So no chance of disturbing the family or neighbours when bashing out a quick 100km then! It’s also all but silent to use, unlike a lot of the cheaper models, which can be quite noisy.
It also communicates via Bluetooth Smart and ANT+, which means it can be connected to Tacx’s excellent training apps on your phone, laptop, tablet, or other training platforms such as Zwift. Through its powerful motor, it is able to apply a resistance of 2,200W and simulate slopes of up to 25% – which is surely more than anybody could ever want – and it can even simulate a descent of -5%.
This trainer doesn’t just look impressive, though the technology it contains is also applause-worthy.
Looking like something straight out of Star Wars, the Neo is one of the new breed of ‘direct mount’ trainers where the bike is attached directly to a cassette on the trainer and secured with a quick-release skewer.īy removing the rear wheel, wear and tear on the tyre is no longer an issue. Key specs: Max Resistance 1,800 watts Max Gradient 16% Connectivity Bluetooth, ANT+ Claimed Power accuracy +/-2 % It might not have the level of features compared to other designs at this price point, but you are buying a Wahoo product, meaning the construction quality and durability of the trainer is likely to be excellent. Remember to buy a cassette though, as the Kickr Core doesn’t ship with one as standard. The Kickr Core’s fixed footprint is less packable than the top-level Kickr, which has fold-away legs, but the base should be just as stable. Maximum output is 1,800 watts (which is world-class track sprinter-levels of power), which Wahoo claims can be accurately measured to within +/-2 % and can simulate gradients up to 16%. That isn’t to say the trainer is in any way compromised, though – its specs are more than sufficient to cope with any kind of typical session you may want to complete. The Wahoo Kickr Core is the little brother to the regular Kickr but trades in a few of its more advanced features for a substantial cost reduction. The best smart turbo trainers Wahoo Kickr Core turbo trainer: Best all-around trainer In our round-up, we’ve looked at turbos that deliver all the bells and whistles, along with options to get you on Zwift – or any other virtual training platform, without costing the earth.īelow are our favourites. Chief among these developments is their ability to cooperate with training software, allowing you to compete in virtual races or automatically vary their resistance, to cover virtual courses or complete set workouts.Įven better, they are no longer the preserve of the extremely well-heeled, and a few hundred pounds will secure you a perfectly serviceable entry-level model. Happily, the features and ride-feel offered by modern smart turbo are much improved on models from just a few years ago. You bolt your bike onto the device with either a roller on the wheel or, more likely, a direct-drive system recreating the resistance you’d feel when riding on the road.
Nowadays, whether lured by the virtual world of Zwift or by the many benefits of stationary training, they’re increasingly a year-round companion for many riders.Īnd while turbo trainers have drastically improved in recent years, the fundamental concept remains the same. It used to be that the turbo trainer was only resorted to in the direst winter conditions or for pre-race warm-ups.