IN BRIEF
An indoor bike trainer lets you ride your own bike at home when it is cold or dark outside. This selection compares nine models, from the Tacx Galaxia rollers (£219.99 in the UK) to the Zwift Ride indoor bike (£1,099.99). In between are seven smart trainers, the kind of turbo trainer you take the rear wheel off for: the bike locks onto the trainer, which adjusts its resistance to the route shown in an app such as Zwift. From Decathlon’s Van Rysel D500 (£399.99) to the Elite Justo 2, they differ in accuracy (from ±2.5% to under 1%), the gradient they can simulate (15 to 25%) and their features.
| Tacx Galaxia (rollers) | £219.99 / $269.99 · swinging rollers · folding |
| Van Rysel D500 (Decathlon) | £399.99 · accuracy ±2.5% · 15% gradient · Zwift Cog and Click included |
| Elite Rivo | €519 · accuracy ±2.5% · 18% gradient · 10 kg, folding legs |
| Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 | £499.99 / $549.99 · accuracy ±2% · 16% gradient · Wi-Fi |
| Elite Avanti | €669 · accuracy ±1% · 18% gradient · rocking feet |
| Wahoo KICKR | £774.99 / $849.99 · accuracy ±1% · 20% gradient · 11-speed cassette included |
| Tacx NEO 2T | £859.99 / $1,099.99 (list) · accuracy within 1% · 25% gradient · simulates descents |
| Elite Justo 2 | €1,125 · accuracy under 1% · 24% gradient · 12-speed cassette included |
| Zwift Ride with KICKR CORE 2 | £1,099.99 + £65 shipping / $1,299.99 + $75 · complete indoor bike |
The prices in this indoor bike trainer comparison are the brands’ own (their online stores), checked on 5 October 2026 for the UK and the US; Elite’s are those of its European store, in euros. Below the models, buttons lead to UK retailers whose price on the day may be lower.
Three kinds of machine are covered here. On rollers, the bike rolls freely without being clamped: you have to keep your balance, as on the road. On a direct-drive trainer, you take off the rear wheel and the chain drives the trainer; smart models measure or estimate your power and adjust the resistance to the route of an app (Zwift, Rouvy, MyWhoosh, Kinomap…). An indoor bike, finally, replaces your bike altogether: you just get on.
Several models come in a “Zwift Cog and Click” version. Zwift Cog is a single sprocket that replaces the trainer’s cassette; Zwift Click, a remote fitted to the handlebar, changes virtual gears. Garmin says the system works with almost any 8- to 13-speed drivetrain in Zwift and Rouvy.
Rollers, to work on your balance
Tacx Galaxia: rollers that absorb your surges
Garmin, which makes Tacx trainers, mounts these rollers on a patented swing system: they move forwards and backwards to absorb surges when you sprint, change pace or stand on the pedals. The rollers are tapered to keep the bike in the centre. The Galaxia fits bikes with 980 to 1,100 mm between the axles and wheels from 26 to 29 inches, weighs 8.2 kg and folds away: 1.35 m long unfolded, 80 cm folded. Garmin lists only the rollers in the box. Garmin price: £219.99 in the UK, $269.99 in the US.
Smart trainers to get started
Van Rysel D500: Decathlon’s folding smart trainer
Decathlon claims up to 1,500 W, gradients of up to 15% and power accuracy of ±2.5% for its D500. The brand says it is quiet and gives a figure: 56 dB at 25 km/h, measured at 1.5 m. It folds (60 × 25 × 52 cm folded) and weighs 13.6 kg. It comes with Zwift Cog and Click, connects over Bluetooth and ANT+, and works with Shimano and SRAM 8- to 12-speed drivetrains (SRAM XDR 12-speed needs a cassette body sold separately), on 130 and 135 mm quick-release or 142 and 148 mm thru-axle frames. Decathlon specifies that it has no mechanical descent simulation. Decathlon price: £399.99 in the UK.
Elite Rivo: 10 kg, folding legs and Wi-Fi
Elite presents the Rivo as its entry-level trainer. The brand claims ±2.5% accuracy, gradients of up to 18% and 2,000 W of maximum power at 40 km/h, with a 4 kg flywheel. It weighs 10 kg; its legs fold and a built-in handle helps you carry it. It connects over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi; Elite says the Wi-Fi also lets it install its firmware updates automatically. To ride without training software, you preset in Elite’s app a gradient (up to 18%, when it is plugged in) or a resistance level from 1 to 16 (when it is not). It works with Zwift Cog and Click. Elite includes 12 months of its My E-Training app. Elite price: €519 in Europe. Tredz sells it in the version with Zwift Cog and Click.
Wahoo KICKR CORE 2: the trainer inside the Zwift Ride
Zwift also sells this Wahoo trainer in its own store and pairs it with its Zwift Ride indoor bike (below). Wahoo claims ±2% accuracy, 1,800 W of maximum power and simulated gradients from −10% to 16%. It weighs 13.6 kg, takes riders up to 113 kg and connects over ANT+, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. With the supplied adapters, it fits 130 and 135 mm quick-release and 12 × 142 and 12 × 148 mm thru-axle frames. It comes in two versions at the same price: with an 11-speed cassette, or with Zwift Cog and Click, which Wahoo says fits almost any 8- to 13-speed bike; on Wahoo’s US store, the latter includes a one-month Zwift trial for new customers. Wahoo price: £499.99 in the UK, $549.99 in the US.
Higher up: more accurate, more powerful
Elite Avanti: ±1% and feet that let the bike move
Elite claims a built-in power meter accurate to ±1%, gradients of up to 18% and 2,100 W at 40 km/h. Its Flex Feet let the bike rock by 4.5° to mimic its natural movement. Elite says calibration is automatic; it connects over ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, the Zwift protocol and, with an Elite dongle sold separately, wired Ethernet, and two Bluetooth devices can connect to it at once. It weighs 13 kg, with a 4 kg flywheel, and Elite includes 12 months of My E-Training. Elite price: €669 in Europe, on its online store.
Wahoo KICKR: 2,200 W and a cassette included
Wahoo claims ±1% accuracy, 2,200 W of maximum power and a 20% simulated gradient. The KICKR lets the bike move from side to side, calibrates itself, and Wahoo describes it as virtually silent. It connects over ANT+, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and works with thru-axle and disc-brake bikes. It comes with an 11-speed (11-28) cassette, which is not compatible with Shimano CUES and LinkGlide drivetrains, and can be switched to 12-speed. A version with Zwift Cog and Click costs the same. Wahoo price: £774.99 in the UK, $849.99 in the US. Tredz sells it in the version with Zwift Cog and Click.
Tacx NEO 2T: it simulates descents and cobbles
Garmin says the NEO 2T’s flywheel is virtual: 32 neodymium magnets and a motor control the resistance, with an inertia that varies up to 125 kg. Plugged in, it simulates descents; with Zwift or the Tacx Training app, it vibrates to reproduce cobbles or gravel. Garmin claims accuracy within 1% without calibration, 2,200 W and gradients of up to 25%, and describes it as remarkably silent. Unplugged, it still works and simulates a flat road. It weighs 21.5 kg, connects over ANT+ FE-C and Bluetooth, and Garmin states that no cassette is included. Garmin price: £859.99 in the UK; in the US, $1,099.99 list price, on sale at $899.99 on 5 October. Tredz sells it for much less right now. We covered its Zwift-ready version: Garmin Tacx NEO 2T Zwift bundle: €999.99 with Cog and Click.
Read alsoGarmin Tacx NEO 2T Zwift bundle: €999.99 with Cog and Click
Elite Justo 2: a 24% gradient and a 12-speed cassette
Elite claims accuracy under 1%, gradients of up to 24% and 2,300 W at 40 km/h. The Justo 2 comes with a pre-installed 12-speed cassette and two pairs of Flex Feet, which let the bike rock by 4.5° or 7°. Elite says it calibrates automatically; it connects over ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, the Zwift protocol and, with an Elite dongle sold separately, wired Ethernet. It weighs 17 kg, with a 7 kg flywheel, and Elite includes 36 months of My E-Training. Elite price: €1,125 in Europe.
The complete indoor bike
Zwift Ride with KICKR CORE 2: no more setting up your bike
Zwift sells an indoor frame, the Zwift Ride, with a Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 fitted with a Zwift Cog. The frame adjusts with a single tool stowed on it, for riders from 1.46 to 1.98 m and up to 120 kg, with cranks from 160 to 175 mm. The handlebar controllers change the virtual gears and control Zwift; they charge over USB-C and last 20 hours. The trainer keeps its figures: ±2%, 1,800 W, 16% gradient. Zwift quotes 35.5 kg for the frame and trainer, a 134 × 60 cm footprint, and compatibility with Zwift and Rouvy. Zwift price: £1,099.99 plus £65 shipping in the UK, $1,299.99 plus $75 in the US, on its online store. We covered this second version: Zwift Ride V2: the indoor bike drops to 146 cm, at an unchanged price.
Read alsoZwift Ride V2: the indoor bike drops to 146 cm, at an unchanged price
How to choose an indoor bike trainer
- Rollers or a trainer. Rollers work on your balance and the smoothness of your pedal stroke, but you have to stay focused. A trainer holds the bike: you can follow a workout or a virtual route without thinking about it.
- Accuracy. It matters if you train with power. In this selection it ranges from ±2.5% (Van Rysel D500, Elite Rivo) to under 1%, as claimed for the Elite Justo 2.
- Simulated gradient. From 15% for the D500 to 25% for the Tacx NEO 2T, which also simulates descents when plugged in.
- The cassette. The Wahoo KICKR (11-speed), the Elite Justo 2 (12-speed) and the cassette version of the KICKR CORE 2 come with one. Garmin states that the NEO 2T does not, and Elite does not list one for the Rivo or the Avanti. Zwift Cog and Click versions do without: the Zwift Cog replaces it.
- Noise. Decathlon gives a figure for the D500: 56 dB at 25 km/h, measured at 1.5 m. Wahoo describes the KICKR as virtually silent and Garmin describes the NEO 2T as remarkably silent, without figures. Your bike’s drivetrain makes noise too.
- Space. The D500 and the three Elite trainers (Rivo, Avanti, Justo 2) fold, as do the Galaxia rollers. The Zwift Ride stays assembled: a 134 × 60 cm footprint.
- Budget. At brand prices in the UK, from £219.99 for the rollers to £1,099.99 for the Zwift Ride; in this selection, smart trainers start at £399.99 with the D500. Retailers often sell for less.
Frequently asked questions
Rollers or a turbo trainer: what is the difference?
On rollers such as the Tacx Galaxia, the bike rolls freely and you have to keep your balance. On a direct-drive trainer, you take off the rear wheel and the bike is clamped: smart models measure or estimate your power and adjust the resistance to the route in your app.
Do you need a subscription to use a smart trainer?
Not to pedal: the Elite Rivo keeps a resistance set in advance, and the Tacx NEO 2T simulates a flat road, even unplugged. Garmin does point out that Zwift’s routes, races and workouts need an active subscription. Elite includes 12 to 36 months of its My E-Training app, Wahoo’s US store adds a one-month Zwift trial for new customers to the Zwift version of the KICKR CORE 2, and Decathlon puts a Zwift activation code in the D500’s box, also for new Zwift customers.
What is Zwift Cog and Click?
A sprocket, the Zwift Cog, replaces the trainer’s cassette, and a handlebar remote, the Zwift Click, changes virtual gears: Garmin quotes 24 of them. The system works in Zwift and Rouvy. The Van Rysel D500 comes with it; the Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 and KICKR, the Tacx NEO 2T and the Elite trainers are available with or without it.
Do you have to take your bike apart?
For a direct-drive trainer, you take off the rear wheel and fit the bike onto the trainer’s axle. On rollers, you put the bike on as it is. The Zwift Ride replaces the bike.
Will my bike fit?
Check the rear axle and the drivetrain before you buy. The Wahoo KICKR CORE 2, for instance, comes with adapters for quick-release (130 and 135 mm) and thru-axle (12 × 142 and 12 × 148 mm) frames; for the Elite Rivo, the adapter for Boost mountain bikes (12 × 148 mm) is sold separately. On the drivetrain side, Wahoo states that the KICKR’s cassette is not compatible with Shimano CUES and LinkGlide drivetrains.
Quiet turbo trainers: what do the brands say?
Decathlon publishes a noise level for the Van Rysel D500: 56 dB at 25 km/h, measured at 1.5 m. Wahoo describes its KICKR as virtually silent and Garmin describes the Tacx NEO 2T as remarkably silent, without figures. To compare them, you would need measurements taken in the same conditions.
