All You Need To Know About Bike Trainers

The cold season has officially arrived…

And the last biking days are already behind us. No matter, the trainers will allow you to stay in shape and continue having fun, rain or shine. With our advice, you’ll be equipped to rack up the miles on two wheels, all in the comfort of your own home. Here’s everything you need to know to make the right choice and be the star of the peloton next season.

Yeah, we can already hear you shuddering at the thought of having to spend endless hours pedaling on a noisy and monotonous machine, staring into an empty space… Well, know that the world of training bases, also called home trainers, has constantly evolved in recent years, much to our delight. New technologies, interactivity, and connectivity are now an integral part of the indoor training experience. Goodbye to the old, heavy, bulky, and boring machines, and welcome to high-performance intelligent assistance systems with the most realistic sensations. You’ll close your eyes and almost feel the summer breezing your face. Your workouts will never have been so stimulating. Having the good training base means letting yourself be carried along for miles of false road in pleasure, whether you’re more of a type 1 or a type 2. Focus on your breathing, your machine will take care of the rest.

Now that you’re not worried anymore, here are some relevant features you’ll want to consider, as well as an overview of the best in the world of training aids. Because equipment matters.

Think about your needs first:

The main points to consider are: the place/space where you’ll set up your training station, your level of fitness, and your cycling style.

The limitations of your environment should indeed be your priority. We wouldn’t want you to find yourself riding your indoor equipment on your balcony due to lack of space.

Next, avoid frustration by choosing a home trainer model suited to your level.

Think about the cyclist you are.

If you’re racking up the miles on hills, but your assistance system doesn’t offer a custom fit or realistic feel, even when standing, you’re wasting your time.

If you’re a tech lover but choose a trainer with no connectivity and manual assistance, you’re missing out.

And, if you’re a social cyclist, choose a machine that lets you connect with your team to ride together and compare your performances.

Don’t worry, no matter your style, there is a perfect trainer for you.

To ensure a perfect fit, now’s the time to focus on all the other important components. Look for a machine that meets your personal preferences. Ease of use, assembly and adjustment, technology, apps and connectivity, data collection, automatic or manual resistance adjustment, and pricing, are all elements that will contribute to a personalized fit.

And you should ask yourself if you prefer to equip yourself with a training base that fits your personal bike, or if you prefer to opt for a complete training bike.

In any case, several options are available to you! Visit us in-store, and one of our advisors will help you choose the perfect formula for you. Find exactly what you need to support all your training goals.

Summary content of our products:

Finally, a smart choice of accessories will add the finishing touch to your new favorite indoor training set. A fan (WAHOO KICKR HEADWIND ) to simulate cool summer breezes, a floor mat (WAHOO KICKR TRAINER FLOORMAT) to absorb noise and sweat, a hill simulator (WAHOO KICKR CLIMB) for precise elevation adjustment and many more will certainly perfect your virtual cycling rides. 

Lastly, here is a word from Gilles Lefebvre de l’ACE about indoor training: 

Of course, now, with technology, the possibilities of recreating a more realistic and motivating environment for the cyclist are there. Prices vary depending on the model chosen. Training sessions can be much more varied, and wattage indicators are commonplace. It’s therefore really easy to calibrate your effort.

The realistic effort created by the program gives a sensation similar to that feeling on the road! The routes are identical to those experienced in real-life cycling (only the wind and the feeling of speed on the descents are missing).

Some home trainers use the rear wheel (therefore friction and tire wear). These are noisier and less precise mechanisms. Others are attached directly to the frame without the rear wheel and use the cassette mounted on the trainer (therefore no wear on these components and more precision). They even offer a slight flexion when in the dancing position to simulate the swinging movement!

So if you’re a cycling enthusiast, these indoor trainers are the perfect tool… The feeling is practically like riding on the road!

Happy training!

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