C2 Bike vs. AirBike

We love conditioning at the gym, and the machines are a fantastic way to log some time building your aerobic fitness. You may have noticed that we have two types of bikes in our cardio corner. While these machines are both in fact bikes, they’re much different.

The Concept 2 BikeErg, or the C2 bike as we call it, is one of the newer machines we have at the gym. We got the first two in 2021 and fell in love. This bike fit feels like you’re on a road bike. There are tons of small adjustments you can make to get the right fit. This bike operates by a flywheel, and you can control how much air gets in via the damper, which is like changing gears on a real bike. This bike is great for longer, steady rides and it’s easy to find a comfortable pace.

The AirBike is a more simple yet diabolical machine. There are less adjustments to make, the seat is a little cushier, but feels like you’re always sliding off it. There are no gears to choose, instead, this bike uses a big fan that creates wind resistance. The faster you pedal, the more resistance there is. This bike challenging because you need to use all 4 limbs, since your arms are involved too, it can be easy to overwhelm your body. The beauty of this bike is that it teaches intensity very quickly. They’re sturdy, rugged and ready for high intensity workouts, but it’s tough to steady cruise when compared to the c2 bike.

There are two subcategories of AirBikes. The Assault Fitness AirBike is chain-driven, and feels a bit more like a bike when pedaling. The Rogue Echo Bike, is the beefier of the machines and is belt-driven, it feels heavier but smoother. They operate the same way, but each feels and fits a little different, be sure to try them both to see which you prefer. I prefer the chain of the classic AirBike, but tend to change my mind throughout the year.

If I had to choose…. Luckily I don’t have to, and I’ll stick with both. They both have their place, and different people gravitate towards the different bikes because they feel more comfortable to ride - which is probably the most important consideration. The other thing to consider, is which one you already have a preference for? Always grab the c2 on interval day? Shake it up this week and take the AirBike for a spin!

Justin Miner

@justinminergain