
Best without a required membership
MERACH S36L3
FitScore for Exercise Bike With Screen
- ResistanceMagnetic, 16 levels
- Max user weight330 lb
- Warranty2 year (frame and parts)
- Product weight66 lb
Choose it if you want a big screen without a required membership, a 330-lb rating and a compact 43.2 × 18.9-inch frame.

Best for live classes
Peloton Cross Training Bike
FitScore for Exercise Bike With Screen
- ResistanceMagnetic, 100 levels
- Max user weight297 lb
- Warranty5 year frame, 1 year parts
- Product weightNot stated
Choose it if you want Peloton live and on-demand classes on a swivel screen, 100 resistance levels and a 5-year frame warranty.
Overall winner for riders who want a built-in screen: MERACH S36L3, by 7.2 points (54 against 46.8) with the weights of our best exercise bike with screen guide. It leads on features, durability, affordability and practicality. The Peloton Cross Training Bike leads on performance.
MERACH S36L3 wins 3 rounds
Peloton Cross Training Bike wins 1 round- =1 tie
Product photos from Amazon. FitScore weights are explained below.
MERACH S36L3 vs Peloton Cross Training Bike: both carry a 21.5-inch screen. The Merach has 16 magnetic levels, a 330-lb rating and an optional membership; the Peloton has 100 levels and a 5-year frame warranty, but its console needs a membership. Our FitScore for screen bikes favors the Merach.
Head-to-Head Specs
Here are the two side by side. A check mark shows the stronger spec on each line. Check both warranties before you order: the FTC explains how to read a product warranty. The CDC recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week, which steady cycling counts toward. Harvard Health Publishing lists about 252 calories in 30 minutes of moderate stationary cycling for a 155 lb person.
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Spin (indoor cycling) | Spin (indoor cycling) |
| Resistance | Magnetic, 16 levels | Magnetic, 100 levels✓ |
| Flywheel | Not stated | Not stated |
| Max user weight | 330 lb✓ | 297 lb |
| Size (length × width) | 43.2 × 18.9 in | 54 × 23 in |
| Product weight | 66 lb✓ | Not stated |
| Rider fit | Riders 4’8″-6’4″ | Riders 4’11”-6’5″ |
| Seat and handlebar | Not stated | Not stated |
| Console and programs | 21.5 in screen | 21.5 in screen |
| Bluetooth and apps | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Heart rate | Not stated | Not stated |
| Membership | Optional (extra classes) | Required for the console |
| Storage and moving | No transport wheels listed, 66 lb | No transport wheels listed |
| Warranty | 2 year (frame and parts) | 5 year frame, 1 year parts✓ |
| Specs won | 2 of 14 | 2 of 14 |
Check Amazon for current pricing and availability.
FitScore Duel
Both scores use the weights of our best exercise bike with screen guide (how we score). Features (30%) counts most, then performance and durability (20% each), comfort (15%), affordability (10%) and practicality (5%). The MERACH S36L3 ranks #1 in that guide. The Peloton Cross Training Bike ranks #2 in that guide.
Key Differences
- Resistance: Magnetic, 16 levels on the MERACH S36L3; Magnetic, 100 levels on the Peloton Cross Training Bike.
- Max user weight: 330 lb on the MERACH S36L3; 297 lb on the Peloton Cross Training Bike.
- Size (length × width): 43.2 × 18.9 in on the MERACH S36L3; 54 × 23 in on the Peloton Cross Training Bike.
- Product weight: 66 lb on the MERACH S36L3; not stated on the Peloton Cross Training Bike.
- Rider fit: Riders 4’8″-6’4″ on the MERACH S36L3; Riders 4’11”-6’5″ on the Peloton Cross Training Bike.
- Membership: Optional (extra classes) on the MERACH S36L3; Required for the console on the Peloton Cross Training Bike.
- Storage and moving: No transport wheels listed, 66 lb on the MERACH S36L3; No transport wheels listed on the Peloton Cross Training Bike.
- Warranty: 2 year (frame and parts) on the MERACH S36L3; 5 year frame, 1 year parts on the Peloton Cross Training Bike.

Round 1 of 5
MERACH S36L3 vs Peloton Cross Training Bike: Resistance and Flywheel
Peloton Cross Training Bike wins this round
Here is how the two compare on the work the machine does.
Resistance: Magnetic, 16 levels on the MERACH S36L3, Magnetic, 100 levels on the Peloton Cross Training Bike.
Performance score in this comparison: MERACH S36L3 49, Peloton Cross Training Bike 60.
Round 2 of 5
Capacity, Frame and Warranty
MERACH S36L3 wins this round
Capacity and warranty are the stated measures of build.
Max user weight: 330 lb on the MERACH S36L3, 297 lb on the Peloton Cross Training Bike.
Warranty: 2 year (frame and parts) on the MERACH S36L3, 5 year frame, 1 year parts on the Peloton Cross Training Bike.
Durability score in this comparison: MERACH S36L3 56.62, Peloton Cross Training Bike 54.96.
Round 3 of 5
Fit and Riding Position
Tie. Neither model has a clear edge here.
Comfort comes down to fit and how you sit or stand.
Type: both list spin (indoor cycling).
Rider fit: Riders 4’8″-6’4″ on the MERACH S36L3, Riders 4’11”-6’5″ on the Peloton Cross Training Bike.
Comfort score in this comparison: MERACH S36L3 56, Peloton Cross Training Bike 56.
Round 4 of 5
Size, Weight and Moving
MERACH S36L3 wins this round
Size (length × width): 43.2 × 18.9 in on the MERACH S36L3, 54 × 23 in on the Peloton Cross Training Bike.
Product weight: 66 lb on the MERACH S36L3; not stated on the Peloton Cross Training Bike.
Storage and moving: No transport wheels listed, 66 lb on the MERACH S36L3, No transport wheels listed on the Peloton Cross Training Bike.
Practicality score in this comparison: MERACH S36L3 50, Peloton Cross Training Bike 25.
Round 5 of 5
Console, Apps and Extras
MERACH S36L3 wins this round
Console and programs: both list 21.5 in screen.
Bluetooth and apps: both list bluetooth.
The membership is the deciding point: optional on the Merach, required to use the Peloton console and its classes.
Features score in this comparison: MERACH S36L3 50, Peloton Cross Training Bike 40.
Who Should Buy Each
Riders who want a screen but no mandatory plan
Pick the MERACH S36L3 if you want a built-in screen and the freedom to ride without a paid plan; it fits riders from 4’8″ to 6’4″.
Riders who will pay for classes
Pick the Peloton Cross Training Bike if Peloton classes are the reason you want a screen; its screen swivels for floor workouts off the bike.
Consider Instead
ProForm Carbon Pro10
If neither fits, look at the ProForm Carbon Pro10: it offers a higher performance and durability score than the MERACH S36L3. It ranks #3 in our best exercise bike with screen guide.
Final Verdict
Overall winner for riders who want a built-in screen: MERACH S36L3. Pick the MERACH S36L3 for a big screen with no required membership and a smaller frame; pick the Peloton Cross Training Bike if you will use Peloton classes.
MERACH S36L3 vs Peloton Cross Training Bike FAQ
With the weights of our best exercise bike with screen guide, the MERACH S36L3 scores higher: 54 against 46.8. It leads on features, durability, affordability and practicality, while the Peloton Cross Training Bike leads on performance.
No. A membership is optional on the S36L3. The Peloton Cross Training Bike needs a membership for its console and classes.
Both have a 21.5-inch screen. The Peloton screen swivels so you can follow floor workouts.
The MERACH S36L3, at 43.2 × 18.9 inches against 54 × 23 inches for the Peloton.
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