Cheap turbo trainers: Up to 70% off in the after-Christmas sales

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Zwift on laptop — (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

2. Smart trainer deals USA
3. Smart trainer deals UK
4. Smart bike deals
5. Basic trainer deals
6. Rollers deals

7. Zwift-compatible trainers

If the weather outside is frightful near you, you're probably considering taking your training indoors as you endeavour to commit to a New Year's resolution and get fit for summer 2024! To help you, we've pulled together a guide containing some of the best deals on indoor trainers, whilst also taking a look at other indoor cycling equipment.

Given not all smart trainers are created equal, knowing which one to buy could be difficult. Some people will want the lowest price available that is compatible with Zwift and other training apps, whereas others will want a higher level spec without having to pay top money. Our experience here pays off, as we have reviewed pretty much all of the smart trainers on the market, so can judge whether a discount makes a good deal or not.

Quick deals in the USA

36% off Tacx Neo 2T
~~$1399.99~~ $899.99 at Amazon

33% off Tacx Flux S
~~$749.99~~ $499.99 at Competitive Cyclist

Quick deals in the UK

70% off Pinnacle HC
~~£700.00~~ £210 at Evans

40% off Elite Direto XR-T
~~£829.99~~ £499.00 at Evans

Tacx Flux S: ~~$749.99~~ <a href="https://classic.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&mi=11465&pw=27131&ctc=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.competitivecyclist.com%2Fgarmin-tacx-flux-s-smart-direct-drive-trainer" data-link-merchant="competitivecyclist.com"">$499.99 at Competitive Cyclist
33% off - It's been on the market for a few years now, but you could do a lot worse than the Flux S from Tacx, it's not quite as accurate as some top-tier models. Having +/- 3% power accuracy. But if you want a sturdy, powerful trainer it's worth a look. Its legs don't fold though and we think this is worth pointing out.
Check out our in-depth <a href="https://www.cyclingnews.com/reviews/tacx-flux-s-smart-trainer-review/" data-link-merchant="cyclingnews.com"" data-link-merchant="competitivecyclist.com"">Tacx Flux S smart trainer review

Tacx Neo 2T: <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=78475&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FTacx-Neo-Smart-Color-Size%2Fdp%2FB07W6QTHM9%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20" data-link-merchant="Amazon US"">~~$1399.99~~ $899.99 at Amazon
36% off - The Neo 2T is a high-spec indoor trainer with an electronic flywheel that offers real-world levels of inertia, as well as advanced pedalling analysis and cool features like rumbling when your Zwift avatar goes over rough surfaces. It's been around for a while, so it misses things like WiFi connectivity (as per Wahoo Kickr V6), but it's still among the best trainers around. If the high spec and accurate power readings are important to you, then this is a good deal worth considering.

Tacx Flux S Smart: ~~£599.99~~ <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=25809&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sigmasports.com%2Fitem%2FTacx%2FFLUX-S-Smart-Turbo-Trainer-T2900S%2FK104" data-link-merchant="sigmasports.com"">£449.00 at Sigma Sports
25% off - The Tacx Flux S is one of the more affordable direct drive trainers. There's £150 off here and we gave this trainer a four-star review in our own testing. It's compatible with a range of bikes and offers up to 1500 watts, 10% inclines and Bluetooth/ANT+ technology.

<a href="https://www.cyclingnews.com/reviews/tacx-flux-s-smart-trainer-review/" data-link-merchant="cyclingnews.com"" data-link-merchant="sigmasports.com"">Tacx Flux S review

Pinnacle HC: ~~£700.00~~ <a href="https://www.prf.hn/click/camref:1101lN5At/pubref:hawk-custom-tracking/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.evanscycles.com%2Fbrand%2Fpinnacle%2Fhc-turbo-home-trainer-712633" data-link-merchant="evanscycles.com"">£210.00 at Evans Cycles
£490 off - Very similar in form and function to the new Zwift Hub and the Lifeline above, the Pinnacle HC is among the cheapest is impressively cheap for a direct-drive trainer. You will need a cassette, though, so factor that into your spending budget.

Elite Direto XR-T: ~~£829.99~~ <a href="https://www.prf.hn/click/camref:1101lN5At/pubref:hawk-custom-tracking/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.evanscycles.com%2Fbrand%2Felite%2Fdireto-xr-t-ots-smart-turbo-trainer-917903" data-link-merchant="evanscycles.com"">£499.00 at Evans UK<a href="https://www.prf.hn/click/camref:1101lN5At/pubref:hawk-custom-tracking/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.evanscycles.com%2Fbrand%2Felite%2Fdireto-xr-t-ots-smart-turbo-trainer-917903%23colcode%3D91790303" data-link-merchant="evanscycles.com"" data-link-merchant="evanscycles.com"">
40% off - Like the Elite Direto XR, the XR-T offers up to 2300 watts of resistance, the ability to simulate a 24% grade and accuracy within 1.5%. The only difference between the XR and XR-T is that the 'T' comes with an 11-speed cassette fitted. At today's prices, you can get the XR and a separate cassette for less, but we've included this deal here just in case some of you want the simplicity of having it pre-installed.

Saris H3: <a href="https://www.prf.hn/click/camref:1101lN5At/pubref:hawk-custom-tracking/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.evanscycles.com%2Fbrand%2Fsaris%2Fsaris-h3-silent-smart-trainer-916273%23colcode%3D91627301" data-link-merchant="evanscycles.com"">~~£749.99~~ £449.00 at Evans UK<a href="https://www.prf.hn/click/camref:1101lN5At/pubref:hawk-custom-tracking/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.evanscycles.com%2Fbrand%2Felite%2Fdireto-xr-t-ots-smart-turbo-trainer-917903%23colcode%3D91790303" data-link-merchant="evanscycles.com"" data-link-merchant="evanscycles.com"">
40% off - The H3 is quite long in the tooth in its design when compared to the high-end trainers it once competed with. It's 2% accurate, which isn't market leading (1% is) but still more than good enough. It does, however, boast a good maximum resistance of 2000 watts, and a pretty good gradient simulation of 20%. If those specs or the folding legs are important to you, then this new price is pretty competitive. Be sure to consider the Pinnacle HC though, as that's less than half the price of this, still, albeit with lower specs and non-folding legs.

Tacx Neo 2T: ~~£1,199.00~~ <a href="https://www.prf.hn/click/camref:1101lN5At/pubref:hawk-custom-tracking/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.evanscycles.com%2Fbrand%2Ftacx%2Fneo-2t-smart-turbo-trainer-916057" data-link-merchant="evanscycles.com"">£959.00 at Evans
20% off - The Neo 2T can be run without mains power, though when plugged in, it can power the flywheel to better simulate descents. It can also mimic rough surfaces, handle an output of up to 2200 watts and can simulate gradients of up to 25% with an accuracy of 1%. The flywheel is 'virtual' (powered by a motor), and therefore is equivalent to 125kg.

<a href="https://www.cyclingnews.com/reviews/tacx-neo-2t-smart-trainer-review/" data-link-merchant="cyclingnews.com"" data-link-merchant="evanscycles.com"">Tacx Neo 2T review

While trainers need you to mount your own bike onto them, smart bikes offer everything: pedals, saddle, handlebars and more. They're also easily adjustable so that multiple people in one household can use them, and they typically come with belt-driven gear, which is quieter, cleaner, and more durable than the chain on your bike. The downside to all this is that smart bikes are far from the cheapest Zwift setup available.

Stages Cycling SB20 Smart Bike: <a href="https://classic.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&mi=11465&pw=27131&ctc=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.competitivecyclist.com%2Fstages-cycling-smart-bike" data-link-merchant="competitivecyclist.com"">~~$3,149.99~~ $1,999.99 at Competitive Cyclist
Save 37% - This discount brings the well-renowned Stages SB20 smart bike down to a price that competes with the entry level products in the smart bike space. Boasting impressive specs that include accuracy within 1.5%, 3000 watts of resistance and a 50lb flywheel for realistic inertia, as well as leading features including a silent belt drive drivetrain, virtual shifting with customisable gears and even adjustable crank arms, this model earned 4 stars in our <a href="https://www.cyclingnews.com/reviews/stages-sb20-smart-bike-review/" data-link-merchant="cyclingnews.com"" data-link-merchant="competitivecyclist.com"">SB20 review, but would be our pick today with this discounted price in mind.

Like trainers, rollers also come in 'smart' and 'basic' formats. The same primary differences apply in that smart rollers are Zwift compatible, while basic rollers aren't. The one caveat to this is that basic rollers don't typically tend to offer any resistance to your pedalling. They're fine for riding at low intensities and high cadences, but you'll find them lacking if you want to do anything more taxing.

LifeLine RT-01 Roller:
UK: <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=1857&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wiggle.com%2Fp%2Flifeline-rt-01-roller-trainer" data-link-merchant="wiggle.com"">~~£129.99~~ £99.99 at Wiggle
23% off - Weighing just under 9 kilos and folding in half, training rollers are a useful, engaging way to train and are easily transportable. They will improve your balance, coordination and pedal stroke and can be a breath of fresh air if you're doing a lot of training on a smart trainer.

For context, TrainerRoad is similarly priced at US$19.95 per month, although there is an annual subscription of $189.00 which equates to a better price of $15.75 per month. Wahoo RGT has a freemium model, allowing unlimited kilometres to be ridden in a pared-down version of the game without any monthly payments, or you can subscribe to Wahoo X at $14.99 / £14.99 per month (or $129.00 / £129.00 per year) to get RGT and Systm bundled together.

So Zwift itself is reasonably inexpensive, but it's the required hardware that can add up to make getting onto Zwift a rather expensive investment. If you don't take advantage of the sales, the most premium setups can cost thousands and that's before you consider the cost of the bike, possible additions of a computer or tablet, as well as a fan. If you're planning on running Zwift in an unpowered garage or shed, you may even need to factor in the cost of an extension lead, WiFi booster, and even the light bulbs.

Basic trainers are not compatible with Zwift by themselves, but you can use them. All you need to add is a speed sensor. With a simple trainer and speed sensor, Zwift calculates power output based on the speed of the rear wheel. Zwift engineers have tested and mapped the resistance curve of almost all trainers on the market so that they can use the speed reading to calculate your power, which it uses to drive your avatar.

To fit your bike onto the turbo trainer, you'll also need an adaptor for the rear axle. This is where it can get a little bit confusing, as you'll need to use the correct adaptor for your bike. If your bike uses quick-release axles, the most common rear spacing (the distance between the dropouts) is 130mm for road bikes. If your bike uses bolt-thru axles (an axle that goes through the hub and threads into the frame), then check the axle itself for size spec. The most common on road bikes is 142 x 12mm, but it should be written on the axle.

If your gym doesn't have smart bikes like a Wattbike, with a pair of power meter pedals and a polite request, your gym might allow you to swap them onto one of their non-smart indoor bikes - the type used for group classes. Pair them with your Bluetooth-enabled phone or tablet and you've got Zwift at the gym. It's great for those who are often on the road with work and don't have the means to take their bike and turbo trainer with them. I've done it myself numerous times; it's much easier to pack a pair of shoes and pedals, and it means I don't have to resort to going for a run.

The problem here is that resistance is usually limited by the friction between your tyre and the roller. You will also need a trainer-specific tyre with a hard rubber compound, or you run the risk of wearing through your tyres quickly. Also, the small flywheel offers minimal inertia, which means it can often feel like you're pedalling through treacle rather than rolling along a smooth road. Some are better than others in this regard, but they are rarely as good as direct-drive trainers.

Be aware that budget trainers don't often come with a cassette, (although the Zwift Hub does) so you'll need to factor that into the cost. The top-spec direct-drive trainers add extra niceties such as vibration (to provide off-road feel in off-road in-game sections) and motorised freewheeling (to prevent the flywheel from stopping, requiring a sprint to get it going again when your avatar is riding downhill) and they generally have higher maximum resistance and incline simulation.

Rollers are the left-field inclusion here, but they certainly warrant a ticket to the party. They differ in that your bike isn't fixed into place, and as such, it requires greater concentration in order to avoid riding off the side. They take a bit of getting used to - just search YouTube for 'first-time cycling rollers' for proof - but they're great for working on balance and core stability whilst riding.

However, they're big and heavy, so they need to be given a dedicated space in your home; they can't just be hidden under the stairs after you're finished. They're also not cheap - far from the cheapest Zwift setups available - but they're a great premium solution for indoor cycling's most dedicated participants, as well as multi-cyclist households, and they're also not immune to inclusion in the sales.

If you're unsure, you can either check with the gym's staff as to the facilities available or just open up the settings on your phone and search for Bluetooth devices. If a smart bike is found, it's likely that it'll connect up to Zwift without a hitch. Bring a power bank though, as Zwift can be battery-intensive for your phone/tablet, and other gymgoers won't appreciate you trailing charging cables across the floor.

Do you need internet for Zwift?

Yes, you'll need an internet connection. This can come in the form of mobile data (4G / 5G) but be careful with your data allowance if choosing this option - in my test, a one-hour-long Zwift ride used approximately 300MB of data.

If you're Zwifting in your spare bedroom, then you're probably fine for signal, but if you're in the garage or shed, then you might have extra needs. Running an ethernet cable from your house to the garage mightn't be the most permanent solution, but it might be the only option you have. If you're considering this method, a second router or WiFi booster is an alternative idea. I use Google Nest at home, where I bounce the WiFi to my garage.

Do you need mains power for Zwift?

Not necessarily, but ideally yes.

A select few of the most feature-rich turbo trainers, such as the Tacx NEO 2T, will work without mains power, but you'll probably also want a fan and you don't want your laptop's battery life to cut your ride short.

For anyone looking to run Zwift in a garage or outbuilding, a power supply might not be a guarantee. The options here will very much depend on your circumstances. If you're unable to run a permanent power supply, then an extension lead and temporary ethernet cable might be the only option. You can get a 50m extension lead from Amazon for around $40/£30, and a similar length ethernet cable for around half that.

There's a good chance it'll be dark in your garage too, but you can get plug-in light bulbs from Amazon for around $20/£15, which are essentially a cable with a plug at one end and a lightbulb connector at the other.

If an extension lead isn't going to work for you, then a generator might be a solution. I've looked into solar and rechargeable generators, but these typically don't have enough juice to power a full workout, with the laptop, fan, trainer and lights running. Therefore, a petrol/diesel generator might be the only solution, as much as it's not as good for the environment.

Do you need a computer for Zwift?

Yes, you'll need a Zwift-compatible computer. This can be in the form of a PC, a laptop, a tablet, an Apple TV, or even your smartphone. The majority of us will already have something that technically can run Zwift, but in our experience, a phone screen is too small to read the data numbers when riding at or near your limit. Check out our guide to the best computers and tablets for Zwift for a few recommendations.

Is Bluetooth or ANT+ best for Zwift?

You'll need Bluetooth or ANT+ connectivity to run Zwift, and neither one is necessarily better than the other. ANT+ can typically connect to multiple devices simultaneously, whereas Bluetooth usually has a limit. However, no smartphone, tablet or laptop will have ANT+ built in, whereas most have Bluetooth.

Almost all new turbo trainers, power meters and speed sensors can work with both. However, if you're using an old power meter, then it may be ANT+ only, in which case, you're likely to need an ANT+ adapter for your computer. Our 'what is ANT+' guide takes a deep dive into the technology.

If you're using Bluetooth, then there's a greater chance your device will connect without the need for an adapter, which will obviously save you some money.

Should I use a fan with Zwift?

You technically don't need a fan, but once you've tried cycling indoors without one, we promise you'll want one more than you've ever wanted anything before.

The oncoming air that you get when cycling in the real world performs a huge role in cooling you down. When you take that away by remaining stationary, you very quickly overheat. Your body's natural response to this is to sweat... a lot.

This gets out of the realm of 'cheap', but if you want a real pain cave hack, buy as many fans as your budget will allow, then plug them all into smart plugs with remote control (or Amazon Alexa). This way, you won't need to get off your bike to switch them on and off, and you can leave them switched off for the first few minutes until you need them. Or go the whole hog and buy the Wahoo Kickr Headwind.

What accessories can improve your Zwift experience?

Desk

If you're running a laptop, you'll need to be able to reach it so you can use the Zwift menu without having to climb off the bike. Brands do make dedicated turbo trainer desks, such as the Wahoo Kickr Desk, but for the budget-conscious, you can often make do with a less dedicated solution, such as an ironing board or some adjustable shelving from your local hardware store.

Sweat protector

To protect your bike against corrosion from the cumulative drips of salty sweat, you can get a dedicated sweat protector to catch the drips. The majority of sweat will drip from your face and shoulders, so it's the handlebars that need the most protection. Therefore, a towel placed atop the bars and stem will generally do a good job - with the added benefit of being able to wipe your brow every so often. For the budget-conscious, a towel or an old sweatshirt draped over the handlebars and top tube can have the same outcome. Don't drape anything over your bars when using rollers as if it gets caught in the front wheel, you'll be in trouble.

Turbo trainer floor mat

Unless you're in the garage or shed, you'll probably want to protect your floor from your salty sweat droplets, not to mention the damage caused by the feet of your turbo trainer. A turbo trainer mat will offer this protection and are available pretty cheap, but an old yoga mat or even an offcut of kitchen linoleum will do the same job. Our tried and tested method is to use interlocking floor mats designed for gyms or garages. Not only do they offer protection, but they also offer a few millimetres of cushioning which helps with your natural rocking motion whilst riding.

A turbo trainer-specific tyre

If using a wheel-on turbo trainer - especially a cheap one - the roller's interaction with the soft rubber of your rear tyre can quite quickly churn through your rubber. Dedicated hard-wearing turbo trainer tyres exist to overcome this very problem. You could invest in a dedicated turbo trainer tyre, or alternatively, if you regularly ride on the road, upgrade your best road bike tyres and recycle your old part-worn tyre for indoor use only.

Riser block

If you're using a wheel-on trainer, it will lift your rear wheel off the ground, which tilts you forward into an unnatural position. A riser block goes beneath your front wheel to level you out again. They don't need to be anything special, the cheapest versions can be found cheaply at Amazon. Or you can save that and slide a piece of wood or a few books (ideally taped together so they don't slide) beneath your front wheel. However you choose to bodge this, just make sure it's stable enough not to topple during sprint efforts.

As the Tech Editor here at Cyclingnews, Josh leads on content relating to all-things tech, including bikes, kit and components in order to cover product launches and curate our world-class buying guides, reviews and deals. Alongside this, his love for WorldTour racing and eagle eyes mean he's often breaking tech stories from the pro peloton too.

On the bike, 32-year-old Josh has been riding and racing since his early teens. He started out racing cross country when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s and has never looked back. He's always training for the next big event and is keen to get his hands on the newest tech to help. He enjoys a good long ride on road or gravel, but he's most alive when he's elbow-to-elbow in a local criterium.