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. Bobby Lea, the former pro, triathlete and Olympian was finally banished into the darkest parts of our office. He had only his bike, a fan, as well as enough trainers to drive even the most passionate cyclist mad. All three trainers were tested using third-party and their companion apps. The untethered option was available for those who like to create their own workouts. Each trainer went through the exact same stable-state, maximum-power sprints and Tabata style efforts (high intensity intervals), to ensure ride quality, safety, durability, reliability and repeatability. To determine how much noise you will cause, we also checked the ambient sound levels at speeds of 15-25 mph. The end result was this: one trained test editor and this short list of the top indoor trainers, all just in the time needed to get through the winter. –THE SILVER STANDARD—- [product content. Product. Id=’efcb5a08-4f1e-4d8a-8d0f-8f5b96c290ac’ media. Id=’f5967d21-888c-4770-ac1b-4e70ae61177e’ align=’center’ size=’large’][/product] The Kickr has consistently been one of the most reliable and user-friendly trainers available. New version allows you to ride side to side and measures power up to 1,200 watts more precisely than in 2018. The brand’s rubber feet are called Axis and come with three different sets of cups. These cups fit under the feet to reduce lateral movement. While the largest cups fully encapsulate rubber feet to keep trainer in place, the smaller ones leave flexible rubber feet exposed, allowing the bike to move five degrees side-to-side. Although riding feels more relaxed than locking the trainer in place, it doesn’t mean that the bike moves unnaturally. It’s also more energetic than the old Kickr. A spin down is no longer required to calibrate Kickr. It can also simulate gradients up 20 percent. It comes pre-installed with an 11-speed Shimano/SRAM-compatible cassette, works with most 8-, 9-, 10-, 11, and 12-speed setups, and plays well with most third-party virtual cycling apps. VIEW 23 IMAGES –MOST FREEDOM TO MOVE– [product content. Product. Id=’a3a46703-1e07-4311-833a-8c0f475a2bdc’ media. Id=’72ef24e2-b400-40aa-a175-4374af57d3ac’ align=’center’ size=’large’][/product] The R1’s +/-3 percent power readings are on the low end for a direct-drive model in this price range, but this trainer offers something unique in the ride-feel department that others don’t: extreme freedom to move the bike from side to side, far more than any others on this list. By simply tightening or loosing two bolts, rubber elastomers (between the legs and drive mechanism) control this movement. The R1 offers greater lateral mobility than its counterparts, but unlike Kickr, which has zero movement, even on the strictest setting, the Kickr can still be adjusted to make it move at will. While this may feel strange initially, for people who have grown up with being in one place, it will become more natural to allow your bike to spin around and move freely during sprints. Zwift Trainer is compatible with R1. Road, The Sufferfest and the company’s own Kinetic Fit via Bluetooth Smart, ANT+ FE–C and ANT+. Compatible with Garmin devices, almost all bikes (even those that require a thru-axle), and most other gadgets. But unlike the other Kinetic trainer here, a separate purchase of the Traxle thru-axle adapter isn’t required. –BESTVALUE DIRECT-DRIVE – [product content. Product. Id=’ec821083-87c6-41b3-bb06-8d74df771b6b’ media. Id=’7c4099d6-16ab-49a5-b0a1-a37314fb8841′ align=’center’ size=’large’][/product] The sturdy steel Suito is one the best value direct drive trainers we’ve tested. The Suito comes with pre-installed Shimano 11 speed cassettes and legs. The direct-drive model is 400 less than its top-end counterpart, Direto XR. However, it offers faster resistance transitions as well as untethered freedom. It is easy to plug in the Suito and get started pedaling, as opposed to some trainers which require that you use an app. It holds its momentum well when it is disconnected from the online world. Our staff likes the Suito because it allows for easy lateral movement. It’s still reliable after being used for 18 months, despite it having been knocked about going from one house to another and even office to office. Tacx Neo 2T [product contents]. Product. Id=’971157a6-9639-4500-9344-3cc609b1bb76′ media. Id=’dff1cbe6-5b2b-4eb2-8576-6a2590e9feac’ align=’center’ size=’large’][/product] 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). The Neo 2T is unique in two ways. It generates its own electricity, which means you can use it without external power although it works best when plugged in. That’s especially relevant in the winter, when our training-obsessed test editor loves that he can still use the Neo 2T for a workout when his house loses power during a snowstorm. The Neo 2T vibrates, similar to the Nintendo Rumble Pack. It simulates many road surface types, including cobblestones and gravel. The Neo 2T uses a metal flywheel and magnets, which interact with the coils of electricity to provide moderate resistance. This is unlike other direct-drive trainers. You turn the flywheel directly as you pedal; the more electricity that flows through the coils, the larger the magnetic force. The Kickr’s space-age design allows for more side-toside movement. It felt just as natural and comfortable as a stationary trainer, even during high-powered endeavors like climbing steep hills and sprinting at full gas. The device also features a pedal-stroke analyzer and a thru axle adapter, which can accommodate 142x12mm or 148x12mm axles. It is compatible with Shimano 8-to 12-speed drivetrains and SRAM 8.3 to 12.2-speed drivestrains. –Easiest to Store– Product. Id=’ef1ffd92-8c07-4d62-a22c-eb5b5812e57c’ media. Id=’68b08367-0f14-4ffc-9b3d-c5184b81de38′ align=’center’ size=’large’][/product] If you’re familiar with the Cycle. The Ops H2 smart-drive direct-drive trainer is almost identical to the Saris H3. Ops product, with new Saris branding. Functionally, the H3’s power cord is more durable and less likely to be ripped or yanked by our feet. These numbers match the H2’s: H3 has 2000 watts. 20 percent max inclines. +/-2 % accuracy. Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity and ANT+, FE–C compatibility make it compatible with popular virtual biking platforms. And while pairing to those apps is simple, that’s not the case with the Saris companion app, which is prone to crashing and generally just annoying to use. It really is only necessary to update software or calibrate your trainer. You don’t need an app if your goal is to simply plug in and go. Resistance changes on the H3 are as pleasantly smooth as the best trainers we’ve tested. You don’t feel the deadness that is often associated with flywheels heavy, and you can still get a “real” feeling ride without getting sluggish. The H3 is a great option for those with limited space in their garages or living rooms to keep the trainer outside all year. It folds down easily and can be stored inside a closet.

Tacx Neo 2T 2TSmart Trainer The list will be updated once it returns to stock. Tacx Neo 2T smart trainer isn’t your grandmothers indoor bicycle trainer. OK, your grandmother probably didn’t have a bike trainer, but my point is that this thing is intense — in all of the best ways. While the Neo 2T is a great standalone trainer, my focus was on its smart training capabilities. I connected it to Tacx Training to see if the basic features could be utilized. Premium features require a $12-$17 monthly subscription. Similar to Zwift, the app allows you to pair your trainer with Bluetooth. Then you can select from various workouts, or “movies,” that will guide you through inclines and roads up to 25%. It gave off a sense of real life and was quite realistic. Close my eyes and I could have imagined that I was on the Dolomites’ slopes. The trainer is very quiet which makes it great for early morning training sessions. And while I don’t personally have the leg power or stamina to get up to the Neo 2T’s power cap of 2,200 watts, even at my personal high speeds, it stayed stable without any shaking at all. The trainer is not perfect. There are some points you need to know. You will need to remove the entire back wheel as well as the cassette from the Neo 2T Smart Smart trainer. And to do the job properly, you need specialized tools. You should also note that the Tacx Neo 2T has spacers for your bike to allow it to fit into certain cassettes. You can purchase the Neo 2T for $1,400. However, it is recommended that you first check the specifications to ensure that your bike fits the requirements.

Wahoo Fitness KICKR Smart Trainer Weight: 47 pounds (18.1 kg) Resistance type: A weighted flywheel Wahoo Fitness KICKRSmart Trainer is priced at $$ Additionally, it offers an automatic calibration feature to verify that you are always using the correct power. The Wahoo Fitness Smart Trainer is the priciest indoor trainer, but it offers excellent value considering all its features.

$$ – moderately priced. Find here. A durable, trusty basic trainer (not smart trainer). The Fluid2 is bulletproof, lasts a long time, and does its job. You could not ask for more. Saris is now the name of the Cycle’s new branding. Ops is one of the most renowned bike trainer manufacturer in the world. Their trainers are a best seller in America and have been praised by critics. Cycle named the Saris Fluid2 Indoor Trainer as one of its top sellers. Ops has received a lot of recognition, respect, and revenue through the years. We can speak from experience, the Fluid 2 works and lasts a long time. The Saris Fluid2. Although the initial price tag may seem daunting, many users say that the trainer is well worth it. This specific trainer boasts a high-tech fluid resistance mechanism, which allows you to ride a bike with a much more road-like experience. Professional and amateur cyclists find bike trainers boring because they make it seem so unrealistic. This trainer, on the other hand, offers an authentic road-like experience that makes it much more realistic and more enjoyable. This allows for better practice as well. The trainer is part of a complete kit that includes a climb block, a sweat mat and the front tire. While the Saris is compatible with all types of road bikes (or tricycles), it works best with mountain bikes that have a rear tire with a slick. It comes with a “smart-equipped” option, meaning that you have a speed sensor allowing you to connect to apps like Zwift and Rouvy. But it’s not smart training. However, people can still get many years of great training without having to go the smart route.

Because there are many options available, make sure to do your research so you can find the right one for your needs. These are the ones we support. Due to the pandemic in 2020, demand for bike trainers increased rapidly. Supply may not catch up for a while. Please be patient, shop around. If you use it correctly and consistently, your bike trainer can prove to be worth the money. You are getting to know your bike and its parts by training on it. If you are anything like us, you will get to the point where you crave some of your tough trainer workouts in the winter. If you found this useful ….. Take a look at some other articles that we have published on cycling. Find the perfect entry-level tri bike for winter riding. Here are our recommendations. You can take a look at these entry-level fat bikes that are suitable for all seasons. This video is for indoor bike trainers. It’s simple and straightforward.