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In mysterious circumstances I managed to break part of my spine last year. It's now two months after the operation and though I can move around with only mild pain I'm off the bike for any intense riding probably for another four months or so due to the risk of sudden movements and crashing.
I am allowed to and have ridden a stationary bike in the gym and apart from awful stamina it feels ok so I would like to get a turbo to maintain some level of fitness for when I can hopefully get back in summer.
From thinking of a basic sub £100 model my budget has jumped up due to the risk of disturbing neighbours as I live in an apartment and the thought that a proper smart trainer looks a lot less boring. So I'm now looking at the lower end direct drive models, namely the Elite Suito (£500 ish), Elite Direto X and Wahoo Kickr Core (Both £560).
My plan is to hook them up to a singlespeed MTB I have available so I would like one where the ERG mode functions well. I also need something that won't disturb my neighbours and a software program that will be relatively entertaining despite the fact I won't be able to push hard for a fairly significant amount of time.
Can anyone recommend one of these machines or software that will fit the bill? Or am I just being silly and it will just gather dust in the corner. Cheers!
The Kickr Core would be my choice after two years plus of happy, hassle-free, self flagellation with a Kickr. The Core's basically silent apart from noise of the chain running over the rings / sprockets / cog in your case. Being limited to ERG mode is quite, erm, limiting though. I guess you could always source a cheapo geared bike if you feel the need going forward.
On the app front, The Sufferfest works for me, but a lot of people find Zwift more involving, particularly if you get into racing. You can try both on a free trial I think.
The Wahoo stuff is hard to find discounted, but Wahoo sometimes sells reconditioned units direct from its UK site at a decent price.
I'd also budget for a turbo mat too reduce vibration and a big fan - things get proper hot on a turbo as you're churning out a lot of heat for each watt you produce on the trainer.
For proper in-depth reviews, it's hard to beat DC Rainmaker's site:
https://www.dcrainmaker.com
Be careful, you only have to read the mammoth Zwift thread on here to realise that it can become a worrying addiction 😉
I bought an Elite Directo for ACL reconstruction rehab about 1.5 years ago. It is so much better than our old dumb trainer, and even p20 who absolutely hated turbo, has been known to an hour on it. We use FulGaz rather than Zwift which simulates rides around the world. I found this particularly good as I was building strength and fitness as you can choose say flat 20 min rides rather than being tempted to race. As I got fitter I could pick hiller routes.
I am looking to change my TACX FLUX S for a Elite Directo. The FLUX has been disaster. I did some research and the Directo or the KICKE Core seem to always come out top. I like Zwift but never tried TrainerRoad...
If you are a cycling peak power weakling like me, then for quietness, the 4iiii Fliiiight is intresting https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/09/4iiii-fliiiight-trainer-first-look-specs.html but the specs aren't amazing.
I've had my Direto just over two years and I live above another flat, I was paranoid about the noise when using the 50T ring and didn't race much at all for ~18 months. But then I moved rooms and recently got a cheap roll-up ~12mm thick exercise mat and I can now happily race without concern before ~2000 (albeit usually finishing before 1900).
Tacx Neo models are supposed to be very quiet and have excellent spec, but then cost a fortune!
I was really worried about spending ~£640 on my Direto when it was brand new to the market, because that's a lot of disposable cash for me and my previous basic turbo barely got used. Modern day 2-way interactive turbos are so much more interactive with apps like Zwift, in hindsight maybe I should have splashed out on a Neo because I use mine so much... It's basically kept my fitness cycling alive since August!
Another happy Direto user here. Had mine about 3 months. Mainly used on TR. It is pretty quiet. It goes in the corner of the lounge and my wife and son can watch TV whilst I am cycling on it without any issues.
If you only have a single speed then erg mode seems sensible. All of the software will work depending on what you want to get out of it.
I use TR but wouldn't use it if I couldn't push hard so Zwift would be best I reckon. You can do a workout builder (something easy like 5 min intervals between 50 and 60% of FTP) and then run it in ERG mode but cycle around the scenery with the trainer controlling the power output. Your speed will be pretty low on the hills but shouldn't be an issue if you just want it to be entertaining.
Elite Drivo is £500 in Cycle Republic or Halfords at the moment. Accuracy to +-1percent which is quite a bit better than anything else in this price range. Quiet enough and it comes with (I think, from memory, 12 month subscription to the elite 1st person app). You can also control the wattage from your Garmin screen without the app if you don't want the full user experience.
The Kickr Core would be my choice
This. I have it's older big brother. the road feel is great (BIG flywheel). For apps, I like Eurosport and ride along whilst watching the classics. Or Netflix. Since you are on SS on, say 150 Watts, I wouldn't worry about what the apps doing. In fact ERG mode on a SS is basically a constant speed on a dumb trainer.
But the KICKR is great. Be careful lifting it with your back though. Mine has a handle, and it needs it!
@n0b0dy0ftheg0at
I'm stumped, that 4iiii... How on Earth do the magnets work on an alloy rim??
Don't you attach a few bits to some spokes that are affected by the magnets?
It's a clever design, but limited on power and slope emulation, offset by being near silent.
The only thing I saw was a reflective some sleeve for "timing".
I'm going to have a Google as I just can't see how it works?! Lol😂
Ok.... The spinning wheel causes eddy currents and that's how it works. Apparently.
Doesn't work with a wheel with a pinned joint though.
Bloody clever and quiet obviously, though for my purposes I'll stick with my Core. Wahoo has great software and back up support which is important to me.
Some interesting tech in that design though. Would be great in a flat.👍
Might struggle with carbon rims. And yes eddy currents induce a magnetic field to resist rotation. They bought a company that developed the original that used weights mounted on spokes.
If you want silent, unless you have a gates drive, you’ll be disappointed. Transmission is not silent. Even my track bike. And on these trainers, you’ll hear it.