Peloton makes a great spin bike, however, one noticeable oversight is limited movement of the handlebars. While many spin bikes have handlebars that move in all directions, Peloton’s handlebars only move up and down, and not forward or back. While this may impact shorter riders the most, it’s an issue for others too.
If you search on Reddit or Quora, you will see tons of people asking what to do to improve their ride. There are the:
- vertically challenged riders (including shorter adults, teens, and kids)
- riders with short arms
- taller riders hunching over
- people with wrist or hand pain and problems and/or arthritis
- riders with shoulder, neck, or back pain
- those looking to improve their posture on the bike
While Peloton itself has not created an accessory to alleviate this much-needed problem, several companies have designed their own accessories to improve your comfort and overall ride.
This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information.
Peloton Bike Adjustments
The first thing you should do is make sure that you are sitting at the proper height and move your saddle to the correct placement. The seat adjusts forward and back.
(Currently, I’m sitting at a seat height of 19, the seat forward at “G”, and my handlebars also at a “g.” Remember, proper placement is not simply based on your height as each person’s torso and leg height varies).
- If there’s a Peloton store near you, sit on a bike and ask the salespeople to identify your proper measurements.
- Then when your bike gets delivered, do the same and ask the installers to check your adjustment and alignment.
- Don’t be afraid to change your handlebar position and seat settings as needed.
- If you experience any hip or knee pain, check that you are not hyperextending your knee. You should have a slight bend in the knee.
- I’m tempted to get a professional virtual bike fitting from Matt Wilpers’ team. It will cost you $149.99
How to Adjust Your Peloton Bike’s Handlebars and Seats
Check out this video by Peloton below.
If you need additional help moving the Peloton seat, I found this thread helpful. For some other helpful tips about your Peloton, be sure to check out this blog post, Peloton 101.
Peloton Handlebar Extenders
Here are some of the most popular handlebar accessories available for the Peloton bike.
DIY Handlebar Extender: the Pool Noodle or Barbell Squat Pad
Ever since the Peloton bike hit the market, people have been looking for ways to adjust their handlebars. One creative way is to add a pool noodle or a barbell squat pad to the handlebars.
Pros and Cons of using a Pool Noodle or Barbell Squat Pad
Pros:
- Easily accessible solution
- Cheap
Cons:
- will not give you the intended grip or comfort you need during an intense Peloton ride
- falls apart over time
- easily falls off the handlebars
TIP: Check out this blog post on Must-Have Peloton Accessories.
ComfortGrip by Aerow
When Aerow, the manufacturer of the ComfortGrip handlebar extender reached out to me to try out their product, my initial response was that I didn’t consider myself short (I’m 5 foot 5 1/2. Although after recently moving to Minnesota, I find everyone towering over me) so I wasn’t sure of the benefit to me.
But then they told me more about the ergonomic benefits of their product. Although I may not be under 5 foot 4 (typically those who have issues reaching the Peloton handlebar), I was in a terrible car accident years ago and suffer from neck and shoulder pain ever since. Plus, I know I round my shoulders and have less than perfect posture.
My unboxing and initital thoughts of the ComfortGrip
Read my full review of the Aerow ComfortGrip here.
Pros and Cons of using the ComfortGrip
Pros:
- It brings the Peloton handlebar 2 inches closer to the rider
- It allows peitite riders to more easibly and comfortable reach the handlebars
- It provides a soft, ergonomic grip
- The ComfortGrip is made of 3″ cushioned EVA foam
- It helps make a Peloton ride more comfortable, especially for those with hand or wrist issues, anyone with back pain or strain, shoulder strain, and/or neck pain
- It improves posture and helps to align the spine
- reduces hunching
- Reduces overextending of arms that could lead to injury
- Fits both the original Peloton bike and the Bike Plus
- Can be installed or removed within seconds with no assembly
- Fairly inexpensive (and you can save an extra 10 percent with my coupon code below).
Cons:
- It only moves the handlebars closer to you, not away from you (like TopForm Design’s model below)
- Handlebars now sit under a cushioned pad so may take some getting used to
Order direct from Aerow and use promo code MYPURSESTRINGS10 to save 10%
Top Form Design
While I have not tried out Top Form Design’s handlebar adjuster, I’m a huge fan of this company.
Their Pivot (which allows the original Peloton bike screen to swivel like the Plus) has completely changed my Peloton workout routine. They make well-made products designed to last.
If you have the original Peloton bike as I do, you have two options:
- The Adjuster: moves your handlebars three inches forward or thee inches back
- For the original Peloton Bike
- For the Peloton Bike Plus
- The Adjuster Fixed: moves your handlebars three inches closer to you in a fixed position.
- a less expensive alternative
Pros and Cons of using Top Form Design’s Adjuster
Pros:
- The ability to move the handlebars forward or back helps both shorter and taller Peloton riders
- Customizable handlebar placement. Move it a little or a lot.
Cons:
- Requires some disassembly
- Uses your original handlebars so no additional ergonomic benefit
- A more expensive option (but save 10 percent with my promo code below)
Hize Hoods
While not designed for shorter riders, Hize Hoods attaches to the handlebars of your bike (not just Peloton) to help with proper body alignment and posture.
Pros and cons of using Hize Hoods:
Pros:
- improves hand positioning
- reduces injury
- relaxes elbows, neck, and back
- hand and forearms form a straight line
- proper hip alignment
- better posture overall which contributes to sustained output on the bike
- inexpensive solution (and save 10 percent with my promo code below)
Cons:
- not meant to help petite riders reach the handlebars better
You can also get Hize Hoods from Drip Accessory. They make my favorite spin towels. You’ll save 10% off your total order of any item from Drip Accessory’s website with that link.
Which Handlebar Extender is Right for You?
- For taller riders: if you want to gain a few inches on the bike, the Top Form Adjuster is the way to go
- For households that share the Peloton: the Top Form Adjuster or the ComfortGrip (if you don’t need to add inches) meets the needs of various riders
- For petite riders, teens, and kids: the ComfortGrip
- For riders with arthritis, wrist, or hand pain: the ComfortGrip or Hize Hoods
- For those with poor posture on the bike: the ComfortGrip or Hize Hoods
Save 10 percent on any of these handlebar adjusters for Peloton with code MYPURSESTRINGS10
If you aren’t ready to purchase any of these extenders, you can try this Peloton seat manual adjustment. I haven’t tried it so I don’t know how well it works.
For the Peloton fans in your life, check out this Ultimate Peloton Gift Guide blog post including Peloton-inspired products and exclusive My Purse Strings promo codes.
If you need more tips for getting the best ride, check out this post about mistakes you could be making on your Peloton. They’re easy fixes that not only can improve your output but also prevent injuries.
Pin for later!
TIP: Check out this list of fun themed Peloton rides.
To make it even easier, as a subscriber to the weekly Friday Favorites email, you will gain free access to all my downloadable checklists (Theme Rides, Broadway Rides, Movie & TV Soundtracks, Most Emotional Rides and more).
You can access this and all of my other checklists and files in my Resource Library.
Check out MyPurseStrings on Substack. Get the newest blog posts, my favorite finds, and read all new and past newsletters there.
Related Peloton Posts:
Former Peloton Instructors: Where Are They Now?
Peloton Instructor Motivational Quotes
How to Pick A Peloton Leaderboard Name
Have you tried out any solutions? What’s worked for you?
Michelle Platt is a content creator and certified personal trainer. Proving it’s never too late to reinvent yourself, she’s a former attorney and teacher who loves to do the research so you don’t have to. She takes a deep dive into each topic and writes about her wellness journey here. She loves trying out new workouts, fitness tips, healthy foods, and products to share with you. This native New Yorker recently made the move to the suburbs of Minneapolis, where she lives with her husband, two kids, and two dogs.