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If you want to train on your bike despite the lockdown or quarantine, you can do so at home without leaving your own four walls. Modern smart trainers make it possible. During the lockdown in spring, MTB pros like the Team Centurion Vaude or cross-country star Nino Schurter. Since the first Corona lockdown leads to a run on indoor trainers. Many manufacturers such as Tacx, Wahoo and Elite have not managed to replenish their stocks even in the quieter summer months, as demand has never really slowed down. As a result, anyone wanting to buy an up-to-date smart trainer for the approaching winter months must expect longer delivery times.
The best mid-range trainers: Five smart trainers under 800 euros
Just in time for the 2020/2021 winter and roller trainer season, the supply bottlenecks of manufacturers and availability in online shops have not changed. Despite the sometimes long waiting times - together with the Roller trainer experts from TOUR - selected the best models and offers.
Elite Suito
Price: 600 Euro >> e.g. available here
Test summary: Very affordable, quiet direct drive: The Suito from Elite is a price breaker. It also has a small pack size and is easy to carry. Only in terms of measuring accuracy can the inexpensive smart trainer not quite keep up with the upper class. >> to the detailed test at TOUR
Tacx Flux S Smart
Price: 600 Euro >> e.g. available here
Test summary: The small Flux makes direct drive with all its advantages affordable: quiet, powerful, good pedalling feel and precise power measurement. You don't need more trainer. Only the overhanging feet, which cannot be folded in, make transport unwieldy. >> To the detailed test at TOUR
Wahoo Kickr Snap
Price: 500 Euro >> e.g. available here
Test summary: Mechanically very solid, weighty wheel-on-trainer with a realistic ride feel. The preload must be so high that there is no slippage when starting off from a standstill. Adapters can also be used to clamp wheels with thru axles. >> To the detailed test at TOUR
Tacx Flux 2 Smart
Price: 799 Euro >> e.g. available here
Test summary: More mass and more braking power than the cheaper Tacx models. It is also quieter. And you can start training straight away with the free basic app. >> To the detailed test at TOUR
Elite Direto XR
Price: 750 Euro
The XR is the further development of the Direto X, which impressed us above all with its smooth pedalling feel, the very precise power display thanks to the torque sensor and its compact pack size. The volume is low and bikes with thru axles can also be fitted. The Direto XR also comes with a pre-installed Shimano 11-speed cassette as standard.
What do I need in addition to the Smarttrainer?
With the right smart trainer, you can get straight into indoor sports at home. However, roller training is most fun when it is interactive. Zwift is the largest indoor training platform for cyclists. Zwift has around two million users worldwide and turns roller training into a social event. >> to the Zwift Beginner's Guide
The RGT Cycling software aims to offer more realism than Zwift and has been enticing users with free access since the outbreak of the coronavirus. >> Test of the RGT Cycling training platform
