Nordictrack VU 19 vs VU 29 Bike Comparison – Which is Best for You?

25/09/202114/04/2022 FitnessEquipmentGuide comparisons, this vs that

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Trying to compare the Nordictrack VU 19 vs VU 29 Upright Bikes?

Wondering how they stack up and which one is best for you?

nordictrack vu 19 vs vu 29 bike comparison — Nordictrack Commercial VU 19 Bike

These are two of Nordictracks most popular upright bike models. They both give you extra-padded, ergonomic seats that adjust vertically and horizontally.

Both bikes also come with impressive full-color, touch-screen, HD consoles and iFit compatibility.

So you can connect directly through your screen and cycle famous trails all over the world or take a new fitness class from the comfort of your own home.

nordictrack commercial VU 29 vs VU 19 — Nordictrack Commercial VU 29 Upright Bike

So what’s the difference between them? And which one should you choose?

Here’s a review of the main differences between the Nordictrack VU 19 vs VU 29 exercise bikes to help you decide.

Contents show

Nordictrack VU 19 vs 29 Bike – Price

As of this writing the Nordictrack VU 19 bike is the more affordable model coming in around $999 with iFit here. That gives it a leg up if you’re on a budget.

The Nordictrack Commercial VU 29 bike is the next model up in the series with a few more perks – so it comes in a bit higher. You can usually get it direct for around $1299 with iFit here.

So is the Nordictrack VU 29 bike worth the extra money? Let’s take a look.

Nordictrack VU 19 vs VU 29 Bike – Console

This is where you see a big difference between the Nordictrack VU 19 vs 29 bikes.

Both bikes give you impressive, full-color, touch-screen, HD consoles.

So you can see your workout stats with a swipe of your finger. Or you can go online and ride trails all over the world with iFit, watching the scenery pass you by in the console screen.

The real difference is in the size of the console. The Nordictrack VU 19 bike comes in with a 7-inch screen as seen below:

Nordictrack Commercial VU 19 Bike Console

This is a decent sized console – and it’s excellent for this price point.

However the Nordictrack VU 29 bike comes in much better with a double-the-size, 14-inch screen as seen below:

Nordictrack Commercial VU 29 Bike Console

The larger screen on the Nordictrack VU29 bike can give you a more immersive training experience.

And most people will enjoy their workouts with the larger screen – just like we all prefer a larger TV screen or a larger computer screen.

Note also that the screen tilts on the VU 29 bike to give you a more optimal viewing angle – another benefit in favor of the Nordictrack VU 29 bike.

Nordictrack VU 19 or VU 29 – Tablet Holder

The Nordictrack VU 19 bike does come with thing that the VU 29 bike doesn’t have: a pivoting, adjustable tablet holder. This goes above your console and can hold your tablet as you cycle.

So you can then watch Youtube or Netflix videos or other streaming programs as you cycle.

nordictrack vu 19 bike review — Nordictrack Commercial VU 19 Console

Note that this is the case only as of this writing. Nordictrack is pulling back on offering the tablet holders on their bikes more and more these days.

So my guess is that eventually, the tablet holder won’t be offered on the VU 19 bike at all. (In that case, if you want a tablet holder on either bike, you’ll have to add one in yourself).

But as of this writing, you can still get the tablet holder if you buy the Nordictrack VU 19 bike through the Manufacturer here.

Nordictrack VU 19 vs 29 Bike – Heart Rate Monitor

This is interesting and many people wouldn’t catch it unless they looked at the two bikes carefully.

Both bikes have side handrails on either side of the console that you can grasp when cycling.

On the Nordictrack VU 19 bike you get EKG heart rate grips on these handgrips. So you can also get a heart rate reading as you’re cycling.

The Nordictrack VU 29 bike doesn’t come with EKG heart rate grips on the handrails.

This is probably because the Nordictrack VU 29 is newer than the VU 19 model.

And bike manufacturers like Nordictrack aren’t putting outdated tech like the EKG handgips on their bikes anymore (everyone is moving towards wireless heart rate monitors or just skipping monitoring their heart rate altogether).

So that’s probably why you get EKG pulse monitors on the VU 19 vs the VU 29 bike.

Still, it’s worth noting if you really want to track your heart rate when cycling.

Wireless Heart Rate Monitor Differences

Another interesting thing to note between the Nordictrack VU 19 vs 29 bikes is that the VU 19 (as of this writing) also comes with a wireless heart rate monitor.

Nordictrack doesn’t seem to be offering the wireless chest strap with the VU 29 bike right now at least although this could change in the future if Nordictrack thinks people prefer to have it.

Bottom Line?

So what’s the bottom line?

Which is best when comparing the Nordictrack VU 19 vs VU 29 exercise bikes?

Well, they both give adjustable, oversized padded seats and ergonomic pedals with straps for added comfort.

And both come with iFit so you can ride trails all over the world or stream fitness classes to your home every day.

However, a big difference is seen in the console – the VU 19 bike gives you a smaller 7-inch console.

The VU 29 bike gives you a double-the-size, 14-inch console. So it’s going to be more enjoyable to watch the larger screen on the Nordictrack VU 19 bike.

However the Nordictrack VU 19 bike does have a couple of popular features that the VU29 bike doesn’t have – like the tablet holder and the EKG heart rate sensor.

So it really depends on what you want.

Want to Learn More? Check out the links below for more on either bike including any special deals currently being offered.