Saris’ smart trainer lineup has seen some fluctuating naming and specs of late, and the newest H3 Plus combines the best of the prior H3 and the now-defunct H4. It also gets a helluva lot cheaper.
The H3 Plus takes the perfectly flat driveside shell design of the H4, making it compatible with modern Shimano and SRAM 12-speed drivetrains, with cassettes up to 42-tooth. The prior H3 had a slight curve to the shell that could interfere with the derailleur hangers on 12-speed setups, but the flat profile makes space. More space, actually, as the H4 was rated to fit 32-tooth cassettes.
It does not, however, get the H4’s 2,300-watt max resistance. Instead, it keeps the H3’s 2,000-watt resistance (which is plenty, settle down) and whisper-quiet 59db noise rating. A 20-pound flywheel gives it excellent resistance and road feel, and the design is rock solid with adjustable feet and wide legs that keep it very stable.
Power accuracy is +/-2%, which is good enough for certified use with Zwift, BKOOL, and Rouvy (the latter gives you a free month trial with purchase of this trainer, too). It syncs with those programs and others via dual Bluetooth and ANT+ FE-C transmitters, and performs OTA updates via Bluetooth with their app.
Don’t have any apps? Use it in “headless” mode and it’ll mimic their Fluid2 trainer’s resistance so you can still get a good workout. It comes with a 12-speed HG freehub body, XD/XRD sold separately. Micro Spline coming soon, cassette sold separately for all. Thru axles and QR compatibility for hub widths from 130mm to 148mm.
The best part, it’s just $699 now, down from $1,099 before.
