The smart or conventional turbo trainer enables you to get a targeted workout on your own bike right from your bedroom.
Like a conventional exercise bike at the gym, the turbo trainer allows you to train your cycling muscles and respiratory system from the comfort of your own home.
The indisputable advantage of exercise bikes over-exercising outdoors is the ability to negate or cancel out the influence of external factors (weather, traffic, team). This will allow you to concentrate on your training plan or set it up to determine the computer’s load capacity.
Trainers come in two varieties: standard trainers and smart trainers. According to shops, the vast majority of models sold in 2019 and 2020 were intelligent trainers.
The smart exerciser has electronics and can connect to computers, tablets and smartphones to help you get the most out of your workout.
How to increase the average speed on a road bike
Unlike simple turbo trainers, the smart versions are equipped with wireless transmitters such as ANT+ and Bluetooth. This allows speed, cadence, heart rate and power information to be exchanged with the programmes.
This gives you plenty of extras: everything from setting the resistance to a certain level using your smartphone, to simulate the road surface you see on the screen when using an app like Zwift.
Why does the prefix “smart” appear?
Well, the introduction has already partly answered that question.
From a bit of perspective, turbo smart trainers help you interact with an app like Zwift, TrainerRoad and The Sufferfest so that the rear wheel, based on the landscape in the virtual world, forms the load according to the headwind or hill climb… There are plenty of options. Some technologies even allow you to take the angle of the steering wheel into account.
Smart bikes allow you to automatically adjust the load to maintain a steady pace of power; they can interface with additional equipment (sensors and meters), smartphones and tablets via different communication protocols (ANT+ or Bluetooth).
What to Consider When Choosing a Smart Turbo Trainer?
Direct drive or wheel drive?
Wheel drive. It’s as simple as that. The bike is secured to the machine, the wheel rests on the roller, which provides the necessary level of resistance.
Tyres wear out, and power measurements are highly inaccurate due to possible micro-slippages. They are certainly notable for their relatively low cost.
Direct-drive turbo trainers require removing the rear wheel and the bike’s mounting on the machine axle, where there is a separate cassette for training.
They are quieter in operation, measure power more accurately, and the ride feels more like the real thing. The design features and advanced functionality come at a cost, they are not that budget-friendly.
An excellent advantage of the direct-drive cycle machines is their quiet operation. There is often more noise from the transmission than from the simulator itself.
Handwheel
Previously, it was thought that the heavier the flywheel weight, the better. However, this is not entirely true these days, although it is not without merit. There are some contradictions where many factors have to be considered.
If the flywheel’s weight is “constant”, its inertia will not change when modulating uphill or downhill. Its inertia will remain the same in all cases.
The solution to this problem comes with magnets and electronically changing the inertia and weight of the flywheel. This is where the feeling of a realistic ride comes in.
Power and gradient
The power rating on the turbo trainer is stated as maximum. The values range from 1,500 to 3,600 watts. Although for professional sprinters, 2000 watts is good enough.
The gradient describes the steepness of the climb that can be simulated on the simulator. The higher the machine’s quality, the more accurately and smoothly it handles its task in virtual rides.
Rating of the best Smart Turbos
Elite Suito
* Type: Direct drive
* Max. power: 1900 W
* Max. gradient: 15%
* Weight: 14.5 kg
* Handwheel: 3.5 kg
* Cassette included: Yes
* Noise level: 73 dB
* Price: $799
* Where to buy: UK, Russia
Suito comes complete with an 11-speed cassette, 12x142mm axle adapters and a front-wheel lift block. This fantastic trainer is available at a relatively low price.
It’s particularly pleasing to note that the smart bicycle stand is ready to use ‘out of the box’.
For its money, it gives good stability and works out every penny.
It has to be said that it is quite loud when compared to the same price range. A forced measure because of the excellent power and gradient figures. You have to pay for everything. The flywheel, too, is heavier for that kind of money.
Saris H3
* Type: Direct drive
* Max. power: 2000 W
* Max. gradient: 20%
* Weight: 21.3 kg
* Handwheel: 9 kg
* Cassette included: no
* Noise level: 61 dB
* Price: $999.99
* Where to buy: Saris.com
The H3 appears to be much heavier than its rival. All thanks to a weighty flywheel, 9 kilograms, which gives an unforgettable, realistic ride feel.
These weights are difficult to handle if the room’s small size means that you are continually moving the machine around. Thankfully, the designers remembered to give it a handle.
The main feature, however, is its quiet operation. At around 30 km/h, it is many times quieter than its upstairs neighbour.
The cassette is not included, but rides quietly and measures power within the claimed 2% error.
Tacx Neo 2T
* Type: Direct drive
* Max. power: 2200 W
* Max. gradient: 25%
* Weight: 21.5 kg
* Flywheel: Virtual
* Cassette included: no
* Noise level: 61 dB
* Price: $1,399.99
* Where to buy: UK, Russia, Ukraine
The look of the spacecraft is undoubtedly beautiful. It is unclear whether the design has anything to do with this, but a 1% error in power measurements is claimed. Impressive, because this result is one of the best in its class.
This is just the case when the load is electronically regulated to the full. The computer also adjusts the level of flywheel inertia. It does not require connection to a power outlet and can therefore be used for competition warm-up.
The price is relatively high, but the cassette couldn’t be put down. Alas. However, we have already mentioned the advantages that justify its purchase.
Wahoo Kickr Smart
* Type: Direct drive
* Max. power: 2200
* Max. gradient: 20%
* Weight: 21.5 kg
* Handwheel: 7.25 kg
* Cassette included: Yes
* Noise level: 61 dB
* Price: $1,199.99
* Where to buy: chainreactioncycles.com
Kickr is Wahoo’s top-of-the-range model. Quiet and realistic – that’s what you can say about this bike station.
The supplied cassette and long cord help you avoid the hassle of buying one. The price, as it were, speaks volumes. However, competitors somehow overlook this nuance.
A good contender for the title of ‘benchmark’. There’s plenty of power, the gradient is more than decent, it’s quiet, the flywheel is average.
Wahoo Kickr Core
* Type: Direct drive
* Max. power: 1800 W
* Max. gradient: 16%
* Weight: 18 kg
* Handwheel: 5.4 kg
* Cassette included: no
* Noise level: 70 dB
* Price: $899.99
* Where to buy: chainreactioncycles.com
Kickr Core – not unlike its big brother, quite noisy, lets you realise a smaller gradient, digests less power, no cassette included, the flywheel is lightweight. Everything seemed to be against him. But no.
2% error rate, easy installation and attractive price. Yes, it’s more straightforward, but it should be enough for the novice cyclist. Mostly as the small flywheel still does a decent job.
BKool Smart Air Lite
* Type: Direct drive
* Max. power: 2000 W
* Max. gradient: 20%
* Weight: 23 kg
* Handwheel: 4.5 kg
* Cassette included: no
* Noise level: 75 dB
* Price: $970
* Where to buy: chainreactioncycles.com
The BKool Smart Air is not the most expensive model, but for some reason, they forgot to bolt on a handle for an impressive 23kg weight. A questionable decision. However, its compact dimensions, when folded down, enable it to be conveniently stored.
The design features allow for an approximation of the real feel when getting out of the saddle, although some may be confused by this. As always, opinions are divided, but silence is not the strong point of this turbo trainer, alas. And the cassette will have to be purchased separately. A nuisance, as some competitors also put it in at a lower cost. Okay, okay, some people don’t even put in a bigger one.
Either way, the design is noteworthy.
Elite Drivo II
* Type: Direct drive
* Max. power: 3600 W
* Max. gradient: 24%
* Weight: 19 kg
* Handwheel: 6 kg
* Cassette included: no
* Noise level: 65 dB
* Price: $1199
* Where to buy: UK, Russia
The Elite Drivo II is a more giant machine, as indicated by the impressive 3,600W figure at 60km/h. Noise levels remain at a decent level. Of course, it is measured at lower speeds. But let’s not forget the high power.
And then the margin of error is only 0.5%.
There are a few similar models at this price range, but they offer less power. Yes, and the electromagnet allows you to react quickly to the changing gradient.
On the other hand – what do the legs of a man who can produce such figures look? И… is it even made for human beings? Maybe it has some kind of dual-purpose at all?
Kurt Kinetic R1
* Type: Direct drive
* Max. power: 2000
* Max. gradient: 20%
* Weight: 21.5 kg
* Handwheel: 6.3 kg
* Cassette included: no
* Noise level: 75 dB
* Price: $949
* Where to buy: chainreactioncycles.com
The Kurt Kinetic R1 produces an average power output that should satisfy most riders. Of the list presented, he is the loudest.
Forgive its lightweight flywheel, lack of cassette and relative loudness for its resilient mounting allow some sway in motion, bringing the sensation of realism closer. And the design, in general, is quite bold. There are no cosmic shapes, but it looks pretty bold.
Saris M2
* Type: on wheels
* Max. power: 1500 W
* Max. gradient: 15%
* Weight: 9 kg
* Handwheel: 1.2 kg
* Cassette included: not required
* Noise level: 75 dB
* Price: $500
* Where to buy: Saris.com
Saris M2, in fact, here comes the wheel drive. As you can see, its weight is considerably less. The flywheel is 1.2 kilograms: noisy, relatively low power, weak gradient.
Comparing noise levels to direct drive is a little unfair. For a wheeled bike, it’s relatively quiet. The choice of tyres can also have an effect on noise.
And on the move, it performs just as well as models with a higher price tag. Correct and step-by-step adjustment and calibration can achieve an accuracy of less than the claimed 5%.
Tacx Flux S
* Type: Direct drive
* Max. power: 1500 W
* Max. gradient: 10%
* Weight: 23.6 kg
* Handwheel: 7 kg
* Cassette included: no
* Noise level: 60 dB
* Price: $749
* Where to buy: UK, Russia, Ukraine
A comparatively inexpensive turbo runner that doesn’t go over your head.
Competitors with a price of $50 more offer more power and gradient. A strong rider may fall short by 10%. The legs do not fold down as they are bolted in place—a very dubious option.
It’s an excellent value for money because of the weight of the machine and the flywheel.
You can’t take that away from him. And when you realise how quiet it is, you can forgive its relatively low-performance figures. Not everyone can afford to pedal ‘all over the place’ at 6am. But many people want to. So this unit will find a buyer.
What types of smart turbo trainers are there?
Magnetic simulators
The simplest of all turbo trainers use magnetic resistance to simulate the road’s feel and tend to be the cheapest because of their simplicity. However, there are few inventive versions of them. They usually come with a manual resistance switch, their intelligence is not as varied as others, and they cannot be programmed to simulate a specific gradient or power resistance.
Hydraulic simulators
One step ahead of magnetic trainers, hydraulic models are much quieter and have a progressive resistance curve, meaning that the faster you get, the harder the ride. This is where most of the smart trainers available will be based, as there are more opportunities to integrate intelligence into flexible trainers, for a good ride and at a lower cost.
Directly driven fitness equipment
These machines, reminiscent of the space age. They eliminate the need for a wheel by attaching directly to the transmission, hence the name. They are usually motorised and have to be attached to the wall, which means they can be set to offer a wide range of intelligent features and a more natural feel to the road. By completely removing the rear wheel’s need, you won’t have to buy new tyres as regularly as any other trainer.
Why should you choose a smart turbo trainer?
A standard, a cheap magnetic turbo trainer, is acceptable for many people, but a smart trainer will provide a much more engaging workout.
Firstly, having smart features means connecting to a range of software such as Zwift, TrainerRoad and Skuga. Apps like Zwift interact with your turbo trainer to measure your efforts and apply them to a virtual avatar that will compete with others over the internet. And this is better than just looking at the wall.
Other apps, such as Skuga and Road Grand Tour, actually allow you to recreate any Strava trip you may have taken before. For example, if you’ve found the perfect training route but can’t get out, the simulator can realistically simulate every dive and ascent. You can even reproduce a trip to the Alps in your living room!
Smart trainers also allow you to record more data than you might think, as some higher-end models can accurately record your baseline power. This is great if you want to improve performance but don’t want to buy separate power meters.