What is a smart turbo trainer?

A smart turbo trainer is a trainer which has the ability to communicate with a smartphone, tablet or computer, as well as a range of cycling accessories like power meters and cadence sensors, via ANT+ or Bluetooth.

– Seven of the best smart turbo trainers –

All smart trainers will offer a form of power measurement, though the complexity and accuracy will increase hand-in-hand with your budget. For example, more affordable units will use an algorithm to estimate power, while more expensive trainers will measure power directly and achieve more accurate readings as a result.

Either way, smart trainers allow you to train with greater efficiency and, as a result, give you the chance to make the most of your time on the turbo by completing sessions with increased accuracy. They also open up a whole world of additional features, depending on the type of the trainer you use – and your budget.

What are the benefits?

Using a smart trainer has numerous benefits to help you get the most out of your time on the turbo and, in turn, have the potential to improve your ability as a rider.

• Power measurement

As we’ve already mentioned, all smart turbo trainers will have some form of power measurement, and that will allow you to complete high-quality, structured training sessions with greater accuracy than if you’re using a non-smart turbo and training on ‘feel’ or using a power meter. If you have limited time to ride, then a smart turbo gives you the opportunity to get the most bang for your training buck.

• Accurate performance monitoring

While smart trainers work with third-party platforms, they are normally most adept functioning with the accompanying software specifically designed for them. While the software will differ depending on the trainer you buy, most will record and monitor your performance and progress in great detail and accuracy. The most premium products will offer truly pro-level analytics, as well as the ability to create and monitor training schedules, and follow training videos.

• Third-party apps and interactivity

A host of third-party apps have also been developed to work with smart trainers, with Zwift the most popular of all. Zwift allows riders from around the world to ride against or with each other at the same time. Efforts are translated into on-screen virtual rides, where you can see in real time where you are in relation to your online riding friends. If you normally find turbo training a harrowingly lonely experience, then this may provide all the motivation you need.

• Automated resistance control

Advanced smart trainers offer automated resistance control which reacts to the training video you’re watching or the pre-defined session you’re following. For example, if you’re completing an interval session, the trainer will automatically adjust the wattage as you start and end an interval, so you can just focus on hitting the numbers.However, as we’ll come on to, it’s worth noting that basic smart trainers won’t offer automated resistance control.

• Riding realism

Advanced smart trainers are also capable of automatically reacting to virtual stimuli, such as inclines on a course, virtual road surface, drafting other virtual riders, and even weather conditions. Indoor training has never been more realistic.

What do I get for my money?

If you’re tempted by the idea of using a smart trainer, how much should you spend? With such a wide range of options on the market, and a huge variation in cost, what will you get for your money?

• Drive system

At the bottom end of the market you’ll usually find a wheel-drive system, whereby you simply slot your bike into the unit and your tyre rests on a resistance-controlled drum, as with a traditional turbo trainer.

This is certainly simple in terms of installation, as you can simply fasten your bike to the trainer and detach it with minimum fuss, though, on the flip side, there’s also the potential for additional wear on your rear tyre.

More expensive trainers tend to rely upon a direct drive system, which means you need to install a cassette to the trainer, which you then fit your bike to having removed the rear wheel. The benefit here is a more realistic ‘feel’, and reduced wear of the rear wheel you’d otherwise be using.

• Resistance system

Again, looking at cheaper models first, it’s common to see an electro-magnetic disc used for the resistance source – usually seen as a premium setup on traditional turbo trainers. You can expect reasonably quiet operation because that resistance isn’t provided by two contact points generating abrasion.

As we’ve said, at the other end of the spectrum brands more commonly offer a direct-drive interface. In terms of resistance, this tends to give a more stable performance, and with a greater size flywheel, helps generate a realistic feeling of inertia.

• Wheel compatibility

All smart trainers are natively designed for 700c size road bike wheel, while some have the ability to take other size wheels, including mountain bike sizes. All come equipped with quick-release skewer for fastening to the trainer, although some brands now sell thru-axle adaptors to allow you to use your disc-brake equipped bike on the trainer.

• Power recording

All smart trainers have the ability to record power, although how this happens is split into two categories, and can largely dictate overall cost.

At the cheaper end of the market, your power is estimated using an algorithm worked out by the trainer software, based on the speed of the wheel and the level of resistance the trainer is set to, as well as taking into account factors such as your height and weight to give an accurate representation of how your power is translating into speed in the virtual world.

More expensive models measure power directly from the unit, and this results in increased accuracy. For example, Wahoo’s premium Smart trainer (£999.99) is a direct drive unit with a built-in power meter and a claimed accuracy of +/- 2%, while the more affordable Kickr Snap (£499.99) is a wheel-on trainer which uses an algorithm to estimate power to a claimed accuracy of +/- 5%.

Some smart trainers can work alongside your own power meter if you already own one. That way you can pair the trainer so the resistance is driven by your power meter, meaning you’re working to the same numbers as you would out on the road – upping the accuracy once again.

• Power outputs

The more you spend on your trainer, the more power the trainer can withstand and record accurately. Some can record pro-levels of power, reaching over 2000w. However, consider carefully if this is really what you need from your trainer, by asking yourself what sort of power you can generate with a maximum burst. Are you going to be putting out efforts to match Peter Sagan?

Some brands, like Tacx, offer a system that works with multiple platforms, from phone and tablet to desktop computer (although in this case limited to Windows-based machines). Others, like Wahoo, are entirely app-based, so check the compatibility of systems to decide which setup is right for you.

Take a look the the supplied software to see if it does what you want it to, but also remember that all smart trainers can link to third-party software like TrainerRoad, a complex training app which allows you to log and track your training, choose training plans, and complete detailed intervals, and Zwift, which, as we’ve already covered, offers an ever-expanding virtual world of riding in which to test yourself. As a result, you can choose the app which best suits your needs.

Because Zwift is an online community, it also offers the ability to organise virtual group rides around the imaginary island of Watopia, or on simulated course like the 2015 UCI World Championships course in Richmond, Virginia, alongside the ability to simply plug-in-and-ride on your own. Customisation is also a key feature, allowing your virtual self and bike to look as realistic (or not!) as you choose. The company even held their own virtual ‘world championships’ recently, open to all users of the platform.

In the case of those trainers with automated resistance control (and, in reality, that is now most smart trainers), you don’t have to manually adjust the effort level required to get the most out of the sessions. If you want automated resistance control, pay careful attention to the trainer you are buying. For a list of trainers compatible with Zwift (and also those with offer automated resistance control), follow this link.