The best smart bikes for Zwift - A four-way group test
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
- Zwift did not create indoor training or the concept of training software, but it has fueled a rapid expansion of the interactive hardware available to riders to make indoor riding more fun. Smart bikes are the latest category of interactive training tools. They combine the measured and dynamic resistance of smart trainers with the convenience of a dedicated indoor bike.
Over the past three winters VeloNews editorial director Ben Delaney tested a couple dozen smart trainers, and this winter I tested four smart bikes: The WattBike Atom, the StagesBike, the Tacx Neo Bike, and the Wahoo Kickr Bike.
It’s important to note that smart bikes are different than a normal indoor bike like you may have used in a gym or even the higher-end electronic home models like a Peloton. The primary difference is that smart bikes are cyclist-focused, wattage-based tools designed to integrate with third-party software like Zwift, TrainerRoad, and FulGaz. Peloton, NordicTrack, and others have their own closed ecosystem for workouts and classes. These can be great tools for the gym-class crowd, but if you’re looking for power-based training and virtual racing, they don’t work.
Ben tested each of the four smart bikes in Zwift group rides, workouts, and races. He's logged more than 5,000 miles in the game on a variety of smart trainers, so he has a decent feel for the options out there.
Each smart bike has its own quirky personality, and the differences between bikes are far greater than the differences between smart trainers of a similar price point. The stability, fit, adjustability, shifting, and accommodation for tablets and phones varies greatly.
Conversely, Ben found all four bikes to deliver reliable measurement that he would happily use for training, with less variation from one to the other than with some smart trainers. For power reference, he used a set of Garmin Vector 3 pedals that he has in turn tested against meters from Shimano, Quarq and Stages. Also, in terms of noise, all four smart bikes are relatively quiet, in the 60dB range when doing 200 watts at 90rpm.
Visit VeloNews.com for a more detailed information on each of the bikes. - Sport
That was an excellent comparison review. Thank you!
A thoroughly comprehensive review to help with smart bike decision making. Thank you for this video. Subscribed. 👍
Came here for smart bikes. Stayed and subbed for Mr.Delaney!
best review I've seen so far. Thank you.
Thanks for such an honest and instructive video.👍🏼
Thanks. Now I'm confident and ready to choose the best. I'm leaning toward the Kickr
just be careful, wahoo kickr flywheel have tendency to have many issues.
if you spend big dollars for it, if something goes wrong (and mostly it does) you may be out for couple of months without your tool.
I have a Stages 3. Love that bike. Between my wife and I we are on it daily. I also sweat a lot and have no issues with the front flywheel. May at some point go 'smart bike' and would choose Stages based on my current level of satisfaction.
Thats a big thumbs up, thank you for this review!
Great review. After some initial issues, I’ve been very happy with the Stages SB 20. Very solid build and easily adjustable.
You all prolly dont give a damn but does anybody know a tool to get back into an Instagram account??
I was dumb lost my password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me
@Bo Caiden instablaster :)
Great review! After some initial issues, I’ve been very happy with the Stages SB 20. Very solid build and easily adjustable. By the way, I came across a new project called the freebeat Morph 2-in-1 eBike. It's a revolutionary eBike that allows you to ride both indoors and outdoors. One outstanding feature is the indoor recharge capability, which is a game-changer. The bike's brushless 750W motor delivers impressive power and speed, and the 80mm front suspension ensures a smooth ride on any terrain. The Morph eBike also offers a unique blend of fitness and technology, providing valuable insights and keeping you motivated. Definitely worth checking out!
Great review! Thank you.
It’s to see you back
Very thoughtful review! Thanks for excellent work
Our pleasure!
I watched a lot of reviews such as this one prior to buying opting for Tacx Neo - I can confirm I am absolutely thrilled by it and recommend
I can not get it anywhere in UK :(
What kind of pedals did you buy for it?
Great video if looking to buy one of these smart bikes. Think I’m going with the Wahoo.
Good stuff, as always, Ben!!!
Thanks!
Excellent.. Thanks!
This is a great video ! Thanks
Glad you liked it!
Good well balanced review 👍
Very helpful review thanks. I've been using a regular kickr for about 4 years now and although it is very good when working, I have had to return units 4 times. I have been thinking about getting the kickr bike but have read of many faults which is really putting me off. Is the climb function really good, or do you love it for the first couple of months and then not think about it again? I'm tending toward the Stages unit due to its sturdiness. It also has some very good gearing options using the app.
Great review =-D I think Tacx Neo wins for me in terms of best bang for your buck, such a great cockpit layout, road feel and cool glow, Plus with the increase in Wattbike to 2K and the shipping costs to Northern Ireland means the WB costs almost as much but without the extra great features of the Tacx. Only small concern is Garmin seem to have bad customer service reviews which could be an issue 2 years away when out of warranty. Kickr is a bit expensive and no tablet holder but would probably just about win if money wasn't a factor.
Thank you sir for a great review. I now need to convince my wife that its a good idea to buy one.
You need a new wife.
That velonews kit is on Point :)
Thanks!
Good reviews thank you I watched this 2 xs and a bunch of others. I have not bought anything as yet but am looking everything over. I am leaning toward the Stages because the reviews indicate they last and that is what is important. Wahoos are the fun ones but fall apart it appears. Good Video
Rollers a good purchase for winter training and core strength needs.
When the StagesBike showed up at EuroBike last year, I knew it would be the category leader for serious training.
Bought the Stages SB20. The solidity, lack of a top tube, silent belt drive and overall practical design sold me. Indoor/ spin bikes have evolved over decades into their current form and the Stages bike benefits from all that experience. I feel like the other bikes are all trying to unnecessarily reinvent the wheel.
Hi, can you use the Stages SB20 manually? Say follow a bike trainer workout video on CZcams as opposed to connecting it to an app? Thanks!
Many thanks for the great video. Any chance of a review of Zycle smart bike? Thanks again.
Awesome review!
Did you ever get a difference in real power and power from the stages, as i just got one and on a regular basis i am getting far more power from stages bike than i am really pedalling through the bike, power numbers like 524 watts for a 16km TT on zwift, I asked zwifft but they ignored the ticket, i tried the stages directly onto a garmin 1030 and V3 pedals on a fenix 6 sapphire and there was very little difference, it only seems to be zwift ?
I bought an ICG IC6. More of a spin bike bought it broadcasts power and cadence via ANT+. Great to train on indoors on, but shifting with the dial makes racing on Zwift tedious trying to find the right gear. However for being $1600 on black Friday, it was great deal. I've used it on Zwift, Xert, and Sufferfest with no issues. Only downside was the customer service getting it here. Took 7 weeks from the day I placed the order.
hey there thinking of buying an IC7 but have heard horror stories of connecting to Zwift - presume Zwift acts normally re changing resistance etc
@@cds1637 I haven't had any issues using it on Zwift. I'm using Zwift in Windows with the Ant+ dongle. I will say it when you start pedaling on the IC7 and it powers up you'll see the bikes Ant+. However it won't broadcast data until you it hit quick start on it.
Looking forward to more info on the stages. More proven design to last, which should be number one concern. I am really wary of laying out the cash of something like the wahoo when theyve built so few of them. Not interested in being a beta tester paying full price.
Great Review. Question: Stages Smart Bike has the flywheel in front; in the riders sweat drip zone, I sweat a lot. Is the front fly wheel a legitimate concern over the long term (corrosion, ..) for bike maintenance? Asking as many higher-end spin bikes have moved the flywheel to the rear.
That is a good question! Short answer: I don't know, but I'll look into it. Longer answer: their spin bikes have the flywheels in the front, and those last and last. Thanks for asking.
Ewwwwww
I’ve been riding the stages for a year now and the sweat and front flywheel has never been an issue.
I've got a Wattbike and love it, I think that the price should be a factor in the review as the other bikes are 'on average' $1,300 more and the Wahoo being + $1,700. I'd rather spend the delta on my 'actual road bike' as I think that the differences are too small once you get rolling in ERG mode (most app's). The Wattbike also provides unique pedaling efficiency data through its app which ensures that you are putting as much energy into the drive train as possible throughout the stroke (pull up & push down).
Kevin Charles Where are you buying your bikes? In the UK the wahoo bike is £3100 🥵
I only had a USD. price for the Wahoo at the time. My Wattbike was £1,599 so is £1,500 less than the Wahoo. I’d like s Wahoo bike also as I use their bolt and tickr and like the brand, but as I said it’s a big jump in price (but can’t see the additional value) which I can spend on new season kit or components. Are you going to invest £3,100 in a Wahoo? It’s all subjective and I think that those key elements should have been included in the review. I ride on the road all year round except for rain, snow or ice.
Kevin Charles I one hundred percent agree with you mate 3100 is stupid money on something when you can get similar for half the price.
@@kevincharles3570 Wahoo is $3500 USD, Stages is $2899 USD, Atom is $2,599 USD, and Tacx Smart Bike is $3199.00... all the current retail prices.
I’ve got a Wattbike and a neo tacx and I only ride in the atom these days with the neo sitting in the corner and the back back in the shed.
Great review Ben! I love the climb functionality of the Wahoo but I think the smart money is on the Stages at the moment as it’s cheaper, looks like the build quality is better and Stages have a proven track record of designing and maintaining indoor bikes. One area that was not really covered in the test, is how quickly the bike’s sensors paired to Zwift, whether there were any dropouts/reliability issues whilst training, and how well they performed in ERG mode; since these are very important considerations when dropping this amount of cash (I know they are to me!). Anyways, keep up the good work and BoCo FTW.
Catch 22 though. Stages has made indoor spin bikes and power meters for ages yes, but they dont have the zwift interaction experience. Unlike wahoo and taxc who have years of smart trainer experience, but not the bike making experience
Stages ERG works great with Zwift. No issues
Hi Ben, from Spain. Interesting review but I miss one important feature in your test, the freewheeling. You haven't mentioned in each bike if you can freewheel or if the cranks are always moving (as in a fixie bike) when the main wheel is moving. Thanks
Neo bike has freewheeling.
Hi Antonio. Good point. All the bikes can freewheel.
Any chance you can look at the Life Fitness IC6,7,8 range of bikes?
Great comparative review. Once the prices are taken into consideration - the Stages is almost HALF the price of the Wahoo (I can live without tilt), my decision has been made
Yea in the UK they are currently going for 1699-1899 GBP which is attractive.. although the issues worry me!
Now the kicker v1 1999 us dollars, great price, the new version doesn't justify paying 4k dollars compared to this amazing sale.
hi good review do these bikes free wheel or not thks
Have you tried the SC3 stages bike? Is it compatible with zwift? The smart bike is not available yet in my country.
I have an old Stages spin bike at home. Just the stock one like you might find in a Life Time gym with the left-side power meter. That's what I use for Zwift. It's not 'smart' - but neither am I!
Curious what the maintenance cost are to these bikes. Expensive to repair?
Ben looks fit...
What do you think about ZCycle Zbike? Can you test her?
What saddle is that?
would have been interested to hear comparison and comments on noise levels
They are all around 65dB when riding steady.
Can you tilt the saddle?
Grate review. If you will have to chose one bike which one will you buy?
Wish I knew :/
Which version of the stages bike is this? I like that one the most and can't seem to figure out the differences between all of the ones they offer. The main goal is zwift. Is that the SC3 model?
This is the SB20 StagesBike. SC3 works for Zwift - you just don't get the automatic resistance adjustment.
@@VeloNewsMagazine thank you so much! Just ordered the SB20 and expected ship date is first week of June. May I ask your experience with the shipping? Where they able to keep the promised delivery time even with Covid going on?
@@GrandpaWazi how do you like it?
@@thepatternforms859 Its a love hate relationship lol. For zwift I do wish I just went way cheaper and used my real bike and hooked it up to a smart platform over this. You can't do certain things the game asks since you do not have true full control over the bike when in game. Hitting certain Candace goals for instance are impossible. It has disconnected multiple times mid race. Has not been android friendly but my girl has an apple product I use to update and resync things. 7/10 for smart technology stuff. Wahoo kicker would probably be my go to if I had to do it over and stay with a smart bike.
@@GrandpaWazi if I get the wahoo kicker I worry about it breaking? I read a lot about how these wahoos break within a year and really are terrible in terms of quality? The SB is a tank? Man it sucks that the issues are tech related on this bike I really hate that. I have no clue what to buy
I have the wahoo kickr bike , Haven’t tried the others, but in comparison with the tacx neo and the regular wahoo kickr, it is much more smooth and precise, very quiete a pleasure to ride.
Q-factor comparison (bike axis right in the middle of stance width?), noise, max watts, own saddle possible? Thank you
Own saddle possible on all. Noise was 65dB or less on all. Max watts... they have different claims, but honestly wasn't something I even attempted to test. Q-Factor - that is a great question. I'm afraid I did not measure. Dang it. They all felt a tiny bit wider than road cranks, but that is just a subjective feel thing - not an actual measurement. I bet the companies post that info on their sites, though.
VeloNews Thank you! Be careful with the axis of the bike, whether is it right in the middle of stanice width, my own experience on one expensive bike: 5 mm diference!
Excellent Video. I'm hoping one of these companies makes a smart bike with steering and elevation changes. More realistic riding. I know Zwift is adding more steering options, mountain biking and road.
I use an Osymetric chainring on all my bikes. I'm pretty sure if I get a smart bike I can't have that can I? That would be the only reason I would not get one. I have a Kickr smart trainer and love it but I'd consider buying a smart bike except that I would not have use of the chainring I have grown fond of.
wich wheels size do you select in Swift with a stationnary bike?
Which stages bike model is the one you are reviewing?
SB 20
How are the sound levels for each? Surprised you didn’t talk about that.
They are all about 65dB or less at 200w/90rpm. Much quieter than many smart trainers. Not *quiet*, but quieter.
Do any of these allow for steering in Zwift?
I think the Stages, Tacx, and Wahoo all offer extra buttons that don't currently have functionality... that are maybe going to add such features once Zwift enables it. It seems they've all been collaborating with Zwift (and other platforms) for what those extra buttons are useful for... including virtual braking.
Jason Dearden stages bike has the buttons they don't do anything in zwift currently... Just tried it earlier this evening , was delivered yesterday
So this is where Ben went...
Looks like the stages is the winner. Least negatives & built like tank.
Love to get a kickr bike, but I think I would k.o it between 8-14month. Stages for me.
I have a kickr bike and stages bike. The stages bike has been a nightmare from day one, the right power meter has never worked and the bike stop pairing. Had a stages mechanic fixing these problems, come to ride it and two buttons stop working. In the middle of getting my money back or a new bike. Stages bike is as solid as a rock but is more like a spin bike with racing handlebars. The gears system is not very good with small buttons.
The kickr bike is a lot better, it feels like a road bike, the gear system is fantastic. pedaling is smoother than an outdoor bike. There is a thigh rub but you don't real notice it. The climb motion is only noticeable while sitting. The only thing I am worried about is the stability of the machine as there is nothing supporting the front of the bike. I found a slight rocking forward and backward of the machine which is noticeable in the mirror, this is more noticeable at slow speeds. I have contacted wahoo and they say this normal. I am not sure whether it will last more than the 8-14 month period a wahoo product lasts me.
The left, right power meter is really good on the stages. where the phone holder is positioned is right in the sweat zone, so be prepared that the phone could be damaged by sweat. on zwift, on a kickr bike I am an average A rider but on the stages bike, I am an average b rider. I have no idea why this is but do think wahoo is over-generous with watts.
In FB kickr bike group, there is rumour going on saying kickr is about to release a piece of plastic for retrofitting the bike to stop rocking motion..good luck!
How about noise?
Concept 2 Bike Erg is also good for Zwift.
This machine will take hell of a beating.
Loved the durability but my concept 2 bike erg was very loud in comparison to these options.
When is the Stages bike being released?
Stages says in April - ASAP.
It's changed its status on Stages site last week, but not available to order directly from them. I ordered it from a reseller that had it not as a pre-order but as it hasn't shipped yet... not entirely sure if it was actually available, waiting on a reply from them on what the delay currently is.
Mine was delivered yesterday
I've had my Stages SB 20 for 2+ weeks now. Solid as a rock, pairs great with Zwift and fun? to ride. Love it!
@@bryandixon4071 How has it been?
Have kickr bike from new and had nothing but hassle with shifting issues. Still not sorted and wahoo support cud not resolve issue yet.
Sorry to hear that. What is happening with the shifting?
@@VeloNewsMagazine I had an issue with shifting as well. My left shifter broke after 3 weeks of use. It was fine one day and broken the next. Hopefully this doesn’t become a recurring issue.
I wanted to buy the wahoo. But it looks like they still havent fixed this issue
Cual es la más barata?? 😅
Google아 CZcams 댓글도 자동 번역 해줘라~~
I ordered the Stages SB20 based on this review. Received it on June 22nd and Stages provided a RMA for the bike on June 29th. The bike never worked. It wouldn't pair with Zwift, the controls on the right side of the bike didn't work and the resistance was stuck at 100%. Stages tech support seems completely overwhelmed. They sent some replacement parts that I swapped out, but didn't make a difference. I felt like I spent $3,000 on a science experiment. I wouldn't recommend this bike because of the poor quality.
Did this get sorted in the end for you? Mine is arriving next week. Went with it as it seemed the bike that had the least issues from all the different FB groups...
@@Stubbo1950 They ended up picking it up last week because they couldn't sort it out. I spoke to their technical support and they said it was unusual. There is a known issue that they have well documented which states you have to have the cables connected in the nose cone and the handlebar wiring connected prior to plugging the bike in for the first time or you will fry the PCB(The brains). I followed the instructions closely, but still had issues. They sent replacement handlebars and PCB, but same result. My guess is that the wiring was bad and it fried the PCB when I plugged it in because it thought the handlebars weren't connected. I could have asked them to replace the entire bike, but I was done troubleshooting the thing. It should work from the get go. I ended up buying the Wahoo. Still waiting on that one for delivery though.
@@Stubbo1950 How did it work out for you? Any issues?
@@eviled9999 hey Ed. Bike is great. The only issue I had was that I couldn't get Zwift/TR to connect via Bluetooth (I've been successfully using ANT+). In any case, a Stages guy is coming out to have a look at it today. The customer service is excellent. All good for you?
@@Stubbo1950 Good to hear. I had the same issue getting it to connect to my iPad using Bluetooth. I moved on and now have the Kickr Bike and love it.
This reviewer, 2 years ago: the wobble on the kickr bike is a little annoying
Wahoo Kickr hoolligans, now: "what you really ought to do is add a $1200 rocker board for maximum wobble"
What’s wrong with a real bike on direct drive trainer?
Nothing, except that these dedicated trainers can accommodate riders of wildly different sizes, i.e. the whole family can use them with little fuss involved in getting the settings right. Even real bike I prefer having a dedicated bike permanently mounted to my trainer so it's always hop on/off whenever I feel like it, but it can only fit me and nobody else. I suppose if you live solo or the only one who cares to exercise then multi-person usage won't be a factor.
We tackled assembling the bike as a family project. czcams.com/users/postUgkxzg0clhbtRf2gGxPkVETFKJJKGqdsorQu The package is heavy, but I have 2 teen boys that were able to move it. The written instructions were great- we didn't need to watch the videos, but it was good knowing that the option was there if we needed it. After we were able to get it set up, the boys each rode 3 miles and I rode 8 and the bike stayed quiet. The display is easy to reset, and you can put it on whichever setting you are using (time, distance, calories, etc). I will say that my butt is a little sore from the seat, but that could be because I haven't rode in a while. While it is comfortable for me, it was not comfortable with the seat position for my friend (could not move the seat back far enough and he slightly looked like a kid riding a tricycle that he had outgrown). He also said that the seat hurt his manly parts. We are going to look for a different seat that will be compatible with this bike for him.I did purchase the Wahoo Cadence sensor and strapped it to the crank of one of the pedals. This will sync with my Apple Watch, iPhone and will import data in to my Health app. Wahoo does have other sensors available other than cadence. I can also keep either my phone or my iPad on the display and they both feel pretty secure.
What are the prices!!!
Ms Information. Seeker Not cheap! I think I could buy a decent road bike and a rear wheel trainer for the same as one of these.
expresso bike best by far
Is he talking about the stagesbike SB20 because it looks like there are more than one?
Yes, the StagesBike SB20. Stages has a few spin bike with power meters, but just the one smart bike.
Nice video. Why the smart bike of bkool or the new Smart bike of Zycle is not in the review? I think they are good competitors against the ones analyzed
Are you a shill for Zycle or simply posting this via time travel from 2018? BKool haven't made the SmartBike in over a year. As for "Zycle", I understand that it is the remnants of the bkool hardware business, but I've never seen one reviewed, never seen one for sale, and never seen anyone using one, I suspect they may have just bought up the old bkool unsold stock when they liquidated the hardware arm.
@@XX-is7ps I'm not shill of anyone, just remarking that when you say that you are reviewing all the bikes in the market it's not true. I have seen a couple of reviews of this new Zycle smart bike in several youtube channels and available in online shops so it's not a time travel or anything similar. Maybe it isn't available in your country yet?
@7:52 are you wearing an engagement ring?
Wahoo is the best investment due to tech changing daily. It won’t be long until the wahoo brakes will come in use using apps like Fulgaz, Zwift etc. Therefore Wattbike and others will then have to bring out new machines leaving plenty of angry customers.
Do some reading the wahoo breaks and doesn’t last long also the seat adjustment won’t stay put. Least durable set up. Best Buy is the SB20 for sure
technogym Skill Bike ?
Triangulate?
BEST SPIN BIKES (Ranking by Q factor)
1- Wahoo Kickr Bike (Q Factor is 150mm)
1- Nordictrack S22i (Q Factor is 150mm)
2- Life fitness IC4, Ic5, IC6, IC7 and IC8 (Q Factor is 155mm)
2- Life fitness IC3 (Q Factor is 155mm)
3- Spinner NXT (Q factor is 158mm)
3- Spinner Blade (Q factor is 158mm)
4- Wattbike Atom (Q factor is 160mm)
4- Bodytone MT2 and WT1 (Q Factor is 160mm)
5- Schwinn IC PRO (Q factor is 168mm)
6- Peloton spin bike (Q factor is 170mm)
6- Schwinn AC PERFORMANCE PLUS (Q Factor is 170mm)
6- Schwinn AC SPORT (Q Factor is 170mm)
6- Life Fitness Lifecycle GX (Q Factor is 170mm)
7- Wattbike Pro/Treiner (Q Factor is 173mm)
7- Life fitness IC1 and IC2 (Q Factor is 173mm)
8- SUNNY ASUNA 6100 (Q Factor is 176mm)
9- SUNNY SF-B1805 (Q Factor is 182mm)
10- Diamondback Studio Cycle 1260Sc (Q Factor is 187mm)
11- Schwinn IC4/IC8 (Q factor is 190mm)
12- Keiser M3i (Q factor is 197mm)
13- SUNNY SF-B1709 (Q factor is 203mm)
16- SUNNY Evolution Pro SF-B1714 (Q factor is 216mm)
Q Factor: Is the distance between the outside of one crank arm to the outside of the opposite crank arm.
Why should you care?
I know from experience that the narrower the Q Factor, the closer my feet are to each other, the more comfortable I feel riding a bicycle.
This is especially true on a long ride or training.
long distance q factor spin bikes can damage your knees
If you're an individual buyer stay away from Stages. They are bad at every aspect of taking care of the consumer.
He sounds like Barack Obama!
No. Not at all.
Go for a run like a man.