UPDATED MAY 2024. My readers are always on the lookout for a quality Peloton resistance conversion chart. A copy of a resistance chart to complete the “Peloton Hack” is probably THE number one request I receive. As I noted in my earlier “How to Measure Resistance with the Peloton App” post, the questions usually sound like this:
- How do I convert Peloton resistance to my Sunny or Keiser M3i?
- Is it worth it to buy these fancy power pedals (pretty cool, check them out!)?
- Is there anything similar to this Wahoo cadence sensor that will measure resistance?
- How do I measure resistance on my Sunny?
- How do I convert Peloton resistance when using my own bike with the Peloton App?
- Should I just give up on life and buy one of these? (Just kidding…)
Read on to learn more about resistance and see various Peloton conversion resistance charts for Sunny, Keiser, Echelon and NordicTrack spin bikes!
What the heck is resistance?
Resistance is how heavy your wheel feels. To make the wheel feel lighter, turn the knob to the left. Heavier? Turn the knob to the right. The Peloton bike displays your resistance on its screen. It is measured from 1-100. Without it, you need to get a feel for the resistance. This is NOT hard to do and should not cause you to go out and spend thousands of dollars on a Peloton. Please realize that calling out resistance is really only an issue with Peloton classes. If you take indoor cycling classes with Apple Fitness+ (come join my Apple Fitness+ Facebook group!), they do not call out resistance, they tell you how heavy your wheel should feel, similar to what you’ve probably experienced back in the day when spin studios were still open pre-pandemic. But you love Peloton. So do I. So to scratch that resistance itch, I’ve pulled together some resistance charts for Sunny 1805, Keiser, Echelon and two NordicTracs (the s22i and s15i).
With my original Sunny I have found that on my Sunny cycle every turn of the resistance knob equals about 10. So, if the instructor tells you to add 10, that is one full crank for me. Is it an exact science? No. Does it need to be? No. I am confident that when an instructor calls out a wide range of resistance (“Get somewhere between 35 and 55”), that I am falling somewhere in that range.
Sunny 1805/Peloton Resistance Conversion Chart
Sunny B1879/Peloton Resistance Conversion Chart 
Keiser/Peloton Resistance Conversion Chart
Echelon/Peloton Resistance Conversion Chart
NordicTrack s22i/Peloton Resistance Conversion Chart
NordicTrack s15i/Peloton Resistance Conversion Chart.
Well there you have it. Five Peloton resistance conversion charts. Don’t get too hung up on resistance, though. Make sure that you are following the rhythm of the instructor. Watch their legs. If they are going slowly up a hill and you are pumping your legs like a crazy person, that means you need to turn your knob to the right, slow down and make the wheel heavier. It is really easy and intuitive to get the hang of it.
Buying a bike is no small investment. Don’t overthink it and have fun. Speaking of fun, I HIGHLY suggest that no matter bike you buy, make sure you get a disco ball! The lights change to the beat of the music – so much fun!
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THANK YOU!! Love your blog
Hi S.L.,
Thanks for writing! I am glad that you enjoy the blog!
Happy spinning!
Beth