For the last three years I have been using an Elite Direto XR smart trainer to which I attached my old Specialized Roubaix road bike.  The results have been fabulous and provide a useful alternative to road riding when the weather is foul or injuries  keep you off a regular bike.

 

There are many types of trainers on the market ranging from roller type trainers which involve you placing your bike on rollers to simulate being on the road through to devices that allow you to attach your bike's rear wheel onto a hub that can be set to provide various levels of resistance and right up to smart trainers that can connect to apps like FulGaz or Rouvy so that the app controls the ride based on the terrain being ridden across as seen on a computer or TV screen. In early 2025, Fulham announced it had been purchased by Rouvy and it expects that FulGaz will be fully integrated into Rouvy during the next six months.  It will be interesting to see if the integration improves or worsens the experience?

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I've been enjoying using FulGaz, an app that allows me to participate in rides that have been filmed by other riders with the result that it feels just like you are doing the same ride.  The Direto can be set up so that the resistance you feel when riding approximates the feel you have on the road.  I have found this useful as I can approximate the various levels of support I get on the road when. on my e road bike.  There is no ability to coast along on down hill FulGaz segments and there is no give in the seat post so a 30km ride on the trainer can end up feeling like a 50km ride on the road, but you get used to it and scenery all around the world can be fabulous to look at.