When it comes to outfitting your home gym, it is hard to beat the versatility and challenge factor of the air bike.
While the air bike looks unassuming and like an old school stationary bike, the reality is that anyone who has tried it understands the physical and aerobic pain that comes along with the wind resistance.
Both Rogue Fitness and Assault Fitness produce amazing versions of the air bike that can be found in CrossFit gyms and commercial gyms throughout the world.
The newer Rogue Echo bike is the star of the CrossFit Games while the Assault Air Bike has been around for longer and is available in more gyms.
But which do I think is best air bike, the Assault Bike vs. Echo Bike?
Below is a quick comparison of the key features between the Rogue Echo Bike vs Assault Bike and then a more detailed overview of each.
The Rogue Echo Bike is the best airbike on the market and is the winner in this battle.
The superior quality from Rogue Fitness and the belt driven system (less maintenance) make the Echo Bike the clear winner, even with it having a higher price tag. The Echo Bike be the centerpiece of your gym.
This is the original CrossFit air bike and is an excellent option for anyone that values portability and does not want to spend extra money for the Rogue Echo.
This is a quality piece of equipment with a 1 year warranty. It is much lighter than the Rogue Echo and its chain driven belt could result in more maintenace in the long term.
What is the Air Bike & What is it Good For?
What is an Air Bike?
An assault bike, also known as an airdyne bike or air bike, is a high-intensity piece of conditioning equipment that uses a fan to generate resistance. The faster you pedal, the harder the resistance becomes.
Assault bikes are often used in CrossFit workouts and other HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts. The most popular air bikes on the market are the Assault Fitness AirBike and the Rogue Echo Bike.
Benefits of Using Air Bikes
There are many benefits to using an assault bike. Here are a few of the most notable:
- Burns calories: Air bikes are a great way to burn calories. A 30-minute HIIT workout on an assault bike can burn up to 600 calories.
- Builds muscle: Air bikes can help you build muscle with a whole body workout, especially in your legs, core, and arms.
- Improves cardiovascular health: Air bikes are a great way to improve your cardiovascular health. They can help you increase your VO2 max, which is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during exercise.
- Lose weight: Air bikes are a great way to lose weight. They are a low-impact exercise, which means they are easy on your joints. This makes them a good option for people who are overweight or obese.
- Improves endurance: Air bikes can help you improve your endurance. They can help you train for long-distance running or cycling events.
The assault bike is a versatile machine that can be used for a variety of workouts. If you’re looking for a challenging and effective way to get in shape, both the Assault Bike and the Rogue Echo Bike are amazing options.
Here are some additional information about assault bikes:
- Assault bikes are relatively inexpensive, making them a more great option for a garage gym.
- Assault bikes are easy to store and transport, making them a good option for people who have limited space such as a garage gym.
- Assault bikes are relatively quiet, making them a good option for people who live in apartments or other shared spaces.
Quick Comparison Echo Bike vs Assault Bike
| Rogue Echo Bike | Assault Bike Classic |
| Price: $795 | Price: $749 |
| Dimensions: 58.875″ x 29.875″ x 52.75″ (L x W x H) | Dimensions: 50.95 x 23.34 x 50 (L x W x H) |
| Weight: 127 Pounds | Weight: 95.64lbs |
| LCD Console Included | LCD Console Included |
| Belt Driven Ride (Smoother Feel, Less Noise, Less Likelihood for Mechanical Issues) | Chain Driven Ride (Louder, Higher Risk of Mechanical Issues) |
How Do I Rank the Rogue Echo Bike vs Assault Bike?
1. Rogue Echo Bike
Overview:
The Rogue Echo Bike is the bigger and newer version of the traditional Air Bike. Launched in 2017, the Rogue Echo Bike has become the face of CrossFit and is the official air bike of the CrossFit Games.
Rogue uses the word “Overbuilt” to describe the Rogue Echo Bike which is a fantastic description. The Echo Bike is built like a tank, sturdy, and is built with the quality that Rogue has become famous for.
A key component to understand with the Rogue Echo Bike is that the belt drive system, meaning there is not a standard chain belt that you would see in any other kind of air bike (or regular bike for that matter). This hard rubber belt drive results in a quieter ride, but more importantly results in almost no maintenance on the Rogue Echo Bike.
I have had my Rogue Echo Bike outside since May of 2020 and have very minimal signs of wear and no performance issues.
When comparing the Assault Bike vs Echo Bike, I do find the Echo bike harder to pedal and more challenging during workouts. The Echo Bike is heavy duty and it takes everything out of you to move the handles and pedals.
Top Features:
- Rogue Fitness Quality: Weighing in at 127lbs, this bike is built like a tank and is incredibly sturdy. The bike is made from heavy-duty steel and aluminum construction.
- LCD monitor: Comes with a large LCD monitor that displays your workout data, including time, distance, RPM, calories burned, and watts. This data can be helpful for tracking your progress and motivating you to push yourself harder.
- Belt Drive System: The Rogue Echo uses a belt drive system, which is quiet, low-maintenance, and requires less lubrication than a chain drive system. This makes the Echo bike a good option for people who live in apartments or other shared spaces.
- Oversized fan: Has an oversized fan that provides a smooth and consistent resistance curve. This makes it a good choice for both HIIT and endurance workouts.
Bottom Line:
The Rogue Echo Bike is a no-nonsense heavy duty piece equipment that is incredibly well built and sure to become the centerpiece of your home gym.
Coming in at 31 pounds heavier with a larger footprint (9 inches longer, 6 inches wider) than the Assault Bike, the Rogue Echo bike is built like a tank.
I’ve ridden both the Assault Air Bike as well as the Rogue Fitness Echo Bike for years and I do think the Echo Bike is the better option. It offers a consistent ride and the quality of product from Rogue Fitness ensures that it will last for the long haul.
The quality of the bike combined with the belt powered drive (versus chain) makes the Echo Bike the winner of the great between between the Echo Bike vs Assault Bike.
2. Assault Bike Classic
Overview:
Found in functional fitness and Crossfit gyms throughout the country, the Assault Bike Classic is the most recognizable air bike on the market.
This comes in a smaller footprint in comparison to the Rogue Echo Bike (31 pounds lighter, 9 inches shorter, 6 inches skinnier) which makes it the more portable air bike of the two. In comparing the Assault Bike vs Echo Bike, the Assault air bike is definitely the lighter bike.
The Assault Bike is also cheaper than the Rogue Echo Bike with a price of $749.
One potential downside is the Assault Air Bike is chain driven which results in a louder ride. The chain drive also will need maintenance (oil, etc) to ensure a long life in your gym.
Top Features:
- Original: The Assault Bike is the original and most popular air bike in the industry, found out CrossFit and commercial gym locations everywhere.
- Ergonomic Design: Built with an ergonomic design that is comfortable to use for long periods of time. The seat and handlebars are adjustable, so you can find the perfect fit for your body.
- Durable Construction: While not as beefy as the Echo Bike, the Assault air bike design is very well built and there is minimal side to side rocking while riding for most athletes. The Assault Air Bike offers a smooth ride even when riding all out effort.
- LCD Monitor: The Assault Bike has a LCD monitor built in that will be used for tracking time, distance, and calories.
- Warranty: The Assault AirBike comes with a 1-year warranty on parts and labor. This is a good peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected.
Bottom Line:
The Assault Bike Classic is the most popular air bike in the industry and can be found at functional fitness and CrossFit gyms throughout the country. Many CrossFit athletes would call the the Assault air bike the original as it was the sponsor of the CrossFit games from 2015-2021.
When making a decision on if the Assault Air bike is right for you, here are the most important things to know:
- Cheaper, lighter, and more portable than the Rogue Echo
- Uses a chain drive belt system which COULD result in more maintenance in the long run
- Has a 1 year warranty
If portability is not the most important feature to you, the chain driven aspect of the Assault Bike places it just a notch below the Echo Bike in our Echo Bike vs Assault Bike comparison.
Which is Better: Echo Bike vs Assault Bike
Having used both the Rogue Echo Bike and the Assault Air Bike for years, my ultimate choice is the Echo Bike.
The Rogue Echo Bike is the best choice mainly because of the overall quality of Rogue Fitness products and the belt drive system resulting in almost no maintenance.
For a slight increase in price, the Echo Bike significantly outperforms other air bikes including the Assault Bike. It’s a more substantial and sturdier air bike without all that maintenance.
One exception to this recommendation is if you place a high priority on portability or have a smaller footprint for your air bike. The Rogue Echo is a large piece of equipment and difficult to move. The Assault Airbike is significantly smaller and more portable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Difference Between a Chain Drive Air Bike and the Belt Driven System?
- Belt Drive (Echo Bike): A belt drive system uses a belt to transmit power from the pedals to the fan. Belt drives are quiet, low-maintenance, and require less lubrication than chain drives.
- Chain Drive (Assault Air Bike): A chain drive system uses a chain to transmit power from the pedals to the fan. Chain drives are more durable than belt drives, but they are also louder and require more maintenance.
How do I use the Assault Bike in Training?
Here are some tips on how to use an assault bike during a workout and what kind of exercises to pair an assault bike with:
- Use the Air bike for high-intensity interval training (HIIT). A typical HIIT workout on a Rogue Echo bike might consist of 30 seconds of hard work followed by 30 seconds of rest for 10 rounds.
- Pair the Air bike with other exercises. CrossFit athletes pair the bike with a variety of other exercises to create a challenging and effective workout. For example, you could do a set of squats followed by a minute on the bike, or you could do a set of burpees followed by 30 seconds on the bike.
- Use the Air bike for steady-state cardio. If you’re looking for a more moderate workout, you can use the bike for steady-state cardio. A good pace for steady-state cardio on the assault bike is 120-130 RPMs.
- Use the Air bike for warm-ups and cool-downs. The bike can also be used for warm-ups and cool-downs. A good warm-up for the bike might include 5 minutes of easy pedaling, followed by some arm circles and leg swings. A good cool-down for the bike might include 5 minutes of easy pedaling.
What is Rogue Fitness?
Rogue Fitness is the leading manufacturer of strength and conditioning equipment in the United States.
Rogue produces barbells, power racks, sleds, and many other types of gym equipment including the Rogue Fitness Echo Bike.
What is Assault Fitness?
Assault Fitness specializes in conditioning equipment and sells the Assault Airbike, Treadmills, and Rowers.
There are 3 different tiers of the Assault Airbike, including the: Assault Airbike Classic, the Assault Airbike Pro X, and the Assault Airbike Elite.
Assault is also widely known for the Air Runner (the AssaultRunner Pro).
What is the difference between a stationary bike and the Rogue Echo Bike?
- Resistance: Airbikes use a fan to generate resistance, while stationary bikes use a flywheel or magnetic resistance. This means that the resistance on an airbike increases the faster you pedal, while the resistance on a exercise bike is constant regardless of your pedaling speed.
- Workout intensity: Airbikes are typically used for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts, while the exercise bike is more commonly used for steady-state cardio workouts. This is because the fan resistance on an airbike makes it more difficult to pedal at a high speed for a sustained period of time.
- Muscle groups worked: Airbikes work your arms, legs, and core, while stationary bikes primarily work your legs. This is because you have to use your arms to pull the handlebars on an airbike, while your arms are mostly just for balance on a stationary bike.
- Noise level: Airbikes are louder than stationary bikes, especially at high speeds. This is because the fan is generating the resistance.
- Cost: Airbikes are typically more expensive than stationary bikes.
Do Any Accessories Come with the Rogue Echo and Assault Airbike?
Rogue Fitness offers several accessories that complement the Rogue Echo Bike, including: Water Bottle Cage, Wind Guard, and a High Contrast LCD display.
Assault Fitness offers replacement parts as well as a Water Bottle Holder and Water bottle.