The M2 is among the priciest wheel-on trainers, but if you don’t want to disassemble your bike and like the feel of a classic trainer, it’s is a more affordable way into smart training.
Some assembly is required, but the clutch knob clicks when it’s the right pressure against your tyre, which saves guessing. You can connect to apps via Bluetooth or ANT , and it measures power (accurate to a claimed /-5%) and cadence.
The 1.2kg flywheel coupled with a solid frame gives a sturdy ride feel and we experienced very little slippage even during hard efforts. When the tyre settled on the roller it was reasonably quiet and, at under 10kg and with foldable legs, it’s also very easy to move around.
Verdict: Expensive, but one of the best wheel-on trainers.
Score: 79%
For a cheaper alternative, consider...
Saris Fluid2 turbo trainer
The Saris Fluid2 turbo is another option if you’re turbo shopping on a budget but still want a reliable training partner.
The turbo should be compatible with a wide range of bikes, though we’d recommend investing in a turbo tyre so you don’t wear out your road tyres and make them unsafe for use when back out on the roads.
Rather than having smart resistance created from magnets or a direct drive like the Saris M2, the resistance in the Saris Fluid2 is, as the name suggests, created from fluid, which is the quietest and smoothest option when compared with air and magnetic resistance.
Resistance can be altered simply by changing gears as you would normally thanks to the ‘precision-balanced flywheel’ with fan, which is designed to encourage real outdoor riding feel.
With the addition of a speed sensor, Saris says you can set up the Fluid2 turbo to be compatible with some virtual training platforms.
For set-up, ensure you have a quick-release wheel for ease of use. This alloy steel turbo also claims to have a noise level of 64-68 decibels when at 20mph.
