least mine is). I just wouldn't think drab real life sells. Perhaps they do tone it down a bit, but I can't see how going all the way down to basements and garages in ads would be effective.

But again, man I am just a horrible judge of this type of stuff.
 

martyg

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Stages is overlooked, and used by many teams. It rocks the same Stages powermeter that those teams kit their bike with.

I have the SC3, and it is a super solid piece of training equipment.
 

tball

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Has anyone tried the Peloton digital membership for $13/month:


Peloton®___Membership___Get_Unlimited_Access_to_Peloton_Classes.jpg


I have an indoor bike that records full metrics with true power. Would I be missing anything besides the interactive leaderboard with the digital membership?

I'm wondering if I'll ride more this winter indoors with the Peleton workouts instead of or in addition to structured workouts while watching the TV.
 

Decreed_It

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Has anyone tried the Peloton digital membership for $13/month:


View attachment 88785

I have an indoor bike that records full metrics with true power. Would I be missing anything besides the interactive leaderboard with the digital membership?

I'm wondering if I'll ride more this winter indoors with the Peleton workouts instead of or in addition to structured workouts while watching the TV.
I rarely to never use the leader board. Most interested in Power Zone training where it's you against you.

With you own gear another consideration should be the use of resistance in workouts. Power Zone you could easily do your own thing for bike resistance, but if the app doesn't calc PZ for you on the fly, could be a bit less useful. I'd find out exactly what they mean by limited metrics.

However, if you can track your zones now, all good, the PZ training would be worth the sub IMO, if you're into that. Anything relying on cadence and resistance and not zones, would be guesswork on a non-Peloton bike.
 
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coskigirl

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I haven’t tried it for the bike but know several in groups that use it. I do use it for treadmill and other types of workouts. I would say it wouldn’t hurt to try it for a month or two. My guess is you’d like Matt Wilpers, Dennis Morton, and Olivia Amato for instructors. Maybe Ben Alldis, Sam Yo, Tunde Oyenenin, and Robin Arzon. Christian Vande Velde has a few rides as well. Try them all but some are more touchy-feely than others.
 

tball

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Thanks, looks like Peloton uses the standard Coggan power zones:

Same as TrainerRoad and Rouvy, which is nice to see:

Looks like Zwift is the same, too, but I could only find an old forum post:

So, you could totally do an FTP test on another platform then follow the Power Zone workouts on Peloton for $13/month while tracking your output and training on the other platform. Interesting.

I guess I should just pay for a month, but wondering how extensive are the Peloton training plans? Thinking specifically for sprint and Olympic triathlon and if they lay out the whole plan and workouts for you and let you pick high, medium, or low volume like TrainerRoad?
 

raytseng

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I don't think you'll miss anything. Perhaps the ability to humblebrag and post your integrated peloton metrics to social media when you finish workouts?

Leaderboard is not that interesting because once a class reaches the hundeds or thousands of users, then you're just moving up and down in huge chunks, the names are jumping all over the place with nobody you'll recognize. When you're at 150 output units, all you see in the list is 20other people also at 150 and youre at rank 300/1100 people or whatever.

It is not the same as metrics in a real local spin class with only 30people next to you and you're doing individual or team metrics games in the class; and you feel you're contributing or helping the team to a goal.

Ultimately it comes down to the biggest factors of if you enjoy class based workout and if you find an class/instructor you jive with and able to motivates you.
 
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