I’m looking for a standalone indoor bike (not turbo trainer) to use with Zwift , Sufferfest etc. Anyone got a set up which is not a Wattbike? Please share experiences.

I think there are a few out there, but all expensive – Tacx NEO Bike for example. The ‘easy’ way is simply to buy some power meter pedals and attach them to the static bike of your dreams. At which point, given the cost of power meters, it might make more sense to buy a Kickr or similar and a cheapo bike – you don’t need brakes or a rear wheel, just a sort of shell bike, which is my project for the next week or so, though tbf, I already have most of the bits I need.

Edit: list of compatible stationary bikes on here:

https://zwift.com/hardware#ready

Fwiw, if you can tell Zwift what power you’re making, either with a power meter or by the bike itself, Zwift’ll know how fast you should be going. But unless the thing is controllable, you won’t feel the gradient changes, which is a big part of what makes it immersive.

Thanks have other reasons for having an indoor bike such as having something all the family can use.

look here https://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-reviews/trainers

There is only a couple of indoor bikes that use zwift etc Atom, TCAX bike and Elite (16000 euros)

Without zwift etc then there are loads. https://www.concept2.co.uk/bikeerg/concept2-bikeerg But no zwift etc for that its power/turbo setup

There is no reason you cant use those wireless speed and cadence sensors and a HRM on a spin bike, in theory…  In practice they just don’t seem to work very well, poor connection Bluetooth or Ant+.  Could be because I bought the cheapo Hong Kong ones.  But if you manage it let us know.

There’s a YouTube vid about pedal power meters but they cost a fortune.

Some sort of pulley system to a cheap tacx trainer?  They work well.

I have a spin bike setup with ant+ Garmin cadence sensor, Garmin fr735xt watch and hrm chest strap. I monitor my cadence and Sufferfest effort whilst looking at my hrm whilst I spin to a sufferfest vid. It’s ok, but gets boring pretty quick and is bloody sweaty!

Yeah thought about power meter pedals or cranks on a cheap(er) spin bike but the pedals are expensive and you need look shoes (which neither I or any other family member has). Cranks? Possible if I could find a bike that uses normal cranks!