Roller training: All smart trainers from TOUR tests, software, accessories
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Last update on 11/11/2025
Training and racing together with cyclists from all over the world - without leaving your own living room: Interactive roller trainers and training software with elaborately designed 3D worlds are changing cycling and have experienced a boom in 2020 due to the pandemic. New interactive software, realistic trainers and unusual accessories are making indoor cycling increasingly attractive. We provide the best overview of software, hardware and training so that you know what's important when it comes to roller training.
The biggest smart trainer test of all time
Over the past few years TOUR tested all relevant roller trainers - Here we present the results of countless measurements and thousands of rides on the roller! Over 35 different smart trainers underwent our standardised test procedure or were put through their paces in practical tests.
What is the difference between the roller trainer models?
Always the focus of TOUR's roller trainer tests:
- The Interactivity (How well do the devices interact with common training software?)
- the Driving experience (How well is it possible to transfer the typical street movement patterns?)
- and the Volume development.
The mega test field is divided into three categories: The most favourable category includes roller trainers, in which the complete racing bike including the rear wheel is clamped, so-called Wheel-On-Trainer. They are available for around 200 to 500 euros. The largest group consists of Direct Drive Trainerwhich are used with the rear wheel removed. Prices vary between 600 euros for entry-level models such as the Elite Suito or the Tacx Flux S and up to 1300 euros for top models such as the Wahoo Kickr v5 and the Tacx Neo 2T Smart. It is in this segment that manufacturers are demonstrably making the greatest innovations - at prices that are now also affordable. Reduced models from the previous year are sometimes available from around 500 euros. Exceptions are the Free smart roll Elite Arion Smart B+ and the stationary Indoor bike Wahoo Kickr Bike.
Choose from the roller trainers listed below - a mouse click will take you directly to the individual view with all the test results in detail. Tips on the right software and accessories you will find below.
Click through all tested roller trainers
Tested roller trainers from Bkool
- Bkool Smart Pro - Wheel-On-Trainer
- Bkool Smart Air - Direct Drive Trainer
Tested roller trainers from Cycleops/Saris
- Cycleops Hammer - Direct Drive Trainer
- Cycleops Hammer H2 - Direct Drive Trainer
- Cycplus T3 - Direct Drive Trainer
- Saris Fluid 2 Smart - Wheel-On-Trainer
- Saris H3 - Direct-Drive-Trainer
Tested roller trainers from Elite
- Elite Arion Smart B+ - Free roll with smart functions
- Elite Direto - Direct Drive Trainer
- Elite Direto X - Direct Drive Trainer
- Elite Drivo - Direct Drive Trainer
- Elite Drivo II - Direct Drive Trainer
- Elite Justo - Direct Drive Trainer >> available here
- Elite Tuo - smart wheel-on trainer >> available here
- Elite Suito - Direct Drive Trainer
- Elite Rivo - Direct Drive Trainer >> available here
Tested roller trainers from Tacx (Garmin)
- Tacx Flow Smart - smart wheel-on trainer >> available here
- Tacx Flux S Smart - Direct Drive Trainer >> available here
- Tacx Flux Smart - Direct Drive Trainer
- Tacx Flux Smart 2 - Direct Drive Trainer >> available here
- Tacx Neo Smart - Direct Drive Trainer
- Tacx Neo Smart 2 and Neo 2T Smart - Direct Drive Trainer >> available here
- Garmin Tacx Neo 3M - Direct Drive Trainer >> available here
Tested roller trainers from Wahoo
- Wahoo Kickr 2017 - Direct Drive Trainer
- Wahoo Kickr 2018/Wahoo Kickr 4.0 - Direct Drive Trainer
- Wahoo Kickr v5 - Direct Drive Trainer >> available here
- Wahoo Kickr WiFi - Direct Drive Trainer
- Wahoo Kickr Core - Direct Drive Trainer >> available here
- Wahoo Kickr Core 2 - Direct Drive Trainer >> available here
- Wahoo Kickr Snap - Wheel-On-Trainer >> available here
- Wahoo Kickr Move - Smart Trainer >> available here
- Wahoo Kickr Bike - Indoor bike >> available here
- Wahoo Kickr Bike Shift - Indoor bike >> available here
More roller trainers in the test
- JetBlack Whisperdrive - Direct Drive Trainer
- Kurt Kinetic R1 - Direct Drive Trainer
- Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Smart 2 - smart wheel-on trainer
- Oreka O2 - Treadmill for the bike
- TechnoGym MyCycling - Direct Drive Trainer
- Xplova Noza S - Direct Drive Trainer
- Van Rysel Interactive Trainer RCR - Direct Drive Trainer
- Zwift Hub - Direct Drive Trainer
- Zwift Hub One - Direct Drive Trainer
Software: Everything you need to know about Zwift and co.
Detailed 3D animations, varied routes, professional training analyses - indoor training offers more options every year as more and more software providers present new concepts. In the shadow of industry giants Zwift, other virtual training platforms are developing on which cyclists can ride with or against competitors from other parts of the world at any time. We have tested the most promising software offerings over several weeks and show you the possibilities that winter training in your own living room now offers. Do you prefer well-known routes such as Mont Ventoux or Cap Formentor on Mallorca? Then RGT, which is now owned by Wahoo, could be the right choice for you. If you want to choose between 3D animation and 2D videos, then you should take a closer look at Bkool. If you are looking for regular events and eRacing, Rouvy, MyWhoosh or Zwift are the right places for you. Click on the manufacturers to go directly to the test report.
Indoor cycling apps & software
- Bkool - virtual indoor cycling
- Wahoo RGT (formerly RGT Cycling, formerly Road Grand Tour) - virtual cycling and eRacing
- MyWhoosh - Virtual indoor cycling & eRacing
- Rouvy - Virtual indoor cycling and eRacing
- Wahoo SYSTM (formerly The Sufferfest) - Training software
- Virtu Pro - In addition to eRacing against real and AI cyclists, free riding is also possible
- Zwift - Indoor cycling, training & eRacing
The Australian company Virtu GOwhich was managed by former professional Michael Rogers, ceased operations at the end of November 2019 after two years of beta testing and just one season of paid content. Further options are offered by the Asian market leader OneLap and the racing game CAD-ESport, Both in a graphically clear retro look. With VeloCycleRollers there is even an open source platform where all users can actively participate in the development of routes and functions.
For all those indoor cyclists who are not into virtually animated worlds, there are of course even more options. The Tacx-software set new standards at the turn of the millennium and focuses on 2D videos of thousands of routes worldwide combined with a variety of training programmes. A similar concept is pursued by Kinomap and Fulgazalthough events and eRacing play a bigger role with the latter than with Tacx. Those who focus exclusively on training and performance measurement are better off with workout-focussed software such as Wahoo SYSTM (formerly TheSufferfest) or Trainerroad well advised. Both can also be linked to virtual software such as Zwift so that training sessions from Trainerroad can also be used in Zwift's virtual worlds.
>> A current comparison of five indoor cycling apps (November 2024)
Comparison test of fans for roller training
A fan is an essential companion for roller training. TOUR took a closer look at four devices ranging from 55 to 280 euros and tested the airflow, background noise and handling. >> click here for the fan test
Accessories: indoor training even more realistic
Over the years, indoor roller cycling has developed into its own market with specialised products. The core aim of most products is to make indoor cycling appear more realistic. For ambitious indoor cyclists, we have tested the Wahoo Headwind fan and the Wahoo Climb incline simulator. We also extensively tested the Saris MP 1 wobble platform, which promises more realism with lateral and frontal flex. We also tried out and tested special airy indoor cycling shoes from Nike and the Elite Sterzo Smart steering front wheel support along with other innovations.
Cycling clothing for indoor cycling
Anyone who trains indoors sweats more than when out on the road. So it's no wonder that numerous clothing manufacturers have discovered this topic for themselves and have designed their own indoor collections, which are intended to set new standards in terms of ventilation and breathability. Whether and in which cases this works is shown by Our test of clothing for indoor training from seven different brands.
