New features that make indoor training more enjoyable
Indoor training has evolved a lot in recent years. Today, innovations go far beyond resistance and watt measurement: they simplify setup, add movement, and make virtual rides more intuitive.
Whether you want to set up a permanent space or upgrade your current trainer, here are the major trends to explore so you can keep enjoying your rides through the colder season.
Indoor bikes that are always ready to ride
Mounting your bike on a trainer, removing the rear wheel, and redoing the adjustments can become one more step in an already busy day. Dedicated indoor training setups address this need for simplicity.
Two approaches fall into this category: fully integrated smart bikes, such as the Wahoo Kickr Bike Shift, and frames designed to be paired with a compatible trainer, such as the Zwift Ride with Wahoo Kickr Core or the JetBlack Victory frame. In the latter case, the trainer is sold separately.
What do they have in common? A setup that can stay in place and offers multiple adjustments to fine-tune rider position. Saddle height and handlebar position, in particular, can be customized to make the bike easier to use for different people. The range of adjustment varies by model.
Virtual shifting is also part of this evolution. Depending on the equipment chosen, the controls let you change gears and interact with the training platform directly from the handlebar. The experience becomes smoother, especially for those who enjoy virtual routes and group rides.
For cyclists who train indoors regularly, having equipment that’s always ready can make the routine much more convenient. Your outdoor bike remains available for rides outside, and the training space stays ready for the next session.
The motion platform
Out on the road, the bike follows your body’s movements. On a completely fixed indoor setup, this freedom is more limited. Another trend, therefore, is to add small degrees of movement to make pedaling feel less rigid.
The JetBlack Victory multidirectional training platform allows a compatible setup to move in several directions. The goal is to reproduce some of the bike’s natural movements and improve comfort during longer sessions.
This approach may appeal to cyclists who spend a lot of time on the trainer and want a more dynamic feel. Instead of staying completely locked in place, the setup moves slightly with your pedaling and body shifts.
Accessories to modernize your current trainer
It’s also possible to upgrade your setup with a few targeted accessories, depending on what you want to improve: comfort, ride feel, or shifting.
The JetBlack Freedom Rocker inflatable feet add subtle fore-aft and side-to-side movement under a compatible trainer. Their air pressure can be adjusted for a firmer feel or greater freedom of movement. Their compact size offers another way to introduce motion into your training space.
On the shifting side, the Zwift Cog and Click upgrade kit lets you add virtual shifting to a trainer that supports this function.
The Cog replaces the cassette with a single cog, while the Click controller lets you change gears wirelessly from the handlebar. On Zwift, the system gives access to 24 virtual gears: the trainer’s resistance changes to reproduce the selected ratio.
These accessories let you gradually customize your setup. Before choosing, however, you need to check exact compatibility with your trainer, your bike, and the platform you use. For virtual shifting, a trainer firmware update may also be required.
A training space that fits your daily life
The latest developments in indoor training share a common goal: making workouts easier to fit into your routine and more enjoyable to complete. A dedicated setup simplifies preparation, motion technologies enhance the ride feel, and accessories help upgrade the equipment you already own.
