Hello Zwifters! - I looked around recently for things how I could exercise myself in a fun and engaging way - And Zwift seems to be the solution for me, because I really like the “competitiveness” it can trigger^^
I used a “dumb” home trainer a few years ago, but it was not really that engaging and scrapped it eventually
I do not own a real bike because my “balance” is an issue because of my disability
So I looked through some things and I saw “real bikes” (Which is not an option for me) and home trainers
I do not want to spend 3000 Currency on a new bike or a very expensive trainer but I’d love to get started (but I also might wait a bit longer to afford a more expensive one) - Resistance and Power Data would be nice to have too
I’m looking forward to your suggestions - Thank you in advance 
The good quality smart bikes that have accurate power measurement are quite expensive as you found. Indoor exercise bikes that report power with relatively poor accuracy are pretty affordable. They’re not really appropriate for Zwift racing due to the accuracy issues, but they’re fine for group rides and workouts if that appeals to you. An example that would be appropriate for a person with balance issues might be the Schwinn 290 which is a recumbent style exercise bike. Ideally you’d also want a large tablet computer to run Zwift. You may be able to try the bike at a local sporting goods store. It would be difficult to fall off, and it’s easy to get on. I’ve used an older model (not Zwift compatible) and it’s quite solid and stable. To be clear it is not equivalent to a top quality smart bike.
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I went through a couple of “cheaper” methods.
- Exercise bike with cadence and speed sensors. Simply inaccurate for an exercise bike. Adjusting resistance manually.
- App that used HR to determine speed. Was ok… again on exercise bike adjusting resistance, but just lacking for races or group rides as hard to adjust pace.
- Considered dumb trainers but…
- Realised I was enjoying Zwift but wanted the “full experience”. So committed to a Wahoo Kickr (£550) (pay for it over 2 years at no extra cost - UK), 2nd hand bike from eBay (£60) — never looked back.
If you know you like Zwift, if you want to use it for fitness and want the true experience - shop around but I’d recommend a Zwift Hub, Wahoo Kickr as a minimum for the full experience.
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would you still have a balance problem with a real bike locked into a smart trainer? My wife gave up riding outside because of balance issues, but has no problem with her bike mounted to a smart trainer.
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I don’t think so^^ - As long as I don’t have to balance anything myself - I still would have to get a “real bike” though - I only have a three wheeled E-Scooter and a “pedaled Go-Kart” (But I definetly could not fit that into my room - I also do not know how it is named precisely in English^^)
Thought about the “full experience” too - But I thought I’d get a bit of advice before i buy into anything - The solution I really “hoped for” was a not too expensive trainer and the App on my TV - I might save up a bit to get a decent enough solution though - Thank you for your advice!
If you think Zwift is long term, find a deal on a smart trainer (eg Zwift Hub, Wahoo Kickr at £450-550) and pay over a year / 2 years if 0% interest (if such shops exist where you are). I got mine from Sigma Sport in the UK
You’ll love the auto resistance, the feel, being able to adjust pace to keep with a group, changing gears and to do it all naturally.
Was initially really wanting to do races. I do, enjoy them, but set myself the aim of completing all routes by end of the year. Enjoying the solo rides with a movie to accompany me.
As someone that has balance issues (eyesight/hearing) and you’re looking to make a longer term investment, the likes of Wattbike allow interest free credit.
My Wattbike at 50kg definitely isn’t going to move and there’s no rocking.
Use a zwift hub, + 2nd hand bike, $499 + 200-300.
Buy some 1*4 wood, 4 feet long and zip tie or drill it to the leg of the trainer, to act as a stablizer.
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