The temps are slowly dropping, leaves are changing color, and the cowbells are ringing at cyclocross races all around. That means fall is here and for many cyclists, it’s time to swap the open road for time on the trainer. If you happen to be in the market for a new trainer, Saris is a name you’ll want to check out with a full line of direct drive and wheel on trainers to help you get that winter base in, battle it out on Zwift, or even warm up ahead of your next race.
Saris recently announced price drops on all of their trainers, from top to bottom of the line. This includes their tried-and-tested Mag Indoor trainer at $99.99 and tops out at their latest H3 Plus 12-speed direct drive trainer at $399.99, a $300 price drop. There are plenty of options in between to find exactly what you are looking for. Here is a quick rundown.
H3 Plus – $399.99
The H3 Plus is Saris’ latest trainer that upgraded the H3 to be 12 speed. Along with adding the ability to run an extra cog, Saris also worked to make it even quieter than the previous H2 model, about 59 decibels at 20mph. The H3 Plus can handle up to 2000 watts and simulates up to a 20% climbing grade. The direct drive design allows for a more direct feel when riding, and more accurate resistance and power readings from the unit (+/-2%). While wheel on trainers can be used on platforms like Zwift, Rouvy, etc., direct drives are one of the best experiences if you are looking to use your bike.
H3 – $349.99
The H3 is the third edition of the Hammer, Saris’ first direct drive trainer. Over the years, it has been made to be quieter, added more resistance, and the price has come down. The outer design hasn’t changed much over the years (not a bad thing), but it is what is inside that counts. The H3 is generally the same trainer as the H3 Plus, just without the ability to go 12-speed. If you are running 11-speed, and not planning on making the change to 12 for riding on the trainer, save yourself $50. If you prefer to be a bit more future-proof, then go with the H3 Plus.
M2 Smart Equipped – $299.99
If you are not looking to go direct drive, the M2 Smart Equipped is another great option for indoor apps. The M2 uses Saris’ electromagnetic response system to control resistance up to 1500 watts, which is plenty for most riders. Power accuracy dips to +/-5%, which is still enough accuracy for most riders looking to get time in when the weather isn’t the best. It also includes dual band ANT+ FE-C and Bluetooth to connect to your devices. Being a smaller, more compact unit, it is great for a more portable set up, as long as you have power to connect to. Out of the box, it is ready to handle a quick release rear wheel with the included steel skewer, but there is an adapter for 142x10mm and 148x12mm thru-axles sold separately. That goes for all of the wheel on trainers listed below.
Fluid 2 Smart Equipped – $249.99
The last of the smart equipped trainers, the Fluid 2 Smart Equipped, is also the only smart trainer in the Saris lineup that you can take anywhere and set up and ride. No power is required to run the trainer, though it will not adjust the resistance like the M2 or the H3/H3 Plus will. To read more about the resistance unit, see the Fluid 2 below. The trainer comes with a speed and cadence sensor, which is the minimum needed to get started on indoor training apps. This makes it the perfect travel trainer for those looking to train on the road with an app.
Fluid 2 – $199.99
The Fluid 2 is another one of Saris’ classic designs. This is the first of their more analog trainers that you can still use with indoor training apps, but will need a separate speed/cadence sensor, and maybe a power meter. If you don’t already have a speed and cadence sensor, opt for the Fluid 2 Smart Equipped above. It is a truly portable trainer though, making it great for pre-race warmups/cool downs, or for those that don’t plan to spend a ton of time inside, and are looking for something a little bit above a basic trainer. The Fluid 2 uses a fluid resistance system that progressively adds resistance the faster you go. It is a quiet and consistent feel, similar to riding into a headwind, or a hill that keeps getting steeper and steeper as you go.
Mag+ – $129.99
The Mag+ is Saris’ basic magnetic resistance trainer, with a lever you can mount on your bars that allows you to adjust the resistance without having to get off the bike. It uses a linear magnetic resistance that increases as you pedal harder. The resistance unit has a built-in cooling system that helps keep the unit running smoothly over time. The classic foldable design makes it easy to store or take with you to your next race for warmups.
Mag – $99.99
Oh, the Mag trainer. This was my first trainer, which means it has been around for decades. Over the years, there have been a few updates here and there, but it’s the same great trainer that took me through riding as a junior, into college, and warming up at many road and cyclocross races, along with countless winters of riding in the basement to pirated cyclocross races in Dutch. I lent it to someone a few years back, and haven’t seen it since, but I’m sure it is still going strong. It’s a basic trainer. Put the bike on, snug up the aluminum roller, and ride. There is a knob that adjusts the resistance to three different levels of the magnetic resistance unit, but that’s about it. It’s cheap, it gets the job done, and will last you for decades.
Accessories
This is where things get dangerous. You can go nuts with buying all kinds of accessories for your pain cave, but there are some that come in handy. A mat for your trainer is a great idea, especially if you are riding on anything other than the concrete basement floor. You will sweat, and you don’t want it on the nice hardwood floors or carpet. Do yourself a favor and spend the $79.99 for one. There are also a few different leveling blocks you can get. The basic leveling block ($24.99) works well for wheel on trainers, but the Climbing Riser Block gives you options to add a little incline to your ride. For wheel on trainers, Saris does offer a 700x25c trainer tire so keep your rear outdoor tire from getting worn down. They are a good idea, as even an old, worn out tire will wear down pretty quickly if you are planning on spending significant time inside.
If you are looking for a no holds barred setup, Saris also has the MP1 Platform ($949.99) that you mount your trainer and bike too, and it helps simulate outdoor riding. It offers forward and backwards motion, along with side to side rocking to simulate riding outside. Having used a similar rocker platform in the past, these are a great addition to breaking up long indoor sessions, especially when racing. Saris also has their TD1 desk ($359.99) that slides in to the front of your set up, and is great for a tablet, monitor, or holding any of your goodies you want to have close at hand during your session.
Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com
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