Joined Nov 2006
L10: Grand Master
Forum Thread
What's the least expensive quality smart bike trainer with app-based resistance control?
December 3, 2021 at
09:52 AM
It's the cold season here in the NE and riding a bike outdoors for me is out of the question for various reasons, running can be a pain especially below 40, walking is boring and not very aerobic, and I'm not really into health clubs.
So I'm looking to convert my road bike into an indoor bike trainer by buying a decent trainer, the kind you attach your road (and I suppose mountain, hybrid, etc.) bike's read wheel to via a resistance wheel to turn it into a makeshift bike trainer whose level of difficulty can be changed.
But in my case I want it to be a "smart" trainer, in the full sense of the term, in that, with the proper sensors and connected to a decent fitness app, it can not only sense and display the bike's speed, cadence and resistance level and thus estimated power output, but can also control the resistance unit, either manually by the rider, or automatically according to some preset workout routine, all via the fitness app, like you'd find on say a Peloton or any smart bike trainer you'd find in a decent fitness club.
What's the least expensive quality trainer I can buy that can do all of this, that's ideally also relatively quiet, which probably means a fluid-based resistance unit?
I already have a "dumb" trainer whose resistance can be manually preset (but not remotely changed when I'm using it), and while it's not the highest quality one, it gets the job done, so no need to replace it with another "dumb" one. And I already have speed and cadence sensors that I use when out riding that work just as well on the trainer, so it's already semi-"smart". I need one that's fully "smart" now. Any ideas and how much it would cost?
So I'm looking to convert my road bike into an indoor bike trainer by buying a decent trainer, the kind you attach your road (and I suppose mountain, hybrid, etc.) bike's read wheel to via a resistance wheel to turn it into a makeshift bike trainer whose level of difficulty can be changed.
But in my case I want it to be a "smart" trainer, in the full sense of the term, in that, with the proper sensors and connected to a decent fitness app, it can not only sense and display the bike's speed, cadence and resistance level and thus estimated power output, but can also control the resistance unit, either manually by the rider, or automatically according to some preset workout routine, all via the fitness app, like you'd find on say a Peloton or any smart bike trainer you'd find in a decent fitness club.
What's the least expensive quality trainer I can buy that can do all of this, that's ideally also relatively quiet, which probably means a fluid-based resistance unit?
I already have a "dumb" trainer whose resistance can be manually preset (but not remotely changed when I'm using it), and while it's not the highest quality one, it gets the job done, so no need to replace it with another "dumb" one. And I already have speed and cadence sensors that I use when out riding that work just as well on the trainer, so it's already semi-"smart". I need one that's fully "smart" now. Any ideas and how much it would cost?
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So I'm looking to convert my road bike into an indoor bike trainer by buying a decent trainer, the kind you attach your road (and I suppose mountain, hybrid, etc.) bike's read wheel to via a resistance wheel to turn it into a makeshift bike trainer whose level of difficulty can be changed.
But in my case I want it to be a "smart" trainer, in the full sense of the term, in that, with the proper sensors and connected to a decent fitness app, it can not only sense and display the bike's speed, cadence and resistance level and thus estimated power output, but can also control the resistance unit, either manually by the rider, or automatically according to some preset workout routine, all via the fitness app, like you'd find on say a Peloton or any smart bike trainer you'd find in a decent fitness club.
What's the least expensive quality trainer I can buy that can do all of this, that's ideally also relatively quiet, which probably means a fluid-based resistance unit?
I already have a "dumb" trainer whose resistance can be manually preset (but not remotely changed when I'm using it), and while it's not the highest quality one, it gets the job done, so no need to replace it with another "dumb" one. And I already have speed and cadence sensors that I use when out riding that work just as well on the trainer, so it's already semi-"smart". I need one that's fully "smart" now. Any ideas and how much it would cost?
I'd suggest familiarize yourself with different apps, what hardware is compatible with them, pricing, online communities / support forums that are relevant. That should help you make some decisions and limit what you're looking at. As you likely know, many of the apps are probably subscription based.
As for the cheapest, there are enough cycling programmers in the world that I'm sure there are some open source software projects and creative / diy solutions to creating a "smart" cycle trainer. It's a matter of what you want and want to spend. Along those lines, I'd be curious what the models of your current trainers are and if they're manual control (turn a mechanical knob) or if electronics are involved.
A quick search turned up two open source projects (i'm sure there are more)
goldencheetah.org
blumbike
A couple of the paid apps (you're likely familiar with some of them and may know of others)
Zwift
Rouvy
rgtcycling.com
trainerroad
I'd suggest familiarize yourself with different apps, what hardware is compatible with them, pricing, online communities / support forums that are relevant. That should help you make some decisions and limit what you're looking at. As you likely know, many of the apps are probably subscription based.
As for the cheapest, there are enough cycling programmers in the world that I'm sure there are some open source software projects and creative / diy solutions to creating a "smart" cycle trainer. It's a matter of what you want and want to spend. Along those lines, I'd be curious what the models of your current trainers are and if they're manual control (turn a mechanical knob) or if electronics are involved.
A quick search turned up two open source projects (i'm sure there are more)
goldencheetah.org
blumbike
A couple of the paid apps (you're likely familiar with some of them and may know of others)
Zwift
Rouvy
rgtcycling.com
trainerroad
I can change the resistance by changing gears, though, but that's a lot less elegant that the app doing it. I'm basically looking for a trainer that has electronically and wirelessly actuated resistance that can be controlled by leading apps. I did do some basic research and apparently $400-$500 is the lowest you can usually buy such a device new. Saris, formerly CycleOps, makes one.
Perhaps I should look for a used one in decent shape, as this seems too much to spend for 3-4 months worth of exercise, basically mid-November through mid-March, and then only once or twice a week as I still run outdoors. But sometimes it's just too damn cold to do that, plus suiting up is a pain. When I was younger it was tolerable but now it's just miserable.
Then take a couple bands / models with broader app compatibility and seek out reviews and look for a deal.
The cheaper alternative would be try to rig up something something that can turn the knob on your current trainer (I'd bet it's been done before). I've modified the hardware on a stationary bike myself to make it work the way I wanted.
Then take a couple bands / models with broader app compatibility and seek out reviews and look for a deal.
The cheaper alternative would be try to rig up something something that can turn the knob on your current trainer (I'd bet it's been done before). I'm modified the hardware on a stationary bike myself to make it work the way I wanted.