Set up in this order: the trainer, a mat, cooling, then a screen and a place for your phone and bottle. A complete starter cave costs about $630 before a fan if you choose the KICKR CORE 2 ($549.99), a 6 mm mat ($79.99 from Zwift) and the free MyWhoosh app, plus a basic gym fan (road.cc used GBP 40 as its baseline). Skip the heart-rate-controlled fan unless the basics are already working.
If you are unsure a smart trainer is needed at all, read do you need a smart trainer for Zwift.
The build, with prices
| Step | Choice | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Trainer | KICKR CORE 2 | $549.99 | Wahoo store |
| 1. Trainer (cheaper) | JetBlack Victory | $399 (reviewer-reported) | BikeRadar |
| 2. Floor protection | Trainer mat, 6 mm | $79.99 (Zwift) / EUR 79.99 (Wahoo) | Zwift, Wahoo |
| 3. Cooling, basic | Gym fan | about GBP 40 | road.cc (2018) |
| 3. Cooling, smart | Wahoo HEADWIND | EUR 279.99 | Wahoo EU store |
| 4. App | MyWhoosh / Zwift / TrainerRoad | Free / $199.99 / $209.99 a year | Vendors |
Starter total, with the Core 2, Zwift mat and MyWhoosh: $549.99 + $79.99 = $629.98 before a fan. With the Victory at the reported $399, $478.99. Our arithmetic; prices from different currencies are not added.
Placement: check the footprint before you buy
Manufacturer dimensions we could read: Tacx NEO 2T 22.6 x 29.5 inches, NEO 3M 24.8 x 31.5 inches (27.4 x 14.0 folded), KICKR CORE 2 13.6 kg. The 36 x 78 inch Wahoo mat and 36 x 80 inch Zwift mat both cover any of them with room to step off. A bike on a trainer needs its own length again in front of the trainer, and a smart bike stays in the room permanently (bike vs trainer).
Order of setup
- Choose the spot near a power socket and, if you use Ethernet (Elite lists it on the Justo 2 and Avanti), a network port; otherwise Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is fine.
- Put the mat down, then the trainer; follow the direct-drive setup and cassette/freehub guides.
- Pair and calibrate as the manufacturer says (calibration).
- Add cooling and aim it at your torso. Reviews of the HEADWIND note that focused airflow needs careful aiming (road.cc); see cooling fans for a pain cave.
- Set up a screen at eye height and a surface for a bottle and towel; plan drinks and fuelling (hydration).
What to skip at first
The smart fan, extra monitors and a bike upgrade. If a room is shared or a noise issue arises, read trainer maintenance and noise before buying anything. If you want a bigger budget plan, a budget pain cave has a fuller list.
What we could not verify
There are no independent measurements of mats or fans beyond the two fan reviews cited; setup order is our editorial advice, not tested results. Footprints for smart bikes were not read from primary pages.
How this page was researched
Compiled from manufacturer store pages and the reviews listed under Sources, checked 29 September 2026. No SmartBikeWiki testing.