Indoor Cycle turbo trainers basically turn you normal bike into an exercise bike. This may seem a bit counter intuitive but there are many benefits to training indoors. For example you may have a specific type of workout that is easier to do indoors such as sprint training that would be difficult to maintain outdoors due to traffic or lack of suitable roads. Also there are times when you can just not get outside, either due to work commitments, lack of suitable roads close by (i.e. if you live in a busy city), or the weather just might be just too bad (welcome to our British winters '?
If you are new to cycling turbo trainers read this hugely detailed guide which outlines all the different types of trainers and the pros & cons of each one. This way you can discover the type of trainer that best suits you.
In summary there are some basic choices you need to make, with the obvious being price. You can pick up a top branded turbo trainer for around £100, meaning you will get a solid and reliable machine from a brand you can trust. These lower priced trainers are entry-level and generally have limited frills and simply allow you to hook you bike up and pedal, which to be honest is all a lot of us need. See our best indoor cycle turbo trainers under £200 here.
Another factor in your buying process is features. Some of you may be looking for the most road-like feel where pedalling indoors is just like pedalling on the open road, and if this is you the the simple answer is the LeMond Revolution Wind Turbo Trainer. However, this is a more expensive option than some other similar(ish) trainers, and it is very loud. All turbo trainers make noise, but some aer louder than others, and the LeMond Revolution is one of the loudest. This being said respected and hugely popular blogger and triathlete DC Rainmaker says:
'It literally does feel like you're riding on the road. Sure, I had remembered this from the past, but when you just jump on the feeling is astounding. When I say 'riding on the road', I mean that as you accelerate or decelerate, the bike responds in the same way as being outside. For example, if I just stop pedaling, the bike will literally glide ' just like as if I was outside ' for a rather long time. It's so cool.'
If you are looking for something where you can measure power output, cadence, and other importance metrics then you will want a higher-end trainer that outputs all sorts of data and statistics. While your at it you will want a trainer that hooks up with a laptop or smart device (phone or tablet) to display your data. A lot of the top brands have their own apps and software for recording/displaying data, but the electromagnetic ones really take things up a notch by allowing you to control your workout automatically via the software and display all your data right in front of you. To get a full understanding of the different types of features out there check out the ultimate guide to turbo trainers here.
The best of the best
If money is no object and you simply want the best indoor cycling experience possibly then you will want to look at the Tacx i-Genius, CycleOps Powerbeam, Bkool Pro, Elite Real Axiom, or the Wahoo Kickr. All of these trainers are top-end, wireless, software controlled, and allow you to hook up to online races, ride virtual route, and get you as close to outdoor cycling as possible. The Bkool Pro and the Wahoo Kickr deserve a special mention. The Bkool Pro offers comparable performance and features as the other top trainer here but comes in at about half the price, which is pretty astonishing. Also, the Wahoo Kickr deserves highlighting because it is compatible with a lot of 3rd party software (including Bkool's), meaning you can hook up the Kickr and take advantage of almost limitless GPS routes, virtual rides, and online races. Oh, and the Kickr is a direct-drive trainer that means you don't wear out your bikes tyres (or need to buy a special trainer tyre).
It's a tough choice, but any of the turbo trainer mentioned here will be fantastic for you. Make sure you read out Ultimate Buyers Guide to Turbo Trainers, and also out Best Turbo Trainer 2015 review and our Best Cheap Cycle Turbo Trainer 2015 review.
