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If you want to stay in cycling shape year-round, a bike trainer lets you ride regardless of the weather. Whether you're preparing for a race or simply need to work up a good sweat, these machines let you do that without leaving your house.
Our team of experts has built its quads by testing bike trainers for the past 7 years, hands-on with 25+ models. Our update features the best 10 options on the market today. We spent hundreds of hours in the GearLab pain cave, tinkering and assembling, sweating, and analyzing the best options out there.
Our recommendation for most people is the Tacx Neo 2T Smart for its incredible accuracy and ability to simulate a realistic ride. If you're working with a limited budget, check out the Wahoo Fitness Kickr Core. It can nearly match the performance of the pricier competition and will save you big bucks. For those willing to drop the cash for the absolute best, the Garmin Tacx Neo 3M is that machine.
Editor's Note: On January 12, 2026, we added the Wahoo Kickr Rollr and the Elite Justo.//
The Tacx Neo 2T Smart is our favorite trainer. It has one of the smoothest rides, yet when you're Zwifting over cobbles and boards, it'll bump and rumble to simulate a ride. It's one of only two trainers we tested that can simulate freewheeling on descents, which is cool. It uses ANT+ FE-C and Bluetooth Smart FTMS to sync up with various training apps to control it during virtual workouts and training sessions. Like the Tacx Neo 3M, this model has excellent power accuracy. If there's no power outlet nearby, no problem — it will run on your power as you ride, so you can still sync up to your phone and control resistance. This is one of the more versatile trainers available, fitting most frames, axles, and the three major cassette brands, Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo (make sure to look into adapters and hubs beforehand). “For supercharged workouts in-season and off-season conditioning, I recommend this one the most,” our lead tester said.
SPECIFICATIONS
Drive Type
Direct drive
Measured Weight
47 lbs
Roll Out Time @ 200 watts
26 seconds
Power Comparison
1-3 watts, 1%
Communication Protocol
ANT+ FE-C, Bluetooth FTMS
This is one of the heaviest models in the bunch. It needs the weight to achieve the performance it delivers, but moving it around the house or taking it on the road is cumbersome. However, this will not be an issue if you plan to keep it in one place. Second, it's been around for a while and lacks a few features of the highest performing trainers, like movement or Wi-Fi connectivity. The Tacx Neo 2T is ideal for serious riders who want the most from their training sessions, whether in-season or off-season when outside temperatures drop. But thanks to sales, you can often find it for less than some other award-winners. Drawbacks aside, if you want to take your training to the next level, we recommend the Tacx Neo 2T.
Aligning the derailleur and removing the wheel are the only ongoing issues with the Neo 2T. Overall, it takes about 3-5 minutes to set up if your trainer is stored and your bike still has the wheel attached. Credit: Ryan Baham
Lower maximum wattage and incline than some others
Lack of handle
The Wahoo Fitness Kickr Core packs a ton of performance for its price point. It costs significantly less than top-shelf bike trainers and often equals their performance. The Kickr Core's Accuracy is solid; it's significantly better than the best tire-drive units we've tested and close to that of units that cost twice as much. “I found it hits the sweet spot between price and performance,” our lead tester said. If you're used to the noise of a tire-drive trainer, you'll also love the Core's near silence.
SPECIFICATIONS
Drive Type
Direct drive
Measured Weight
40 lbs
Roll Out Time @ 200 watts
44 seconds
Power Comparison
3-5 watts, 2%
Communication Protocol
ANT + FE-C, Bluetooth
Our biggest gripe with the Kickr Core is the lack of a handle. Compared to other trainers we tested, it offers less portability, so it's best for those who don't plan on moving their setup frequently. If you're an extremely powerful rider who sprints above 1500 watts or regularly rides 14% grades, a more premium option like the very similar Wahoo Fitness KICKR may serve you better. It's great for spot-on accuracy and high performance. The Kickr Core is hard to beat, whether you're a serious cyclist looking to save some money while training in the off-season or a newer rider wanting a great virtual riding experience.
The Wahoo Kickr Rollr is a unique take on a classic roller setup. With a front “tire gripper” to keep your bike stable and a well-designed dual-roller power unit, this trainer has one of the fastest startup times we've experienced. It's as simple as setting your bike on the trainer and tightening the tire gripper. The Rollr does feel like a roller, allowing your rear wheel to travel side-to-side, and bouncing when your pedal strokes get choppy. Plus, the resistance is smooth and great for virtual riding. Our lead tester reported, “This became my go-to trainer when bad weather rolled in right before I was about to leave the house. I can just put my bike on and go.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Drive Type
Tire drive
Measured Weight
50lbs
Roll Out Time @ 200 watts
33 seconds
Power Comparison
6-200 watts, 3-20%
Communication Protocol
ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, Bluetooth, Direct Connect
Because the Rollr is a wheel-on trainer, it has some key drawbacks. First, it has limited tire-width compatibility. We don't recommend tires wider than 45mm. Second, it's just plain loud, especially if your tires aren't slick. And finally, because it doesn't measure power output at the drivetrain, we found that accuracy wasn't as good as that of direct-drive units. If you're using your own power meter, accuracy is better, but resistance is still less precise. If you want to be confident that your power is spot-on when you crush workouts in ERG mode, we think the Wahoo Kickr Core offers better performance at a similar price. To be clear, this is a great trainer. It's well-thought-out and offers a great option for riders who don't want to take their wheel off every time they transition from outdoor to indoor riding.
Top Pick for Exceptional Performance at a High Price
If you want the pinnacle of bike trainer performance, the Tacx Neo 3M is for you. Earning top marks in almost every category, the 3M stunned us with its unparalleled accuracy and road feel. Thanks to its virtual flywheel, simulation mode is excellent. The 3M can simulate downhills, bumps, cobbles, and dirt roads in Zwift. Add in two inches of front-to-back movement as well as a few degrees of side-to-side motion, and this trainer is the closest we've ever felt to riding outdoors on a trainer-only setup. “I was blown away with the EGR mode, which had no overshoot and a smooth, precise ramp,” our lead tester said. Finally, this trainer can work without being plugged in, although you do lose the downhill and terrain simulation features.
SPECIFICATIONS
Drive Type
Direct drive
Measured Weight
52 lbs
Roll Out Time @ 200 watts
36 seconds
Power Comparison
0-2 watts, <1%
Communication Protocol
ANT +, Bluetooth
All that performance comes at a cost, as this is the priciest trainer we've tested. Though the performance and movement are outstanding, you can get great results at a much lower price from other models. It's also large and heavy, making it less than ideal for frequent moves of your setup. If you want similar performance and movement, the Wahoo Kickr Move offers more front-to-back motion and excellent accuracy. The Tacx Neo 3M is for riders who demand the absolute best from their indoor training.
The BalanceFrom Bike Trainer is a standard practical trainer without features or smart compatibility. It's a good choice to get your legs moving at the end of a long day. It's simple to set up, store, and move around, like most standard trainers. “I like that it's plug and play out of the box after you bolt on the resistance unit,” our lead tester said. It also comes at an incredibly affordable price. While it's not comparable to any of the smart trainers, it still has its place in the lineup as the top-scoring standard trainer we've tested.
SPECIFICATIONS
Drive Type
Tire drive
Measured Weight
19 lbs
Roll Out Time @ 200 watts
5 seconds
Power Comparison
N/A
Communication Protocol
None
Unfortunately, this trainer won't replace the feel of the road, and it doesn't come close to competing with the high-end smart models we tested. Still, you won't have to hang up the bike on cold, dark, or wet days. It has a poor power curve, no “real” road feel, and doesn't give you smart controls or connectivity. The Wahoo Kickr Snap is an excellent option for better connectivity and road feel without breaking the bank. The BalanceFrom Bike Trainer also has finicky resistance, which can cause frustration. As a lightweight, magnetic trainer with adjustable resistance, it's a low-cost way to set up your indoor gym. If you want something to spin your wheels at a very low price, the BalanceFrom Bike Trainer will do the job.
Setting up the BalanceFrom trainer and getting it going is a straightforward process. Credit: Ryan Baham
Product Comparison Table
Some trainers are far easier to assemble than others. Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
How We Tested
We obsessively test these bike trainers, putting in many hours, losing gallons of sweat, and occasionally, even a little blood. Staying objective is tough, especially when comparing trainers that cost less than a hundred bucks to others that cost thousands. We use five performance measures and assign weighted scores. We then compare, keeping different users and their requirements in mind. While one trainer might have a lower score, we might still highlight the trainer as ideal for some riders, like someone who isn't chasing marginal gains and wouldn't benefit from premium frills. Rest assured, we have all the bases covered. The bike trainers underwent more than 16 individual tests to assess and compare their performance. Over the last seven years, we've tested more than 26 trainers. We purchase each model to bring you an unbiased review. For in-depth info on our testing process, see our How We Test article.
We tested bike trainers using five rating metrics:
Connectivity and Power Accuracy tests (25% of overall score weighting)
Road Feel (25% weighting)
Design (20% weighting)
Setup (20% weighting)
Portability (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Our testers Nathaniel Bailey, Curtis Smith, and Ryan Baham got their roles testing this gear because they're cycling freaks. Bailey has cycled across the United States unsupported, worked as a bike mechanic, and regularly trains on a bike, whether he is racing on the roads or trails. He has a bachelor's in journalism from Kent State University. Smith races in road, mountain, and cyclocross for the Bikes Plus/Sierra Nevada team. Recent accomplishments include a first-place overall finish in the Sierra Cup Northern California Nevada Regional Championship XC Mountain Bike Series. Baham has a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology and religious studies from the University of South Florida and a Master's in Public Administration from Old Dominion University. He enjoys long bike rides and runs in his spare time.
Analysis and Test Results
Our goal is help you find the perfect bike trainer for your needs through this review and our how to choose a bike trainer article. As no-bull riders, we put out the review we want to read. We do all the research and buy the trainers at market rates from the same places you do, then ride them hard and see whether they're worth recommending to our friends (including you).
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
The price of a trainer tends to move in line with performance. The higher the price, the more capabilities and dependability, while the lowest-priced items are usually stripped down with lower precision and quicker wear. Smart control features are either limited or absent at the low end of the market. Most smart models come with ANT + and Bluetooth connectivity, so you can use third-party apps like Zwift, The Sufferfest, and TrainerRoad for virtual cruising or crushing.
If you're after the best value overall, go with the direct-drive Wahoo Fitness Kickr Core. It's a huge jump in features, precision, and road feel compared to tire-drive models. In terms of performance, it doesn't trail the most expensive models by that much for most riders, but costs many times less. We love this trainer and think it covers most riders' needs perfectly.
If you want a budget option that just lets you set up your bike to ride indoors, the BalanceFrom Bike Trainer provides the basics competitive price. There's no connectivity or virtual-resistance changes, so if Zwift or other apps are on your plan, we'd consider saving for a higher-end option.
How Will You Use It?
It is important to consider your needs when purchasing a bike trainer. If you are looking for something to get the legs turning for casual at-home workouts, a lower-scoring tire-drive model may be the right fit. These less expensive units lack the smart/control features and the road feel of the higher-end direct-drive models, but that may not matter to many users. If you're a serious cyclist seeking an immersive, interactive training experience, then you'll probably be looking into the more expensive options to get there.
The best trainers make it easy to get set up, connected to your favorite training apps, and ready to ride. Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Connectivity and Power Accuracy
Not all bike trainers give you the same features. Many lower-end trainers lack connected features like speed, cadence, or power, so testing was sometimes nearly impossible or required external sensors. Regarding power, how does the resistance curve interact with our gearing and cadence? Does it line up with our baseline power meter data? Are we putting out 100 watts to go 25 miles per hour when we should be hitting 220? All of the lower-end trainers limped along in this measure, but we addressed the relevant concerns in the in-depth analyses for each trainer.
One essential consideration is a smart trainer's ability to reliably link to in-house and third-party training apps, such as Zwift. Good connectivity often goes unnoticed, but da ropped connection can tank a training session or even cost you a race. With that in mind, we assigned this metric a higher weight. Training apps are critical to both the unit's overall functionality and your training experience. A smart trainer without apps is often a fifty-pound paperweight. If you want to control resistance, collect data, or have an engaging virtual ride, you'll most likely need an app.
The models we tested use both ANT+ and Bluetooth communication protocols. Why both? Because most smartphones are not ANT+ enabled, trainers use Bluetooth connectivity for mobile apps. Many computers and tablets also use the Bluetooth protocol, so enabling Bluetooth can provide an adaptor-free method of communication for web-based applications like Sufferfest, TrainerRoad, and Zwift. Plus, some newer trainers also include built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for even more stable connections.
We tested connectivity and connection reliability across multiple different platforms with each trainer. Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
If you run into Bluetooth compatibility issues, an ANT+ connection lets you communicate with any device by simply plugging an ANT+ dongle into one of the USB ports. Dual communication protocols provide the easiest connection, regardless of the type of display device you're using.
The other portion of the category is power accuracy. Smart trainers base resistance on power measured in watts. How exactly they measure or estimate that varies. The most accurate way to do this is to measure the power at the hub, as is done by direct-drive trainers. Tire drive models estimate power farther down the chain at the drum/resistance unit interface and thus do not offer the same level of power accuracy. In reality, these units are estimating power, which can be tricky. There are a ton of variables to account for. They include tire pressure, tire type, body weight, bike weight, bike accessory weight, pedaling dynamics, weight distribution on the bike, temperature, and others. As a result, the power tire-drive units' reports rarely match the actual measurement of a power meter.
The Tacx Neo 3M, Neo 2T, Elite Justo, and the Wahoo Fitness KICKR performed extremely well in this category on both fronts. The Kickr Core and Kickr Rollr score well in connectivity, but lag behind the others in power accuracy. ANT+ and Bluetooth communication protocols made it easy to connect to the Tacx, Elite, and Wahoo Fitness smartphone apps and third-party applications. Some of our testers described the Wahoo line as the Apple of the smart trainer world, citing its intuitive, straightforward app. The Garmin app isn't quite as polished, but it's effective. Elite's app was the clunkiest and least useful, but it works for firmware updates and control.
A pedal stroke analysis feature is unique to the Tacx Neo and Elite Justo (although you have to pay extra to access it in Elite's web training portal). This feature shows the power and efficiency of each leg during any given workout. Your one freeloading leg no longer has a place to hide.
Apps, like Garmin's Tacx Training app, are an essential part of the indoor training experience. Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Power accuracy in the 3M is unparalleled. We tested all of the products against a Quarq/SRAM crank-based power meter, Garmin Vector 3 pedals, and Favero Assioma DUO pedals. The Neo 3M was the most accurate, measuring within 0-2 watts— less than 1%— of our power meter throughout testing. We found about a one percent variance with the Neo 2T, Justo, Kickr, and Kickr Move. The Kickr Core lags in power accuracy but is accurate enough for most riders, coming in at around 2% in our testing. The Kickr Rollr is the best-scoring tire-drive model, but its accuracy lags behind that of the direct-drive units. We found accuracy at steady, lower power levels to be within 3-5%, but as we increased power during sprints, we often saw variations of up to 20%. Note that you can use your own power meter rather than the Rollr's estimate, which is far, far more accurate. We highly recommend that.
Having a smart bike trainer is great for long indoor rides. Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Lower-scoring products suffered from less intuitive native apps, if they had apps at all. Their power accuracy also tended to increase significantly. That said, we welcome the lower end of the market adopting the dual standard communication protocols of ANT+ and Bluetooth, which weren't nearly as ubiquitous a few years ago.
Road Feel
This measure might seem like it favors roadies — and it does — but even the grittiest mountain biker is going to get annoyed if their trainer feels like your brake is rubbing or you're missing sprints because it takes too long to respond when you start to stomp the pedals. This measure primarily assesses the resistance unit's smoothness and responsiveness. Does it feel like the trainer is rolling out when you coast, and is the power you put in appropriate to get back up to cruising? Is it responding the right way? Are the climbs natural or lumpy? Is the trainer adjusting as quickly as needed, or too quickly to feel natural?
Road feel ranks right up there in importance with connectivity. The best trainers simulate the sensation of riding on the road. Poor-quality models lack the inertia you feel in real life. Achieving a good road feel is a complicated feat of engineering. Standard and smart models deliver it in different ways.
There is a strong correlation between flywheel weight and the rider's sensation when spinning the cranks. In general, heavier flywheels have a better road feel. That's because a heavy flywheel mimics the inertia you feel when riding outside. With a very light flywheel, you'll notice accelerations are too easy, and decelerations can be choppy. You might also notice a dead spot in your pedal stroke, similar to what you might notice on an extremely steep and slow climb.
Smart trainers are more complicated than standard fluid ones. The response to the control protocol from the application determines road feel in combination with the flywheel or virtual flywheel in the case of the Tacx Neo 2T Smart and Neo 3M. During testing, we used a test to determine how long the flywheel would spin after pedaling stopped at 200 watts and 20 miles per hour. We tested the lowest-resistance setting on the smart trainers using their native applications.
The Tacx Neo 2T really is the ultimate ride. Smooth when you need it to be smooth, rough when you're hitting cobbles and rough terrain, responsive, accurate, and powerful. Credit: Ryan Baham
Those with the longest rollout time usually offer the best road feel when used in SIM mode. The major exception to this rule was the Neo series trainers, which use a unique magnetic electromotor to perfectly simulate the road, even replicating riding downhill. Yet, both had relatively short rollout times. Returning to the trend, the H3 Smart had the longest rollout time at 58 seconds, thanks to a heavy flywheel.
Our testers found the Kickr Move to provide the best road feel among traditional flywheels across various applications, both native and third-party. It would be easy to assume that the flywheel weight is the only factor. Still, the complex magnetic resistance units and how they interpret the data fed to them by the apps they're connected to also play a critical role.
Wheel-on trainers also rely on flywheel weight, but they typically just can't provide the same levels of smoothness, control, or resistance. For example, the Kickr Rollr has a 10.5lb flywheel and offers the best road feel of any tire-drive unit in our lineup. The top-scoring Tacx Neo 3M blows it out of the water.
Some trainers, especially wheel-on units, can produce a lot of noise. Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Noise
Trainers are inherently noisy machines. Some drivetrains alone make about 35 or 40 decibels, so it's tough to find something that's truly silent. You're spinning chains and gears against a machine designed to provide similar resistance as a road. There are too many moving parts with significant friction for trainers to be truly silent. Despite that, we measure noise because it makes a difference, particularly in close quarters when we don't want to disturb our housemates.
It may not be surprising that there's generally a premium on quietness. A lot of extra engineering reduces machine vibrations and the friction that makes noise. When we test these trainers, we'll take a few measurements around the bike to get an idea of how the noise spreads, but we use the measurement taken in front of the rider for comparison to keep things uniform. We'll spin up to 220 watts and 90 RPMs to keep all inputs constant.
The quietest trainer we tested is the Elite Justo, followed by the Saris H3 and the Tacx Neo 3M. Across the direct-drive trainers, the vast majority of the noise we experienced came from our drivetrains, not the trainers themselves. On the other hand, tire-drive trainers are pretty noisy, and the worst offender is the Kickr Rollr. It's loud enough that we consistently rely on our noise-cancelling headphones to watch TV or listen to music during workouts.
Design
When assessing overall design quality, we considered several factors, including durability, stability, adjustability, and wheel/hub compatibility. No matter the price range of the machine you end up buying, you'll want something that lasts a long time. That includes drops and movement, plus years of sweat and minimal upkeep. And, of course, you want to know if your big 29er will fit on this thing that you only see road bikes on before you buy it. We take all of this into account under design.
Durability and Stability
Is this thing going to last? Will it tip over if I go too hard on a sprint? Am I going to break this thing? Is this thing going to break my expensive carbon frame? These are some of the questions we had during testing. The heaviest models felt the most stable during use, but we never felt at risk of tipping over with any of the trainers we tested. The Saris H3 is a standout product with a fully enclosed design. The resistance unit and flywheel are protected from sweat and damage by the plastic shell. When open, the legs have a 19.5" footprint, providing excellent stability when combined with weight. Other standout products include the Kickr Core and Kickr, which have tubular steel frames that provide great durability and stability.
Adjustability
The Justo, H3, and the Kickr have adjustable legs to accommodate an uneven floor. The Kickr can also adjust the trainer's height to accommodate different wheel sizes, maintaining a level bike position without a wheel block. The Kickr Rollr is adjustable for bikes with wheelbases of 950-1100mm and tire sizes of up to 45mm (although Wahoo claims up to 53mm fits, our testing and their documentation suggest that's not always the case).
Thanks to the adjustable foot pads and one of the widest stances in the trainer world, the Saris H3 is also one of the most stable trainers. Credit: Tara Kharrazian
Wheel and Hub Compatibility
Direct-drive models have the advantage here because they don't rely on the rear wheel to drive the resistance unit, so your tire size or wheel diameter doesn't matter. For example, the H3 Smart is compatible with both 130 and 135mm quick-release frames and 142 and 148mm through axle frames using adaptors. Pretty much every other high-end model also supports these expanded axle sizes. This makes the machines compatible with almost any type of bike available: road, cyclocross, or mountain. The tire drive trainers we tested will also work with thru-axle bikes but require adaptors, and we recommend you use a slick tire rather than the knobby you likely have on your off-road machine. And then there's the Kickr Rollr, which, as we already mentioned, has compatibility determined by wheelbase and tire diameter rather than axle width.
You typically have to mount a cassette onto your trainer. We also tested compatible models with the Zwift Cog and Click. Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Along with the Neo series 2T and 3M, the Saris H3 and Wahoo Fitness KICKR are the highest-scoring products overall for design. Excellent durability, stability, and a well-thought-out design set them apart.
Setup
These days, we're all crunched for time. Time lost setting up your trainer is quality training time lost. We broke the setup metric into two primary areas for consideration: physical setup and tech setup.
Physical Set Up
We spent a lot of time with these trainers and became intimately aware of each unit's setup procedure and related quirks. They all have pros and cons, from folding out the support legs to attaching the bike. On a day-to-day basis, nothing beats setting up the Kickr Rollr. After that, we found that direct-drive models are pretty easy to use as well. Even when removing the rear wheel for use, there is no need to adjust the tire pressure or drum tension. The rear wheel does not need to be removed with tire drive trainers, but for most people, you will need to swap out your skewer before mounting the bike, and you'll see far more tire wear than normal. Also, tire pressure needs to be adjusted before each ride, and the drum tension on the rear wheel must be set up just right.
The Fluid 2 boasts a user-friendly setup that takes less than 10 minutes, even if you don't excel at DIY assembly. Credit: Tara Kharrazian
Pairing and Applications
All smart models we tested encourage users to download the proprietary application before use. The manufacturer's application allows you to update the firmware before use. You also need to download the native application for calibration, except with the Tacx Neo series, Elite Justo and Wahoo KICKR/Kickr Move/Kickr Rollr, which come pre-calibrated. All other smart trainers we tested require calibration before initial use and ongoing calibration after that. Without calibration, power measurement will not be accurate. As a result, resistance will be out of balance with your output. The applications for each trainer are easily found in the App Store on both IOS and Android phones. Once downloaded, you simply follow the instructions within the application to pair your trainer. We found the Wahoo app easiest to use, followed by Tacx.
Calibration is a pain. Tire drive models (except the Rollr) require calibration before each training session to account for differences in tire pressure and drum tension from ride to ride. Even a quarter-turn of the tensioning knob can cause a significant variance in power readings. Ideally, calibrate tire drive trainers after a 10-minute warmup to account for changes in resistance due to heat buildup. On the other hand, the direct-drive units typically only need to be calibrated every 30 days or after you move the trainer (though some use auto-calibration, as we already mentioned). This huge advantage will save you an average of 10 minutes with every session. That time adds up over a week of training; we could all be doing something more productive than calibrating a trainer. As a reminder, the Tacx Neo 3M, Tacx Neo 2T Smart, Wahoo Kickr Move, Wahoo KICKR, and Wahoo KICKR ROLLR never need calibration. Also, once paired with applications, there's no other upkeep required - not to mention the Tacx and Wahoo apps, while not as interactive as Zwift, provide a ton of excellent training and support while giving you real-world cycling videos, which is pretty cool.
We love models that don't require calibration. Mounting your bike and getting after it is ideal. Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Portability
How easy is it to move around? Stationary models are a great option for pre-race warmups, and you may even consider closing the office door for a quick lunch session if you are serious about training. Even if you never plan to travel with your bike trainer, you will likely need to move it around your living space.
Few of us have the luxury of a dedicated space for indoor training, so putting it away after a workout is standard practice. We considered several factors when ranking products: weight, ease of carrying, storage size, and operating without electrical power.
This is one area where the smart, direct-drive trainers do not outperform the lower-priced tire-drive models. There are many reasons to choose a premium model over a basic unit, but portability is not one of them. The direct-drive models we tested weigh between 30 to 50 pounds. Heavier flywheels, magnets, and electronics add up to a good ride but are not easy to move around. Surprisingly, we found the heavier direct drive Saris H3, Elite Justo, Tacx NEO 3M, and the Wahoo KICKR easier to move than lighter-weight smart models like the Wahoo Kickr Core. This is due to the well-designed, built-in carrying handles found on the units and their compact folding. Generally, tire-drive trainers have an advantage in this measure because they are lighter than direct-drive models. Models like the TacX Neo 2T and Kickr Core are awkward to carry due to their weight and precarious handholds.
A bike trainer (or two) is a great addition to a home gym. Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Conclusion
Testing and thoroughly reviewing bike trainers is considerable work, but our reviewers are bike geeks and more than up for the task. Like you, we spend a lot of time researching and analyzing each bike trainer before purchasing. After assembling each model and spending dozens of hours atop each machine, we develop an in-depth understanding of each model's capabilities, which we share with our readers. We hope this review and our recommendations prove helpful to your bike training goals and aspirations. Good luck out there, and keep riding.
We also have the details on all the products you need to enhance your bike training, like the top bike computers and exercise bikes. If you want to build out your home gym, check out our round-up of exercise equipment.
