Whether you’re training for an early-spring event, just trying to keep a regular riding schedule, or simply prefer the safety and convenience of riding inside, an indoor bike trainer is a valuable tool. But which to get? There are several basic kinds, yet the options within each category have grown wildly the past few years. And that’s not to mention the explosion of “smart” trainers and the virtual worlds and programs to which they allow you to connect.
Find quick info below of four great-performing indoor trainers, then scroll for helpful buying advice and longer reviews of these and other top options.
This Kickr is for the rider who wants the best smart trainer bells and whistles.
Elite’s sturdy steel Suito comes out of the box practically ready to go.
Functions like standard rollers, but with progressive resistance.
The Neo 2T hums along, no external power source necessary.
A very quiet trainer with pleasantly smooth resistance changes.
The Three Types of Indoor Trainers
Although there are many variations of each type, most trainers come in three basic styles: direct drive, friction, and rollers.
Direct-drive trainers attach to the rear of your bike, replacing the wheel, and provide a direct connection to the resistance unit. These trainers are easily identified because they have a cog set, or cassette, installed on them, so the chain will have something to engage with the wheel removed. They are typically the most expensive but also the most accurate, with the highest levels of resistance.
Friction trainers place a small roller against the rear wheel and utilize either a magnetic or fluid resistance unit. They tend to be lighter and more portable than direct-drive trainers, but they are noisier and less accurate. The trade-off comes in cost. You can get a “smart” friction trainer for about half as much as a direct-drive model.
Rollers are the most basic style and also require the most technique since the bike isn’t held in place, but rather balanced atop three rollers. Resistance can range from almost nothing up to as much as any direct-drive trainer. They are also very useful for refining pedaling technique.
What Is a Smart Trainer?
A smart trainer is different than a model with electronically controlled resistance. “Smart” means it can communicate wirelessly with a training app on your smart phone or virtual riding world like Zwift and automatically adjust resistance. Given the popularity of Zwift and other apps, most newer trainers are “smart.” This adds to the cost, but prices are falling and you can now score a smart model for less than $500.
Some third-party training platforms support non-connected trainers, but you’ll need to purchase extras, like an external “speed” sensor from Garmin or CycleOps and possibly a power meter as well.
Other Things to Consider
Compatibility
Wheel-axle attachment standards and axle widths have been changing, so check whether a trainer you’re interested in offers different attachment options or adapters to fit your specific bike. Some trainers come with them. If yours doesn’t, you’ll have to purchase them separately.
Noise
While most manufacturers use words like “silent” or “virtually silent” to describe the noise level of their trainers, there are other factors to consider, such as the sound your bike’s drivetrain makes as you pedal and, if you use one, the fan that’s whirring away to keep you cool and simulate wind speeds.
Stability
Trainer crashes are rare, but not unheard of when you’re going cross-eyed trying to beat your best time on that workout. Typically, the broader the trainer’s base, the more stable it will be. And many have a leveling feature for uneven surfaces.
How We Tested
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 event warm-ups. Then we banished test editor Bobby Lea, former pro and three-time Olympian, to the deepest, darkest recesses of our office with nothing but his bike, a fan, and enough trainers to make even the most cycling-obsessed person go mad. He tested each one with third-party, as well as their own, companion apps and untethered for those who prefer the freedom to choose their own structured workouts. He put every one through the same intervals and max-power sprints to test ride feel, stability, resistance, reliability, and repeatability. In the end, we were left with one incredibly fit test editor and this list of the best indoor trainers you can buy right now for the upcoming cold, dark months.
Wahoo Kickr
Pros
- Quietest smart trainer we’ve tested
- Easy to connect to computers and virtual platforms
Cons
For the rider who wants the ultimate in smart trainers with all the bells and whistles, Wahoo’s Kickr has a lot to offer. What you get: a very quiet trainer, rock-solid stability, a whopping 2,200 watts of power, compatibility with most virtual training apps, and Bluetooth Smart, Ant+, and Ant+ FE-C connectivity. It comes preinstalled with a Shimano/SRAM-compatible 11-speed cassette, and works with most 8-, 9-, 10-, and 12-speed setups. Go for the Kickr K.O.M. (King of the Mountain) Bundle, and you get the Kickr Climb grade simulator along with the trainer for $1,600 (a $200 savings if you were to buy them separately). The Kickr Climb can simulate, in real time, ascents up to 20 percent and descents of -10 percent, making virtual workouts feel even more like the real thing.
Elite Suito
Pros
- Ready to go right out of the box
- Very smooth resistance changes
Cons
- Maximum slope simulation only 15 percent
The sturdy steel Suito comes preinstalled with a Shimano 11-speed cassette and pre-assembled legs. Compared with the Wahoo Kickr and Tacx Neo 2, this direct-drive trainer sacrifices only a smidge of accuracy (+/-2.5% vs. +/-0.5%), but it offers fast resistance transitions similar to its high-priced counterparts when riding on virtual platforms, as well as the freedom to ride untethered (the Drivo II is managed through the company’s My E-Training app, which costs $18.95 a year)—all for $400 less. We also love the Suito because, unlike some trainers (the Drivo included) that require an app to run, you can simply plug it in and start pedaling if you just want to ride without the fuss of logging onto a virtual platform. When disconnected from the virtual world, the Suito holds momentum better than any other trainer in this test—once you get it up to speed, it likes to stay there.
Garmin Tacx Neo 2T
Pros
- Extremely quiet
- Slight ability to move side to side offers a more natural ride feel
Cons
- Very expensive
Similar to the Wahoo Kickr, the Neo 2T Smart measures power up to 2,200 watts within 1 percent accuracy and simulates gradients up to 25 percent. But it has two features found nowhere else: It generates its own electricity (though it works better when plugged in) and vibrates to simulate a wide variety of road surfaces—from gravel to cobblestones. The redesigned drive system keeps the ride smooth, even through high-powered efforts like steep climbs and full-gas sprints. Unlike other direct-drive trainers that use noisy belts or rollers for power transmission, the Neo 2T has a metal flywheel with magnets that interact with electrical coils to moderate resistance. You turn the flywheel directly as you pedal, and the more electricity that flows through the coils, the larger the magnetic force. This newest Neo is also claimed to have better accuracy of cadence measurement (RPMs at the pedal), a smoother ride, more responsive resistance control, and improved internal memory. It also comes with pedal-stroke analysis and a thru-axle adapter, and is compatible with Shimano and SRAM 8- to 12-speed drivetrains. Plus, it’s ANT+, FE-C, and Bluetooth Smart-enabled and uses no external power source.
Elite Nero
Pros
- Progressive resistance
- Mimics natural feel of riding outside
Cons
- Requires more balance and focus than traditional trainers
If you hate the “locked-in” feel of being on a trainer but want to ride on third-party virtual platforms, the Elite Nero’s interactive rollers are the answer. When not plugged in and connected to any devices or apps, they function just like a set of standard rollers, except they offer the added bonus of progressive resistance. They also slide back and forth on a fixed frame, which makes for a very natural-feeling ride as the bike can move not just side to side but forward and back as well. When you are plugged in, it feels odd at first to hit resistance changes as you reach climbs and descents on Zwift while riding rollers. But it quickly becomes as normal as riding in a virtual world can, aided by the free-flowing movement of the bike. Don’t get carried away thinking these are the magic bullet for indoor training, though. Roller purists will find there’s too much resistance for high-cadence technique work, and trainer lovers won’t like that they can’t zone out for hours on end with nothing to think about but keeping the pedals turning. The Nero offers a middle ground for everybody.
Wahoo Kickr Snap
Pros
- More portable than Kickr and Kickr Core
- Easy connectivity via Bluetooth
Cons
- Wheel-on design can wear out tires
The Kickr Snap is everything we love about the Kickr in a cheaper, more convenient, and lighter-weight package. Like the Kickr, the Snap is Bluetooth Smart, ANT+, and ANT+ FE-C ready and can be controlled by a smartphone, tablet, or Wahoo computer—LED lights alert you to a successful connection. It’s also compatible with Wahoo’s Headwind (wind-speed simulator) and Climb (grade simulator) accessories, and it works seamlessly with third-party apps like Zwift, The Sufferfest, TrainerRoad, and more. The Snap’s wheel-on design clamps over the ends of the rear axle. It accommodates quick-release and thru-axle rear wheels up to 29 inches, though you’ll have to purchase the adapter for thru-axles separately. It’s essentially the highest-end Kickr minus some of the accuracy and stability of the direct-drive model.
Kinetic Road Machine
Pros
- Easy to set up and pair with virtual platforms
- Smooth resistance changes
Cons
- Rough on tires
The Road Machine Control smart trainer makes the pain cave of your dreams just a little more affordable, offering the same level of connectivity as its high-priced counterparts at a lower price. This friction trainer, with an electronically controlled 12-pound flywheel, offers remarkably smooth resistance. Momentum generated by the flywheel also makes the riding experience feel a little more lively compared to other friction trainers, which have a tendency to feel pretty dead as they amplify every imperfection in your pedal stroke. It’s important to note that, unlike some smart trainers that let you just plug in and go, the Road Machine must be used in conjunction with an app, either a third-party one for virtual riding or Kinetic’s own for more virtual options, as well as self-guided workouts.
Wahoo Kickr Core
Pros
- Same great feel as the slightly more expensive Kickr
- Takes up less space than most direct-drive trainers
Cons
- Max grade simulation tops out at 16 percent
The Kickr Core takes up less floor space and keeps 300 extra bucks in your wallet compared with the company’s much-loved Kickr. It uses the same smooth and quiet flywheel tech and reliable belt drive with electromagnetic resistance, though the Core uses a 12-pound flywheel versus the Kickr’s 16. The Core comes in a smaller package that features a reduced footprint and a more compact stand (when folded) that’s easier to store than other direct-drive units. If you love the Kickr but don’t need the extra max wattage or extra incline of that $1,200 unit, the Kickr Core delivers the same great quality and ride experience in a cheaper and more portable package.
Saris H3
Pros
- Extremely quiet
- Smooth resistance changes
- Stores easily
Cons
- Can be finicky when riding without using a companion app
Similar to the Wahoo Kickr and Tacx Neo 2T, the H3 measures power up to 2,000 watts, with a 20 percent max incline and +/–2 percent accuracy. Like those two, the H3 is compatible with the most popular virtual cycling platforms via ANT+ FE-C and Bluetooth FTMS connectivity. Unlike those trainers, the H3 locks your bike in place without any side-to-side movement. But resistance changes on the H3 are as pleasantly smooth as the best trainers we’ve tried. In testing, we did have trouble with the trainer shutting down and losing resistance when riding without using a companion app, an issue we quickly fixed by unplugging the trainer and plugging it back in. And that dead feeling often associated with heavy flywheels isn’t as noticeable on the H3—it provides enough momentum to simulate “real” ride feel without seeming sluggish.
Feedback Sports Omnium Over-Drive
Pros
- Very light and easy to carry
- Progressive resistance
Cons
- No electronically controlled resistance
At 14 pounds, the Omnium Over-Drive is ideal for small living spaces and travel—it comes with a durable tote bag that lets you stow it under a bed or shove it into an overhead bin on a plane. This portable trainer isn’t light on features, though. Two four-inch magnetic drums provide progressive resistance up to a max 1,050 watts at 55 mph and make for an incredibly quiet ride that won’t disturb the peace while you’re cranking out a workout in your hotel room. Thanks to its height-adjustable fork mount and sliding base to which the aluminum rollers are attached, the Over-Drive can accommodate various bike and wheel sizes and quick-release or thru-axle configurations. At first glance, you might think the Over-Drive’s simple design sacrifices stability. But even in an out-of-the-saddle sprint, we couldn’t tip it over or get a rear wheel to skip off the rollers; the most we could do was lift a front support leg off the ground.
Brad Ford has spent most of his life using tools to fix, build, or make things. Growing up he worked on a farm, where he learned to weld, repair, and paint equipment. From the farm he went to work at a classic car dealer, repairing and servicing Rolls Royces, Bentleys, and Jaguars. Today, when he's not testing tools or writing for Popular Mechanics, he's busy keeping up with the projects at his old farmhouse in eastern Pennsylvania.
