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This article is our comparison of the Rogue Echo Bike vs. the Assault Air Bike Classic. For this review, we look at the Classic model of Assault, because it is aimed at home gyms.
Assault also has a Pro and Elite version. These models are similar in functionality to the Classic Bike, but are aimed at intensive use in professional gyms. I don’t think you need that in your home gym.
Both the Echo Bike and the Assault Air Bike Classic are excellent entry-level air bikes for your home gym.
As a personal trainer, I recommend you do cardio training regularly. For that purpose, working out on an Air Bike is perfect, because you use your legs AND your arms.
Top Pick
Winner: Rogue Echo Bike
Belt-driven
More stable
Higher weight capacity
In a nutshell: the Assault Bike Classic is a little more affordable and requires a little less space. The Rogue Echo Bike offers more stability because it is heavier and does not easily budge.
Echo Bike is more efficient to use because it uses a belt mechanism; chains wear out faster than belts. On top of that, it requires little to no maintenance.
Both brands offer amazing quality, design, and tons of features that make them ideal for your home workouts. But the right gym bike for your home gym depends on your preferences.
| Features | Rogue Echo Bike | Assault Bike Classic |
|   | |
| Dimension | Length: 58.88 in (149.55 cm) Width: 29.88 in (75.90 cm) Height: 52.75 in (134 cm) | Length: 50.95 in (129.41 cm) Width: 23.34 in (59.28 cm) Height: 50 in (127 cm) |
| Weight | 127 lbs. (57.7 kg.) | 95.64 lb. (43.38 kg.) |
| Weight Limit | 350 lbs. | 300 lbs. |
| Drive Method | Belt-driven | Chain Driven |
| Material | Steel | Steel |
| Noise Level | Quiet | Loud |
| Ghost Calories | No | Yes |
| Handles | High and Wide | Low and Narrow |
| Wind Resistance | Creates More Wind | Creates Less Wind |
| Display | LCD screen outputs: Time Watts Distance Calories Interval Training Heart Rate | LCD screen outputs: Time Watts Distance Calories Interval Training Heart Rate |
| Warranty | 2-year frame and parts | 5-year frame 2-year non-wear parts |
Let’s start the Echo bike vs. Assault bike review.
Table of Contents
- Winner: Rogue Echo Bike
- Features Rogue Echo Bike vs. Assault Bike Classic
- Echo bike vs. Assault bike: The Winner
- Which air bike is best for YOU?
- FAQ about echo bike vs. assault bike
- What to do next?
Features Rogue Echo Bike vs. Assault Bike Classic
Construction Comparison
Size and Material
The two bikes have powder-coated steel frames, which give them a clean and sleek look. Gym equipment is usually made of steel because it is corrosion-resistant and durable in heavy-duty situations [1]. Thus, the Assault Bike and Echo Bike are durable and built to last.
By side-to-side comparison, you can see that the Echo Bike is bulkier, higher, and longer than the Assault Bike. So, Echo Bike takes up more space than the Assault Bike.
Winner Size and Material Comparison
Assault Bike Classic is the winner, it saves more space in your home gym.
Weight and Stability
Both bikes have wheels at the front, so it is easier to move and transport. The Echo Bike is heavier, with 127 pounds (57.7 kg). On the other hand, Assault Bike is lighter with a weight of 95.64 pounds (43.38 kg).
Although, the Assault bike is lighter, which is a plus. The heavier Echo Bike is much more stable to use than the Assault Bike. The weight gives stability to the riders. Thus, Echo Bike is better for intense and heavy-duty workouts.
Winner Weight and Stability Comparison
Rogue Echo Bike is the winner, because it is more stable to use and better for intense workouts.
Handles
Both handles are movable and in sync with the pedals, which is great for a whole-body workout. They are coated with rubber grips, so it is easier to hold on while biking.
The Echo Bike has a higher and wider handle, while the Assault Bike has a lower and narrower handle. If you have very tiny hands, it might be harder to grip the handles of the Echo Bike, so Assault Bike is better for you. At the same time, Echo Bike is more comfortable to use for tall riders, while Assault Bike is for short users.
Winner Handles Comparison
This one will have to be a draw, as it all comes down to preference.
Functionality Comparison
Drive Method
The biggest distinction between these two bikes is their driving method. The Assault bike, like a regular bicycle, uses the conventional chain mechanism. The Echo Bike uses a belt mechanism like the one used in cars. Both materials are sturdy and suitable for extreme workouts.
Here are my main observations on Echo bike vs. Assault bike mechanisms:
- Driving on a belt-driven bike is smoother than on a chain drive.
- Echo bikes are more responsive than Assault bikes. Belt-driven bikes start instantly at the first pedal and stop immediately as you let off. Their chain-driven counterparts still keep going after you stop pedaling.
- A chain drive wears out faster than a belt drive. This is because chains stretch over time, losing their efficiency. Worn chains are 4% less efficient than worn belts[2].
- Echo Bike creates less noise than the Assault Bike. The only noise you will hear from a belt-driven bike is the fan. In contrast, the Assault Bike creates more noise due to chain friction, vibrations, and the fan.
The drawback of the Rogue Echo Bike is that it does not record the so-called “Ghost calories” from “Ghost riding”.
Ghost riding is a phenomenon that gives you extra calories through freewheeling or “ghost ride.”
You let the machine keep moving after you stop pedaling, gaining extra calories with no effort.
Belt-driven bikes are more responsive and stop immediately, so it does not measure the ghost calories.
While some users complain, others contradict and think the bike won’t let you cheat. You get what you worked for.
Winner Drive Method Comparison
Rogue Echo Bike is the winner, because it is smoother, more responsive, quieter and more efficient.
Maintenance
Assault Bikes require continual maintenance. You have to oil the chain, align it, fix weak/broken chain links, and adjust the tension from time to time. In contrast, Echo Bike requires little to no maintenance.
Winner Maintenance Comparison
Rogue Echo Bike is the winner, because it requires far less maintenance.
Weight Capacity
The weight capacity of gym machines is an important factor to know if it is strong enough to support you. The weight capacity of the Assault Bike is 300 lbs. while the Echo Bike is 350 lbs. The weight limit of both bikes is suitable for most users.
If your weight is close to the limit, it may give you more peace of mind if you choose the Echo Bike, especially if you plan to use it for extreme workouts.
Winner Weight Capacity Comparison
Rogue Echo Bike is the winner, because it has a higher weight capacity.
Echo bike vs. Assault bike: The Winner
Which air bike is the best overall?
This review of the Echo bike vs. Assault bike shows that the Rogue Echo Bike is superior for various reasons:
- It is more stable to use.
- It is better for intense workouts.
- It gives a smoother drive.
- It is more responsive.
- It is more efficient; chains wear out faster than belts.
- It is quieter to use.
- It requires little to no maintenance.
- It has a higher weight capacity.
Which air bike is best for YOU?
This Echo bike vs. Assault bike review gives you detailed information on which bike is suitable in various conditions. If you need more information in choosing the best exercise bike for you, check out this home gym equipment guide.
Which air bike is best for your Budget?
Both the Rogue Echo Bike and the Assault Bike are built with quality in mind. Although the Rogue Echo Bike is superior in a lot of features, it definitely comes with a price. The Echo Bike is more expensive than the Assault Bike.
If you are on a budget, then the Assault Bike may be worth considering.
Which air bike is best for your Fitness Level?
Based on this Echo bike vs. Assault bike review, the Echo Bike is superior, but the Assault Bike does not fall short.
Both bikes are great for beginners and experts; you can improve your skills with either of them.
Which air bike is best for your Fitness Goals?
If you plan to join competitions like the CrossFit Games, Rogue Echo Bike may be better for you. It’s best to get accustomed to the bike you will be using in the contest. Assault Bikes were the brand used at CrossFit before Echo Bike replaced it.
If you plan on purchasing it for your home gym, Echo Bike is recommended, as long as you have enough room for it. Echo Bike is quieter, more efficient, and requires little to no maintenance. It will fit well in your home gym. If you have a limited space, go for the Assault Bike.
You may also want to match your physique with the bikes. The Echo Bike hase a higher and wider handle and higher weight capacity. So it is good for those who are tall, have wide hands, and users with around 350 lb of weight.
The Assault Bike has a lower and narrower handle and a weight capacity of 300 lb. There are other models available for commercial use from Assault: Pro and Elite. These models are more durable and for heavier people.
FAQ about echo bike vs. assault bike
Is the Echo Bike harder than assault bike?
The echo bike is a belt-driven bike, which is smoother and more responsive than the chain mechanism of an assault bike. And because the echo bike is more responsive, it does not count ghost calories. You earn ghost calories through freewheeling, or when you let the machine keep moving after you stop pedaling. So you can say the echo bike is harder than the assault bike because of this.
Are calories on the Echo Bike the same as the assault bike?
The echo bike which uses a belt mechanism is more responsive than the assault bike which uses a chain. Since the echo bike is more responsive, it does not count ghost calories, unlike the assault bike. You earn ghost calories through freewheeling, or when you let the machine keep moving after you stop pedaling.
Is Echo Bike worth it?
If you are looking for an air bike, the echo bike is worth considering. It provides a smooth and responsive ride and it requires little to no maintenance. Its belt mechanism is more efficient than chains. If you plan to join competitions like the CrossFit Games, Rogue Echo Bike may be better for you.
What to do next?
When choosing an air bike, it’s important to consider both your budget and the benefits you get out of it. Think about which machine is more beneficial and long-lasting.
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