Setup & compatibility guides
Short, data-backed answers to the 8 questions that trip people up before they buy a smart trainer — each one cross-checked against our trainer database.
Most direct-drive trainers ship bare: you add a cassette that matches your bike’s drivetrain speed, mount it on the right freehub body (Shimano/SRAM HG, SRAM XD/XDR, Shimano Micro Spline or Campagnolo), and fit the thru-axle or quick-release adapter for your dropout. These guides resolve each step from your bike’s actual parts.
Do all bike trainers fit all bikes?
Do all bike trainers fit all bikes?
XD vs XDR freehub body
XD vs XDR freehub: what’s the difference?
Do I need a cassette for my smart trainer?
Do I need a new cassette for my smart trainer?
How to identify your freehub body
How to identify your freehub body
Thru-axle & quick-release adapter finder
Which thru-axle adapter do I need?
Wheel-on vs direct-drive smart trainers
Wheel-on vs direct-drive smart trainers
Smart trainers with virtual shifting
Which smart trainers support virtual shifting?
Smart trainers for mountain bikes (Boost 12×148)
Smart trainers compatible with mountain bikes (Boost)