Best Bike Trainer

When thinking about a bike “trainer,” it’s hard not to think about someone yelling boisterously at you as you count down the reps. While bike trainers have widely varying price points, they all basically do the same thing; albeit in different ways with different levels of comfort.

If you’re a year-round cyclist, a bike or turbo trainer (another term for bike trainers) should be an essential part of your cycling toolkit; especially if you live in a part of the world where your winters are cold, dark and long. In light-deprived environments, a bike trainer allows the cyclist to remain active when forced inside for prolonged periods of the year. And if it’s too hot in the summer, your bike trainer will allow you to bike in an air conditioned room with a TV. If any of this has gotten your attention, read on. We think that you’ll be even more convinced these deserve some space in your extra room when you learn more about the interactive, virtual cycling features available with many bike trainers. This is where the newest bike trainers outperform the old-style equipment that many of us still associate with a bicycle propped up on a few rollers. Before diving into our recommended list of bike trainers, feel free to read more about the different types of bike trainers and how you set them up and connect with with virtual cycling software.

The Cost of a Bike Trainer

Since your bike trainer is designed to work with your favorite bike, you really won’t need to spend a lot of money to add a bike trainer to your home gym. And if you don’t have a home gym, a bike trainer can be moved from the closet to your living room or basement with very little effort. In terms of cost, a lower end bike trainer will run you about $89  and the moderately-priced models cost up to $263 (see the highly ranked Magene T100, which represents a good “middle of the road” option). If you’re truly committed to frequent use of your bike trainer–and want the smoothest ride possible–you should check out the TacX Flux 2 trainer. These will set you back almost $1,000 but they integrate well with your bike in the form of a cassette built right into the bike trainer (see photo below). While there are some models that retail for under $89, we don’t recommend going too cheap. With bike trainers, you truly get what you pay for and the lower-cost options typically don’t last as long or perform as well.

What do I need to make it work?

There are several things that you’ll need before you can start your indoor training regimen:

Before you purchase a bike trainer, we recommend you watch the video below to get a sense of how you set up your bike with a bike trainer. We also provide some helpful tips about sizing your bicycle and some additional suggestions for preparing your bicycle for the cold, winter months. There is very little to setting up most bike trainers, but it’s helpful to see how you connect your bike to the trainer if you’ve never done this before. If any part of this seems complicated, consider asking a family member for help or visiting your local cycling store. Before you make a purchase, it’s important that you’re familiar with the different types of bike trainers and how each type differs by price and feature set.

Three Types of Indoor Bike Trainers

Although there are many different types of bike trainers, most can be categorized into three basic models.

Direct-Drive Trainers

Direct-drive trainers attach to your bike’s rear dropouts, replacing your wheel. Unlike other models that simply turn a wheel, direct-drive bike trainers connect directly to a resistance unit. The TacX is a popular example of a direct-drive trainer. These trainers are easily-identified because they require a cassette. They are typically the most expensive model, but they are also the most efficient and most comfortable units.

Friction Trainers

Friction trainers depend on a small roller against the rear wheel, which utilizes magnetic or fluid resistance. These units tend to be lighter and more portable than direct drive trainers, but they are usually noisier and less comfortable. The lack of direct-drive technology will save you a few dollars since they are almost half as much as a direct-drive model.

Rollers

Rollers are the most basic type of bike trailer, but they are also the less comfortable or fluid since your bike is essentially propped up on three rollers. Resistance is a little more difficult to manage since, but the motion required to drive these units will help you improve our pedaling technique over time.

Smart Trainers

Smart trainers communicate wirelessly with a smart phone training app or virtual riding system. Zwift is one of the more popular apps or virtual systems and there are many different many different manufacturers who integrate their bike trainers with Zwift via Bluetooth. The CycleOps H2 is one of the newer smart trainers (see below) that integrates with Zwift or Rouvy.

Although there are numerous smart systems in play, Zwift is currently one of the more popular virtual training systems. In short, you pay a subscription (currently $14.99 per month) and then log in to a virtual cycling world where you can go on virtual rides, bike with other virtual cyclists and structure your riding using Zwift’s training plan(s). How do you connect your bike trainer to Zwift? You basically pair Zwift with your classic trainer or rollers by pairing a speed or cadence sensor with the program’s built-in zPower program. It’s important to note that some trainers are only partially “smart” or integrated with virtual intelligence. They measure power or resistance and send that data wirelessly to your computer , phone or tablet. However, their resistance can’t be viewed and manipulated by software.

For a fully smart, controllable trainer, you’ll want ANT+ FE-C capability. ANT+ was developed by Garmin and is in short a wireless communication protocol. FE-C stands for Fitness Equipment Control. FE-C controls fitness equipment such as turbo trainers using ANT+ as the communication bridge between the trainer and the software or virtual controls. You can also find ANT+ adapters that work with Zwift on Amazon.

With analog data being pushed from your trainer over ANT+/FE-C, you can spice up your rides with virtual cycling words, competitions and a record of where you biked and how well you biked during prior cycling trips. And not to be forgotten, you can do all of this while cycling elbow to elbow (virtually of course) with other users around the world.

Other Things to Consider Before Buying a Bike Trainer

‌Compatibility: Because trainer axle attachments are variable, check whether a trainer you’re interested in offers different attachment options. Some trainers include them as part of the original product, but other companies make you buy them separately.

‌Noise: Most higher-end trainers are quiet. Generally speaking, friction trainers are louder than direct drive trainers. If this is a primary issue for you, make sure you check the return policy on any unit you buy and put your trainer through the paces right away to make sure you’re comfortable with the noise generated by the fan, flywheel or other points of friction.

‌Stability: Trainer crashes are rare, but not unheard of when you’re going cross-eyed trying to beat your PR on that workout. Typically, the broader the base, the more stable the trainer will be. Some trainers—CycleOps’ PowerBeam Pro, for example—have a leveling feature for uneven surfaces.

With this information in mind, here are some of our favorite indoor bike trainers:

1. Wahoo Kicker

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For the cyclist who wants the ultimate in smart trainers with just about every feature imaginable, the Wahoo Kickr is an excellent choice. Its base feels solid during the rigorous usage, and the Kickr measures up to 2,200 watts of power with 2 percent accuracy. The direct wheel-off design comes with an 11-speed Shimano/SRAM cassette, but it’s compatible with 8, 9, 10, and 12 speed cassettes. If in doubt, reach out to the company and they will help you ensure your intended size fits. Like most bike trainers in this price range, the Wahoo Kickr is compatible with Zwift and other training software. Subsequently, it’s Bluetooth Smart, Ant+ and Ant+ FE-C ready.

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2. Tacx Neo 2T

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The Tacx Neo2 is another “top shelf” direct drive, ANT+, FE-C, and Bluetooth-enabled smart trainer. The Tacx claims the Neo2 is the only “true” direct-drive trainer because it doesn’t use a belt or rollers—you pedal and it turns the flywheel. As you pedal, magnets interact with electrical coils to moderate the resistance. In short, the more electricity that flows through the coils the larger the magnetic force. That delivers a lot of resistance without making a lot of noise. Like the Wahoo Kickr, the Neo2’s power measurement is accurate within 1 percent up to 2,200 watts. The Neo2 is compatible with 130 and 135mm quick releases and can accommodate 142 x 12mm, 148 x 12mm, and 135 x 10mm thru axles with adapters. Purchase at Amazon.

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3. Tacx Flux 2 Smart Trainer

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The newer crop of smart trainers does a wonderful job of simulating road-feel and direct-drives make them much quieter. The Flux 2 Smart Trainer is an update on the original utilizing a heavier flywheel and stronger electromagnets to better simulate the load you would experience on a typical road ride. This unit is compatible with most third-party bike trainer apps and transmits data via Bluetooth Smart as well as ANT+ FE-C. Subsequently, the Flux 2 can pair with just about any smartphone, tablet or computer and transform your indoor riding experience this winter–bonus for those of us in New England! As you would expect, you can connect this unit to popular apps such as Zwift and TrainerRoad, which allows you to controls the resistance of the trainer while competing with other virtual cyclists. Two LEDs illuminate on the side to let you know when you’re connected to your device, so there’s no guessing whether or not you’ve successfully paired with the trainer before hopping on. Purchase at Amazon.

4. Elite Drivo II

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The Drivo II takes all of the great features from the original Drivo and moves them up the totem pole. Elite claims power measurement is accurate within an amazingly low tolerance of .5 percent. The also claim that the unit’s stability has increased thanks to large legs that fold away when not in use. This wider fr. ont support base is definitely improved compared to the previous model. This trainer is compatible with both quick release and 142 x 12mm thru-axles, so you shouldn’t have any problems with most modern bicycles attaching to it. The super silent direct-drive mechanism takes the Zwift integration and Ant, FE-C, Bluetooth connectivity to another level. If you really want to go crazy consider purchasing a subscription to Elite’s My Training software and utilize the pedaling analysis function to refine your technique. Purchase at Amazon.

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5. Kinetic Trainer

Purchase at AmazonThis is another lower-priced smart option that grants you access to Zwift Island and other virtual trainer programs. The wheel-on design and stable base make this bike trainer a good option for permanent use in your basement or room as well as for race-day warm-ups. The frame fits 22 inch to 29 inch wheels. If you want to track cadence and distance, you should check out the Cateye Double Strada wireless bike computer. Having the bike on a trainer allows the computer and sensors to hook up to the back wheel (the one that moves). 

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7. Feedback Sports Omnium Portable Trainer

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If you are looking for a bike trainer that works well for race-day or travel, the Omnium should be on your short list. It folds into a compact tote bag that and only weighs 14 pounds. The two four-inch drums provide a progressive resistance up to a maximum of 1,050 watts at 55mph. Overall, this is a very quiet bike trainer so you can crank out a workout in a relatively quiet location without disturbing your neighbors. The drums are attached to a sliding base and the fork mount is height adjustable to accommodate various bike lengths, wheel sizes, and QR or thru-axle configurations. Keep in mind that this trainer is only rated for cyclists up to about 225 pounds.

8. CycleOps Hammer

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CycleOps brings years of expertise making power meters friction trainers to the Hammer, a direct-drive smart trainer that handles a claimed max power output of 2,000 watts and can simulate grades up to 20 percent. ANT+, FE-C, and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity make it compatible with the most popular virtual cycling platforms. Using a 20 pound flywheel and electromagnetic resistance, the trainer produces a claimed 64 decibels at 20 mph, so you can ride in your pain cave without disturbing the whole house. Setup is a snap thanks to folding legs (which also make storage easier)—simply unfold them, throw on a cassette, plug in the trainer, and you’re ready to go. If you’re a big-watts kind of rider who wants accurate measurement, this could be a great addition to your winter-training arsenal.

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9. Fluid Bike Trainer

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This is an excellent choice for home gyms and is particularly good for heavier cyclists who need some more support. It’s rated for cyclists up to 370 pounds.

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10. Wahoo Kickr Headwind

Purchase at AmazonThe Kickr Headwind will keep you cool with winds up to 30 miles per hour. The Targeted Airflow Pattern of the KICKR HEADWIND is designed to mirror the shape and position of a cyclist’s body while riding on a bicycle. If that’s not enough, you can also link the wind speed to your ANT+ speed sensor so you’re getting faster wind speed as your heart rate increases.

Will my bike fit my indoor trainer?

Before we can answer that question, let’s first start by figuring out the size of your wheel.

Perhaps you’ve heard those bike guru’s rattle off numbers that sound more like battleship coordinates than something that goes on your bike. Things like 700c, 650b, 29er, or 26″ — all of which are wheel sizes and can be found on the outside of the tire itself.

Here’s a quick shortcut of what your wheel size would likely be based on the type of bike you’ve got:

Type of Bicycle	Wheel Size
Road, Triathlon, TT, Cyclocross, Gravel, or Hybrid	27″ or 700c
BMX or Recumbent	20″ or 24″
Mountain	26″, 27.5″, 29″ or 650b (confirm the size by looking at your outside tire wall)

Now going back to our first question of “will my bike fit my indoor trainer,” the short answer is: probably. There are a couple of considerations to help you:

• All of our trainers fit 26” mountain bike tires and 700c, provided the tire is 2.0” or less
• For 20” or 24” wheels, you’ll need to choose a Classic Series trainer plus use our wheel adapter.
• For bikes with dropouts up to 142mm, you’ll need to look at our Classic Series plus use our 142x12mm thru axle adapter.
• Does your bike have a quick release or Thru Axle?
• Our rollers are one-size-fits-all when it comes to wheel size

Other indoor winter activities?

If you have some open basement space, you might want to consider installing some propeller guards on your DJI Spark and practicing basic maneuvers. If you’re tired of biking, check out some other cardio activities and if you’re traveling by campervan, you might explore finding a place to pack your bike trainer in your campervan along with other campervan accessories or must haves.

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