Indoor Trainers For Cruzbikes

Robert Holler shares tips for outfitting your Cruzbike indoor training setup.

There’s nothing quite like riding your Cruzbike outdoors—but when winter hits hard or life gets busy, having a solid indoor training setup is a game changer. Fortunately, riding indoors has come a long way, and your Cruzbike is more than capable of delivering an incredible experience right from your living room or pain cave.

A common question we get is:

“What kind of trainer works with a Cruzbike?”

Let’s dive into the best option: Direct Drive Smart Trainers.

Why Direct Drive?

Direct drive smart trainers are the gold standard for indoor cycling. These trainers require you to remove your rear wheel and attach the bike directly to the trainer, which comes equipped with its own cassette. This setup provides more accurate power readings, a smoother ride feel, and quieter operation—plus full compatibility with virtual platforms like Zwift, TrainerRoad, and others.

When it comes to Cruzbikes—especially models with 700c wheels and the Q45—a direct drive smart trainer is the way to go. The unique front-wheel-drive design and wider axle spacing of Cruzbikes make them incompatible with traditional wheel-on trainers, so direct drive is the way to go. Direct drive trainers bypass this fit and compatibility issue entirely by eliminating the need to clamp around the wheel.

Recommended Direct Drive Trainers

Here are a few direct drive smart trainers that Cruzbike riders have used successfully as of 2025:

1. Wahoo KICKR v6 – Known for its rock-solid stability and compatibility with a wide range of bikes, including recumbents and front-wheel-drive models.
2. Tacx NEO 2T – Offers excellent ride feel and is virtually silent. A great match for those who want maximum immersion.
3. Elite Direto XR-T – A good mid-range option with strong power accuracy and smart connectivity.
4. Saris H3 – A reliable and quiet workhorse that often goes on sale and is widely compatible.

When choosing a trainer, make sure it supports your wheel size (700c) and that the included cassette or freehub matches your drivetrain. You may need to install your own cassette if it doesn’t match out of the box.

Tip: As with any indoor setup, it’s always worth double-checking fit and clearance. Some Cruzbike models may have unique features like disc brakes or frame shapes that interact with the trainer body. In rare cases, you may need to temporarily remove a disc brake caliper or spacer.

Riding Your Cruzbike on Zwift

Zwift has become one of the most popular ways to train indoors, offering virtual worlds, structured workouts, group rides, and races. Yes, you can absolutely use your Cruzbike on Zwift with a smart trainer.

Once your Cruzbike is mounted to a compatible direct drive smart trainer and paired via Bluetooth or ANT+, Zwift reads your power and cadence data and animates your avatar accordingly. Since Zwift doesn’t know (or care) that you’re riding a recumbent, your on-screen character will appear upright—but don’t worry, your performance data will be just as accurate.

Cruzbike riders report that using Zwift adds motivation, fun, and a sense of community to their training—especially during the off-season. Whether you’re training solo, joining a group ride, or racing up a virtual Alp, it’s a fantastic way to stay fit and connected.

Still Have Questions?

The Cruzbike Forum is a great place to connect with other riders and get advice on indoor training setups, Zwift tips, and more. Or reach out to us at support@cruzbike.com and we’ll help you get rolling.

Indoor training will never replace the thrill of the open road—but with the right setup, it can come close.