Top 5 Ways Rogue Could Make the Echo Bike Even Better

Disclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The Rogue Echo Bike is the best air bike you can buy in 2020.

How To Make The Rogue Echo Bike Even Better
This article has been 18 months in the making – how can Rogue make the Echo Bike even better? Here’s me doing extensive research.

Well, if you can find it in stock here in the year 2020 – they tend to sell out in 2 hours or less whenever Rogue gets some inventory in.

We reviewed this bike originally way back in 2019.

We liked nearly everything about it right from the get-go – but after well over a year of extended use, I’ve come up with some improvements.

(At least in my own mind.)

Let’s review how Rogue Fitness can make the already excellent Echo Bike even more excellent.

In case you haven’t seen it – here it is:

Rogue Echo Bike Rogue took the air bike concept and made the best air bike you can buy - this unit is smooth, solid, and quiet (for an air bike) thanks to the belt drive. Built like a tank - with outstanding Rogue build quality. It requires a minimum of maintenance. This is our top pick for an air bike.

This article is full of opinions, my opinions – but read on and maybe you’ll agree – or maybe you won’t

Backlit Electronic Monitor

Here in the year 2020, we expect a whole new level of refinement to our electronics.

I have mixed feelings about the electronic monitor on the Echo Bike.

At first glance, it seems too crowded – too complicated.

But once you figure out that it’s like a fighter pilot’s heads up display – it all makes sense.

Rogue Echo Bike - the Console - which let's you control and measure how you use the bike.
The electronic monitor on the Rogue Echo Bike is like a figther pilot’s HUD (Heads Up Display) everything you need at a glance – no need to change modes or screens. But I can’t see it in the dark.

Everything you need – at a glance – at all times – no fumbling around with buttons as your legs and arms are going numb.

It’s genius really.

And those big chunky buttons are easy to hit, and seem like they’ll last forever.

But, here’s my beef with the monitor – I can’t see the damn thing in the dark.

The Rogue Echo Bike is used in a lot of dimly lit locations – garages, back yard, poorly lit warehouse-style boxes.

Can we get a backlight on this thing?

I’ll gladly pay an extra $5 or whatever a backlight will cost.

Secondly, the monitor shows your instantaneous power output in watts (as measured over the last few seconds).

For those of us doing structured training it would be immensely helpful if we could see the long term average power output (as measured from the start of the timer).

Please add that, if possible.

Grips on the Handles Too Thick

As you know, and Air Bike is a full-body exercise – you pedal, push, and pull.

Those big, robust handles are all part of the stability and over-built mystique of the Echo.

But the grips themselves are too big.

The Rogue Echo Bike has tough, textured rubber handgrips. These won't wear out easily.
The grip part of the handle is 1.5″ in diameter. It’s too big, in my opinion. Can we get a barbell diameter option, like 28mm?

I’m not a big guy – 6’2″ with normal size hands, I think.

Can Rogue please make the grips barbell diameter? (28mm or so would be perfect.)

I’m not saying put knurl on the things – that would be silly, but just make the actual grip part smaller.

How about this – make them the same diameter as the grips on a regular road bike.

Someone, somewhere determined the grips on a bike don’t need to be so crazy wide – so let’s go with that.

Multi-Grip Handles

On a related note, it would be cool if there were any other way to grip those overly thick grips.

Can we get some kind of revised handle design that lets us have two choices of horizontal grip and maybe a vertical option too.

After all, they say “variety is the spice of life”.

Big beefy handles of the Rogue Echo Bike
Echo Bike has very beefy handles. You have to move these. It would be great if we could vary our grip some way during the workout. These just don’t give us many options.

Some variation in grip would go a long way to make the bike usable by more people and give the rest of us a little bit of respite from the misery that is an air bike workout.

Bluetooth, Please

I’m counting this one as a separate feature for the monitor.

I understand the monitor is 5Khz compatible – whatever that is.

You can only use certain Heart Rate Monitors (HRM) like the Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor.

But 99.9% of your target users have a Bluetooth device in their pocket or otherwise on them at all times.

Bluetooth connectivity would open up the door to integration with apps such as workout trackers, and more.

Echo Bike electronic monitor with LCD
Echo Bike electronic monitor with LCD – could be better if backlit, and if it was bluetooth compatible.

Can we get a Bluetooth capability built-in?

I’m certain this could be done with a minimum of electronics. I guess the real hard part would be whatever firmware is running.

A Bluetooth capability would be great.

More Wind

This last one is a bit tongue in cheek…

Did you know you can buy a wind guard for the Echo Bike?

Rogue claims this simple add-on will prevent some of the wind from the fan from blowing back in your face.

Say what?

Who needs this?

I’m dying 30 seconds in on the Echo Bike – I find the wind to be refreshing.

The Rogue Echo Bike has ten fan blades - and they aren't small.
The Rogue Echo Bike has ten fan blades – and they aren’t small. This makes a lot of wind – refreshing breeze aimed right for your face. Can we get more please?

The cool breeze on my face almost makes it worthwhile to go faster and faster – if it weren’t for the tingling sensation in the extremities and extreme fatigue that brings on.

By the way, if you haven’t tried it – you can blast your quads on the Echo Bike in a way that just about beats anything else – save high rep squats.

And quite frankly, the Echo Bike is a lot more accessible for people – because many can’t do high rep barbell squats.

Back to the wind.

Did you know some people cover up the fan cage with tape to keep the wind off them?

How are these people using the bike? If you aren’t dying 30 seconds in, you may not be using it right.

Therefore, I propose – the fan should make MORE wind. More breeze in my face, MORE not Less.

But, don’t make this damn thing harder to pedal.

In all seriousness though – anyone in a colder climate tends to find all that breeze on their face and upper body annoying. So maybe the Echo Bike should come with a REMOVABLE wind guard? That might be the best of both worlds…

How To Make the Rogue Echo Bike Even Better – In Summary

The Rogue Echo Bike is the best air bike you can buy in 2020.

But, nobody is perfect, nor is any one piece of exercise equipment.

With a few simple tweaks, this air bike could be even better.

If you want to deep-dive on the Rogue Echo Bike as-is, check out our Rogue Echo Bike review.

Want to make your Echo Bike more comfortable? We have ideas on that.

Agree? Disagree? Tell me what YOU want to see in the next version of the Echo Bike in the comments below.

Rogue Echo Bike by the pool
Having the Rogue Echo Bike poolside doesn’t make it any easier.

Photo Credits

Some product photos on this page are property of the Rogue.

This website is not affiliated or associated with CrossFit, Inc. CrossFit is a registered trademark of CrossFit, Inc.

The stock bike seat on the Rogue Echo Bike.
The stock bike seat on the Rogue Echo Bike. It’s big, wide, and fairly comfy. Were you expecting me to complain about the seat?

Affiliate Disclaimer

We are an affiliate of Rogue Fitness. If you buy equipment after clicking the links in this article, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us to bring you in-depth information and content on this great training equipment.

Rogue Echo Bike Pedals
Pedals on the Rogue Echo Bike. You can upgrade the pedals on the Echo Bike – but I’ve not found it necessary. Very few people use clips with these either…

7 Comments

  1. 1000% agree on the backlit addition, why isn’t this a thing?

    FYI, I like the comfortable seat so much, I contacted Rogue to see if they offered the seat as a standalone purchase. I have a Titan spin bike with a tiny, bone-jarring seat. They sold one to me and now my spin bike workouts don’t feel so painful. Great customer service!

  2. Yeah. The other thing I’ve found in garage and basement is that you’ll get a lot of sand / dirt /grit right in the face… so windguard is a good idea in almost any location.

  3. It it was possible to buy a newer replacement display with ANT+, Bluetooth and backlight, i would buy it, but it is probably best to not hold my breath when i waiting for it 🙂

  4. Great review. I agree with most things. The backlight for sure. I find the monitor horrible. If you don’t push the buttons at the right time, you can pedal for 30 seconds and realize the monitor isn’t responding. I am buying a wind guard (which is why this article showed up in search results). My EIB is triggered on this bike from the wind blowing in my face and subsequently forced down my nose and throat. Only CrossFit apparatus that causes it. I’m coughing up little white balls right now. hahaha. Anyway, great review and YES on the quad-killer….

  5. Thanks for the info! Indeed I believe you are correct. ANT+ and 5Khz are two different things. I’ll put a correction in the article. Thanks! Tim

  6. Great article, wish I had seen it before buying it lol. The bike is amazing, but the lack of compatibility of the monitor with other hearth rate monitors is really strange. It is 2021 and among the 9 different heart rates straps I have (garmin, times, wahoo, non brand etc) I had to use one I bought in 2007. I believe the bike is not ANT+ (the garmins are and none of them works). I believe it needs 5kHz transmission (I think Polar calls it Gymlink).
    Regarding the handles I love them being oversized (forearm training for free) but I agree with the lack of vertical grip

Comments are closed.