We are slowly approaching autumn, so the days are getting shorter and temperatures are dropping. Everyone knows there is nothing worse than waking up, ready for a bike ride, just to see pouring rain outside. Damn it!

What if you could easily train indoors, get a solid ride and not become bored after 5 minutes. Today we present to you our guide to indoor trainers.

What are indoor trainers?

Indoor trainers are devices designed to allow you to ride a bicycle indoors. You mount your bike to the trainer via your bike’s drivetrain or rear tyre and off you go!

There are different types of trainers, depending on the way they work with the bike, but we can categorize them into Basic Trainers (Turbo Trainers), Direct-Drive Trainers and Smart Trainers.

Basic Trainers (Turbo Trainers)

There are lots of different models available, but they work on the same principle. You mount your bike by the rear axle onto the trainer. The rear tyre makes contact with a spinning cylinder that gives you resistance, which on some trainers, can be adjusted via a handlebar lever. The spinning cylinder is usually wrapped in an abrasive material which over time will ruin normal bicycle tyres because of the friction generated. To overcome this problem, tyre manufacturers have produced a hard compound tyre designed specifically for indoor trainers.

Our advice would be to have a spare wheel with a trainer-specific tyre on it,  otherwise you’ll be changing your rear tyre very frequently. 

Pros

• Affordable and widely available
• Easy to operate/set up

Cons

• You’ll need a trainer-specific tyre
• They can get loud
• Additional equipment may be required (mats to reduce vibration, front-wheel stabilizing blocks)
• They can have compatibility issues with certain bikes

Direct-Drive Trainers

They work by replacing your rear wheel with a stationary flywheel with a cassette. Unlike turbo trainers, direct-drive trainers don’t ruin your tyres. They can be near-silent, so you won’t upset your neighbours. They also provide a smooth ride and precise feedback, enabling you to simulate real road conditions.

Pros

• Quiet and hassle-free
• Precise and smooth operation
• They don’t ruin tyres
• They work with (nearly) any bike

Cons

• Expensive (plus you’ll have to buy a matching cassette)
• Heavy

Smart Trainers

Smart trainers offer advanced features, like Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity, ZWIFT integration, power data and many more. They usually require an app to operate properly.

Smart Turbo trainers will give you the best value, but Direct-drive trainers will give you the best performance if you plan on riding with others on multiplayer platforms like ZWIFT or Rouvy.

 

Pros

• Advanced smart features
• ZWIFT and other social platforms integration.
• Comprehensive workout data

Cons

• Expensive
• Electricity is required to enable smart features

Summary

Trainers come in various shapes, sizes and prices, so it’s vital to get one that fits your requirements and lifestyle. If you plan on using platforms like ZWIFT, make sure to get a trainer that is supported. If you live in an apartment, choose a quiet trainer, as some can get loud and sound like a jet engine (especially some cheaper turbo trainers).

We also recommend getting accessories like a fan, sweat cover and towel, because riding indoors can get hot and sweaty fast.