Indoor Trainers GEAR
Canadian triathletes are the masters of indoor riding – for many of us, there really aren’t any other options once the temperature drops and the snow and ice arrives. This means, of course, that we need to get our indoor set up dialed in. That all starts with a bike trainer – we’ve got some suggestions for the upcoming indoor season:
Peloton Bike+
$3,295 With the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down our opportunities to hit our local gyms for spin workouts, we’ve been spending a lot of time doing efforts through Zoom classes or hammering out sessions on Zwift. For the last eight years, though, Peloton has been offering folks a way to enjoy the benefits of hitting a spin class in their own homes, providing a super efficient way to get the most out of their training.
The latest version of the Peloton, the Bike+ features a large, rotating screen, a powerful soundbar and digital resistance for an impressive personal workout space right at home. The rotating screen makes it really easy to combine a bike session with floor-based workouts, so you can enjoy a full-body workout. The four-speaker sound system does a great job of duplicating an in-class feel, while the front-facing camera will allow you to video chat with friends during your workout. You can easily sync an Apple watch to gauge heart rate, and you can set the bike up to scale your efforts based on target metrics.
The new Bike+ features some improvements to the handlebar ergonomics, so while you’re not going to be completely duplicating your position on a tri bike, you can set things up so you’re pretty close.
Peloton users love the community features and content available. You have access to the live Leaderboard and a variety of classes, including Bike Bootcamp along with Peloton’s cardio-oriented sessions.
Elite Direto XR
$1,299 With an ability to simulate a 21 per cent grade and a whopping 2,300-watt output, the quiet direct drive Direto XR is capable of providing all the workout power for any level of triathlete. The integrated power meter is accurate to 1.5 per cent, so you can be sure of your numbers during tests or hard efforts. The Direto folds away easily and has an integrated handle so its easy to move around, too. The trainer comes fully assembled and with an 11-speed cassette (it’s compatible with 12-speed cassettes, too). All you need to do to get started on your first ride is to attach it to a power source and put you bike on the trainer and you’re off.
Wahoo Kickr Smart Trainer
$1,800 The latest iteration of Wahoo’s extremely popular Kickr is more accurate and responsive than ever. Kickr Axis provides five degrees of lateral side-to-side movement so that you get much more of an outdoor feel while you’re working out, and that added movement also makes it easier to hang in for those long efforts through the winter. Automatic calibration ensures you’ll be tracking your efforts to one per cent accuracy. With multiple Bluetooth connection options, this virtually silent trainer serves as an outstanding training tool for Zwift, Rouvy or any other training platforms you’ll want to use to keep you fit and motivated through the winter.
Tacx Neo 2T Smart
$2,000 Improvements to the already popular direct drive Neo 2T make it even quieter than before, while some added power provides a better ride feel for big climbing efforts or sprints. Set up is a breeze, especially since you don’t need to calibrate the unit. Special sensors allow you to analyze your pedal stroke easily by pairing with a Garmin Edge bike computer. Accurate to one per cent, the responsive Neo 2T uses dynamic inertia to provide a very realistic road feel. The foldable frame makes it easy to move around and store.—KM