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Indoor training is increasingly becoming a year-round form of training, and not just because of the coronavirus-related lockdown. The latest models are naturally also the most expensive. With lateral flex, lower noise levels and meticulous accuracy of the power display, hardware manufacturers are touting the high-end class. But what cheaper options are there for beginners on a tight budget who want to buy a smart, fully functional roller trainer for training rides and races on Bkool, RGT, Rouvy, Zwift or other platforms? We have tested the best affordable smart trainers:
Smart trainers are getting cheaper
"Smart" is the name given to roller trainers that can be networked and controlled via the internet. We ordered six devices under 600 euros for this comparison and six models for over 600 euros. Five devices from the entry-level class are classic Wheel-on-TrainerThis means that the rear wheel drives the brake via a friction roller. One Direct drive in the price category under 600 euros is the Tacx Flux S alone.
In this design, the chain drives the brake directly via a sprocket set; the trainer takes the place of the rear wheel, which is removed beforehand. Advantage: The power transmission is more defined than with wheel-on devices. Direct drives, which were still purely professional equipment ten years ago, have seen the strongest growth in recent years and have become almost synonymous with the term smart trainer. The prices for these devices have fallen steadily. But they are still more expensive than the classic trainers with friction rollers, some of which are also "smart".
All smart indoor trainers in the test
Six trainers under six hundred euros RRP - that's our indoor test field for beginners. As the models, apart from the Elite Tuo, are not new on the market, there are significant discounts of up to ten per cent on the original retail price, depending on the distributor - a bargain that can be worthwhile. All the tests in detail, including laboratory measurements on volume development, measurement accuracy, weight and dimensions, can be found at the bottom of the page in the test PDF for just 1.99 euros. Also included in the PDF: A check of seven mid-range smart trainers between 600 and 999 euros!
- Elite Tuo
- Wahoo Kickr Snap
- Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Smart 2
- Saris Fluid 2 Smart
- Tacx Flow Smart
- Tacx Flux S Smart
Test conclusion: Training on Zwift with a low-cost wheel-on trainer?
Inexpensive wheel-on smart trainers from €300 are suitable for use on Zwift and other training platforms. Compared to direct drive roller trainers, they have less flywheel mass, are louder, less precise and spin the tyres a lot. If you ride indoors a lot, it is therefore better to opt for a direct drive, but this will also cost at least twice as much.
Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has its price. That's why we guarantee independence and objectivity. The TOUR tests are based on standardised and reproducible test procedures, which we always disclose. TOUR articles can be bought - TOUR test victories cannot!
