Rank #6 in Best Turbo Trainers 2026: 10 Ranked, £78.90 to £935.33
ThinkRider X2Max Smart Direct Drive Bike Trainer
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The ThinkRider X2Max sits at number six in this guide and is the cheapest direct-drive trainer we ranked: £199.00, 4.3 out of 5 from 86 ratings, with 67 of those 86 ratings at five stars. Direct drive means the rear wheel comes off and the bike mounts on the unit itself, which is how the listing can claim a low noise level of 58 dB and an 18% slope simulation without a tyre running on a roller.
The figure worth pausing on is in the spec block, not the title. The Load Capacity field reads '8E+1 kg' — that is 80 kg, written the way a spreadsheet writes it rather than the way a spec sheet writes it. It is also the only load or rider-weight figure anywhere on the page, and 80 kg is a long way below what most direct-drive trainers state. The same spec block lists Wheel Size as 26 Inches while the bullets list compatibility with 650C, 700C, 24, 26, 27.5 and 29 inch wheels, so the field and the copy do not describe the same thing. Everything on this page comes from the Amazon listing for this product. None of it comes from testing of our own.
How those 86 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.3 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £199.00 |
|---|---|
| Customer rating | 4.3 out of 5 from 86 ratings |
| Load Capacity | 8E+1 kg (as listed) |
| Item weight | 16 kg |
| Item dimensions | 49L x 44W x 54H centimetres |
| Claimed noise level | 58 dB (as listed) |
| Resistance Mechanism | Electromagnetic |
| Wheel Size field | 26 Inches (as listed) |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“Working great after a month of using everyday. Very easy to setup and fits my cheap mountain bike.”
Verified purchase“This is my first smart trainer after years of dumb trainers, a magnetic then a fluid for the last 2 years. Assembly and setting up is a doddle, just bolt on the feet, select the correct fittings for your hub type and fit a matching cassette. I've ordered a VS200 virtual gearing system which comes with a special cassette. The noise level is negligible, only the cycle gear chain can be heard. I'm using it with Mywhoosh which controls the trainer, initially I had problems where the resistance appeared much higher than expected and there was vibration from the unit, this was caused by my Garmin watch also trying to control it, once I realised something was wrong and using a bit of AI assistance this issue was sorted. The trainer is quite hefty and well built, it feels very stable in use even when standing. Connectivity to both Mywhoosh and my Garmin was easy though connect the Garmin as a power meter only using ANT+ otherwise it double resistance, I guess this could be a problem with any trainer. Its capable of quite high resistance, so far I've only had up to 12% incline, that's plenty. Would I recommend it, absolutely, I'm no professional, just use it to keep fit but I'm impressed so far.”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Turbo Trainers 2026: 10 Ranked, £78.90 to £935.33.
Questions people ask
What load can the ThinkRider X2Max take?
The listing's Load Capacity field reads '8E+1 kg', which is 80 kg. No other rider weight or load figure appears anywhere on the page.
How quiet is the ThinkRider X2Max?
ThinkRider states a low noise level of 58 dB, and says the direct-drive design means the trainer does not require contact with the wheels.
Which bikes fit the ThinkRider X2Max?
The listing says 650C, 700C, 24, 26, 27.5 and 29 inch wheels, quick-release axles of 12 x 142 and 12 x 148 with an adaptor, and standard quick releases of 130 and 135 mm.
Does the ThinkRider X2Max come with a cassette?
No cassette is listed. The Included Components field reads 'Adapters, Instructions, X2Max*1' and nothing else.
What can the ThinkRider X2Max connect to?
The listing says smartphones on iOS and Android, tablets, PC on Mac and Windows, and bicycle computers, all via ANT+ and BLE.
What warranty comes with the ThinkRider X2Max?
The listing states a 1 year warranty and asks buyers with a quality problem to contact its online customer service.
Comments
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