Cold Weather, No Rides – Need Help Choosing Indoor Setup!

[Eve!]

I could really use your help with indoor training! Thanks to the weather, I’m not spending nearly enough time on the bike, and I’m now considering indoor training for those really cold days. But honestly, I feel completely overwhelmed by all the options—so I’m hoping you can assist!

I’m looking to spend less than R15,000.

From what I can tell, there are two main options:

• Buy a smart trainer (like a Wahoo KICKR Core) and mount your own bike onto it
• Buy a standalone indoor bike

I have a few questions:

• What are the pros and cons of each option?
• What should I look out for when choosing?
• Does your bike get damaged from constantly mounting/dismounting it for indoor/outdoor use?
• Can a standalone indoor bike also connect to Zwift, or is that only possible with something like the Wahoo KICKR?
• Is there a way for two riders to train together indoors?
• Also, what are the do’s and don’ts when it comes to indoor training?

Please help a completely overwhelmed and undertrained rider who still prefers the outdoors—but wants to make the most of indoor training too!

Thanks so much in advance! 🚴‍♀️

[El Duderino]

I think a smart trainer is your best option. 

Here's what I did and Im very happy with my set up:

Bought a Tacx Flux S a few years ago for about 10K, brand new. Have had four years of excellent performance from what is regarded as a budget option. 

Spent 4K on a old road bike that is permanently on the trainer. Took out a Zwift subscription and I was good to go. 

Now on Rouvy, which I prefer, and I use this set up 2 to 3 times per week. 

Good luck with your decision. Hope this helps.

[warrencharlesza]

Exactly what was said above. the easier you make it to just walk in and train, the more you will use it. Make sure you have a decent fan or two is all I could add

The new Kicker Core Zwift device uses a virtual shifting and accomodates bikes from 8-12 speed and the tech works outside of zwift, might open options as well

[dave303e]

My 2c as someone who has logged literally thousands of hours indoors.

3rd Option - if you have a gym membership find a virgin active that has a technogym ride- you can use those with zwift. 0 Investment and ok training. Run zwift on the phone. Give you a good intro or temp solution to test.

Personally I would love to upgrade to a smart standalone bike like a Wahoo Shift or a zwift bike. Mainly due to drivetrain maintenance. and adjustability in position. 1 size fits all. But it is a want, not a need at all.

Next best is a wheel off smart trainer with a dedicated trainer bike and set up. If you have to set up the trainer every time, you will train less. Wheel on trainers are loud and also just a pain. Wheel off is worth it in my personal opinion. For the dedicated trainer bike, cheapest heaviest drivetrain you can find on whatever frame you can get hold of. I have a mtb with a electrical connecter locking out the fork, no brakes, gravel front chainring, road 11 speed cassette, XT cranks and deraillure. Costs me R1200 a year for new drivetrain and logs 1000's of km a year between the mrs and I.

Find a platform you like, I like zwift or rouvy. there are others as well. Structured training is the best use for indoor training. Get return on your time and enjoy your outdoor rides when you can because you are stronger.

You need a device to run the program as well. Phone, tablet or laptop. I like an extra screen or tv for entertainment.

But the big ones- dedicated space and setup and a good smart trainer.

I started with a used kickr in 2017. It is still going strong

[cadenceblur]

40 minutes ago, Eve! said:

I could really use your help with indoor training! Thanks to the weather, I’m not spending nearly enough time on the bike, and I’m now considering indoor training for those really cold days. But honestly, I feel completely overwhelmed by all the options—so I’m hoping you can assist!

I’m looking to spend less than R15,000.

From what I can tell, there are two main options:

• Buy a smart trainer (like a Wahoo KICKR Core) and mount your own bike onto it
• Buy a standalone indoor bike

I have a few questions:

• What are the pros and cons of each option?
• What should I look out for when choosing?
• Does your bike get damaged from constantly mounting/dismounting it for indoor/outdoor use?
• Can a standalone indoor bike also connect to Zwift, or is that only possible with something like the Wahoo KICKR?
• Is there a way for two riders to train together indoors?
• Also, what are the do’s and don’ts when it comes to indoor training?

Please help a completely overwhelmed and undertrained rider who still prefers the outdoors—but wants to make the most of indoor training too!

Thanks so much in advance! 🚴‍♀️

all great advice so won't repeat, but try try for a wheel off, like the core or elite or whatever your budget allows, a spare bike is great, but I would rather spend on the best trainer you can get and fit your bike. 

I think there's a deal on the Wahoo Kickr Core for R11 000 at present

Check out training peaks as well - great platform for data and the bundled TP Virtual has alot of workouts and options

The environment and platform must be as inviting as possible (with some media to watch, a good fan as mentioned) - otherwise you will find and excuse to either not ride / or cut the ride short! 

[Mamil]

2 hours ago, El Duderino said:

I think a smart trainer is your best option. 

Here's what I did and Im very happy with my set up:

Bought a Tacx Flux S a few years ago for about 10K, brand new. Have had four years of excellent performance from what is regarded as a budget option. 

Spent 4K on a old road bike that is permanently on the trainer. Took out a Zwift subscription and I was good to go. 

Now on Rouvy, which I prefer, and I use this set up 2 to 3 times per week. 

Good luck with your decision. Hope this helps.

For this budget this is the way to go for sure. Especially the dedicated El cheapo frame.... sweat is.very damaging to the bike.

[RoadieCyclist]

I have a saris H3 trainer and a technogym, standalone bike, and I would opt for the saris trainer. Reason being I ride on it with the bike settings that I’m used to which means when it’s time for racing, I am used to my bike. The standalone bike would have slightly different geometry, and that might be an issue in terms of comfort. My bike has not suffered any damage from being on and off the trainer, but I’m not an expert on that. An indoor trainer, a fan, sweat guard, anti-slip mat, Zwift subscription and you’re good to go. You can ride along friends via Zwift and even join some group rides and races. It’s super fun. Good luck. 

Edited July 11, 2025 by RoadieCyclist

[HdB]

The standalone indoor bikes that can connect to Zwift etc are almost all way more expensive than your budget, and the ones that are close are unlikely to compare to the features of the Kickr Core etc.

As for damaging the bike, nah. It is possible, I'm sure, but if you aren't rough with the QR or thru-axle and watch out for bumping the rear derailleur then it should be fine. I've had my bike on and off our trainers (Saris H2 initially, then H3) since 2019 with no damage that I am aware of.

And yes, you can train together, if both riders have a smart trainer setup. During Covid I bought the H3 so that my wife could use the H2, and we rode together quite often on Zwift or Rouvy.

Use a sweat protector and/or towel(s), or dry the bike off very thoroughly after every ride. Depending on your bike size some of the sweat protectors could rub against your knees - the Ciovita and Tacx ones look like they have less of a flare at the handlebars.
Plus a decent fan. Ideally also a mat to keep sweat away from your floor/carpet, it also helps a bit with noise if you have a hard floor.

As for the software, there are so many options and tastes differ. I prefer TrainerRoad for workouts, and occasionally TrainingPeaks Virtual for a race. My wife prefers Rouvy for the variety of scenery. Zwift has the most users, so it can be a more social experience. MyWoosh is free and pretty, but seems to need a more powerful laptop or tablet to get the most out of it. BikeTerra also has a free option, but it looks a bit more basic.

[cadenceblur]

A decent fan sorts out the excessive sweating ( at least in my experience ) , so I don’t think the sweat story is “a thing” especially if the area is well ventilated as well. Keeping cool is probably one of the most important factors as it will impact your HR ( will be elevated too keep you cool) as well as your RPE ( rate of perceived exertion)

[Heina13]

I agree to all the above! If possible add a TV to your setup. Much more immersive on the big screen. On longer easier rides I have TP Virtual running on the tablet with a movie, series or some or other event on the TV. Helps the time tick away. Just remember 1 hour on an indoor trainer is eqaul to 9 days in the real world

[Marcv]

Won't repeat from above as its all good stuff. You didn't mention what type of bike you have so here is some of my experience. when i started i had an old dual sus on my Elite Direto and it worked perfectly, but over time there was most certainly some wear on the rear shock. During Covid i changed it to a hard tail and i havn't looked back. I did change from a laptop to an Ipad as its much faster to start up Zwift and the updates on the laptop were insanely slow. the best setup is a tv and an apple tv.

Some thing else to understand is that when you do structured training and you use erg mode you don't need the bike gears, you stay in one gear and the trainer adjusts the power to match the training requirement.

If you haven't already found them on you tube GPlama and DCrainmaker give fantastic reviews on trainers.

And lastly cycle lab has the kicker core on special

Enjoy

Edited July 11, 2025 by Marcv