<div content="LIST ITEM" superlative="Best budget bike trainer" description="
Alpcour isn’t as well-known as Wahoo or Saris in cycling circles, so when I saw that it had mostly 4- and 5-star reviews on Amazon and you could snag it for under $300, I had to test it out to see if it could stand against the bigger guys. Unlike other similar models on this list, it doesn’t have smart training capabilities so you can’t use it with any training apps. But as far as basic performance goes, I was impressed.
Fluid bike trainers provide a stable, but outdoor-like ride and the Alpcour didn’t disappoint. The trainer was sturdy and held the bike firmly in place, even as I picked up speed. The resistance and friction automatically changed with fluctuations in my pedaling speed, so it really felt like an outdoor ride. The front wheel riser block did tend to slip a little while I rode, which wasn’t a major deal, but could get a little annoying. In all fairness, I had the trainer set up on vinyl flooring, which can get slippery. If it bothers you too much, you can easily rectify this by placing a thin rubber exercise mat underneath the bike trainer.
The Alpcour Fluid Bike Trainer was a little louder than the other similar trainers on this list, but it didn’t create enough noise for me to take any real points away from it. The noise also depends on the type of bike you use. When I used my Schwinn road bike with smooth wheels, it was barely audible. But when I tested it with my niece’s mountain bike that has thick, treaded tires, it was considerably louder.
While the trainer is compatible with most 26- to 29-inch bikes and 700c wheels, like with the Wahoo, you have to make sure you have the right skewer to properly attach your bike. Also like the Wahoo, it comes with a standard quick release skewer, but if you have a bike with a thru-axle, you’ll have to buy one separately.
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I want to preface this by saying that the rollers may look the least technical on this list, but don’t judge a book by its cover. Compared to all of the other models, the Saris Aluminum Rollers, which feature a 16-inch wheel base that fits most bike sizes and three 3.25-inch aluminum roller drums, were the hardest to get used to.
That’s partly a reflection on me as a rider (if you’ve already had lots of experience with indoor bike trainers or outdoor cycling, you’ll likely take to it right away) and partly due to the fact that roller trainers require more deliberate focus than other models. If you lose concentration and your mind starts to wander, you can easily fall right over — a situation I found myself in more times than I’d like to admit.
But roller trainers are made to help improve balance and control and after just a few days of practice and some serious frustration, I noticed a vast improvement in my performance, which is a testament to how well the trainer does its job. And since you have to pedal the whole time you’re using the trainer to keep the bike upright, you get a killer workout. Once I got the hang of the rollers and actually got moving, I was surprised at how quiet the rollers were and how firmly the rubber foot pads held the trainer in place, even as I picked up speed.
Another plus is that the rollers were practically ready to go right out of the box. All I had to do was unfold them and adjust the front roller so that it properly lined up with my bike and I was ready to ride (or fall over several times before I actually rode).
<div content="LIST ITEM" superlative="Best for outdoor feel" description="
I haven’t had the chance to personally test the Kinetic Rock and Roll Trainer yet, but I included it on the list for several reasons. As its name implies, the Rock and Roll Trainer was designed to allow for a side-to-side rocking motion that mimics the natural sway of riding outdoors.
At 12 pounds, its flywheel is also larger than any other trainer in the category. According to Kinetic, this allows for automatic app-controlled resistance, whisper-quiet operation, a wider range of bike compatibility and improved inertia, which provides more of a road-like feel. While the max slope is slightly lower than the Wahoo Kickr Snap — 10% versus 12% — it goes up to a max resistance of 1,800 watts at 30 mph.
Because it’s a smart trainer, the Rock and Roll trainer works with Kinetic’s own training app or third-party apps, like Zwift or TrainerRoad. The Kinetic trainer is compatible with almost any bike, but, like other similar styles on this list, if your bike has a rear thru-axle, you’ll need an adapter that will cost you an additional $49.
This all sounds good, but when I get the chance to test the trainer on my own, I’ll report back with my personal experience.
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Follow the specific user guides for your bike and bike trainer to make sure everything is installed correctly. A bike trainer isn’t necessarily bad for your bike, but it can put pressure on the components that come in contact with the trainer.
If you’re concerned about wear and tear, consider using an older or spare bike on the trainer and reserving your road bike for the road.