Black Friday deals create cheapest ever Zwift setup

Zwift: Your Ultimate Guide
(Image credit: Zwift)

Zwift, along with several other indoor cycling apps, have become a staple of winter cycling for so many of us. The problem is there is always a bit of a financial barrier to entry. Smart trainers aren't always cheap, though we've already rounded up all the best black friday turbo trainer deals in a separate hub if you want to go that route. 

Here though, thanks to the pretty bananas Wiggle Black Friday sale I've found what is almost certainly the cheapest Zwift setup ever. It centres around a basic magnetic trainer that's a truly insane £14.99! Yes, you read that right; you can get a turbo trainer for less than a pair of socks. It's not fancy, and there are few bells or indeed whistles to speak of, but combined with a speed and cadence sensor, and an ANT+ dongle, both also reduced, you've got all the hardware you need to get going for as little as £39 (assuming you have a laptop or smartphone already), and under £55 if you need an ANT+ adaptor.

85% off Lifeline TT-01 Turbo Trainer
UK: £99.99 £14.99 at Wiggle
USA: $114.99 $72.49 at Wiggle

85% off Lifeline TT-01 Turbo Trainer
UK:
£99.99 £14.99 at Wiggle
USA:
$114.99 $72.49 at Wiggle

It's basic, but it will work. In the years before smart trainers and fluid resistance, basic mag trainers were all anyone used. I used to happily (begrudgingly) churn out interval sessions on one for cyclocross training for years, and while you don't get the real-world feel, you still get the fitness gains. Also... it's fifteen quid! At that price, you really can't complain. 

Bear in mind this is a quick-release only turbo too, and isn't compatible with thru-axles. If you've got an older bike though this won't be a problem.

40% off Lifeline Speed & Cadence Sensors
UK: £39.99 £23.99 at Wiggle
USA: $49.99 $29.99 at Wiggle

40% off Lifeline Speed & Cadence Sensors
UK:
£39.99 £23.99 at Wiggle
USA:
$49.99 $29.99 at Wiggle

In order to make the 'dumb' trainer above into a 'smart' trainer you'll need these speed and cadence sensors. They then communicate with a computer via Bluetooth (which most modern laptops, tablets and smartphones will already have) or the ANT+ dongle below, which plugs into your computer, to tell Zwift how fast and hard you're riding.

50% off Lifeline ANT+ Dongle
UK: £29.99 £14.99 at Wiggle
USA: $44.99 $29.99 at Wiggle

50% off Lifeline ANT+ Dongle
UK:
£29.99 £14.99 at Wiggle
USA:
$44.99 $29.99 at Wiggle

Plug this into your computer's USB port to allow the speed and cadence sensors to communicate with any indoor cycling apps. Boring, but potentially necessary if your computer doesn't have Bluetooth.

Will Jones
Senior Tech Writer

Will joined the Cyclingnews team as a reviews writer in 2022, having previously written for Cyclist, BikeRadar and Advntr. He’s tried his hand at most cycling disciplines, from the standard mix of road, gravel, and mountain bike, to the more unusual like bike polo and tracklocross. He’s made his own bike frames, covered tech news from the biggest races on the planet, and published countless premium galleries thanks to his excellent photographic eye. Also, given he doesn’t ever ride indoors he’s become a real expert on foul-weather riding gear. His collection of bikes is a real smorgasbord, with everything from vintage-style steel tourers through to superlight flat bar hill climb machines.