How to calibrate Peloton Bike – Optimize your Peloton Performance

It is important to keep track of your performance stats in every Peloton Rides to notice if there is any improvement. However, metrics in Peloton Bike/Bike+ are not always accurate after a period of time or for some degraded conditions. That’s why your Bike/Bike+ needs “calibration”.

What does it mean? How to do it? You’ll find the answer in this article.

What is Peloton Bike calibration?

Peloton Bike calibration means resetting the bike magnet position and concurring with the resistance level when the knob and the magnets no longer correspond to each other.

Calibration will bring back accurate metrics which help members easily track their Peloton performance.

When you turn a knob to adjust the resistance on Peloton, you have to check if the values from the resistance match the actual output or not. For more information, please have a look at the illustrations below.

Peloton Bike Calibration Kit

What is it?

A Peloton Bike Calibration Kit is a set of necessary tools to calibrate your original Bike, not available for the new version of Peloton Bike/Bike+.

This kit includes 3 tiny plastic parts which are a wedge and 2 discs of different sizes. A small wedge looks like a cap between the two magnet brackets on the flywheel. The two plastic discs will be placed under the knob.

In the past, Peloton members received the Calibration Kit along with their Bike delivery. They could find the full calibration instruction on their website and do it themselves at home. Sometimes, this took them hours straight to get done the first time.

Peloton Bike Calibration Kit is not included in your total bill. It only costs you $100 if you need further instruction from Peloton Support in case you don’t have an extended warranty for your Peloton device. At this point, you have to make an appointment with the Peloton Support team, which is quite inconvenient.

How to get one?

At present, there will be no Peloton Bike Calibration Kit delivered along with your Bike purchase. If you are still using the original Peloton Bike and need calibration, you will need to call Peloton to order a Kit. Choose the most convenient way of contacting Peloton Support from the list below:

• Phone number: (866)-679-9129.
• Website: https://support.onepeloton.com/hc/en-us/p/contact-us
• Email: [email protected].

The Peloton Member Support is online every day from 9 AM to 9 PM.

Why does your Peloton Bike/Bike+ need to calibrate?

The accuracy of resistance in Peloton Bike/Bike+ degrades over time. This is typically caused by normal wear and tear, electric shock, bad conditions, and so on. Once the resistance can’t adjust the way you want, the leaderboard and even all metrics may not be displayed on the screen.

Here are some of the important stats affected by uncalibrated Peloton Bike/Bike+.

• Average output 

This number is counted on your cadence and resistance. When your Bike/Bike+ operates in the wrong way – the actual resistance is not the same as on the screen, the average output will be incorrect.

• Calories burned 

The calories burned stat is tracked based on your average output. Once the resistance is incorrect, the average output is not the actual stat, which means Peloton fails to calculate the accurate amount of calories your body burns after a specific ride.

• Leaderboard position

The leaderboard in every Peloton Rides is the source of motivation. When all the stats are incorrect, there’s no way your leaderboard ranking is your actual position. You can’t see if you have any improvement or need more effort in the Rides.

As you can see, when your Peloton Bike operates in the wrong way, its efficiency level is halved. Peloton Bike calibration will help you find back the realistic number of your effort.

When should you calibrate your Peloton Bike/Bike+?

You must pay attention and monitor your bike carefully so that when anything goes wrong, you can calibrate it in a timely manner. If you are still confused about whether your Bike needs calibration yet, here are some of the signs:

• The output is higher/lower than normal.
• The screen says 100 even when you have not turned the knob enough or vice versa.
• You are trying harder but your numbers are going down.
• Low/High resistance but you find it harder/easier to pedal, which is not in its actual condition.
• After any mechanical or electrical shock.

The specific time to calibrate your Peloton Bike should be the time you notice one of the signs above. If you don’t, according to the recommendation of the manufacturer that does the calibration annually, quarterly, or monthly.

Peloton Bike calibration common issues

Lack of tools and instruction

When Peloton no longer sends the Calibration Kit along with the Bike/Bike+ delivery, it’s more difficult for members to calibrate their Peloton. Also, Peloton has deleted the calibration instruction for the original Bike on their website. If you want to find it, you have to contact Peloton Support.

Peloton members also find it inconvenient when you want to contact Peloton Support about the calibration. They have to set up an appointment with the Peloton Support team which takes time and discomfort for some people.

Do not solve the problem

The resistance still remains incorrect and leads to the wrong output, even after calibration. There is no guarantee that your Peloton Bike/Bike+ is 100% calibrated properly, even if you feel like it does. The Peloton output is even getting worse due to over or under-calibrated bikes.

How to calibrate Peloton Bike/Bike+

Since the Peloton Bike and Bike+ require different calibration processes, we have divided them into 2 sections below. Scroll down here to see the instructions for the Peloton equipment you have.

On Peloton Bike

Step 1: Remove the water bottle holder and sweat guard by using a Phillips head screwdriver, 3mm and 4mm Allen keys.

Step 2: Tap the 3 dots on the bottom right-hand corner and then tap “About.”

Step 3: In the pop-up box, tap the top right-hand corner about 10 to 20 times until the “Welcome to Sensor Calibration” screen appears.

Step 4: Tap “Get Started.”

Step 5: Turn the resistance knob all the way to the left, then tap calibrate.

Step 6: Once you see the “Minimum resistance calibrated”, tap on “Calibrate Maximum Resistance.

Step 7:  Turn the resistance knob all the way to the right.

Step 8: Tap “Calibrate”

Step 9: Once you see the “Maximum resistance calibrated”, tap “Done”.

Step 10: Turn the resistance knob all the way to the left.

Step 11: Place the calibration wedge tool in between the second and third magnets on the flywheel.

Step 12: Bring the resistance knob to the right until the wedge is secure but still able to be removed.

Step 13: Remove the wedge tool and place both white discs under the resistance knob.

(Ensure that the lines on both discs are lined up and that the openings are facing the neck of the Bike)

Step 14: Tap “next” on the screen to begin calibration.

Step 15: Tap “set” and give the knob a quarter turn to the right.

Step 16: Then tap “Set” again and continue this for the next 30 rotations.

Step 17: Once you finish with the turns, tap the Peloton icon at the bottom to go back to the home screen.

Step 18: Turn off the screen by pressing the orange button at the top.

Step 19: Unplug the bike from the back and this will cycle a new calibration.

Step 20: Replace the water bottle holder and sweat guard by using a Phillips head screwdriver, and 3mm and 4mm Allen keys.

After you finish these 20 steps, turn on your Peloton Bike again and try to join a Ride to check if everything has been successfully updated and accurate. If you need an instructional video, click here.

On Peloton Bike+

It is more convenient to calibrate the Peloton Bike+ than the ordinary one because it has auto-calibration. You don’t need the Peloton Bike Calibration Kit, the whole 20 steps instruction, or the Peloton Support meeting to do the calibration.

Before starting the calibration process, you have to get off the bike and not touch the resistance knob, or pedals during the process.

Step 1: From the home screen, tap on the three dots on the bottom right.

Step 2: Tap “Device Settings”

Step 3: Tap “Home Installation” on the bottom left.

Step 4: Tap “Start Calibration”

Step 5: Tap “Continue” when it says your calibration was complete.

The Bike+ will automatically process calibration since your first use which is called the “Homing”. Besides this, Peloton doesn’t recommend additional calibrations.

Peloton Calibration Pros And Cons

Everything has two sides, even when calibrating your Peloton Bike/Bike+. There are several advantages when you do calibration, but how can it cause disadvantages? What are they? Let’s find out.

Pros

Calibration means you help your Peloton Bike/Bike+ operate in the right way and lead to many improved factors, especially the metrics. To be more clear, check the list below:

• Using correct metrics as motivation.
• Tracking performance and putting more effort into Peloton Rides.
• Stay competitive with the right ranking leaderboard.
• Improving safety.
• Saving money by avoiding the costs of Peloton Bike/Bike+ maintenance.
• Extending the life of the Peloton Bike/Bike+.

Cons

Despite the advantages above, calibration may also cause some unexpected disadvantages, such as:

• Too complicated, especially for those who are not tech-savvy and lack patience.
• Sometimes causing mistakes on re-connect.
• Less efficient use of time to do one calibration for Peloton Bike/Bike+.
• Takes time and effort.

Conclusion

Having a Peloton Bike/Bike+ at home makes your workout much more convenient, but you need to take time and effort to calibrate them periodically. Peloton is also trying to improve the Bike/Bike+ to bring maximum satisfaction to members.

We hope with the definition and detailed instructions on the calibration of your Peloton Bike/Bike+ above, you find your answer to questions at the top of the article. If you haven’t calibrated your Peloton Bike/Bike+ for a long time, consider doing it right now!

FAQs

1. Are all Peloton Bikes calibrated the same?

No, Peloton Bike and Bike+ calibrations are different. You have to use tools to calibrate the Peloton Bike with many complicated steps while the Bike+ has auto-calibration.

2. Does Peloton Bike auto calibrate?

Only Pelon Bike+ that auto-calibrates.

3. How to tell if Peloton Bike is calibrated correctly?

Actually, it is still quite confusing to tell if the Peloton Bike is calibrated 100% correctly. The only way to check is to start a Ride after calibration. If you feel the metrics seem to be right and there is nothing wrong, then maybe your Peloton Bike is good now.

4. Does the Peloton Bike come with Calibration Tools?

In the past, Peloton Bike used to come with Calibration Tools. Now you have to request it.

5. How To Make Peloton Output Higher?

Peloton members usually do not sit on the saddle when they’re at the high speed of Ride One and about 70-80+ in resistance zones to achieve a good Peloton output. It makes the output calculated per minute high despite intro minutes and rest minutes.