Stationary Bike Stand Buying Tips and Reviews
With Christmas fast approaching (and doesn’t it seem to get here quicker every year!), it’s absolutely the right time of year to think of the perfect indoor bike trainer for your – or a loved one’s – new training regime!
We’ve pretty much tested them all out there (and spent years reviewing them on this website), so to save you a whole lot of time and stress we’ve come up with a list of the very best indoor trainers to buy for Christmas, the ones that really will bring a smile to anyone and everyone on Christmas morning!
And yes, no matter your budget or skill level, there’s a bit of everything for everybody on this little list; we’ve got budget trainers perfect for beginners that come in under $70, and top of the range smart trainers that will set you back over $500 – but that pack an extremely professional punch for those in need of it…
With one of these trainers in your new training regime, start expecting some very decent results…
Our top tip for Christmas: the awesome CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer!
OUR TOP CHOICE
This classic bike stand from the boys at CycleOps (now rebranded under Saris) has been an old stalwart in our training regime, ever since we purchased the refurbished model in 2016. It’s simply superb at what it does best, which is keep you in shape over the winter months. It’s not the fanciest bike trainer out there, but definitely isn’t one of the cheap and budget-friendly options either, being priced at around $300. And heck, it’s also recognized as the bestselling indoor trainer in the US, so there’s a few more of you out there that have been impressed already…
Make no mistake, this trainer is a classic and perfect for the beginner AND semi-pro cyclist. Trust us on this, you’ll enjoy those indoor training sessions on this one – it really is one of the best indoor trainers to buy for Christmas!
See the latest deals and discounts for the Fluid 2 on Amazon HERE.The perfect indoor trainer for the beginner: the budget-friendly Ohuhu Magnet Steel trainer!
OK, so if you’re a beginner – or buying a Christmas present for someone who you’re not sure really needs all the bells and whistles of the latest and greatest bike stands – this stationary bike trainer has to be on Santa’s shortlist. Simply put, you can’t get much better value than this, as it typically comes in at under $70.
Even at that budget price, you still get a heavy-duty frame that’s easy to fold up and thus store away, adjustable internal resistance settings that you control via your handlebar, skid-resistance feet to ensure absolute stability, and yes, it’s even surprisingly quiet! A definite one to consider for that Christmas stocking!
See the latest deals and discounts for the Ohuhu on Amazon HERE.There are plenty of other great budget options out there, just in case you’re not fully convinced by this Ohuhu trainer; check out the best THREE bike trainers for under $80!
A classic revisited: the smart-tech Kurt Kinetic Rock n Roller!
If a top brand in the indoor trainer game is what you’re after this Christmas, look no further than the classic Kurt Kinetic Rock n Roller. And it’s recently got even better, what with the introduction of a smart technology compatible version, which lets you track all kinds of data and performance metrics thanks to its inbuilt Inride Sensor (which works awesomely with the inRide app, which provides workout options and suggestions based on the data collected). This data can be critical for serious cyclists looking to tweak their training routine to the optimum.
With the riding experience truly one-of-a-kind – what other trainer lets you rock to and fro – and the ability to support almost any wheel size, don’t be put off by its $500+ price tag. Let’s face it, some of the top level smart trainers now come in at double the price!
See the latest deals and discounts for the Rock n Roller on Amazon HERE.You need the ultimate performer: the CycleOps Silencer is what you need!
THE PRO’S CHOICE
If you’re looking to spoil yourself or a loved one this Christmas, the CycleOps Silencer is the one to buy. This beast is going to have a big impact on your training schedule – and provide real results!
It’s a sleek beast too, with a revolutionary off-wheel design in matte black alloy, as well as some very tasty clean lines in a very modern-looking chassis. But what really sticks out a mile is this trainer’s ability to give you a life-like riding experience – and oh yes, we almost forgot, the pure silence! Expect to have some intense riding sessions on this one (and we didn’t even mention the savings you’ll make on training tires!)!
See the latest deals and discounts for the Silencer on Amazon HERE.Probably the best value smart trainer around: the Tacx Vortex Smart Ergo Trainer!
OK, so if you haven’t already figured it out, smart trainers are definitely the next big thing in the world of indoor training. However, most are typically pushing the $1000 barrier, which makes this awesome value trainer (priced at under $500) from Tacx well worth a look!
Most importantly – and something that has proven a bit of a problem for some – you’ll be able to get quickly connected to the smart app that comes with the trainer, meaning you can also access the now legendary Zwift, and other similar programs. Expect to crank up some serious intensity with this trainer too, up to an amazing 950 watts! There are some great things to enjoy about this one, including the amazing electro-brake system, and some awesomely accurate workout calculations.
Get smart this Christmas – get a Tacx Vortex!
See the latest deals and discounts for the Tacx Vortex on Amazon HERE.Quick glance comparison
If you need a chart to help you compare the above models, try the table below, which summarizes the best indoor trainers to buy this Christmas, so you can see at-a-glance what ticks all your boxes before reading more about each trainer…
NOTE: The ratings are review ratings currently listed on Amazon
| Image | Model | Pros | Rating | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Kurt Kinetic Rock and Roll Trainer | The ultimate realistic indoor riding experience, expensive but quality Read our REVIEW | 4.4 | $$$$$ |
 | Ohuhu Magnet Steel Trainer | Adjustable internal resistance levels, quiet, skid-resistant feet, wide frame, excellent value. Read our REVIEW | 4.3 | $ |
 | CycleOps Silencer | Perfect for pros with sleek wheel-off design, amazingly quiet, lifetime warranty from CycleOps! Read our REVIEW | 4.6 | $$$$$ |
 | Cycleops Fluid 2 | Infinite resistance, self-cooling, one of the best! Read our REVIEW | 4.5 | $$$$$ |
 | Tacx Vortex Smart ErgoTrainer | Smart technology, intuitive, electro-brake technology, best value smart trainer! Read our REVIEW | 4.2 | $$$$$ |
