What are the main types of turbo trainers?
There are two types of turbo trainers to choose from is the direct-drive turbo trainers and the wheel-on turbo trainers.
Direct-drive turbo trainers
Direct-drive turbo trainers are one of the best ways of recreating that outdoor cycling feeling indoors. They generally offer a smooth and quiet ride, with many having built-in power meters that measure your level of exertion. Most are also smart interactive, which means you can link to platforms like Zwift and benefit from all of the associated features.
To use a direct-drive turbo, all you need to do is remove the rear wheel of your bike, place the frame onto the trainer and link the chain to the trainer’s cassette. Removing your rear wheel means that your tyre won’t become worn and it also creates a much quieter ride (something that your neighbours will probably appreciate!).
The trade-off for all these great features is that direct-drive turbo trainers are at the premium end of the market, and their size and weight can be an issue if you’ve got limited space and need to pack your turbo trainer away after using it. If you’re working on a tight budget, then a wheel-on turbo trainer may be a more suitable option.
Wheel-on turbo trainers
Wheel-on turbo trainers tend to be lighter, more portable and cheaper than their direct-drive cousins. They also tend to have an A-shaped frame, which means they can be easily folded away when you’re having a well-earned day off.
With wheel-on turbo trainers, you don’t have the fuss of having to remove your back wheel each time you want to do some training. Instead, your bike is attached to the turbo trainer at the rear skewer, which replaces your existing quick-release skewer. Your rear tyre presses against a roller (which is attached to the resistance unit) and turns the roller as you pedal.
The trade-off with wheel-on turbo trainers is that they can be pretty loud, not all of them come with smart compatibility, and the riding experience can feel a bit artificial. You’ll also probably need to invest in an indoor training tyre for your rear wheel, or you run the risk of wearing down your road tyre.
Non-smart, one-way smart or smart interactive?
Both direct-drive and wheel-on turbo trainers can be non-smart, one-way smart or smart interactive. But what do these terms mean and what’s the difference between them?
Non-smart turbo trainers
Non-smart turbo trainers are the most cost-effective option, but they don’t include any in-built sensors and so aren’t compatible with apps like Zwift. However, you can buy a separate speed and cadence sensor for your bike so that you can make use of training apps during your workout.
One-way smart turbo trainers
One-way smart turbo trainers fall into the middle of the price bracket. They include built-in sensors to measure things like your speed or power output and have the ability to connect with apps like Zwift, usually through ANT+ or Bluetooth. However, the apps can’t control the resistance of the turbo trainer or react to the changing terrain in whatever app-based route you’re following.
Smart interactive turbo trainers
Smart interactive turbo trainers are the most premium option. Like one-way smart turbo trainers, they include built-in sensors and can connect with apps like Zwift via ANT+ or Bluetooth. What sets them apart is that they also give apps the ability to control the resistance of the turbo trainer. So, if your Zwift route takes you up a steep hill, then your turbo trainer will make it harder to pedal and if you’re sailing down the other side then your trainer will sail with you.
If you’re looking for a turbo trainer that will give you the most realistic ride within the four walls of your home, then you’ll want a smart interactive one.