Still, most road or gravel bikes shouldnt have any issues. If buying a direct drive turbo trainer, it's also worth considering whether or not your prospective new turbo trainer comes with a cassette or not. Its also ideal for riders that might want to train on multiple bikes indoors without adjusting for axle or cassette standards. With its price being its key USP particularly in comparison to the next-level Flux 2 the Flux S is aimed at those who are taking their indoor cycling to the next level without needing to go full-pelt, and it significantly undercuts many of its competitors like the Elite Suito and Wahoo Kickr Core. Luckily for all of us, those days are long gone. Thanks to its height-adjustable fork mount (compatible with post- and flat-mount disc brakes) and sliding base on which the aluminum rollers are attached, the Over-Drive can accommodate various bike and wheel sizes and quick-release or thru-axle configurations. You do have to set up your bike -- either with the included quick release skewer or an appropriate adapter if your bike has a thru-axle rear wheel -- but once you get the hang of it, it's done in a snap (super cheesy pun intended). Because it's a smart trainer, the Rock and Roll trainer works with Kinetic's own training app or third-party apps, like Zwift or TrainerRoad. Once you've installed your cassette, it works with quick release, and thru-axle rear ends and offers smooth transitions in resistance and a surprisingly realistic road feel. Our pedalling isn't perfect and our power output vs cadence varies. You turn the flywheel directly as you pedal; the more electricity that flows through the coils, the larger the magnetic force. Compared with the companys top-end model, the Direto XR, this direct-drive trainer sacrifices only a smidge of accuracy (+/-2.5 percent vs. +/-1.5 percent) but offers faster resistance transitions and the freedom to ride untetheredall for $200 less. You can't fit a 12-speed SRAM cassette onto an 11-speed Shimano Freehub, for example. The best indoor bicycle trainers can replicate the feel of the road with the realistic resistance, climbs and descent that come with it. READ FULL REVIEW VIEW 23 IMAGES. Follow the specific user guides for your bike and bike trainer to make sure everything is installed correctly. If you're concerned about wear and tear, consider using an older or spare bike on the trainer and reserving your road bike for the road. It also comes with pedal-stroke analysis and a thru-axle adapter that accommodates 142 x 12mm and 148 x 12mm axles, plus is compatible with Shimano and SRAM 8- to 12-speed drivetrains. The popularity of Zwift and other apps means most newer trainers are smart. This adds to the cost, but prices are falling, and you can now score a smart trainer for less than $500. Jump over to Zwift, or a movie, and you don't have to think, all you have to do is pedal. At first, it feels odd to experience resistance changes as you hit climbs and descents on Zwift while riding rollers, but it quickly feels as normal as riding in a virtual world can, aided by the free-flowing movement of the bike. The most he could do was lift a front support leg off the ground. At first glance, you might think the Over-Drives simple design sacrifices stability, but even in an out-of-the-saddle sprint our tester couldnt tip it over or get a rear wheel to skip off the rollers. This means if youve not yet invested in a road bike, you can still start training with whatever set of wheels you already have. Like direct drive trainers, wheel-on turbo trainers hold your bike aloft via the rear axle, but they differ in that you don't remove the wheel. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, NordicTracks Studio Cycle Is on Major Sale, Tested: Wahoo's Rollr Smart Indoor Trainer, How to Choose Between Rollers and a Trainer, Indoor Trainer Workouts That Arent Boring, The Best Bikes to Take Your Workout Indoors, The Best Fitness and Fuel Products for Cyclists, 4 Spin Workouts That Arent a Total Snoozefest, The Peloton Bike Brings Spin Class to Your House. A few things to note: The trainer only comes with a quick-release skewer, so if you need an adapter for a thru-axle bike, you'll have to buy it separately. There's the roller trainer, friction trainer, magnetic trainer, direct drive trainer and a simple stationary bike stand. With our review of the Direto X seeing the lack of a cassette as one of the very few negatives about the trainer, it's a welcome improvement. The Wahoo Kickr Rollr is technically a wheel-on smart trainer but it's unlike anything else on this list. Bikes use a variety of axle and freehub standards these days, so it's essential to check which your bike uses and make sure the turbo trainer you buy comes with the correct adaptors. It benefits from a 7.6kg flywheel, which is the third heaviest on this list, which translates to a very lifelike road feel. Bobby is part of the Bicycling Test Team and brings with him over a decade of professional racing experience, including 3 Olympic Team berths. Of course, these will come at a higher price than a standard trainer. You can't always get outside every time you want to go for a bike ride, be it due to weather or time constraints. We organised the list into top-tier direct drive trainers, budget direct-drive trainers, and wheel-on trainers so whatever you need there should be an option for you. The most significant factor in determining which turbo trainer is best for you will be how much you're willing to spend. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. When it comes to communication with your device, almost every smart trainer can connect via Bluetooth Smart FTMS (the FiTness Machine Service designed specifically for Bluetooth fitness equipment) or ANT+ FE-C.
Elite's Suito is the Italian brand's second-tier turbo trainer, sitting beneath the Direto XR in the range. It's also the only trainer that uses a motor to accelerate the chain during descending. Excellent bike trainers for all types of indoor riding. Before that, she wrote for NBC's Dvice.com (now SyFy). We also love the Suito because, unlike some trainers that require you to use an app to operate the trainer, you can simply plug it in and start pedaling if you just want to ride without the fuss of logging onto a virtual platform. It can simulate gradients up to 16 per cent, which is more than steep enough for us thank you very much, and it can provide a maximum resistance of 2,000w - which is roughly what the best professional road sprinters are putting out, let alone amateurs at home. Bluetooth is usually limited to one concurrent connection, although Wahoo devices support up to three. The rear wheel moves just like it would on traditional rollers but there's no risk of falling so it's possible to integrate resistance. The downside though was the ability to fall off. In other words, the Nero offers a comfortable middle ground. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. Of course, there is a trade-off. Rubber feet, which the brand calls Axis, are paired with three sets of plastic cups that fit over the feet to moderate that lateral movement. As I picked up speed, the Kickr Snap stayed stable without any shaking and the front wheel riser block stayed firmly in place, even on a slippery-ish vinyl floor. The Neo 2T is similar to the Kickr in both power measurement (up to 2,200 watts within 1 percent accuracy) and maximum gradient simulated (up to 25 percent). You can get anindoor bike trainerinstead. When you are considering a Wahoo branded trainer, there are a couple of ride feel details to understand. While its 3.5kg flywheel results in a slightly less realistic ride feel than some of the top contenders here, it's still a world apart from that 'pedalling through mud' feeling from years gone by. We'll also use the trainer alongside a couple of on-bike power meters to make sure the readings from the trainer are correct across various power durations, from short sprints to long steady efforts. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. The frame is sturdy and doesn't feel as though you're going to tip over when the intervals get tough, but the legs are foldable for easy storage. It comes with end caps to suit most modern rear ends (except super boost). The Tacx Neo 2T Smart Trainer is not your grandmother's indoor bike trainer stand. Standard turbo trainers forego this connectivity and are much cheaper. If you don't feel like riding in the cold through the winter, you'll find a turbo trainer is worth it's weight in gold. Check out this short video on why a Ramp Test might be better for you than the traditional FTP test. At the bottom of this guide, we'll outline everything you need to consider when buying a turbo trainer. What it means is that your interval power details will look as if you perfectly matched the requested power. It comes with a riser block for your front wheel to rest on to place you in a natural riding position, and you can combine the magnetic resistance with your bikes gears to simulate hill climbs and sprints. Smart means they can connect (usually via Bluetooth or ANT+) to your electronic device (phone, laptop, tablet and most of the best cycling computers) to offer variable resistance which is controlled by apps such as Zwift or workout sessions downloaded to your cycling computer from training software such as TrainingPeaks. Ease of use is a big draw too, with Elite throwing in a pre-installed Shimano 105 (or equivalent) cassette so you can get riding right away. Have a look at our Elite Suito review. But riders that find these trainers to be too cumbersome will love the smooth ride feel and easy on-and-off set-up of the Rollr. The balance of price, brand recognition, and features has proven to be a winner for Wahoo. Megan Wollerton has covered technology for CNET since 2013. When using Zwift, the resistance adjusted automatically and expertly mimicked actual road conditions and climbs of up to a 12% incline. With six levels of magnetic resistance that you can adjust using an ergonomic remote lever atop your handlebars, and a promised power curve to simulate real riding conditions, its an ideal entry-level trainer for anyone whos at the beginning stages of setting up their pain cave. It comes pre-installed with a Shimano 11-speed cassette and pre-assembled legs. He's always training for the next big event and is keen to get his hands on the newest tech to help. What the Kickr Core does offer is universal training app compatibility, 1800-watts of electromagnetic resistance, a simulated grade topping out at 16-per cent and claims of a +/- 2-per cent power accuracy. There will be a slight delay between your power output and the response on screen, but for under 100 / $150, its definitely not something to be sniffed at. A direct drive trainer will be better suited to these tasks. You might find the best cycling community you've ever experienced is actually a group of people all over the world and you can now ride with them. Finding the best indoor bike trainer can be overwhelming since there are many different cycling trainer options to consider. Fluid bike trainers provide a stable, but outdoor-like ride and the Alpcour didn't disappoint. As smart trainers rose in popularity the fact that rollers lacked a hard connection to the bike meant that it was difficult to integrate resistance and power measurement. The ecosystem has exploded and we've put together a comprehensive guide to indoor cycling as a way to cover as much as possible. For those who don't have room in their garage or living room to leave the trainer out all winter, we love the H3 for how easy it is to fold down and how little room it occupies when stuffed into a closet. Also like the Wahoo, it comes with a standard quick release skewer, but if you have a bike with a thru-axle, you'll have to buy one separately. All I had to do was unfold them and adjust the front roller so that it properly lined up with my bike and I was ready to ride (or fall over several times before I actually rode). The trade-off comes in cost. ERG mode is where the trainer will tailor the resistance to help you hit your target power, and is a feature of all smart turbo trainers. Shop your favorite products and well find the best deal with a single click. And if you want to just plug in and ride, no app is needed. The first step is pulling it out of the box, noting which adaptors come included, and how easy it is to fit our bike to the trainer. We used every one of these trainers to squeeze Zwift workouts into our busy workday and even hauled a few of them with us for race-day warm-ups. If power data is all you need, Kinetics Road Machine Smart 2 trainer is a great value. Another thing to note is that while the Tacx Neo 2T does come with several spacers to make your bike fit, it's only compatible with certain cassette models. Megan has a master's degree from the University of Louisville and a bachelor's degree from Connecticut College, both in international relations. For example, let's say you're riding a preset workout and your target power is 200 watts, ERG mode will provide the right resistance for 200 watts regardless of whether you're pedalling at 60RPM or 150RPM. The best turbo trainer for those who do a lot of intervals, Fast power response means slightly less realistic road feel, The best turbo trainer if your focus is on racing instead of intervals or simulation, High maximum gradient simulation and resistance, Some basic functions require paid service, The best turbo trainer if you want a realistic simulation, Realistic modelling of descents and road feel, Road disc calipers rub on trainer casing without extra spacers, The best turbo trainer if you like to ride at constant power while zoning out, The best turbo trainer if you want the most popular option around, The best turbo trainer if you can dedicate a permanent space for it in your home, Widely compatible with different bike types, Heavy 7kg flywheel offers a realistic ride feel, The best turbo trainer if you need to pack it away on a regular basis, The best turbo trainer if you are looking for second tier pricing without second tier performance, 2,000w max resistance is more than nearly everyone will need, The best turbo trainer that combines the pricing of wheel on with the controllability of wheel off, The best turbo trainer if you are on a budget, Requires further investment for Zwift setup, The best turbo trainer if looks are a consideration, Transmits power and allows resistance control via apps like Zwift, Elastogel material on friction wheels claims less tyre wear and less noise, includes all the necessary adapters QR, 12x142, and 12x148, The maximum gradient simulation is lower than we'd hope, The best turbo trainer if you want both ease of use and realistic ride feel, Accommodates a wide range of bikes (up to 2.1-inch tyres), We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Best top-tier direct drive turbo trainers, 9/10/11sp Shimano/SRAM (12sp sold separately), 1,199.99 / $1,399.99 / 1.299,00 / AU$1,999.00, 829.99 / $949.99 / 809,99 / AU$1,349.95, 899.99 / $999.00 / 1,099.00 / AU$1,619.25, 999.99 / $1,199.99 / 1,199.99 / AU$1,799.95, Multiple simultaneous Bluetooth connections, 699.99 / $899.99 / 799.99 / AU$1,249.95, 629.99 / $799.00 / 569.00 / AU$1,189.95, 699.99 / $899.99 / 799,00 / AU$1,199.00. There's no system for bolting your bike to the trainer because all you do is set the bike onto the trainer and secure the front wheel with a hoop. The trainer was ready to go right out the box, with no assembly required. Direct drive turbo trainers are definitely better, but also more expensive, the wheel-on smart variety is more budget-friendly, and standard (non-smart) turbo trainers are regularly the cheapest. Noise: With more people exercising indoors, and with families working at home, looking for a quieter option may be more of a priority than before (as well as getting a good fan when you work out). Whether or not it's worth it to get a bike trainer really depends on your cycling goals, the environment you live in and your budget. And while pairing to those apps is simple, thats not the case with the Saris companion app, which is prone to crashing and generally just annoying to use. Still, most road or gravel bikes shouldnt have any issues. If buying a direct drive turbo trainer, it's also worth considering whether or not your prospective new turbo trainer comes with a cassette or not. Its also ideal for riders that might want to train on multiple bikes indoors without adjusting for axle or cassette standards. With its price being its key USP particularly in comparison to the next-level Flux 2 the Flux S is aimed at those who are taking their indoor cycling to the next level without needing to go full-pelt, and it significantly undercuts many of its competitors like the Elite Suito and Wahoo Kickr Core. Luckily for all of us, those days are long gone. Thanks to its height-adjustable fork mount (compatible with post- and flat-mount disc brakes) and sliding base on which the aluminum rollers are attached, the Over-Drive can accommodate various bike and wheel sizes and quick-release or thru-axle configurations. You do have to set up your bike -- either with the included quick release skewer or an appropriate adapter if your bike has a thru-axle rear wheel -- but once you get the hang of it, it's done in a snap (super cheesy pun intended). Because it's a smart trainer, the Rock and Roll trainer works with Kinetic's own training app or third-party apps, like Zwift or TrainerRoad. Once you've installed your cassette, it works with quick release, and thru-axle rear ends and offers smooth transitions in resistance and a surprisingly realistic road feel. Our pedalling isn't perfect and our power output vs cadence varies. You turn the flywheel directly as you pedal; the more electricity that flows through the coils, the larger the magnetic force. Compared with the companys top-end model, the Direto XR, this direct-drive trainer sacrifices only a smidge of accuracy (+/-2.5 percent vs. +/-1.5 percent) but offers faster resistance transitions and the freedom to ride untetheredall for $200 less. You can't fit a 12-speed SRAM cassette onto an 11-speed Shimano Freehub, for example. The best indoor bicycle trainers can replicate the feel of the road with the realistic resistance, climbs and descent that come with it. READ FULL REVIEW VIEW 23 IMAGES. Follow the specific user guides for your bike and bike trainer to make sure everything is installed correctly. If you're concerned about wear and tear, consider using an older or spare bike on the trainer and reserving your road bike for the road. It also comes with pedal-stroke analysis and a thru-axle adapter that accommodates 142 x 12mm and 148 x 12mm axles, plus is compatible with Shimano and SRAM 8- to 12-speed drivetrains. The popularity of Zwift and other apps means most newer trainers are smart. This adds to the cost, but prices are falling, and you can now score a smart trainer for less than $500. Jump over to Zwift, or a movie, and you don't have to think, all you have to do is pedal. At first, it feels odd to experience resistance changes as you hit climbs and descents on Zwift while riding rollers, but it quickly feels as normal as riding in a virtual world can, aided by the free-flowing movement of the bike. The most he could do was lift a front support leg off the ground. At first glance, you might think the Over-Drives simple design sacrifices stability, but even in an out-of-the-saddle sprint our tester couldnt tip it over or get a rear wheel to skip off the rollers. This means if youve not yet invested in a road bike, you can still start training with whatever set of wheels you already have. Like direct drive trainers, wheel-on turbo trainers hold your bike aloft via the rear axle, but they differ in that you don't remove the wheel. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, NordicTracks Studio Cycle Is on Major Sale, Tested: Wahoo's Rollr Smart Indoor Trainer, How to Choose Between Rollers and a Trainer, Indoor Trainer Workouts That Arent Boring, The Best Bikes to Take Your Workout Indoors, The Best Fitness and Fuel Products for Cyclists, 4 Spin Workouts That Arent a Total Snoozefest, The Peloton Bike Brings Spin Class to Your House. A few things to note: The trainer only comes with a quick-release skewer, so if you need an adapter for a thru-axle bike, you'll have to buy it separately. There's the roller trainer, friction trainer, magnetic trainer, direct drive trainer and a simple stationary bike stand. With our review of the Direto X seeing the lack of a cassette as one of the very few negatives about the trainer, it's a welcome improvement. The Wahoo Kickr Rollr is technically a wheel-on smart trainer but it's unlike anything else on this list. Bikes use a variety of axle and freehub standards these days, so it's essential to check which your bike uses and make sure the turbo trainer you buy comes with the correct adaptors. It benefits from a 7.6kg flywheel, which is the third heaviest on this list, which translates to a very lifelike road feel. Bobby is part of the Bicycling Test Team and brings with him over a decade of professional racing experience, including 3 Olympic Team berths. Of course, these will come at a higher price than a standard trainer. You can't always get outside every time you want to go for a bike ride, be it due to weather or time constraints. We organised the list into top-tier direct drive trainers, budget direct-drive trainers, and wheel-on trainers so whatever you need there should be an option for you. The most significant factor in determining which turbo trainer is best for you will be how much you're willing to spend. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. When it comes to communication with your device, almost every smart trainer can connect via Bluetooth Smart FTMS (the FiTness Machine Service designed specifically for Bluetooth fitness equipment) or ANT+ FE-C.
Still, most road or gravel bikes shouldnt have any issues. If buying a direct drive turbo trainer, it's also worth considering whether or not your prospective new turbo trainer comes with a cassette or not. Its also ideal for riders that might want to train on multiple bikes indoors without adjusting for axle or cassette standards. With its price being its key USP particularly in comparison to the next-level Flux 2 the Flux S is aimed at those who are taking their indoor cycling to the next level without needing to go full-pelt, and it significantly undercuts many of its competitors like the Elite Suito and Wahoo Kickr Core. Luckily for all of us, those days are long gone. Thanks to its height-adjustable fork mount (compatible with post- and flat-mount disc brakes) and sliding base on which the aluminum rollers are attached, the Over-Drive can accommodate various bike and wheel sizes and quick-release or thru-axle configurations. You do have to set up your bike -- either with the included quick release skewer or an appropriate adapter if your bike has a thru-axle rear wheel -- but once you get the hang of it, it's done in a snap (super cheesy pun intended). Because it's a smart trainer, the Rock and Roll trainer works with Kinetic's own training app or third-party apps, like Zwift or TrainerRoad. Once you've installed your cassette, it works with quick release, and thru-axle rear ends and offers smooth transitions in resistance and a surprisingly realistic road feel. Our pedalling isn't perfect and our power output vs cadence varies. You turn the flywheel directly as you pedal; the more electricity that flows through the coils, the larger the magnetic force. Compared with the companys top-end model, the Direto XR, this direct-drive trainer sacrifices only a smidge of accuracy (+/-2.5 percent vs. +/-1.5 percent) but offers faster resistance transitions and the freedom to ride untetheredall for $200 less. You can't fit a 12-speed SRAM cassette onto an 11-speed Shimano Freehub, for example. The best indoor bicycle trainers can replicate the feel of the road with the realistic resistance, climbs and descent that come with it. READ FULL REVIEW VIEW 23 IMAGES. Follow the specific user guides for your bike and bike trainer to make sure everything is installed correctly. If you're concerned about wear and tear, consider using an older or spare bike on the trainer and reserving your road bike for the road. It also comes with pedal-stroke analysis and a thru-axle adapter that accommodates 142 x 12mm and 148 x 12mm axles, plus is compatible with Shimano and SRAM 8- to 12-speed drivetrains. The popularity of Zwift and other apps means most newer trainers are smart. This adds to the cost, but prices are falling, and you can now score a smart trainer for less than $500. Jump over to Zwift, or a movie, and you don't have to think, all you have to do is pedal. At first, it feels odd to experience resistance changes as you hit climbs and descents on Zwift while riding rollers, but it quickly feels as normal as riding in a virtual world can, aided by the free-flowing movement of the bike. The most he could do was lift a front support leg off the ground. At first glance, you might think the Over-Drives simple design sacrifices stability, but even in an out-of-the-saddle sprint our tester couldnt tip it over or get a rear wheel to skip off the rollers. This means if youve not yet invested in a road bike, you can still start training with whatever set of wheels you already have. Like direct drive trainers, wheel-on turbo trainers hold your bike aloft via the rear axle, but they differ in that you don't remove the wheel. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, NordicTracks Studio Cycle Is on Major Sale, Tested: Wahoo's Rollr Smart Indoor Trainer, How to Choose Between Rollers and a Trainer, Indoor Trainer Workouts That Arent Boring, The Best Bikes to Take Your Workout Indoors, The Best Fitness and Fuel Products for Cyclists, 4 Spin Workouts That Arent a Total Snoozefest, The Peloton Bike Brings Spin Class to Your House. A few things to note: The trainer only comes with a quick-release skewer, so if you need an adapter for a thru-axle bike, you'll have to buy it separately. There's the roller trainer, friction trainer, magnetic trainer, direct drive trainer and a simple stationary bike stand. With our review of the Direto X seeing the lack of a cassette as one of the very few negatives about the trainer, it's a welcome improvement. The Wahoo Kickr Rollr is technically a wheel-on smart trainer but it's unlike anything else on this list. Bikes use a variety of axle and freehub standards these days, so it's essential to check which your bike uses and make sure the turbo trainer you buy comes with the correct adaptors. It benefits from a 7.6kg flywheel, which is the third heaviest on this list, which translates to a very lifelike road feel. Bobby is part of the Bicycling Test Team and brings with him over a decade of professional racing experience, including 3 Olympic Team berths. Of course, these will come at a higher price than a standard trainer. You can't always get outside every time you want to go for a bike ride, be it due to weather or time constraints. We organised the list into top-tier direct drive trainers, budget direct-drive trainers, and wheel-on trainers so whatever you need there should be an option for you. The most significant factor in determining which turbo trainer is best for you will be how much you're willing to spend. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. When it comes to communication with your device, almost every smart trainer can connect via Bluetooth Smart FTMS (the FiTness Machine Service designed specifically for Bluetooth fitness equipment) or ANT+ FE-C.