ActiveWattbike Air review: Elite training tool but not without compromiseThe brand’s mid-range stationary bike delivers pro-level performance with precise data tracking and a solid ride feel, but its manual resistance and high price tag may leave some cyclists wanting moreWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Wattbike)T3 VerdictThe Wattbike Air delivers a realistic, data-rich riding experience with solid build quality and detailed performance analysis. However, its manual resistance control and noisy operation make it less immersive than similarly priced smart trainers. It’s a great tool for focused training but feels pricey without interactive features.Reasons to buy+Rock solid build+Pedalling analysis is unique+Wattbike Hub has plenty of training tools+Great ride feelReasons to avoid-Noisy-Seems expensive compared to the Wattbike Atom-Manually controlled resistanceWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
ActiveWattbike Air review: Elite training tool but not without compromiseThe brand’s mid-range stationary bike delivers pro-level performance with precise data tracking and a solid ride feel, but its manual resistance and high price tag may leave some cyclists wanting moreWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Wattbike)T3 VerdictThe Wattbike Air delivers a realistic, data-rich riding experience with solid build quality and detailed performance analysis. However, its manual resistance control and noisy operation make it less immersive than similarly priced smart trainers. It’s a great tool for focused training but feels pricey without interactive features.Reasons to buy+Rock solid build+Pedalling analysis is unique+Wattbike Hub has plenty of training tools+Great ride feelReasons to avoid-Noisy-Seems expensive compared to the Wattbike Atom-Manually controlled resistanceWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The brand’s mid-range stationary bike delivers pro-level performance with precise data tracking and a solid ride feel, but its manual resistance and high price tag may leave some cyclists wanting more
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Wattbike)T3 VerdictThe Wattbike Air delivers a realistic, data-rich riding experience with solid build quality and detailed performance analysis. However, its manual resistance control and noisy operation make it less immersive than similarly priced smart trainers. It’s a great tool for focused training but feels pricey without interactive features.Reasons to buy+Rock solid build+Pedalling analysis is unique+Wattbike Hub has plenty of training tools+Great ride feelReasons to avoid-Noisy-Seems expensive compared to the Wattbike Atom-Manually controlled resistance
(Image credit: Wattbike)
(Image credit: Wattbike)
T3 VerdictThe Wattbike Air delivers a realistic, data-rich riding experience with solid build quality and detailed performance analysis. However, its manual resistance control and noisy operation make it less immersive than similarly priced smart trainers. It’s a great tool for focused training but feels pricey without interactive features.Reasons to buy+Rock solid build+Pedalling analysis is unique+Wattbike Hub has plenty of training tools+Great ride feelReasons to avoid-Noisy-Seems expensive compared to the Wattbike Atom-Manually controlled resistance
T3 VerdictThe Wattbike Air delivers a realistic, data-rich riding experience with solid build quality and detailed performance analysis. However, its manual resistance control and noisy operation make it less immersive than similarly priced smart trainers. It’s a great tool for focused training but feels pricey without interactive features.
T3 Verdict
The Wattbike Air delivers a realistic, data-rich riding experience with solid build quality and detailed performance analysis. However, its manual resistance control and noisy operation make it less immersive than similarly priced smart trainers. It’s a great tool for focused training but feels pricey without interactive features.
Reasons to buy+Rock solid build+Pedalling analysis is unique+Wattbike Hub has plenty of training tools+Great ride feelReasons to avoid-Noisy-Seems expensive compared to the Wattbike Atom-Manually controlled resistance
Reasons to buy+Rock solid build+Pedalling analysis is unique+Wattbike Hub has plenty of training tools+Great ride feel
Rock solid build
Pedalling analysis is unique
Wattbike Hub has plenty of training tools
Great ride feel
Reasons to avoid-Noisy-Seems expensive compared to the Wattbike Atom-Manually controlled resistance
Noisy
Seems expensive compared to the Wattbike Atom
Manually controlled resistance
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Jump to category:Price and availabilityDesign and build qualityPerformanceVerdictAlso consider
Jump to category:Price and availabilityDesign and build qualityPerformanceVerdictAlso consider
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When winter weather sidelines outdoor rides, finding an indoor training setup that feels as engaging and effective can be a challenge. Enter the Wattbike Air – a competentexercise bikedesigned to bridge the gap between high-performance training and user-friendly functionality.
The Wattbike Air faces stiff competition in its price range from smart turbo trainers that offer more interactive features for less money. Its manually controlled resistance and noticeably noisy fan might raise eyebrows for those seeking a seamless indoor riding experience. Still, its pedalling analysis and rock-solid build make it a tempting addition for dedicated cyclists.
After weeks of testing through cold, wet months, I put the Wattbike Air to the test to see if it truly earns its place in a serious training setup—or if it’s simply a premium spin bike with a hefty price tag.
Wattbike Air Review
Price and availability
The Wattbike Air was launched at the same time as theWattbike Proton, in October 2024, and is available to buy now atWattbike UKfor a recommended price of £1,895 (approx. $2,329.54/ AU$3,762.98). The company hasUSandAustraliansites but only sells the Atom in those countries.
Design and build quality
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
Step into many gyms, and they’ll be a lineup of Wattbikes; famed for their accurate data, they have become the stationary bike of choice for those looking for a cardio hit and keen cyclists hoping to fine-tune their training. I’ve always preferred to do my indoor training on my bike using a turbo trainer as the position is the same as to what I would ride outside and I can also fold away the turbo when not in use to save space.
The Wattbike Air is a much more permanent feature but does have a slightly smaller footprint than a bike and turbo setup. Construction is very sturdy, with no discernable flex or movement when riding hard. I found it easy to move around the room despite its 55kg weight, as there are a pair of small wheels on the front of the bike.
The bike does require external power, and this is delivered via a USB-C cable that plugs into the back of the bike; I found this to be a welcome change to the enormous power bricks that are needed for my Wahoo Kickr and meant that I didn’t have to remember which generic black power adaptor is for what device.
Bike fit is crucial when riding indoors, even more so than outdoors, as you typically move around a lot less and sit in the same position indoors, which can be uncomfortable if your fit on the bike is compromised. This is one of the reasons why I prefer a turbo setup but the Wattbike Air has a huge amount of adjustability to help get your fit dialled in.
Almost everything is adjustable without tools; bar height, stem length, saddle height and saddle fore and aft adjustment. It’s simply a case of undoing the chunky metal handles, moving the part and re-tightening. I found I could replicate my road bike setup on the Air armed only with a tape measure and some patience.
I am about 6’3 tall and found I was nearing the maximum extension on the seatpost, so if you’re taller than me, I’d recommend an ‘XL Seatpost’ (available from Wattbike) to make sure your fit is correct. The Air comes with a pair of basic pedals with toe clips, but I opted to swap these out for a pair of SPDs that would work with my cycling shoes.
Performance
Image1of2(Image credit: Matt Buckley)(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
Image1of2(Image credit: Matt Buckley)(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
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(Image credit: Matt Buckley)(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
Wattbike has its own training platform called Wattbike Hub, which has a host of training plans, workouts and challenges to keep you engaged. The Air will also communicate with various training platforms such as Zwift, TrainingPeaks, Rouvy and many more. However, the Air is essentially a ‘dumb trainer’, so it cannot adjust the resistance to simulate gradients or hold a specific wattage for a workout.
The workout is displayed on a tablet (not included) and fits into a rubber-sized stand on the handlebars that holds the tablet securely, and I had no worries about it falling off during hard efforts. The Air paired to the tablet without any issues and I was up and riding within minutes. All of your key metrics are displayed on screen, from power, heart rate, workout details as well as pedalling analysis which I found to be very interesting and something that I’m not able to view on my normal turbo trainer.
Once the workout is complete, it can be uploaded to your platform of choice automatically for further analysis. My only criticism of using a tablet to display your ride info is that the Air should be fitted with a USB-C port near the tablet to allow it to be charged whilst in use, rather than having to remember to charge it up before a workout.
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
Verdict
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
There’s no denying the Wattbike Air is a fantastic training tool, but I’m not sure how it fits into the rider’s training arsenal. A top-end smart turbo trainer such as the Wahoo Kickr Move costs less and can control the resistance for increased immersion, as well as replicate some of the movement experienced whilst riding.
For those with a dedicated training space looking for the ultimate indoor riding experience, the Wattbike Atom is a little more expensive but brings with it virtual shifting and resistance control, which will interface great with Zwift or using ERG mode on the Wattbike Hub workouts for a more rounded training approach.
Also consider
A number of brands that produce turbo trainers have branched out into full bikes, including Wahoo with theKickr Bike Shift(£2199) andTacx Neo Bike Pus(£3499). These are both more expensive than the Wattbike Air and offer similar features. TheZwift Rideand Kickr Core is the most affordable full bike setup, costing £1199, which, in my eyes, represents excellent value for money. For those with a bike looking for a turbo trainer, there are a host of options for all budgets.
Wattbike Air exercise bike: Price Comparison
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