Indoor bike vs. smart trainer: Differences and advantages & disadvantages
Thomas Goldmann
· 27.11.2025
Indoor bikes and smart trainers have one function in common: they are both used for indoor cycling training. Nevertheless, there are some differences. Here are the most important facts.
Indoor Bike
Indoor bikes are an interesting alternative to smart trainers and classic roller training. They differ significantly from smart trainers in their design. While a smart trainer uses your own bike, an indoor bike is a complete device that cannot be ridden on the road. Indoor bikes work in a similar way to the spinning bikes we know from the gym. However, brands such as the Wahoo Kickr Bike WiFithe Tacx Neo Bike Smart or the Elite Fuoripista luxury exercise bike are designed for interactive training.
Indoor bikes usually have a flywheel that absorbs the kinetic energy generated by the legs and transmitted by the pedals. Due to the often heavy weight of the flywheel, starting off with an indoor bike is more difficult than with a smart trainer, but gives a realistic riding experience.
Click through: Indoor bike from Wahoo
The geometry of the indoor bike can be customised very quickly, which makes it ideal for households where several people train indoors. This eliminates the need to constantly rebuild your own bike. If you have measured values from a BikefittingThese can usually be transferred very precisely to the respective device. It is also interesting to try out different riding positions and later transfer these to the racing bike or Gravelbike transfer. In addition, the components of your own bike are not worn out when using an indoor bike and therefore last longer.
Click through: Indoor bike from Zwift
Flexible gear configuration on the indoor bike
Many indoor bikes also offer additional features such as the configuration of different shifting systems from Shimano, Campagnolo or SRAM. The complete devices can also score points in terms of noise. An indoor bike with a belt drive is generally quieter than a Smarttrainer with a chain drive.
However, there are also some arguments against buying an indoor bike. Probably the biggest obstacle is the high purchase price of these devices, which is often in the four-figure range, whereas good smart trainers are often available for just a few hundred euros.
Unlike a conventional smart trainer, an indoor bike cannot simply be folded up and stowed away to save space. It often takes up a lot of space in your home or basement.
Indoor bike: advantages and disadvantages
Smarttrainer
Smart trainers are further developments of classic roller trainers. A smart trainer can be connected to a PC, notebook, tablet or smartphone. By means of a corresponding software you can ride virtual routes or compete against others in virtual races. Power meters and other sensors enable precise measurement of performance data and therefore highly targeted training control. Smart trainers are available for just a few hundred euros and are therefore much more affordable than an indoor bike.
Click through: Various smart trainers
There are different drive systems for smart trainers - which are usually linked to the price. In the lower price segment, the so-called wheel-on system is usually used. As with a conventional roller trainer, the rear tyre of the bike runs on a roller. The resistance is almost always controlled by an electromagnetic flywheel.
More expensive models are usually equipped with a direct drive. A cassette is fitted to the Smarttrainer and your own bike is clamped onto it after removing the rear wheel. A larger flywheel provides a better pedalling feel than a classic roller trainer. TOUR has tested 35 different Smarttrainers so far, you can find an overview here: All about roller training: 35 smart trainers in the TOUR test.
Smarttrainer: advantages and disadvantages
Smarttrainer vs. indoor bike: Conclusion on the comparison
Indoor bikes are particularly interesting for people who train indoors all year round and for households with several people. On the other hand, those who only train indoors in winter will generally be well served by a less expensive smart trainer.
