The 4 Best Smart Bikes for Hopeless Cycling Enthusiasts (Objectively Compared)

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These are the best smart bikes and bike simulators (not exercise bikes) compatible with the leading indoor cycling apps, such as Zwift, ROUVY, and many more.

I’ve interviewed owners of these expensive training devices and conducted in-depth research to determine their main advantages and disadvantages. I’ve also rated them according to my smart bikes scoring system.

I will also guide you through features you should consider and help you orient yourself in the smart bike market.

Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

What Are the Best Smart Bikes?

Best Budget

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Best Overall

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Best Ride-Feel

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The best smart bikes have to have ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity so that you can connect them to your favorite indoor cycling app. Additionally, they should provide plenty of fit adjustment options, realistic riding feel, data accuracy, and data consistency.

They should also be quiet so you can use them without disturbing other household members.

Read the buyer’s guide section to learn more before choosing a smart bike suitable for you.

Wahoo KICKR Bike v2 (Best Smart Bike Overall)

This smart bike makes indoor training fun thanks to its tilting feature...

Resistance and Gradient 5/5 | Accuracy 5/5 | Ride Feel 5/5 | Shifting 5/5 | Practicality 3/5 | Adjustability 5/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 4.7/5

Main Features

• Can tilt based on gradient
• Fully adjustable fit (including bike’s height)
• Adjustable gears
• Virtual/electronic gears
• Shifting is intuitive and customizable (Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo)
• Quiet
• Realistic road feel
• ERG Mode Easy Ramp and Odometer

Technical Specs

• Resistance: 2500W
• Accuracy: ±1%
• Gradient simulation: 20%
• Customizable shifting: Yes
• Cranks: 165, 167.5, 170, 172.5, and 175mm
• Weight: 42 kg (93 lbs)
• Flywheel: 5.9 kg (13 lbs) with enhanced motor
• Connectivity: ANT+, Bluetooth (KICKR Bike v2 also has WiFi)

The one single feature unique to Wahoo KICKR Bike 2 is that it can tilt. So, once you start climbing (or descending), the entire bike tilts depending on the gradient (decline). This adds another dimension to realistic indoor training.

Unlike the Tacx NEO Bike, you can also adjust its entire height. This is especially useful if you or your partner are short because the lower height will make it easier to get on.

TIP: Read my comparison of the Wahoo KICKR Bike vs. Tacx NEO Bike for more details about the differences between these two smart bikes.

KICKR Bike is almost fully customizable, fit-wise and features-wise. Let me explain. The possibility of adjusting the fit is standard on all smart bikes. However, KICKR stands out with 5 crank lengths and the ELEMNT APP. For comparison, Wattbike ATOM only has one crank length.

The app also allows you to adjust gearing and how the shifters behave. You can set them to Shimano Di2, SRAM eTAP, SRAM mechanical, or Campagnolo—whatever you prefer.

Unfortunately, Wahoo KICKR Bike 2 has no tablet holder or place to put your phone, gels, etc. So you will need additional accessories like a laptop stand.

KICKR also can’t simulate various riding surfaces like Tacx NEO. If you don’t care about the other specifications (which are similar), then this is one of the few differences that can be a deal-breaker.

Despite all the shortcomings, I believe KICKR Bike is the best smart bike overall, thanks to the software extension of the ELEMNT app.

To learn more about the differences between its first and second generation, read my comparison of KICKR Bike v1 vs. v2.

Tacx NEO Bike Plus (Best Ride Feel Smart Bike)

Accessories-rich smart bike for Garmin (Tacx) fanboys (and fangirls, of course)…

Resistance and Gradient 5/5 | Accuracy 5/5 | Ride Feel 5/5 | Shifting 4/5 | Practicality 5/5 | Adjustability 5/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 4.8/5

Main Features

• Realistic road feel (simulation of different road surfaces) 
• It doesn’t require power (for most features)
• In-build fans
• Tablet mount
• Adjustable fit
• Adjustable, virtual gears
• Integrated display providing information about power, speed, cadence, etc.
• Towel and bottle included
• Colored LED in the flywheel indicating power output
• Highly stable during sprints

Technical Specs

• Resistance: Up to 2200W
• Accuracy: ±1%
• Gradient simulation: 20%
• Customizable shifting: Yes
• Cranks: 170, 172.5, and 175mm
• Weight: 50 kg (110 lbs)
• Flywheel: Virtual with enhanced motor
• Connectivity: ANT+, Bluetooth

Garmin introduced NEO Bike Plus in 2022. It has improved ergonomics, shifting, and fit (see all differences).

The most significant advantage of the Tacx NEO Bike Plus compared to other smart bikes (KICKR Bike, SB20, and Wattbike Atom) is that it can simulate different road surfaces like cobblestones, gravel, etc.

This makes the ride feel even more realistic – especially if you use indoor cycling apps like Zwift, where the routes have sections with these surfaces. But honestly, I almost always turn it off.

Another thing you notice when looking at Tacx NEO Bike Plus is the built-in fans. They differentiate NEO from its alternatives. They adjust their speed based on your power, speed, and HR, or they can choose one of the three intensities. You can direct them on your head, arms, or legs (whatever you prefer).

Unfortunately, they are not very powerful, and you will probably need to buy an additional fan for indoor cycling to stay cool down.

Using the levers, you can adjust the fit (stack, reach, setback, saddle height, frame height). NEO has markings, so you can write them down if you set the bike for somebody else. Remember that you won’t be able to adjust the bike height as you would on the Wahoo KICKR Bike. But it’s not an issue, thanks to the lack of the top tube.

NEO Plus also allows you to adjust the gearing. So, you can select compact gearing for steep climbs or hard gearing for time trials. The range is as follows: front: up to 3 chainrings 53-22T, rear: up to 12spd 11-40T.

I appreciate that Tacx improved the shifters’ ergonomics with the NEO Bike Plus generation. The previous ones were terrible.

The NEO Bike Plus is rigid and can’t tilt like the KICKR Bike. However, this means it is super stable during out-of-the-saddle sprints.

You also don’t need to have it plugged into a power source. Instead, it can provide resistance and basic ride info on display from the energy you generate by pedaling. How cool is that?

The last thing I want to mention is its quiet operation. It is so quiet that the fans will make more noise than the bike itself! Overall, I believe this smart bike will be an excellent platform for your indoor training.

Wattbike Atom 2nd Gen. (Best Budget Smart Bike)

One of the most affordable smart bikes on the market…

Resistance and Gradient 5/5 | Accuracy 5/5 | Ride Feel 4/5 | Shifting 3/5 | Practicality 3/5 | Adjustability 3/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 4.0/5

Main Features

• Excellent price-value ratio
• TT handlebar
• Tablet mount
• Adjustable fit
• Easy to assemble
• Fast shifting
• Two bottle cages included

Technical Specs

• Resistance: Up to 2500W
• Accuracy: ±1%
• Gradient simulation: 25%
• Customizable shifting: Limited to 11 or 22 gears
• Cranks: 170mm
• Weight: 40 kg (88 lbs)
• Flywheel: 9.3kg (20 lbs)
• Connectivity: ANT+, Bluetooth

Although Wattbike Atom is the most affordable smart bike on this list, it is not exactly cheap.

The second generation has a few improvements over the first generation. For example, the maximum resistance increased from 2000W to 2500W, and the accuracy rate improved from ±2% to ±1%.

Thanks to new sensors, it has also improved data transmission and accuracy. In addition, the resistance unit is now electromagnetic, which leads to faster shifting and a more realistic ride feel.

One significant advantage of Wattbike Atom compared to Tacx NEO or Wahoo KICKR bikes is its easy assembly. It comes almost fully assembled. You only have to install the handlebar (and the TT bars if you want to use them).

The shifting is like Tacx NEO, but the buttons are located on the hood itself, not on a brake lever. I don’t like this on Atom because I am used to road bike shifting.

Another difference is the gearing itself. Wattbike doesn’t follow the front + rear derailleur formula known from bikes. Instead, you can set 11 or 22 ‘gears,’ and the resistance will change linearly. Of course, the jumps between 22 gears are smaller, so you can choose the resistance that suits your cadence.

It is a shame that Atom doesn’t provide feedback in the form of vibration like KICKR or NEO when you shift. It would improve the user experience. So, maybe they will add it in the 3rd generation. We will see.

Many users encounter one issue with Atom: its unreliable ERG mode. It often spikes, so look elsewhere if you plan to do structured workouts using TrainerRoad.

However, as said in the beginning, Wattbike Atom is the best budget smart bike. It offers almost the same as Wahoo KICKR or Tacx NEO bikes, except for a few shortcomings.

Zwift Ride (The Best Smart Bike for Zwift)

Innovative and affordable, but compatible only with Zwift…

Resistance and Gradient 4/5 | Accuracy 4/5 | Ride Feel 4/5 | Shifting 5/5 | Practicality 4/5 | Adjustability 4/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 4.2/5
Considering Wahoo KICKR Core as the trainer.

Main Features

• Affordable
• Zwift control buttons
• Not so quiet as other options
• Adjustable fit
• Easy to assemble
• Fast shifting
• Two bottle cages included
• Only one crank length option
• Limited accessory connection (HR) when used with Apple TV

Technical Specs

• Resistance: Depends on the trainer
• Accuracy: Depends on the trainer
• Gradient simulation: Depends on the trainer
• Customizable shifting: Depends on the trainer
• Cranks: 170mm
• Weight: 35.4 kg (78 lbs) [with KICKR Core trainer]
• Flywheel: Depends on the trainer
• Connectivity: Bluetooth

The Zwift Ride is a slightly different smart bike than the others. It is primarily a frame that comes separately or with the Wahoo KICKR Core smart trainer. If you already have a smart trainer that supports virtual shifting but don’t want to keep your bike locked into it, you can use it with the Zwift Ride.

The Zwift Ride frame has Zwift Play-style buttons for a better user experience when using Zwift. You can use them to turn on power-ups, navigate menus, or even take turns and avoid reaching for your mouse, keyboard, or smartphone with the Zwift Companion app.

However, Zwift Ride is definitely not perfect. The first limitation is that it is only compatible with Zwift and trainers that support virtual shifting. Zwift has been working hard lately to keep people in its ecosystem, and this is another step. We’ll see when they allow other apps to use virtual shifting and trainers with Zwift Cog.

Further, you may be limited by only one crank length (170mm), and the thick seatpost may interfere with pedaling if you have larger thighs. If you’re using the Zwift with an Apple TV, you won’t be able to connect a heart rate sensor directly, for example, as the trainer takes up one connection and the Zwift Ride the other. You may experience more frequent dropouts when connecting your HR via the Zwift Companion.

The question arises whether buying an old second-hand bicycle and attaching it to the trainer is better. It’s an option, of course, but you lose the buttons for Zwift, which is one of the biggest benefits of the Zwift Ride.

My Verdict

Smart bikes are the most expensive indoor cycling products, so you should clarify your expectations. I am sure my handy guide below will help you decide which is best for you.

How to Choose the Best Smart Bike?

The following part is the shortened version of my How to Choose a Smart Bike article.

Resistance

Most smart bikes offer resistance of around 2000W. This is enough resistance, even for the most powerful riders.

To put this number into context, most untrained people can’t even reach 1000W peak power.

The following chart shows the resistance of smart bikes in this article.

Gradient Simulation

Gradient simulation means that the bike can slow your pedal stroke (e.g., increase the resistance) when you start climbing in a training app. The most common gradients are 20 and 25%.

Some smart bikes, such as the Tacx NEO Bike, can even simulate downhills. It has a motor that runs the flywheel, making your indoor ride closer to riding outside.

Because NEO Bike doesn’t require power for some features (it charges from the energy you put into pedaling), you can use buttons for changing the gradient even without using a 3rd party app.

Accuracy

A smart bike’s accuracy means the power deviation at a certain power.

For example, if you ride at 250W and the deviation of the bike is ±1%, the real power will be in the range of 247.5-252.5W.

If you are not a marginal gains hunter, you shouldn’t care too much whether the smart bike has an accuracy of ±1% or ±2%.

The following table shows the power variance for different accuracy rates and power output levels.

Customizable Shifting

Wahoo KICKR Bike v2 is the best in class in both areas, thanks to the ELEMNT app and the hardware. On the other hand, Wattbike Atom is the least advanced.

Noisiness

The noisiness level is important mainly for those who need to use a smart bike in the early mornings or late evenings without disturbing other household members.

The general rule is that most quality smart bikes are quiet enough that you’re breathing with a mouth, and the fans will be louder than the bike itself.

This is a noisiness level of around 55dB. For comparison, 60dB is a level of normal conversation.

Connectivity & App Compatibility

Smart bikes usually offer ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity. This means you can connect them to compatible indoor cycling apps.

By purchasing a smart bike, you sometimes get a free trial on apps like Zwift, ROUVY, etc.

One of the downsides of smart bikes (if you want to use them with these apps) is that you have to pay for the subscription once the trial period ends.

Other Features to Consider

• Weight – heavier smart bikes are less portable. Check if the bike has wheels for easier moving around if you need to relocate it often.
• Flywheel weight – some people tend to pay too much attention to the flywheel’s weight. The heavier flywheel doesn’t necessarily mean a better, more road-like ride feel.
• Crank length – depending on what crank length suits you, get a smart bike that offers the desired crank length. The general rule is that the shorter the cranks, the higher the cadence, and vice versa.

Smart Bikes FAQ

This post is regularly updated to provide the most up-to-date product tips. If you find a product that is not up to date, please contact me.