I’m looking to purchase a direct-drive turbo trainer, but my bike has an 8 speed cassette. All the turbos I’ve looked at support 9 up to 11 speed cassettes; are they fundamentally different? As I don’t have a 9 speed I’ve got nothing to compare with.
Is there any particular reason why an 8 speed cassette won’t fit?

Just bought a Elite roteo direct drive trainer which works perfectly with 8 speed despite saying it’s only compatible with 9/10/11.
Just needed a extra spacer behind the cassette so it tightens up on the free- hub properly.
Hope this helps, Paul.

Thanks Paul. I wonder if most of the others also take an 8 speed with the same addition of the spacer.

Thanks Paul. I wonder if most of the others also take an 8 speed with the same addition of the spacer.

Any that’ll take 9/10/11 will take 8. You’ll need the same spacer that’d be needed for 9spd. You could even fit a 7spd if you wanted.

Thanks Simon, much appreciated.