Between the pandemic and the cold days of winter, many cyclists are forced to ride indoors to save their fitness and sanity. But choosing between bike trainers and an indoor trainer can be tricky because each has unique strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right one will depend on several factors, so we will try to help you make the right decision to meet your needs.
Which is better for beginners?
The best one is the indoor bike trainer.
Riding a stationary trainer is easier than riding a bike outdoors. The hardest thing about a trainer is installing your bike on it. Additionally, today's bikes have evolved to include various rear axle widths and accessory styles, which means that not all bikes will fit all trainers.
Rollers are simpler to set up, though the roller drum spacing should initially be set for your bike's wheelbase (and may need to be changed if you're riding more than one bike). Also, more skill is required to ride. At first, you will have to focus on keeping the front wheel straight. Place them in a doorway so you can use them and keep your balance while you get used to the rollers, and if you're riding on carpet on the ground, put down an old blanket or towel to prevent the tires from damaging your floors if they do.
Which is more affordable?
Without a doubt, the rollers for bicycles.
On average, rollers are more affordable than indoor trainers. This is usually about the price of a good, but fairly basic trainer. That's partly because basic roller technology hasn't changed much in decades.
However, that also means there are fewer options. The resistance is given by the size of the drums themselves (bigger drums = less resistance); some rollers have additional, adjustable, magnetic, or fan-based resistance that can add to the cost. One of the most expensive trainers (€900) that we know of are Inside Ride's E-Motion trainers: with optional ANT+/Bluetooth resistance controller, which are close to the same price as many high-end trainers. But those are certainly one of the more expensive models; most rollers come in the range de 100 to 300 €.
Trainers used to be cheaper, and there are super affordable entry-level models like the Kinetic Road Machine Smart 2. But online training apps and social platforms like Zwift it has led to a new class of trainers with a much broader feature set.
That said, you get more than just connectivity when you spend more; You also benefit from advances in drag technology that help create a better riding experience.
Can bicycle rollers provide a sensation of rolling?
The truth is that yes.
To use a trainer, you need to secure your bike to it, which means it doesn't move under you like it would outdoors. It's an unnatural feeling that takes time to get used to. Also, the drag itself feels subtly different than the way wind resistance works against us on the road. Advanced trainers are continually getting closer to better road feel, and some trainers like the Kinetic Rock and Roll Smart Trainer They can also rotate from side to side for a more natural feel on out of the saddle efforts.
With rollers, on the other hand, the bike can move under you more naturally because it is not attached to anything. The downside is that few of the talented can stand on conventional rollers without losing control.
Which is easier to store and transport?
Again, bicycle rollers are the best option.
Rollers are usually lighter than trainers (about 15kg), and collapsible models like those from Elite and SportCrafters can pack down to just under 1 meter long. Other rollers use an innovative tri-fold system and can be further packed. You can easily slide them under a bed or stand upright in a closet, making them ideal for apartments or any living arrangement where space is limited.
Trainers get their stability partly from weight, and with about 25 kg everyone, they're a little less fun to load. Many have legs that fold into a tripod position, but not all.
Which of the two is more durable?
The rollers used to be the winners here. Both its simple design and construction last for years. Other than occasional belt replacements, you could barely wear it out.
All of that is still largely true, but what has changed is the trainer's durability level. These are now much more resistant to heat and overheating, which was the most common problem with older models. The reliability problems that are replacing that now are largely electronic in origin. But we don't hear much about hardware failure, and with the rise of wireless communication, the chances of damaging a patch cord or port by clipping a foot or pedal have decreased dramatically.
Which one to buy to improve your performance on the bike?
It depends. If you're still undecided, the choice comes down to what each indoor training tool is best at.
Trainers are great for working on your cycling form and developing a smooth, powerful and consistent pedal stroke. If you pedal with harsh, inconsistent strokes, you'll bounce off the rollers like a rubber ball, creating a natural feedback mechanism that helps you unconsciously pedal more smoothly.
You can also use them for workouts structured around cadence exercises: high power, low RPM intervals, or to try to increase your cadence with a high RPM “speed work”, for example. But since it takes a certain amount of effort to stay on the relatively narrow drums, rollers are generally not the best for very high intensity efforts (except E-Motion).
Trainers are best for the highly structured type of workouts which many riders do during the off-season. Driving inside is often about getting the most out of the minute. That means shorter workouts that are closely tailored to specific interval structures. The computer-controlled, adjustable resistance of today's good "smart" trainers is perfect for those efforts, and since you're locked into a heavy, stable base, you can focus solely on maintaining that interval instead of staying upright.