Wattbike has added not one but two new indoor bikes to its lineup with the introduction of the Wattbike Proton and Wattbike Air. Both are priced lower than Wattbike's flagship Atom models, at 1,795 and 1,895 pounds respectively.

Both also offer access to Wattbike's subscription-free Training Hub, which offers workouts and training plans, and Wattbike says it has revamped the content on the Wattbike Hub to coincide with the launch of the new training bikes According to the company.

But why bring out two new indoor bikes for a price difference of only £100?

Proton is a smart bike with app-controlled magnetic resistance that competes with the best exercise bikes and is designed for indoor cycling.

The Air is a non-smart model with fan-based resistance that generally targets cross-trainers and team athletes who want to work on peak power and fitness.

The Wattbike Proton is a smart bike that uses an electromagnetic resistance system and the same patented power meter system used in other Wattbike products.

Wattbike claims that adjustability is important because its smart bikes are often used by multiple users in the home. The saddle height is adjustable from 49.8 cm to 82.7 cm, allowing for a wide range of riding positions. Proton also has a lower stepover height than Atom.

Proton has a lower peak resistance value of 1800 watts compared to Atom's 2500 watts. However, there is little need to be concerned about these numbers. The increase in resistance is also slower, so Wattbike recommends the Atom for competitive road cyclists and online race participants.

Both the Proton and Atom can simulate gradients of up to 25%, have the same 8.05 kg flywheel weight, and feature ANT+ and BLE connectivity.

The Proton can connect to a variety of the best indoor cycling apps, including Zwift, Rouvy, Strava, and Wattbike Hub.

Currently, the Wattbike Proton is only available through Wattbike's site in the UK, but the brand has said it will be available in other markets.

Wattbike has also announced an Air model, which is currently available for pre-order and will be delivered on October 7, 2024.

It is a non-smart bike, meaning it will not connect to mobile devices or training apps, and uses Wattbike's fan-based resistance system, which the brand says responds smoothly, incrementally, and instantly to full effort. Peak resistance is 2500 watts.

Wattbike already has an aerodynamic resistance trainer called the Pro/Trainer, but it is considerably more expensive and is targeted at gym and club users; the Wattbike Air is a lower-priced, more home user-friendly version of this technology. The Pro/Trainer has additional features such as magneto-resistance and monitoring, but the Wattbike Air omits these.

According to Wattbike, its target users are team athletes and CrossFit enthusiasts looking to improve peak strength and power. The company also states that Air is suitable for low-resistance rehabilitation.

As such, it targets the same market as spin bikes and non-smart exercise bikes; according to Wattbike, the Air is useful for high-intensity and HIIT training, while the Proton is designed to compete with smart bikes and trainers.

Like the Wattbike Proton, it will initially be available exclusively in the UK, with pre-orders beginning October 7.

The exercise bike market is hotting up. Previously dominated by more expensive models such as the £3,500 Wahoo Kickr Bike and the similarly priced Tacx Neo Bike Plus, lower-priced options are now available, including the Wahoo Kickr Bike Shift.

Zwift has a new Ride Smart Bike, priced at £750, which docks with the Smart Turbo Trainer to form a complete modular indoor bike. In addition to the recently launched Wahoo Kickr Core, the company has announced compatibility with a wider range of smart trainers, including the Elite Diretto and V6 Wahoo Kickr.

If you have the space for a dedicated smart bike, the price difference between the top class smart turbo trainers is not that great.

The Wattbike Proton is priced at £1,795 and the Wattbike Air at £1,895, compared to Atom's price of £2,395, which is currently discounted to £2,145.