It's official as of February 2nd, 2026 — Punxsutawney Phil, our beloved animal meteorologist, saw his shadow, which means there should be 6 more weeks of winter. As fellow cyclists and triathletes, this can either be the worst news to hear, or you don't really care, depending on whether you have an indoor trainer. In these colder months, riding your bike outside can sound like the least pleasant thing to do when you have a blistering cold headwind preventing you from moving at a consistent pace. But that is why we made our bikes easily compatible with any indoor trainer you might invest in.
What is an indoor trainer, anyway?
I'm going to assume you've experienced trying to get a good workout on those cycling machines at a local gym. Maybe it's just me, but I really hate those things. And I don't think I stand alone on that opinion, for 2 reasons. First, they are incredibly uncomfortable and don't simulate what it feels like to be on the bike. Sure, you can get a decent workout on them from pedaling, but I never find my experiences to be as rewarding as alternative cycling workouts. Secondly, I don't like how people can see me struggle to hit decent numbers in the gym. I feel like it's embarrassing enough to be biking next to all the runners or power walkers on the treadmill.
That segues me into the magic of the indoor trainer, which is a tool that allows you to ride indoors, in the comfort of your own home. Like bikes, indoor trainers can vary in cost, technology, ease of installation, and features. Some are super basic, like the picture on the left, which installs with just a specific thru axle on your rear wheel, while others are more complex, like the picture on the right, where you take off the rear wheel entirely to install the frame directly to the trainer. But we will get more into this a little further down.
Selecting the right indoor trainer can feel confusing and daunting since there are so many options and different price points. Common questions we find ourselves asking are: How much space do I need? What else do I need to invest in if I get an indoor trainer? Will I even use it that much? Should I even think about getting one?
You should invest in an indoor trainer, and here's why.
For starters, having the option of using your bike in the winter is already beneficial in itself. If you're training for a race in the Spring or want to keep your fitness to a decent standard through the colder months, the indoor trainer is your cheat code. Debatably, it can be considered more fun and rewarding than running, with the help of engaging cycling platforms like Zwift, Wahoo, and Strava. And yes, that means you can still post your routes on Strava from the indoor trainer. What more could you ask for?
If you're deciding which indoor trainer to get with the copious amounts that exist, you're not alone. We found an article by our good friend Travis Mundell over at Triathlete.com, who tested a bunch of these trainers with his SP to find which ones are really worth it in terms of 'Smart Trainers'. It is definitely worth the read, even if you already have a trainer. It is linked HERE, or just click on the image below!
So, how do I use this trainer once I get one?
Once you have scoured the internet for your perfect indoor trainer, it is time to figure out how your bike fits on it. There are 3 main types of indoor trainers that are most commonly used: Direct-Drive, Wheel-On, and Rollers. They all accomplish the same goal more or less, but what is really the difference between these is how the bike is mounted on the trainer. Let's take a deeper dive into what each one is and how your A2 Bike can be installed onto each one.
Direct-Drive
Direct-drive is the most popular and modern take on indoor trainers. All direct-drive trainers involve taking off your rear wheel and attaching your frame directly to the trainer. This can be done 2 ways — first, by taking off your cassette from your rear wheel and installing it onto the trainer, so your trainer essentially becomes your rear wheel, or second, using a 'Smart COG' like from Zwift, to attach your bike to the trainer without having to remove your cassette (we recommend this option for ultimate time saving efficiency). The direct-drive trainers are not only the newest iteration of bike trainers, but also the most realistic. The direct mounting of the bike allows for a quieter, safer, and overall more enjoyable experience. Also, the simulation of actually riding (though we firmly believe that nothing compares to riding outdoors) your bike is more accurate with these kinds of trainers. That is why they are the most popular for triathletes, who need an indoor trainer they can rely on when riding outdoors sounds too daunting.
Photo of Zwift COG from Zwift.com
Wheel-On
Wheel-on trainers are the second most popular, though they are a little outdated nowadays. The name of these trainers directly defines how they work — you keep your rear wheel on the bike. Attaching the trainer to your bike actually comes from the thru axle or thru axle adapter, so rest assured that you can still use your bike on these kinds of trainers even if you have quick-release wheels (but all A2 Bikes have thru-axles, so if you have one of our bikes, you're good!). Where to find your proper thru-axle adapter for your specific kind of trainer can be found on the Robert Axle Project. On their website, you can choose which A2 Bike you have, which kind of trainer you have, and it will tell you which axle adapter you need. Easy as that!
These kinds of trainers work great for what they are. If you don't want to blow hundreds of dollars, are not sure if you will be riding on it that much, or don't want it to take up that much space, this trainer may be the one for you!
Rollers
The final kind of trainer, and by far the most technical, are rollers. Rollers are a kind of trainer that doesn't require any direct mounting to your bike. It is the closest simulation in terms of riding outdoors, well, because you're basically just riding your bike on a rolling treadmill. That means you have to also factor in balance with this trainer, which can be risky, especially if you're doing it in your own home with belongings and furniture around you. But these are notoriously the cheapest and easiest to use since they require barely any overhead.
We wouldn't necessarily recommend you get rollers, especially as a first indoor trainer, just because they are so technical, and honestly, not a great introduction to how enjoyable indoor trainers can be. If you're going to invest in this side of the sport, best to put your money in one of the two trainers above, especially if you have an A2 Bike. We don't want you or your bike getting hurt because of a silly mistake.
Photo from Coach Levi.
Our Community's Indoor Trainer Setups
Are you looking for inspiration for what your dream indoor trainer setup could look like? Look no further than this section of the blog, where we are going to highlight some of our own community's indoor setups that they shared on our Facebook A2 Community Forum. These shared pictures were a part of a monthly A2 Awards Challenge for January, where we selected one winner to get a prize for what we thought was the best indoor trainer setup. If you have an A2 Bike and want to get involved in the A2 Awards to potentially win a prize, make sure to join for the next one!
Dennis H, Winner of the first A2 Awards Challenge in Jan 2026
Robert K with the RP and the vintage, limited A2 flag.
Kinley B, "Dad’s office/fly fishing room overtaken by A2 😂"
Mike C, with a sweet dual monitor setup.
Cam A, with the Rogue in aero-position.
Maryrunsonsnacks, two is always better than one!
Rupe W, with a completely decked-out SP along the treadmill for bricks 🔥
And a bunch more on the FB Community Forum. Give it a visit if you want to see more setups, or participate in the next A2 Awards challenge that is happening right now!
If you have any questions about the indoor trainer and its compatibility with your A2 Bike, don't hesitate to reach out to our team, who would be more than happy to help you out.
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