The Best Exercise Bikes and Smart Bikes of 2023: Adjustable, Feature-packed Trainers for Serious Indoor Training (2023)

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Anew modified version of Wahoo Kickr Bikenewly introduced with built-in Wi-Fi and slightly higher peak power; But because the original is now significantly less expensive and offers one of the best rides of any indoor trainer we've ridden when we reviewed it, Kickr Bike's V1 remains our top pick for smart bikes.

The adjustability is very impressive, allowing you to raise or lower the entire bike and adjust the reach of the handlebars and saddle. Wahoo takes this to the next level by inputting the numbers of a pro bike bit into the app, which tells you exactly where the adjustable sliders need to go. That feeling is also due to the resistance unit, which is a flywheel and motor combination that delivers up to 2200 watts of resistance.

The virtual gear real-time effective pitch changes are 20% with 15% dips with a performance accuracy of about 1%. As you would expect from the US manufacturer, the KickR bike integrates seamlessly with other Wahoo products and is compatible with all major training apps. Yes, it's not cheap, but it's great.

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kickr wahoo bike

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The scenarios gained traction as Team Sky used their crank-based power meter for several seasons in the Chris Froome era. Stopped at Stages. The range now includes commercial indoor bikes for gym-goers, cycle computers and, according to the SB20, smart indoor trainers.

This is a quality, well-built smart bike that delivers up to 2000 watts of electromagnetic resistance from a massive 23kg flywheel powered by a quiet and reliable Gates carbon belt. This is enough for the strongest cyclists. Unsurprisingly, the SB20 uses Stages' crank-based technology, which is accurate enough despite being powered by coin-cell batteries that need replacing after 100 hours. Keep this in mind or your Zwift ride will be terminated prematurely.

It easily syncs with your laptop, smartphone and tablet and is ANT+ and Bluetooth compatible. The real-world experience is very impressive, although the ERG mode is a minor disappointment. Gear changes are good. Cute touches like a phone tray and two water bottle holders on each side of the bike are appreciated.

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Stages SB20 smart bike indoor trainer

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This is a custom kit that accurately reflects your actual bike. You can swap out the 42cm bars if you like, while the cranks have interchangeable inserts for 170mm, 172.5mm or 175mm options. The pedals also have a Q-factor of 147mm, similar to many road cranks.

The first thing that strikes you is how incredibly quiet it is. It has a single speed gearbox which is basically silent except for a pretty cool hissing noise! The front of the bike has a dedicated screen, two fans, an iPad holder, a phone tray and two USB ports so you can charge your devices while you train.

Gear changes are quick, reliable and appreciated, while power delivery feedback is precise and reliable. It can handle sprints of up to 2200 watts, which should withstand the strain of the toughest track sprinters, and it can effortlessly simulate inclines of up to 25%.

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Tacx Neo smart bike

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The top-end Wattbike Atom is a much better indoor trainer than the first incarnation, making it a contender for your hard-earned money. The biggest change is swapping out the previous somewhat cumbersome mechanical resistance unit for an electromagnetic one. Yes, that means you need a power source nearby, but it makes stamina changes much faster and more reliable.

The Atom is accurate when it comes to power measurement, claiming a maximum resistance of 2500 watts and a 25% slope. It's great. There's no screen, which is a shame for the price, but there is built-in support for your smartphone or tablet. Here you can sync with one of the best indoor cycling apps like Zwift or use Wattbike's own app which is pretty good. It includes Wattbike's well-known shot analysis metric, where you can aim to stay on the green to dominate the no-soup soup.

The street feel is great too, making it a true contender for your indoor workouts this off-season.

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Wattbike Atom

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Granted, the Renpho's AI isn't a panacea when it comes to smart bikes, but at a third the price of many of its more famous contemporaries, that's not surprising. There are good and bad, like life itself.

Arguably the most important feature of a smart bike is the power meter. Here Renpho was about 10% cheaper, which wasn't good for Zwift rides, if of course it wasn't reported; when we reported it, we were thrilled! – although Renpho stresses that it is 90% accurate. The pedal action doesn't quite match the smoothness of the more expensive models and feels a little clunky. On the other hand, ERG mode works perfectly.

It comes with its own built-in workout app, which is decent considering it's free. There are structured workouts, video spin lessons, and even some real-life video routes built into the app. Overall it's decent. The question will be whether you should opt for this or a better quality smart trainer. Ultimately, it may depend on whether you're a fitness fanatic looking to work out indoors or a dedicated cyclist. For you…

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Renpho AI smart bike

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Since Zycle took over Bkool's range of in-house workout hardware, they have not only continued to produce them, but have also updated the platforms, meaning the renamed and updated Zycle smart/exercise bike is up to the task.

In our review of the original Bkool modelWe weren't too impressed with the large Q-factor (the distance between the pedals), so you'll be happy to know it's reduced on the Zycle Z. There are two built-in buttons to make changing gears easy, and the handlebars offer multiple hand positions. Anyone between 160cm and 195cm can easily fit it with simple adjustments, the power accuracy is +/- 2% and there's even a USB port to charge your smartphone or tablet.