Setup & compatibility guides
Short, data-backed answers to the 7 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.
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)