Why I don't like indoor bike training and do it anyway

Patrick Bardelli

9/12/2025

Translation: machine translated

Pictures: Patrick Bardelli

It's not really fun, at least not for me. Nevertheless, I do it again and again: cycling indoors on the spot. Or in other words: cardio training with a smart roller trainer.

A bright light at the end of the tunnel and I walk, or rather drive, straight towards it. Okay, it's not a near-death experience, so let's not get carried away and stay on the ground, sorry, the roll. However, after a 60-minute workout, I'm glad that my old gravel bike is fixed to the Direct-Drive-Trainer Suito-T from Elite is attached. Otherwise, I would have ended up in the ditch more than once after the virtual finish line, pumped out along with my bike.

With these direct drive roller trainers, the rear wheel is removed and the chain is tensioned directly onto the cassette installed in the device. This technology eliminates tyre slippage at any speed and power. Or simply: wheel spin is prevented. This is more accurate and the driving experience is more realistic.

In my case, the aforementioned ditch is the hard floor of my garage, which has been converted into a pain cave. Pain cave? Another new German wannabe modern marketing term. Although pain cave is pretty close to reality. In complete contrast to the way in which the manufacturers of the current models market their products. The sterile aesthetics couldn't be further removed from my sweaty training reality.

Rouvy instead of Zwift and Systm

The last time I trained specifically on the roller was in winter 2022/23. At the time, I used a current test device from Wahoo and the training app Systm. In the meantime, as mentioned, I'm back on the road with an old model from Elite «» . And I'm now using Rouvy for my workouts. The appearance of this platform lies somewhere between the real visual world of Systm and the colourful comic world of Zwift and therefore suits my taste.

However, this doesn't make training any easier. It doesn't matter whether I cycle along Lake Garda for 90 minutes and only cover a few metres in altitude. Or a targeted workout to increase the maximum oxygen uptake per minute and kilogramme of body weight at maximum physical exertion, or VO2max for short. In the end, it's always game over. Follow the light at the end of the tunnel.

Hard on the head

The worst thing about this type of cycling «» is not even the sore legs and the associated pain in the thighs. Nor is it the oppressive feeling when your heart rate jumps to 180 beats per minute. The worst thing is the monotony.

I've never done more than 90 minutes. You sit in the same place and pedal away. At some point, the moment comes when it doesn't matter what kind of avatar is travelling through whatever kind of landscape «» . I stay in the same place, with the same view and just want to get out.

In the meantime, I have discovered that a workout on the roller that is bearable for my psyche can last anywhere between 30 and a maximum of 60 minutes. No more than that. And I have realised that the most important product in this context is not the bike, not the roller trainer and not the training platform. It's the wind simulator that helps me cool down a bit.

Why do I still get on the saddle twice a week in my Pain Cave? Because I can train specifically and because it's hard on my legs and my head. Indoor roller training forces me out of my comfort zone. And it gives me a vivid reminder of how cool it is to cycle outdoors in nature.

Patrick Bardelli

Senior Editor

Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.ch

From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.

---

Opinion

This is a subjective opinion of the editorial team. It doesn't necessarily reflect the position of the company.

Show all

These articles might also interest you