Indoor Smart Trainer Guide

Gone are the days when a session on the indoor turbo trainer meant staring at a cold brick wall in the garage while cranking out max efforts based on perceived exertion alone. Now an indoor cycling experience can be as immersive as riding your favourite roads alongside hundreds of fellow (virtual) riders.

It’s long been established that a key component to maintaining cycling fitness through winter is a regular dose of short, intense, mostly uncomfortable intervals. While in theory these sessions can be done outside on the road, an indoor trainer provides a much more reliable and practical way to train. Here in the UK especially, with limited daylight hours, family commitments and unpredictable weather, we’re increasingly time pressed and restricted by when and where we can take on those quality sessions. Investing in an indoor smart trainer can provide a consistency and intensity to your training that will have you riding into spring in the form of your life.

Like so many areas of cycling today, the technological advancement in the smart trainer market means consumers are faced with a seemingly endless array of options to choose from. In order to select the right model of trainer you’ll first need to establish a budget, your training goals, how much time you’re going to commit to training and what sort of experience you’re looking for. As well as fitting your existing bike to a smart trainer, there is now the option of buying a complete ‘smart bike’ instead; this is a great option if you already have your own designated training space within your home and saves on continuously having to fit and remove your bike from a conventional smart trainer. We’ll take a look at the most popular smart trainers from market leaders Wahoo, Tacx, Elite and Stages in this guide and explain the features and advantages each trainer has to offer…

 

Wahoo Smart Trainers

Wahoo Kickr Bike

The Wahoo Kickr smart bike features integrated grade changes and customisable gearing; simulated shifting creates an authentic real world cycling experience while the Kickr’s flywheel technology creates superior power accuracy of +/-1% Real time grade changes match ascents up to 20% and descents of -15%. With virtual shifting the Kickr smart bike matches exact gear ratios, speeds and cassettes. The Kick smart bike is compatible with multiple apps and software options including Zwift.

 

 

Wahoo Kickr Smart V5 + Climb Bundle

Take advantage of our bundle deal and equip yourself with the Wahoo Kickr Smart V5 and Wahoo Kickr Climb for less.

 

 

Wahoo Kickr Core + Climb Bundle

Take advantage of our bundle deal and equip yourself with the Wahoo Kickr Core and Wahoo Kickr Climb for less.

 

 

Wahoo Kickr Smart V5 Power Trainer

The ultimate in power, accuracy and responsiveness tuned for the most demanding cyclists, the Kickr’s design offers an ultra-quiet riding experience, unmatched by other indoor smart trainers. A heavyweight flywheel uses advanced algorithms for a responsive ride and with 2,200 watts of resistance it’s accurate to within +/-1%

 

 

 

Wahoo Kickr Core Power Trainer

The Wahoo Kickr Core power trainer delivers a realistic, accurate, quiet indoor training experience using flywheel technology and is built to withstand all of your indoor training sessions thanks to its durable construction. The Kickr Core  is compatible with multiple apps and training software including Zwift.

 

 

Wahoo Kickr Snap Power Trainer

The Wahoo Kickr Snap is a great entry-level smart trainer with a simple wheel-on configuration. Convenient and quick to setup with a realistic ride experience the Snap’s flywheel creates an authentic real-world riding experience. The Kickr Snap  is compatible with multiple apps and training software including Zwift.

 

 

Wahoo Kickr Climb

The Wahoo Kickr Climb brings even more life and authenticity to your indoor training sessions. This indoor grade simulator is designed to work exclusively with Wahoo Kickr smart trainers and adds physical grade changes to your training sessions. The Kickr Climb blends ascents and descents with resistance changes to give a real-world feel and is compatible with Wahoo Kickr, Kickr Core and Kickr Snap models.

 

 

Wahoo Kickr Headwind

The Wahoo Kickr Headwind is the first ever smart fan designed specifically to enhance a cyclists indoor training experience. A targeted airflow pattern mirrors the shape and position of a cyclist’s body while riding while a sensor controls fan speed in relation to your riding speed and heart rate. With speeds of up to 30mph the Headwind keeps you cool during the toughest workouts.

 

Tacx Smart Trainers

Tacx Neo Smart Bike

This revolutionary smart bike trainer is designed to create an unprecedented, one of a kind, immersive cycling experience. It is equipped with advanced features including virtual shifting, gear feel and descent simulation. It is without question the most innovative smart bike offering the most realistic cycling experience possible. The Neo Smart Bike is compatible with most popular applications like Tacx’s own training software, TrainerRoad and Zwift.

Pedals, saddle, bars and crank length can all be customised as can which data is shown on the interactive screen. The rider can crank out up to 2200 watts and the trainer will simulate gradients of up to 25%. With an accuracy of <1% you know the data you’re seeing is accurate and reliable and dynamic inertia ensures the most realistic and smoothest ride possible.

 

 

 

Tacx Neo 2T Smart Trainer

The Neo 2T is an updated version of the Neo 2, with the newest iteration becoming even quieter and smarter. The original Neo set the standard for the ultimate smart trainer and its predecessors continue to lead the way in terms of indoor cycling experience. The motor has been redesigned in order to provide a better indoor cycling experience and ride feel, especially during climbs and sprints.

Sharing many features with the Neo Smart Bike, the Neo 2T offers the Tacx Ride Feel, which simulates riding over cobblestones, gravel and other surfaces. The Neo 2T features both bluetooth and ANT+, allowing it to be easily connected to heart rate monitors and training apps.

 

 

 

Tacx Flux 2 Smart Trainer

Realistic ride feel at a more wallet-friendly price

Upgraded from the iconic Flux, this smart trainer features much of the same technology as the more expensive Neo. The main improvements from the previous iteration include a bigger and stronger flywheel which results in a wider simulation range, better ride feel and a more accurate power measurement (<2.5%). The Flux 2 can simulate gradients of up to 16% and take a power surge of up to 2000 watts, slightly lower than the Neo 2T but a monumental effort nonetheless.

As with the Neo 2T the Flux 2 is easily connectable with training apps such as Tacx’s own software as well as Zwift and other training software programmes.

 

 

 

Tacx Flux S Smart Trainer

The Flux S is an affordable smart trainer that ticks all the boxes being reliable, accurate, silent, strong and offering an authentic ride feel. Compatible with all major training apps including Zwift.

 

 

Tacx Flow Smart Trainer

The Tacx Flow wheel-on trainer is a great option for your first smart trainer. Perfect for quick, easy set up if you’re limited for space. the Tacx Flow connects to most traing apps including Zwift so it’s a great way of keeping motivated through the winter months.

 

 

Tacx Boost Bundle

The Tacx Boost Bundle trainer includes a wheel-on smart trainer, front wheel support, speed sensor and quick release. This smart trainer is user-friendly, affordable and quiet with 10 levels of resistance up to 1,050 watts. With magnetic resistance there’s no external power required; sensor included tracks speed, distance and virtual power.

 

 

Stages Smart Trainers

Stages Smart Bike SB20

The Stages Smart Bike SB20 features silent electronic resistance providing up to 2,200 watts of realistic road feel with an authentic electronic gear change. Standard road bars and saddle are included, however both can be swapped out for your own equipment if you prefer. The Stages smart bike features multiple points of adjustment allowing you to set it up to exactly the same dimensions as your road-going bike. A Gates Carbon belt drive system keeps things quiet while providing endless trouble-free riding.

 

 

Elite Smart Trainers

Elite Direto-XR Direct Drive Trainer

The Elite Direto-XR direct drive smart trainer is Elite’s third-generation model with an upgraded drive unit and is able to replicate inclines up to 24%. The Direto-XR produces over 3,600 watts of resistance and is compatible with 130mm and 135mm quick release frames as well as 142mm x 12mm thru axles; 148 x 12mm Boost adaptors are sold separately. This model includes an 11-speed cassette.

 

 

Elite Direto XR-T Direct Drive Smart Trainer

Indentical to Direto XR trainer above only without the cassette.

 

Elite Suito T Direct Drive Trainer

The Elite Suito T’s super compact shape makes it easier to carry, store and transport; featuring a new magnetic drive with a maximum output of 2,900 watts at 60KM/H the Suito T replicates inclines of up to 15%. The Elite Suito T is compatible with 130mm and 135mm quick release frames as well as 142 x 12mm thru-axles; a 148 x 12mm BOOST adaptor is sold separately. Compatible with 9,10 and 11-speed Shimano cassettes (sold separately).

 

 

Elite Tuo Interactive Smart Trainer

This new-generation interactive wheel-on-turbo trainer features a drive unit powerful enough to produce 2,050 watts at 60 KM/H replicating inclines up to 10%. The Elite Tuo’s front legs are sustainably produced using European Beech to help dampen the trainer and reduce noise. An ElastoGel roller provides improved grip and also produces less noise; this smart trainer includes a rear thru axle adaptor for 142 x 12mm disc brake frames.

 

 

Elite Qubo Mag Smart Trainer

The Elite Qubo Mag smart trainer features a magnetic drive unit with an integrated Misuro V+ wireless speed sensor allowing you to pair with Bluetooth or ANT devices for a powerful, multifunctional smart trainer. The trainer’s Power Mag provides 8 levels of resistance controlled from your handlebar; the Qubo frame features a wider, more stable footprint and a lower bike height to give you a more secure riding platform while an ElastoGel roller provides improved grip and produces less noise.