Best Cycling Smart Trainers - 10-Way Mega-Test

This video contains paid product placement on behalf of Zwift.

Smart trainers allow third-party apps like Zwift, TrainerRoad and The Sufferfest control the resistance to replicate hills, headwinds and draft inside group rides as well as guide you through power-based interval workouts - perfect for those foul weather winter months.

We've tested 10 of the best smart trainers on the market today - including models from Wahoo, Tacx, Elite, CycleOps and Kinetic - on Zwift and against pairs of power meters.

The trainers on test -

Wahoo Kickr Snap
Tacx Vortex
CycleOps Hammer
Tacx Neo Smart
Wahoo Snap
Tacx Flux Smart
Elite Direto
Kinetic Rock and Roll Smart Control
Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+
Elite Arion Digital Smart B+

[shifty]

Fantastic review technique by Ben, well spoken and clear all whilst being honest.

Thanks

The poor fella looked like he had to do a 6 hour ride to test the power accuracy on all these units. Solid effort.

My guess is this is a full working days worth of filming, training, video editing, voice over and then uploading.

Much appreciated, all for free on the youtube. Thanks

[velo]

sometimes i only watch bikeradar videos because the this presenter is so good at talking :)

[lukaswinter]

Very well done video. One really gets a great overview on what's currently out there. I would however shy away from the tacx flux. It caused me nothing but problems. I had to return it twice and it took forever due to delivery shortages. Now I upgraded to the Neo and I have to say that you cannot compare it to anything else out there.

[killroy]

Great video. Nice to see some definitive answers to this question rather than to only say it "depends on X". Good tip about the power meter as this really changes how I will approach purchasing one. Thanks!

[derricklewis]

Good one, Ben. One note for those with 140mm disc brakes, many of the trainers can have fatal flaws. Ordered the Neo and though it offers a thru axle adaptor, it’s a little sketchy to use and the bike doesn’t fit with a 140mm brake on. The axle adaptor for the trainer rubs the thru axle threads on the frame (it may eventually wear them out rendering the frame kaput) and I need to unbolt the disc caliper from the frame to get it to fit, a pain if you take bike on and off. I’ve pedaled down the block before realizing I need to remount my caliper! Wahoo looks like it has plenty of room for a disc caliper, but the thru axle adaptor still rubs away at the threads of the frame. The Hammer is the best in this regard as I can simply use the actual thru axle that came with the bike and thus no damages to the axle threads in the frame... but does it have enough room to leave the brake caliper on?

[simongeeves]

Awesome video.
So the best option is "smart rollers", they actually teach you skills you need to learn and if you already have a powermeter they are perfect. I spent all my rainy days looking at the shed wall riding rollers on my track bike as a junior to stay in touch of the men when point racing (track). Rollers are the best!! Even if you don't need them as a trainer, use them as a training tool. You learn balance and pedal technique at high cadence, something a "smart trainer can't do. Rollers are so intuitive and fun.

[jirvinjirvin]

That was the most helpful video I saw to decide which one to buy. So many options with price tag also! Thank you very much for it!

[ericwilliamjohnson]

As always, thorough, fair, and well-explained. I bought the Tacx Neo Smart. Very smooth ride, but my mechanic and I could not get the rear derailleur not to rub the body of the trainer, even with extra spacers. Ended up returning it and getting the new Wahoo Kickr. Have been very happy with it.

[spootybaby]

Excellent video outlining the differences between all the popular brands' offerings on smart trainers, much appreciated!

[thesnoman]

I ended up choosing the Tacx Neo over the Wahoo Kickr mostly due to noise. The Neo is nearly silent and the bike chain is louder than any noise it produces. Shifting however is pretty loud which I'm guessing is due to the metal hub. The Kickr produces a fairly loud wine which may not sit well with family members or neighbors. Also I liked the idea of 0 calibration, just get on and ride.

[manilamartin]

These all look so much more fun than my rollers! Great review.

I have been using Elite Rampa and it’s been a good trainer with a modest price. I just renewed the Elite’s iOS app subscription and it was 10.9 EUR per year.

[consistentbass]

Awesome video. Thanks for testing and sharing these awesome trainers. I've been daydreaming of this technology to be available at the consumer level for about ten years now! I just found out about Swift and "smart" trainers yesterday . I still have not decided which one to get but this concise review will help me narrow don the options. Thanks!

[hjkplanes]

Best comparison video I've seen. Thanks!!

[stevenlanglois]

Nice video. I do have one correction with the Wahoo Kickr. If you turn off ERG power smoothing with the Wahoo app the controlled power will report the same as pedals or another power source so you won't get the bar graph look. ERG power smoothing is averaging things out. I have compared with using Garmin pedals and with ERG power smoothing turned off, you couldn't tell the difference in feel or results.

[a.garcia]

Great video. Very informative! I also agree with the comments regarding the presenter. That guy has a magnificent voice. Should do voice overs for radio and television.

[TheGrkBoy]

def for people who wanna learn some skills while cycling indoor

[kona]

Flux also doesn't work with long cages. So I decided for the Direto, coming with thruaxle parts in the box.

[refthimos]

You should have been impressed, rather than disappointed, that the NEO's power numbers were approximately 10W less than your crank-based Pioneer. With a trainer, you are measuring power downstream from drivetrain losses. So, assuming your crank-based Pioneer PM is correct, all of the trainers that were at or close to your Pioneer were inflating power.

[UltegraSPD]

Had a neo for 4mo last winter with a GS derailleur and a 11-32 cassette (v2017 model). It DOES work. But 1 day it didnt wake up and there were no more in country and tech couldnt help in any sensible time. So it i returned the dead trainer and bought a kickr. Not as quiet, no downhill stuff but not knock on wood many happy miles. U10