My first proper turbo trainer was a CycleOps Mag Trainer that I would still have if I hadn’t loaned it to a friend and never got around to asking for it back. It would be about 20 years old at this point, and has seasons of early Saturday morning sessions, watching Flemish cyclocross feeds in my basement in the winter. Things have changed significantly from that simple trainer (which they still make an updated version of), including the name after joining Saris, but they continue to be a mainstay in the category for decades now and continue to push innovation in how we train. The latest innovation is the H3 Plus. The plus builds off of the latest H3 by adding compatibility for 12 speed drivetrains and remains the quietest trainer in the brand’s lineup.
Before CycleOps joined Saris, Saris was known for bike racks, storage, and parking products. I had a Saris Bones rack at one point, but with the addition of CycleOps, they added indoor training products to their lineup. They have continued to develop in this category as smart trainers have become the standard in home training. The H series (formerly Hammer) has been the pinnacle of Saris’ offering since 2016. Fast forward to almost 2024 now, and 12 speed drivetrains have replaced 11 speed as the standard, an update was needed to ensure the H3 could accept an extra gear.
“As 12-speed drive trains are being more commonly spec’d on bikes, our team of designers – who are also passionate riders themselves – set out to take the best of our H3 model and make it compatible with today’s new components. The result is one of the quietest trainers to leave our doors providing a true ride feel with precise power accuracy,” said Kellen Pagel, Saris Product Manager.
When Saris was designing the H3, they wanted to focus on making it quieter. The end result was 59 decibels at 20 mph, which is five times quieter than previous versions of the trainer. Whether you are riding at home in the basement, in an apartment, or trying to get miles in while the little ones are sleeping, the H3 and H3 Plus will keep everyone happy while you get those precious miles in.
The H3 and H3 Plus has many of the features you expect from a top of the line trainer these days. Direct drive to reduce wear on your tire, 20 lb flywheel for realistic inertia to riding on the road, folding legs and handle to make it easy to carry and store, power and cadence sensors to connect to your favorite training app or computer, 2000 watts max resistance, maximum grade simulation of 20%, and different fittings to work with a range of bikes and rear axle standards. That’s not a full list, but you get the point. Pretty much everything you want, it’s there.
There are a few other new features, besides 12 speed compatibility. Thermal sensors and an internal cooling system will help to keep the H3 Plus running smoothly no matter how hard or how long your training session goes. This is important to protect the electromagnetic resistance system and other electronics over the life of the unit.
At $699.99, the H3 Plus looks to be a great value compared to the trainers like the Wahoo KICKR and KICKR Core. For about the same price as the Core, you get more resistance, or the same resistance and grade for a few hundred less than the KICKR.
Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com
~Veggie Powered Athlete~
Location – Lancaster, PA
Current Testing Rigs – 2024 Van Dessel Arch65, 2019 Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie, 2018 Van Dessel Motivus Maximus LTD, 2016 Van Dessel Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 2015 Bianchi Sempre Pro, 1978 Trek TX900
Dream Bike – I’ll tell you when they make it
Discipline – Cyclocross, gravel, road and duathlons (ride/run)
Favorite Rides – Quiet country roads of Amish Country, some of the best roads around.
Food of Choice – Sweet potato roll
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Bourbon of Choice – Widow Jane 10 Year