Indoor cycling buying guide: The most exciting roller trainers and accessories
Jan Timmermann
· 21.11.2024
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Over the last few years, roller training has matured into a professional sport in its own right. The UCI organises official e-cycling world championships professionals can make a living from roller cycling. But you don't have to be a professional athlete to benefit from indoor cycling. When the cold season rages outside with darkness and bad weather, fitness training on a roller trainer offers numerous advantages. The risk of catching a cold remains manageable in the warmth of your home. Bikers don't have to equip themselves with lights and wrap themselves in dozens of layers of clothing in order to exercise. Unlike a gym, a roller has no opening hours. It is always available for training at any time. Without environmental factors, this can be controlled particularly precisely and the bike does not have to be cleaned of several pounds of mud after the session. Now is the time to get to grips with roller training!
Which roller trainer is right for me?
The latest generation of devices has little in common with the unergonomic torture devices of the early roller trainer days. The market is overflowing with different concepts and systems. If you want to keep an overview, you should take this buying guide to heart and ask yourself a few questions. What budget do I want to invest in a training device? How much space is available and is noise a problem? Do I have a bike in the garage that I would like to use for roller training? What about compatibility? Do I want to use smart technology and cycle through virtual worlds or am I content without entertainment electronics? The easiest way to find an answer to all these questions is to differentiate between four roller trainer concepts.
1. free rolls
Free rollers are the most classic way to ride "on the spot". The entire bike is simply placed on the three rollers and the wheel setup is complete. Length adjustment ensures the right wheelbase. Starting off, in particular, is not entirely trivial without a stopping mechanism and good balance is an advantage. When using studded tyres, mountain bikers must expect vibrations and noise. Simple free wheels cost around 160 euros, but these days they are almost exclusively used for warming up before competitions. There are now also a few smart and semi-free solutions with variable resistance, which can be paired with training apps via ANT+ and Bluetooth. These include, for example, the Elite Nero for 849 euros (>> e.g. available here) or the Wahoo Kickr Rollr for 599.99 euros (pictured). They combine a natural riding feel with software compatibility. As they work with the bike's own drive, no additional parts are required and hardly any assembly work is needed. Up to ten per cent simulated gradient and a maximum output power of 1500 watts are possible. An additional power meter in the crank or pedals is required to measure the rider's power.
2nd Wheel-On-Trainer
Now largely replaced by direct drive trainers, the concept still has fans due to the lower purchase costs. The rear wheel remains in the bike so that power can be transmitted directly to the device via the tyre. To minimise wear and noise, a special training tyre is recommended. If you often switch between outdoors and indoors with the same bike, you will benefit from a second wheel. This solution is not ideal for very high power peaks during intensive sprints due to the potential slippage. The concept also cannot keep up with the accuracy of a direct drive. This is less relevant for basic riding. Simple wheel-on trainers without app compatibility start at 250 euros. For 100 euros more, you can buy the Garmin Tacx Flow Smart, for example (>> available here), which can translate the training into software such as My Whoosh or Zwift. Thanks to the compact flywheel, the device remains relatively light and easy to store.
3. direct drive trainer
These roller trainers are "state of the art". Rear wheel out, device in. High measuring accuracy even enables serious racing. It is not without reason that the World Roller Driving Championshipsthe official UCI Cycling E-Sports World Championships, was held on calibrated direct drive trainers. There are now fewer and fewer problems with compatibility. Using small adapter pieces, almost all direct drive devices can be converted to different axle standards within a minute. The freewheels also generally allow everything from ten-speed road bike cassettes to twelve-speed mountain bike versions. In the rare cases in which the corresponding conversion parts are not part of the scope of delivery, they can be retrofitted. High-quality direct drive roller trainers offer a realistic riding experience that closely resembles the movement on a "real bike". Unfortunately, these smart training devices are not cheap. We present three current models.
Elite Direto XR-T
Affordable and powerful, the Elite Direto XR-T opens up the world of smart direct drive training to beginners. Like all current devices, it can also be used on mountain bikes with Boost rear triangles and large cassettes using adapters. With 2300 watts of maximum braking power and up to 24 per cent gradient simulation, you can train to your heart's content. The measurement accuracy of 1.5 per cent comes close to the best values. This is absolutely sufficient for hobby riders. Neighbours will appreciate the quiet operating noise. Current RRP: 599 euros >> e.g. available here.
To be honest, you don't really need more roller trainers than the Elite Direto XR-T. The price-performance ratio should appeal to many bikers. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Wahoo Kickr Moove
The Wahoo Kickr has long since blossomed into a direct drive classic. Now in its sixth expansion stage, WLAN connectivity and a new odometer ensure the exact recording and fast transmission of data. Inaccuracies are reduced to one per cent. 20 per cent maximum inclination simulation and 2200 watts peak power are possible. With the clever Move version for 1599.99 euros (>> e.g. available here at a reduced price) an additional axis of movement simulates the acceleration and deceleration of a bicycle. This ensures that the movement sequence is as natural as possible during training.
The additional forward-reverse tilt function of the Wahoo Kickr Move offers a new approach to a realistic riding experience. - Sandra Schuberth, TOUR editorial team
Tacx Neo 3M Smart
The top model from Garmin promises for a whopping 1999 euros (>> e.g. available here) a minimum inaccuracy in power, speed and cadence of less than one per cent. With a 25 per cent maximum incline and a 2200 watt peak, the Tacx Neo 3M Smart can be used to train the legs for extreme sprints. Multi-directional mobility is designed to make the experience as realistic as possible. The flywheel can even simulate gravel surfaces. Just like Elite and Wahoo, Tacx has its own training app. The interfaces to third-party software are seamless.
The simulation of different surfaces is an interesting new feature of the Tacx Neo 3M Smart. Racers appreciate the accuracy of the Tacx. - Marc Strucken, BIKE Editorial Team
4. smart bikes
Just got a bike to hand that could be used for roller training? No problem: if you're prepared to invest a certain amount, the latest smart bikes provide you with a highly professional base. Fully optimised for training with smart software, nothing stands in the way of entertaining roller training with versatile simulation and fun gamification. Two products exemplify just how fascinating smart bikes can be.
Zwift Ride
As good as direct drive trainers are, a bike always has to be used for a different purpose. With the Zwift Ride, the software specialist has a special chassis in its range that can remain on the trainer, costs less than a "real" bike and is fully optimised for indoor training. Buttons within easy reach enable steering and navigation in the virtual environment. Even gear changes are simulated electronically and are completely silent. A tablet holder is optional. Thanks to its comprehensive adjustability, Zwift Ride is designed to fit people between 152 and 198 cm tall. It is also easy to switch between several users. In the living room, we were impressed by the sturdy feel and high-quality look. Cost: 799 euros / 1299 euros (incl. Wahoo Kickr Core).
Tacx Neo Bike Plus
Complete indoor bikes, such as the sinfully expensive Tacx Neo Bike Plus at 3999 euros, offer an integrated stand-alone experience. All simulations are already on board: ascents and descents, airstream, various surfaces from ice to cobblestones with vibration function, shifting logic according to preferred manufacturer and with freely selectable virtual cassette. The smart device eagerly collects training data such as speed, cadence, power and pedalling analysis. Thanks to the display and additional tablet holder including charging socket, animations and all figures are always in view. The bike's measurement accuracy and peak performance are at the same top level as the Tacx Neo 3M Smart direct drive trainer. However, you first have to have the space to set up the 50-kilo device. The Tacx Neo Bike Plus is available, for example available at a reduced price at Rosebikes.
Train more beautifully: The best accessories for sweat-inducing sessions
Sure, you can just buy a roller trainer and start training. But with the right accessories, the experience becomes even better. Wind and incline simulators can provide an even more realistic riding experience. Of course, the electronic accessories are also controlled by smart software. Have you always wondered what the dress code is for roller training? Although you are safe from the eyes of the style police within your own four walls, it's always more comfortable with performance-appropriate clothing. Four accessories that every roller rider should know.
Elite Rizer
Hooked into the fork, the Elite Rizer not only lifts the front end on virtual climbs of up to 20 %, but even dives down for gradients of up to 10 %. This is as close as indoor bikers can get to the feeling of riding uphill and downhill. Price: 769 euros >> available here at a reduced price.
Wahoo Kickr Headwind
Of course, airstream can also be simulated during roller training. The smart fan reacts to either heart rate or speed. Wind speeds of a good 48 km/h can be simulated. Price: 279.99 euros >> e.g. at Amazon or Bike Components available.
Adidas The Aeroready Onesie
Specially developed for high-intensity indoor workouts, the Adidas The Aeroready Onesie wicks away heat and sweat. Breathable mesh inserts and a seat pad integrated into the one-piece promise comfort even during long sessions. Price: 140 Euro >> at Adidas or Sports cheque available.
Nike Super Rep Cycle 2
Of course, the market also has special shoes for roller training. Air-permeable upper material on the Nike Super Rep Cycle 2 provides cooling, while a stiff sole ensures optimum power transmission. Price: 129.95 euros >> available here.
Jan Timmermann
Editor
