Cheap turbo trainers and indoor cycling accessories | BikeRadar Bargains

It’s a slightly cruel twist of fate that we’re all being advised to self-isolate just as spring is finally around the corner, but there’s more to life than training, especially right now.

But it’s important to keep yourself fit and healthy during these testing times, and for many that means looking for a way to ride indoors instead. Fortunately, cycling indoors has never been more accessible or technologically advanced, and it can even be a social activity now.

Zwift, for example, enables you to do virtual group rides and races all from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Alternatively, Road Grand Tours Cycling (another virtual cycling platform) is currently free to use by anyone with the right kit, so you might not even have to spend money to get online.

If you’re new to the whole idea of interactive indoor cycling, check out our article on the best smart trainers.

But if you’re looking for a bargain, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve scoured the internet for great deals on turbo trainers, smart trainers and indoor training accessories, so you can get yourself set up for less.

Tacx Blue Matic – $199.99 $179

A reasonably priced magnetic trainer from Tacx, the Blue Matic would make a great option for anyone just starting out with indoor cycling.

It has a resistance control lever that can mount on the handlebar and offers up to 700 watts of resistance. Granted that’s probably not enough for full on sprint training, but for everything else this will do the job and you can save 10 per cent on it at Jenson USA.

• Buy the Tacx Blue Matic with a 10% discount from Jenson USA

Elite Direto – £550 £499

Our tester said the Direto sits in the Goldilocks zone for smart trainers, with all the right features such as good power accuracy and road feel, as well as a great price.

It’s been superseded by some of Elite’s more recent models like the Suito and Drivo II, but it’s still a great unit and at just under £500 at Halfords, it’s one of the cheapest direct-drive smart trainers on the market.

• Buy the Elite Direto with a 9% discount from Halfords

Cycleops H2 – £1,000 £619

The Cyceops H2 is an updated version of the trainer we gave 4.5 stars to back in late 2017. It features reliable power measurement with good road feel and smooth resistance changes, and it works seamlessly with indoor cycling apps such as Zwift and TrainerRoad.

It’s an absolute steal at Pro Bike Kit right now too with just over 38 per cent off the RRP.

• Buy the Cycleops H2 with a 38% discount from Pro Bike Kit

Muc-Off Indoor Training Kit – £41.99 £19.99

Your bike and trainer are unlikely to get too dirty from indoor use, but you’ll still need to do a little bit of maintenance and this kit from Muc-Off has a few useful items.

There’s a Sweat Protect spray that can help prevent corrosion on your bike, plus an antibacterial cleaner for your indoor training equipment and a microfibre cloth to buff your bike with.

The pack also comes with an antibacterial chamois cream to help protect your delicate area through even the most arduous training sessions.

• Buy the Muc-Off Indoor Training Kit with a 52% discount from Wiggle

Elite Arion Parabolic Rollers – £199.99 £169.99

It might seem like the cycling world has gone crazy over smart trainers, but some people prefer the more realistic feel of riding on rollers, especially because they can help you improve your balance and bike handling skills.

This set from Elite has parabolic drum profiles that help you stay in place more easily, and it also folds up easily so you can take it with you to use for warming up before races.

• Buy Elite Arion Parabolic Rollers with a 16% discount from Tweeks Cycles

Free 7-day Zwift trial and free Road Grand Tours

Zwift has undoubtedly changed the way cyclists train indoors, with the app’s virtual world making riding the turbo more realistic than ever.

Once you’ve got your Zwift setup sorted, you can also choose from a number of structured workouts and training plans, or join a group ride or race.

If your regular group ride is off the cards at the moment, Zwift could offer the opportunity to keep the legs turning in the (virtual) company of other riders.

You can sign-up for a free 7-day trial on the Zwift website.

Otherwise, Zwift competitor Road Grand Tours is now free in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The virtual cycling simulator allows riders to take on a range of courses modelled on real places, including iconic climbs like the Stelvio.

• Sign-up for a free 7-day Zwift trial

dhb Aeron Lab Raceline Women’s Bib Short SS18 – £130 £59

It’s common for cyclists to save their old, worn out shorts for use on the turbo, but the reality is that you actually ought to be using your best shorts.

It makes sense when you think about it – you spend a lot more time in the saddle when you’re on the turbo because you don’t need to stand up to make small accelerations or stop for traffic lights and junctions.

Having comfortable, well-fitting shorts with a good chamois pad is therefore even more important than when you’re riding outside.

Fortunately, good bib shorts needn’t cost the earth and these top of the range ones from dhb are currently reduced by a massive 54 per cent at Chain Reaction Cycles.

Otherwise, check out our round-up of cheap cycling shorts.

• Buy dhb Aeron Lab Raceline Women’s Bib Short SS18 with a 55% discount from Chain Reaction Cycles

Craft Cool Mesh SuperLight SS Baselayer – £34 £26.99

Training indoors without any wind to cool you down means you’re likely to get very sweaty, very quickly (top indoor training tip: get yourself a fan).

It can be tempting to go topless for maximum cooling, but a more modest compromise is a good quality summer baselayer.

A mesh baselayer, such as this one by Craft, helps maximise ventilation while also helping to wick sweat away from your skin and keep you dry and comfortable. Handily, it’s also on sale right now.

• Buy Craft Cool Mesh SuperLight SS Baselayer with a 21% discount from Chain Reaction Cycles