The Best Bike Trainers
In recent years, cycling has become one of the most popular and functional modes of exercise. You can run errands, explore, meet up with friends, and enjoy the great outdoors while getting some intense, leg-sculpting cardio in. There is a catch, however (a few, really). First of all, inclement weather can squash your workout plans in an instant. Any kind of workout liable to be called off at the first sign of rain isn’t reliable enough to be your main source of cardio. What’s more, some people live in areas where cycling is difficult or dangerous due to a lack of bike lanes and busy roads. But before you give up on your Tour de France daydreams for good, we’re happy to inform you of a cheap and easy solution to your cycling conundrums. Bike trainers allow you to set up your bike indoors by converting your road bike to a high-quality indoor exercise bike in a matter of minutes. We’ve compiled this list of the best bike trainers on the market to help you dust off that old ten-speed and put it to some convenient indoor use.
BalanceFrom Bike Trainer
Built for Balance
If you’re in the market for a bike trainer that can do it all without costing you a fortune, this pick from BalanceFrom is the answer to your prayers. This is a magnetic bike trainer that pits you and your bike’s back tire against a system of magnets designed to mimic the feel of the open road. The magnet system provides eight different resistance settings that you can change as you please during your workout.
With a wide compatibility range that will work with any mountain or road bike with 26-28” wheels, this bike trainer is sure to be accessible to almost everyone. The trainer features a quick-release lever that makes clamping and unclamping your bike easy and fast. The BalanceFrom is an affordable, functional, and durable bike trainer that’s sure to please cyclists of all experience levels.
Pros:
- Quick and easy setup
- Easy clamping and unclamping features
- Portable
Cons:
- The instruction pamphlet could be more detailed
- The noise reduction could be better
Sportneer Bike Trainer
Silent Cycling
This bike trainer from Sportneer is the ideal pick for cyclists looking for an efficient bike trainer that won’t cause too much of a racket. Sportneer’s noise-reduction technology keeps the noise level down, even as you ramp up the intensity and resistance levels. (It should be noted that the best way to keep noise in check while using your bike trainer is to use a road bike as opposed to a mountain bike, since less tread means less noise.)
The trainer features six resistance settings that you can shift via the easily accessible bar-mounted remote control. Sportneer also soothes any concerns about stability by including five adjustable anti-slip rubber feet that can balance out your stand on any uneven flooring. We recommend this trainer to anyone looking for maximum balance and noise control.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- Resistance adjuster works well
- Good noise reduction technology
- Feels very stable and balanced due to anti-slip adjustable rubber feet
Cons:
- More difficult to use at lower resistance levels
- Very loud if not using a road bike
Alpcour Bike Trainer
Reach New Heights
Alpcour’s magnetic bike trainer is a top-shelf solution for cyclists of all experience levels. This trainer is built for longevity and durability, featuring a stand composed of heavy-duty stainless steel that’ll keep you safe and secure during workouts. Alpcour’s hyper-quiet magnetic resistance system allows you to shift between six levels of fixed resistance that simulate all kinds of hills and environments. The trainer is easily foldable, which makes for easy storage and on-the-go portability. Despite the steeper price point, this state-of-the-art bike trainer from Alpcour is sure to satisfy cyclists looking for a finely crafted product with a long lifespan.
Pros:
- Compact, heavy-duty stainless steel frame
- Realistic resistance levels that simulate all kinds of environments
Cons:
- More expensive than our other picks
- Not the quietest system
Health Line Product Bike Trainer
Go the Distance
If you were looking for more wide-ranging resistance levels than our other picks had to offer, this trainer from Health Line Product is right up your alley. The Health Line Product bike trainer is host to an impressive eight resistance levels that dwarf the five to six levels offered by most other trainers on the market. With a wider variety of resistance levels to choose from, you’ll be able to fine-tune your workout plan to suit your specific needs.
This bike trainer also boasts a wide compatibility range, providing easy access to any road or mountain bike with 27”-29” tires (which is almost all of them). The trainer also boasts maximum safety and security, allowing for stable riding for riders up to 350 pounds. This pick is at the higher end of the price range, but considering the feature set, we think it’s more than worth your consideration.
Pros:
- Wide range of resistance levels for more specialized workouts
- Compatibility with almost all road and mountain bikes
Cons:
- Not the most capable noise reduction mechanism
Magene T100 Direct Drive Bike Trainer
Pedal to the Metal
Magene’s bike trainer differs from the other picks on our list because it is the first direct drive trainer. While magnetic trainer systems (our other four picks are magnetic) put magnetic friction on your back tire while pedaling, direct-drive systems connect directly to your bike’s chain system. Direct drive means the back tire must be removed to use the bike trainer. We understand that this might be daunting for cyclists who don’t want to keep removing and replacing their back tire, but before you write this pick off, hear us out. Direct drive bike trainers like this one from Magene are some of the most well-respected trainers in the cycling community and for good reason. Direct drive trainers like the Magene offer the highest resistance levels you can achieve from a bike trainer. Not to mention, they also have smartphone/Bluetooth compatibility for connecting to cycling apps that track your progress.
One of the best things about the Magene direct drive system is how quiet it is. Magnetic bike trainers can talk about adequate noise reduction, but there’s no getting around the fact that the back tire’s friction on the stand will cause unwanted noise. Magene’s bike trainer solves this problem by removing the tire altogether for a smooth, frictionless workout. This product is the most expensive on our list, but we firmly believe that it will provide you with the most authentic, non-intrusive riding experience of all.
Pros:
- Smartphone/Bluetooth capability for use with cycling apps
- One of the quietest systems available
Cons:
- Requires outside purchase of 12-speed cassette before use
- More intensive setup
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bike trainers a cheaper alternative to exercise bikes?
While you can probably find inexpensive used exercise bikes that would rival our picks, as a general rule, you will save a lot of money by choosing a bike trainer stand over an exercise bike. High-end indoor exercise bikes such as the Peloton cost an arm and a leg. Those products provide the same functionality that your road bike will provide when connected to a bike trainer, so why not save your hard-earned money and convert your bike into a versatile two-for-one hybrid?
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