Wahoo, Tacx, Elite & Co. the best roller trainers in comparison
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Do you prefer pedalling outside to inside? With the wind in your hair and all the trimmings? Welcome to the club! We all do. Well, almost all of us. But if it's not possible outside - too cold, too dark, too wet, too little time - it's always better to indulge in sport indoors than to go without and be frustrated. With the latest gadgets, it can sometimes be fun to ride your racing bike virtually.
What indoor bike trainers are available?
A training roller is essential for this. But which one should it be? There are three types to choose from: trainers with direct drive, which are fitted to the racing bike instead of the rear wheel, trainers with a pressure roller, driven by the tyre, and the classic free roller, on which you actually have to ride and steer.
How do these different concepts fit in with the desire to compete with other athletes in virtual worlds? Trainers that can be linked to virtual courses on the internet are labelled "Smart". Smart stands for sensor technology and interaction. In the first stage of development, the trainer only sends the speed of the rear wheel into the virtual world. Pedalling power and the resulting speed are calculated. This is not yet really smart because the brake is not connected to the virtual terrain.
The driver can manually increase the resistance of the brake unit when a hill appears in the digital world, but does not have to. Fully-fledged smart trainers, on the other hand, reproduce the terrain automatically. A hill is then a hill, even if it only consists of bits and bytes. The braking resistance is controlled by the virtual road, climbing costs real sweat, shifting gears is mandatory. Even competing with other riders is only possible with remote-controlled brakes and precise power measurement.
Freedom on wheels
However, the simplest and cheapest trainer in the test, the Boost model from Tacx, is already suitable for occasional rides. Although the tyre slips when pedalling hard, the system works when riding smoothly. If you want to concentrate on hard intervals, a direct drive like the Jet Black Volt is the training device of choice. The power measurement of this category of device can be very accurate and can replace a power meter on the bike. However, the riding experience is very static, which is why there are now wobble platforms on which the trainers are mounted to better simulate the feeling of a real ride. Instead, you could use a free roller like the Nero from Elite, which can also be linked to training apps and also trains style, balance and riding skills. This comes closest to real cycling and is the most entertaining.
Free roles:
Elite Nero
Price 680 Euro >> e.g. at Fitstore24 or Decathlon
Performance capability Maximum 7 per cent incline, 830 watts
The free roller is fundamentally different from other Smart trainers: you have to ride, steer and balance correctly on it. The magnetic brake is smart. As with other smart trainers, it connects to the training app of your choice and can simulate the resistance of the terrain. But the mechanics are also smart. The entire roller is mounted so that it swings in the direction of travel and absorbs impulses from the rider and bike. As you always have to balance the bike, you ride in a similarly dynamic way to outside and sit less statically than on a trainer with fixed clamping. In the gaming worlds of Zwift, this creates a much freer impression of real riding. On descents, however, you have to be careful not to steer off the wheel. The initially wobbly ride quickly becomes more stable. Then you can work on your style and riding in the cradle. Disadvantages? The roller has a slightly higher noise level, the braking power is lower than with stationary trainers and only acrobats can chat on the side. Even after calibration, the power measurement is sometimes more, sometimes less accurate, we measured a deviation of up to 40 watts; the interplay between the narrow control range of the brake and the appropriate gear ratio is complex in order to achieve certain performance levels. Ideally, you should therefore ride a bike with a power meter on this roller and pair it with the training app. Conclusion: The Nero roller is the closest you can get to the outdoor feeling indoors. A good choice for longer indoor sessions with moderate performance.
+ realistic riding impression, foldable, bike does not need to be converted, slightly louder
- somewhat louder, inaccurate power measurement, limited control range
Footprint 1,320 x 640 mm, folded: 530 x 640 mm
Weight: 20 kilogrammes
Alternative models:
Elite Arion Smart b+
Perfect training for balance. Low flywheel mass, resulting in unround pedalling at low pedalling frequencies. The brake is not as powerful as on stationary trainers, the pedalling power displayed is clearly too high. Nevertheless, it is also suitable for training with virtual software. Easy to fold up, also works without power.
Price 595 Euro
Tacx Antares T1000
Even with a model that is now twelve years old, it is easy to get started with indoor training: The Antares runs quietly and is clever to use: with the help of locking levers, the roller frame can be pushed together to a compact storage size. Without a brake, however, it is not suitable for software-controlled training.
Price 179 Euro >> e.g. available from Rose
Interactive roller trainers:
Tacx Boost Bundle
Performance capability Maximum 1,050 watts
Price 279 Euro >> e.g. available from Rose
The Boost trainer from Tacx is one of the cheapest ways to get started with virtual training. An inconspicuous Garmin speed sensor on the rear wheel makes the minimalist trainer with a friction roller for the rear wheel almost a smart trainer. Calculated watt values are output via the Tacx app as well as via Zwift & Co., which are surprisingly close to reality in the typical endurance performance range of around 200 watts. However, for more energetic pedalling, the Tacx understates the power output. The brake is not controlled by software, but by hand using a lever with a Bowden cable - old-fashioned, but functional. However, there is not always a place for the handlebar clamp of the control lever on modern handlebars. Due to the lack of software brake control, the device is not a fully-fledged smart trainer. Nevertheless, you can still have fun with it - in virtual worlds as well as during interval training. When cruising quietly, it is sometimes even advantageous that not every incline is mapped by the brakes, making it easier to stay in rhythm and not have to constantly change gear. The device has a good pedalling feel, is relatively quiet, can be stowed away quickly and does not require a power supply. The tyre slips when pedalling harder; however, this is not a problem if you apply the right amount of force and the device is perfectly adequate for occasional indoor endurance training without higher demands.
+ favourable, decent driving experience, relatively quiet
- Slippage when starting off, adjustment via Bowden cable difficult, no brake control via app, performance values only estimated
Footprint 675 x 650 mm
Weight 8.5 kilogrammes
Alternative models
Elite Tuo
Stylish piece with brushed aluminium and beechwood stand. The power display is surprisingly accurate, although the power is not actually measured but is determined indirectly from the calibration data. The Tuo therefore offers a good basis for tweaking. Despite the relatively low flywheel mass, the ride feel is decent and the brake is powerful even when pedalling slowly (K3 training possible). Only the calibration was tedious in the test.
Price 449 Euro >> e.g. available at Fitstore24
Wahoo Kickr Snap
Mechanically very solid trainer, easy to use and with a realistic ride feel thanks to the ample flywheel mass. Well suited for twisting - if you have a power meter, as the calibration is prone to errors and the power display sometimes fluctuates greatly. When freewheeling, the Snap rolls out longer than the other wheel-on-trainers. For an accurate power display, the rear wheel must press hard on the roller!
Price 500 Euro >> e.g.available at Amazon
SmartTrainer
Jet Black Volt
Price 800 Euro
Performancet maximum 16 per cent, incline, 1,800 watts
Jet Black is an Australian manufacturer and retailer with its own range of smart trainers. The Volt is very similar to the Kickr Core, which Wahoo, the pioneer of this technology, offers in the mid-price segment. The Volt and the Kickr Core have rigid legs, a solid flywheel mass and a very good ride feel in common. The Volt is a very quiet pedaller. Almost nothing can be heard from the brakes, the riding noise comes from the chain and sprocket. During the test on Zwift courses and also in ergometer mode, the brakes responded quickly and precisely and applied very firmly when required. The difference to the top trainers, which have even more flywheel mass, is small. The power display is quite accurate. The reference power meter shows around 5 to 7 watts more in the range between 200 and 350 watts; this difference can be explained by the friction of the chain, which the trainer cannot measure. The Jet Black app, which is not even a beta version, is not a highlight; calibration is not possible with it, but it is with Zwift. The software has not improved since our test two years ago. Conclusion: An inexpensive, powerful and very quiet direct drive with accurate power measurement. Ideal for all types of indoor training. Only the inadequate app spoils the picture.
+ accurate power measurement, very quiet, powerful brake, eleven-speed cassette included
- App for firmware update/calibration does not work, not foldable, no carrying handle
Footprint 620 x 500 mm
Weight 15.4 kilogrammes
Direct drive alternatives
Tacx Flux S
Quiet, powerful, precise and with a good pedalling feel. The features are similar to the more expensive Flux 2 Smart, which above all has more braking power. For most riders, however, the 1,500 watts of the Flux S at 40 km/h should be sufficient. The simulation of very steep hills is somewhat limited. The riding experience on Zwift was impeccable. Unlike in the photo, no cassette is included in the scope of delivery.
Price 599 Euro >> e.g. available at Decathlon
Elite Suito
Quiet direct drive at the same favourable price as the Tacx Flux S. The Suito's brake is more powerful than that of the Tacx, which is more precise. The feet can be folded in, making the device very compact and easy to carry thanks to the handle. Control via the Elite app is prone to faults. Top feature: the standard eleven-speed cassette.
Price 599 Euro
Wahoo Kickr Core
The basic version of the classic Kickr has no carrying handle, simpler feet and less flywheel mass (5.4 instead of 7.2 kilograms), but the riding experience is still very good and beats all wheel-on concepts. The power measurement is also much more accurate. Quiet overall, but very loud above 60 km/h.
Price 799 Euro
High-end smart trainer
Elite Drivo II
Elite's top model is heavy, stable and very powerful: the six-kilo flywheel mass turns very quickly at high speeds and rolls out for a long time, so you can skip a pedal. At very high speeds, the machine becomes noisy due to the speed. The response times in Zwift are rather long, and the power measurement results in lower values than our SRM reference. Can also be used without power and app with progressive resistance.
Price 1,299 Euro
Saris H3
The heavyweight has a lot of flywheel mass, which rolls out almost endlessly in freewheel mode. If necessary, the brakes apply mercilessly. A 20 per cent gradient can be simulated, the noise level is very low up to medium speeds and the accuracy is fine. In Zwift mode on undulating terrain, the resistance sometimes only adjusts itself after several seconds.
Price 1,099 Euro
Tacx Neo 2T Smart
The lateral flex of the wheel suspension adds a pinch of realism to indoor training, the power measurement is, as usual with Tacx devices, very accurate, the volume is okay: At low speeds, the Neo Smart 2 hums very quietly, and even at higher speeds the noise level increases only moderately. Practical: The Neo Smart also works without a power connection.
Price 1,299 Euro >> e.g. available from Rose
Wahoo Kickr v5
The latest Kickr offers the precise power display we are used to from its two predecessors - and it is very quiet. On Zwift, the device regulates the resistance with changing loads precisely and smoothly, and the simulation shows no weaknesses. Improved details include the self-calibrating integrated power measurement and flexible feet that give the device more freedom of movement to the side. The eleven-speed sprocket pack is pre-installed and the Wahoo app is easy to use.
Price 1,199 Euro
