In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
This article was first published on 28 October 2022
If you ride on a roller, you need cooling - three quarters of your body's output is waste heat. Without airflow, you would quickly overheat and your brain would throttle your legs. A fan is supposed to replace the missing airstream. But how much wind is necessary depends on the ambient temperature, pedalling performance and personal temperature perception. If it is cool, a fan that is too strong can also be uncomfortable. We have tested various fan concepts for their suitability for indoor training.
Elite Aria Smart - The right dose
The speed of the stylishly packaged radial fan can be controlled electronically via a wirelessly connected sensor - either via ANT+ or Bluetooth wireless protocol. The air flow can thus be linked to the heart rate, speed, wattage values or even a core temperature sensor. It is logical to link the fan to the heart rate or core temperature sensor, as these provide a smoothed and dampened representation of what is happening, which comes close to physiological requirements and ensures that the fan does not switch off immediately after the virtual mountain climb as soon as you start to descend. Alternatively, the Elite Aria Smart can also be operated manually in four stages. The airflow of the Aria is relatively strongly directed, similar to the forerunner, the Wahoo Headwind, which also has a sensor control. In contrast to the Headwind, however, the fan outlet of the Aria can be swivelled in ten stages. Activated carbon filters are also fitted on the sides to clean the air drawn in. This feature made no difference to us in the test. If indoor training takes place in a dusty environment, this could be a plus. The filters should be replaced after 500 operating hours, a pair costs 15 euros.
- Strong air flow, good adjustment options, very suitable for training
Data on the Elite Aria Smart fan
Floor space: 31 x 30 cm
Wind speed: 6/12/17/20 km/h
Volume: 42/59/63/65 dBA
Price: 289 Euro >> available here
Advantages and disadvantages of the fan
+ powerful, compact, easily adjustable, quiet, air filter
- Relatively expensive
Balter tower fan - Whisper mill
The 1.16 metre High fan requires very little floor space. There is a choice of three speeds. The highest level is the most practical and may be sufficient for low to medium pedalling performance. However, in order for the narrow airflow to reach the rider, the tower must be set around 50 centimetres high and positioned close to the rider. The lack of specialisation of the fan limits its suitability for indoor training: The oscillating function of the tower cannot be used for cycling, the swivelling range is too wide and the fan cannot be operated remotely. Due to the low speed, noise levels are low and the same applies to power consumption.
- Narrow column with weak air flow, only suitable for training to a limited extent
Data on the Balter tower fan
Floor space: 33 cm diameter
Max. power consumption (measured): 44 watts
Wind speed: 7/9/12 km/h
Volume: 44/48/53 dBA
Price: 80 Euro >> e.g. available here
Advantages and disadvantages of the fan
+ small footprint, very quiet, very low power consumption
- weak, narrow flow, must be set up in an elevated position
Fan Wahoo Kickr Headwind - Pioneer
The Headwind was the first fan built specifically for roller training and has proved its worth. The air flow can be adjusted manually in four stages from a gentle whisper to a fairly energetic blow. An attachment in front of the radial fan directs the airflow strongly and blows from the ground towards the rider.
At a distance of one metre from the front wheel axle, the top link can reach speeds of up to 20 km/h, but the head then protrudes somewhat out of the airflow if you are not sitting very flat. The airflow is also limited to the sides, and your hands are already slightly outside the cooling corridor when holding the brake lever. The special feature of this fan is that it can also be controlled wirelessly and continuously via the Wahoo app, the heart rate monitor or the speed signal. The speed range covered is practical and well graduated. The Headwind is very quiet up to level two. The power consumption, on the other hand, is relatively high and hardly lower than at full load, even at low speeds.
- Noble blower, can be coupled with heart rate belt. Well graduated speed range, relatively quiet
Data on the Wahoo Kickr Headwind fan
Floor space: 42 x 29 cm
Max. power consumption (measured): 184 watts
Wind speed: 8/14/17/20 km/h
Volume: 47/55/62/65 dBA
Price: 280 Euro RRP, available from 200 Euro >> at Bike Components or Amazon
Advantages and disadvantages of the fan
+ powerful, easily adjustable, quiet
- Expensive, high power consumption
Vacmaster AM 1202R Cardio54 - Kraftmeier
Nobody does more speed. The small fan blows the air out at just under 70 km/h at the highest setting. At the centre of the handlebars, 27 km/h remains - enough air for even the toughest rides. More problematic is the fact that the control range only begins where it ends on the other devices. For cooler room temperatures, the fan therefore tends to blow a little too fast, but this can be compensated for by increasing the distance, provided there is enough space. The sound is quiet in relation to the high speed. The three levels can be easily switched using the remote control, which can be attached to the handlebars. Three beam angles are possible.
- Compact fan with the fastest airflow
Data on the Vacmaster AM 1202R Cardio54 fan
Floor space: 35 x 25 cm
Max. power consumption (measured): 131 watts
Wind speed: 19/23/27 km/h
Volume: 62/64/67 dBA
Price: 95 Euro >> available at Amazon
Advantages and disadvantages
+ compact, powerful, remote-controlled, long cable
- Low speed level missing
Aerson floor fan - classic
Timelessly elegant, large Floor fan with manually adjustable inclination. The three speed levels can only be switched on the fan, but are relevant in practice. Level one corresponds to level two on the Wahoo Headwind. The entire body is cooled thanks to the wider angle of radiation, and the fan can be positioned relatively close to the wheel. The sound is more propeller-like than with the radial fans and has more higher-frequency components: The sound spectrum shows a slight peak at 4 kHz; subjectively this sounds pleasant. The air flow is more turbulent than with the directional outlets of the centrifugal fans - and the basic noise is slightly higher at slow speeds. In the practical test, the propeller cooled very well even at the lowest level. We missed a remote control for strongly changing intervals.
- Inexpensive large fan with retro charm and high air flow rate
Data on the Aerson floor fan
Floor space: 60 x 20 cm
Max. power consumption (measured): 127 watts
Wind speed: 14/16/20 km/h
Volume: 62/64/67 dBA
Price: 70 Euro >> available at Amazon
Advantages and disadvantages
+ wide air flow
- A little noisy at low speed, no remote control, short cable
