Given the vagaries of the weather, training indoors has its clear benefits. Add in a busy work schedule and it makes yet more sense. The best indoor smart bikes allow you to train with purpose when a cold or wet ride outdoors doesn’t appeal. Likewise if you’re short on time they can deliver a dedicated workout in about the time it would take you to get changed into your cycling gear, inflate your tyres and decide which route you’ll take.
While you can use a traditionalturbo trainer set-up for your indoor workouts, a smart bike offers a far more realistic ride feel than your typicalexercise bike.They also provide you with plenty of technological benefits that can help improve your fitness, including integratedpower meters, automated incline adjustment and resistance.
Add in the ability to connect seamlessly with a variety of indoor training apps and your favouritebicycle computers orsmartwatches, and you have an immersive training experience that provides bags of real-time data to allow you to track your progress. In recent years bikes like theZwift Ride have upped the game, allowing you to control your avatar and introducing video game features to help break the monotony of indoor cycling.
Naturally all of this means that choosing the right smart trainer for you isn’t straightforward. Fortunately we’ve tested a wide variety of models and have selected our favourites here in this easy-to-use and comprehensive guide.
Boasting 2,500w of power and improved accuracy, the Atom is both smooth and quiet. Structured workouts available via the dedicated hub make it ideal for tracking progress.
If you want your indoor training to replicate riding outdoors, the Kickr is for you. Features integrated grade changes up to 20%, customizable gearing, and simulated shifting.
Please excuse the superlative but the Tacx Neo Bike Plus is 'the smoothest' smart bike we have tested. Which makes it great for those looking to get started in the world of virtual racing.
Offering performance similar to that of the more expensive smart bikes, its compact size and simple, tool-free adjustments stand the Proton out in the crowd.
Technogyms technical prowess in commercial gym equipment clearly shines through on the Ride, which is incredibly user-friendly. However, the high cost can't be justified when it's considerably down on peak power vs the competition.
The Atom is our choice for best overall smart trainer. It gets the nod thanks to its unmatched smoothness and fluidity of pedalling that makes it a joy to use. Couple this with the fact that it’s surprisingly quiet when in use and you have a bike that’s well-suited to a family house or shared apartment as much as it is a dedicated training space away from the home.
Wattbike has increased the Atom’s peak power from 2000wh to 2500wh as well as improving its accuracy. It makes it a good match for even the most powerful of riders. Add in the ergo mode and the maximum gradient of 25% and you have a thoroughly competent bike that’s a good fit for Zwift races and the like.
The Atom isn’t perfect. It’s still heavy despite being 11kg lighter than the previous model, and while the adjustability is straightforward to use, it’s a little limited compared to some of its competitors, with a fixed bar width and crank arm length. That said combine the realistic ride feel and the simple ‘plug in and play’ set up and you have a smart bike that ticks most of the boxes.
Height range: 5' - 6'6"/152 - 198 cm (centre bottom bracket to top of saddle 61cm-87cm)
Digital display: No - Bluetooth connected device required
Third party connectivity: No
Reasons to buy
+
Best user experience for Zwift
+
Easy setup for multiple users
+
Relatively portable
+
Good value
Reasons to avoid
-
The crank length is not adjustable
-
A lighter frame would be nice, but not critical
The Zwift Ride is an interesting offering. Designed to make smart training more accessible it’s essentially a steel frame that can be paired with a smart trainer. We reviewed it as part of a package with the Wahoo Kickr Core.
Greater accessibility may start with the reduced costs of the Ride compared to some smart trainer but also extends to the ease of set-up. We found that dialling in the basic fit was a breeze with Zwift’s ‘sizing by letter’ system meaning you’re able to adjust the bike pretty quickly, making it a good fit for a household of multiple users.
Once set up you have access to plenty of Zwift tech, from its straightforward cog system, a single sprocket hub that facilitates virtual shifting and means you don’t need a cassette. We found that in combination with the Kickr Core it delivered excellent shifting and a surprisingly quiet operation. The shifter buttons continue the theme of accessibility and we found them intuitive to use.
If you’re after a realistic ride feel from your smart trainer then the Kickr won’t disappoint. We loved the physical grade changes, the simulated shifter and the customizable gearing ratios, all of which make the Kickr feel a lot more like your regular road bike. The 5-point fit adjustment doesn’t hurt either.
The real-time gradient changes can simulate climbs up to 20% as well simulating descents of -15%. Both are made possible by the Kickr's ability to tip backwards and forward. As for the gear ratios you can choose from Shimano, Sram or Campagnolo cassette ratios, allowing you to configure the bike to match the gearing on your actual bike(s).
We appreciate the option to be able to add regular components to the Kickr too, meaning you can fit your favoured stem length, saddle or handlebars to make you feel more at home.
Height range: 640 - 900mm (bottom bracket to saddle height)
Digital display: Yes
Third party connectivity: Yes
Reasons to buy
+
Very stable
+
Incredibly smooth
+
New shifters are perfect
+
Tablet mount and fans included
+
Superb adjustability
Reasons to avoid
-
Very expensive
-
Fans not quite powerful enough
-
Thigh still hits the seatpost in some positions
-
Heavy - two people preferable for set-up
The headliner here is the smooth ride that the Neo Plus delivers. It uses Neodymium magnets to create resistance within the flywheel and we can attest that it works like a dream. It’s comfortably one of the smoothest smart bikes we’ve ever tested, most apparent when we were using Zwift, with the precision of the ERG mode impressing us greatly. The accuracy of the power meter proved to be spot on as well.
But the features don’t stop there. The range of adjustments are impressive and allowed us to really dial in the fit with ease. There’s also an inbuilt fan as well as holder for your tablet as with the previous model, but the shifters have been completely redesigned. We found that both their functionality and comfort have been improved, something that couldn't be said for the last Neo Plus offering. There’a also a slimmer seat post and an increased range of crank length options. It all adds up to a worthwhile upgrade.
Think of the Kickr Shift as a more affordable Kicr Bike. Yes, you’ll have to sacrifice the gradient stimulation as the Shift uses a static steel frame. But in return you get a far lighter bike, both in terms of weight and its impact on your wallet.
There are other differences, too. The Shift uses an eddy-current electromagnetic system to power the bike rather than the motor used by the Bike. That said you still get 2200wh of peak power, which means it remains competitive with models from other brands.
Perhaps our favourite feature of the Kickr Shift is its ease of set-up and its superb ergonomics. Like other Kickr smart bikes you get the excellent Wahoo shifters that help deliver a realistic ride feel. There’s also the 5-point adjustable fit system that allows us to find a really comfortable position on the bike ahead of our training sessions.
Finally a word on the bike’s accuracy. During our testing period we found that it was never ‘out’ by more than two watts when compared to the numbers shown by our power meter pedals.
Like the Atom featured above, the Proton is a weighty number. In fact, at 48kg it’s one of the most robust bikes in this guide. Fortunately it does come with wheels fitted to make it easier to move around, but it's probably best suited to those who have a dedicated training room where the bike can stay put.
As far as set-up goes, the Proton is wonderfully simple. Adjustment is tool-free and we were able to correctly position the saddle and bars in seconds. If you plan on sharing your smart bike with other users it’s a real bonus. Getting started on the Proton is just as straightforward, too, thanks to the free hub that means you don’t have to have a third-party subscription to an app such as Zwift.
While the Proton is a cheaper offering from Wattbike, you still get plenty of value for money. The gradient simulation at 25% and peak power of 1800wh are both comparable to the other models featured in this guide. We also found it to be highly accurate as well, again comparable to far more expensive machines.
Ease of rider position set up and two screen taps to get riding
+
Position adjustment simple
+
Solid platform and smooth ride feel
+
Plenty of metric data to monitor performance and progress
+
Lots of entertainment at your fingertips
Reasons to avoid
-
Screen is too close to rider
-
Low peak power output for performance riders
-
Really expensive when compared to competition
-
Monthly subscriptions required for optimal use
-
Large and heavy, so requires a dedicated space
-
Cable port position sub-optimal
By far the simplest to use during our testing, the Technogym Ride features a 22” inch screen with plenty of 3rd party ride and entertainment app compatibility. Like many of its competitors, the Ride uses an electromagnetic system to add resistance, enabling it to simulate climbs and descents. The peak power output compared to the bigger brands is nearly a 1000wh down though. So, we found doing big sprint efforts or taking on big simulated cols lacks realism. It could work well for those users looking to build a solid base during the winter months. We were left impressed by the smoothness of the system though
The two-touch start feature and simplicity of the fit adjustments made the system great for frequent use by multiple people but in reality it’s hard to see why you would choose this over the Wattbike, Wahoo or Tacx options given it is more expensive than all of these.
The Cycling Weekly team has ridden hundreds of virtual kilometres on all the smart bikes featured in this guide. Our reviews and scores are based on a variety of areas, including ease of setup, app connectivity, specification, and usability
All of the smart bikes were tested across multiple sessions. This allows us to find the base and test the bike’'s ability to accurately replicate sessions and data. These findings are then cross-checked against a power meter or other forms of home trainer.
While most of our testing is completed on Zwift, allowing us repeatable reference points, we also check compatibility with other third-party indoor cycling apps where possible.
Perhaps most importantly and although subjective, we try to relay the concept of 'ride feel' - that is what pedalling feels like on the bike during a variety of different efforts. This perhaps more than anything else, dictates how enjoyable it is to use.
You may also need...
Aside from a bike to ride there isn't much more needed to get going with indoor smart bike training. If you are going to invest in your setup then here is nine ways to make your indoor cycling experience more enjoyable. My top recommendations from this list are definitely a good fan and finishing with a cake.
Unless you already have a set training plan, maybe one from a coach or team, then one of the many third-party cycling apps is recommended. They are great at keeping the monotony at bay and a great way connect with the wider cycling community.
Last but not least, cycling indoors is hot, even if its freezing outside. Having cycling kit designed specifically for indoor use that helps disperse the additional heat and has high wicking properties, makes indoor cycling a far more comfortable experience.
FAQ - all you need to know about indoor smart bikes
What is the difference between a smart bike and an exercise bike?
In recent years we have seen exercise bikes becoming more connected with third-party apps, which blurs the lines between the two. Traditionally, smart bikes are far more advanced, featuring built-in power meters, automated resistance, advanced adjustability and fit. They cater well for cycling enthusiasts with dedicated training plans.
Exercise bikes tend to be much simpler, aimed at supplementing other sporting endeavours by providing crosstraining and basic cardio. While some exercise bikes are catching up with smart bikes', increasing connectivity and overall peak outputs, smart bikes have been advancing their user experience too. Many smart bikes now offer customisable virtual gearing options. Some even go as far as having arcade-style controllers that let you take charge of your on-screen avatar.
What is better: A turbo trainer or a smart bike?
There are a couple of considerations when choosing between a turbo trainer and a smart bike. The first of which is the available space you plan to train in and storage possibilities. If space is at a premium then this is where turbo trainers work well, giving you the ability to pack your setup away when it is not in use. The trade-off here is the peak performance can be limited due to the compact nature of the units. Smart bikes will need a dedicated space but tend to be far studier when putting in big efforts. Turbo trainer manufacturers have worked hard on this, with brands such as Wahoo and Tacx knocking on 2000wh output and up to 20% gradient simulations, similar numbers we see on smart bikes.
Comfort and attention levels heavily influence the decision-making process. Smart trainers now offer fantastic levels of fit adjustability and are improving all the time. They will never 100% replicate your bike fit and this is where turbo trainers, which combine with a real bike have the edge. On the flip side of that coin, smart bikes offer a wider range of integrated connectivity options, with built-in screens and interactive features such as avatar control now commonplace.
Do indoor bikes help you lose weight?
The benefits of cycling are well documented be it indoors or braving the elements outside. Indoor cycling is fantastic for eliminating variables from your training effort. Most will think about the weather, but terrain plays a big part too. Indoor training provides consistent parcours, giving you a repeatable base that allows you to focus on the specific effort required in your training plan. This could be the ‘fat-burning’ zones’, for example. So, it is possible to lose weight using a smart bike, but only as a helpful tool within a wider, healthy weight loss regime.
A fully adjustable fit is imperative, it’s a feature we look for on every smart bike we test. How this is achieved differs from model to model, with the ultimate goal of offering greater rider comfort and realism. Working in tandem with the resistance, many smart bikes now feature virtual gearing options, increasing the realism of your indoor cycling experience and allowing you to measure your effort more effectively. Many models will also offer a wide range of gradient simulations. A smart bike should feature somewhere between a 15-25% incline and a 5-15% decline, so you can tick off all those virtual cols.
How do indoor smart bikes work?
All of the smart bikes we have tested feature an electromagnetic resistance system. In layman's terms these work by increasing the electrical current to a coil of metal, which in turn grows its magnetic field. This magnetic field when in near contact with another magnetic material like a flywheel, forms what is called an eddy current. It is this current that creates the resistance.
These systems are fantastic for smart bikes and turbo trainers, as resistance can be increased or decreased with a near-instant effect. Resistance can also be completely removed allowing simulation of descents alongside ascents.
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Like many, Matt began his bicycle industry journey on the spanners at his local bike shop. After spending his youth mountain biking, he was inspired to embrace gravel during his tenure with Evans Cycles' in-house brands, Pinnacle and Hoy Bikes. Recognising the evolving industry, Matt eagerly seized the chance to become an E-bike designer, winning several awards with the E-bike brand Cairn Cycles.
These days, Matt is likely to have a toddler sitting shotgun or off the beaten track somewhere on the South Downs.
