PSA Smart turbo trainer for £229

This one as well for a bit less - I have one, it does the job.

https://www.jscycleshack.com/accessories/turbo-trainers/thinkrider-x5-neo-turbo-trainer__21272?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=X5NEO

Great PSA!

Been thinking about getting a smart turbo trainer for me and the mrs but haven't done an awful lot of research into yet.

My hardtail is 11 speed so would fit this perfectly, hers however is an old 8 speed. How much of a PITA would it be to constantly be swapping the cassette and bikes? Would we be better off getting her a basic 11 speed road bike instead?

Practically what other bits would i need over and above :

-11 speed bike
-Fan
-Mat
-Phone to connect to

I've run different bikes on smart turbos with mis matched cassettes. it's less of an issue as the trainer does a lot of the work in changing effort. sometimes I can do an entire workout without changing gear

Nothing against the think rider but it doesn't have a built in cadence sensor (although they give you a crank mounted one) and the jet-black will take a feed from your HR strap and push it to Apple TV which is a big help if you also use a steering rig and need the extra connection

Do you both fit your bike? If so, just use that and save the faff...

My hardtail is 11 speed so would fit this perfectly, hers however is an old 8 speed. How much of a PITA would it be to constantly be swapping the cassette and bikes?

Not much to be fair, I've done this with my 11spd cassette and MrsIHNs 10spd. Takes about three minutes, tops, to swap bike and cassette.

I’ve run different bikes on smart turbos with mis matched cassettes. it’s less of an issue as the trainer does a lot of the work in changing effort. sometimes I can do an entire workout without changing gear

But also this - I ran the same 11spd bike on a 9spd cassette when I borrowed a trainer off a mate to see if I wanted to get one myself. As long as you get it in a gear that'll run smooth-ish, the trainer will do the rest.

my jetblack has been delivered but I haven't set it up yet. my road bike is ten speed 105 and I was expecting to have to change the cassette over from the 11 speed that is installed. If I don't that would be great.

on my old kurt kinetic, i used to change gears a bit to change the cadence etc. will I not need to on a direct drive one?

...... Says the man who's never on his bike, Mr Barton. 😉

My turbo trainer / Zwift combo has been an absolute game changer for me, especially in the depths of winter when a solo ride in the dark, rain and mud just doesn't appeal. Throw on shorts and a top, nip out to the garage with the laptop, and I can do a multi-week planned workout or a free ride over a distance and difficulty that suits. Challenges like the multi stage Tours de Zwift and Wattopia actually motivated me to get out and spin the pedals (both digital and real), during the late winter and early spring this year.

I'd go as far to say that as my physical health has deteriorated and made it more difficult to ride, Zwift and the turbo have significantly propped up my mental health as well as helping to slow down the rate that all my bits are falling off and failing. 🙂

So don't knock it till you've tried it mate. Come over and have a shot in my garage, I've even got a spare smart turbo if you want to double up. 😉

Oi! I'm resemble that remark...

Nah, that seems obviously to me...if you both fit the bike then save the hassle of changing stuff and just use the one bike (or if 1 bike is too big, then set it up to use the other).

I've a turbo set up but it is dumb, so I've a tv to watch some tv shows...doesn't really help. However, I did jump on the turbo to watch the laps of Glasgow on Sunday's World Champs road ride and found it much easier to be pedalling and stay pedalling...got engrossed in the racing, so I reckon I need to get something like that sorted to watch and turbo sessions will be a bit more manageable (and also last longer - may as well try and improve fitness if I'm sitting on it).

My main issue with my current setup is the room I'm in isn't tall enough so the rocker plate is not being used, so I'm not standing up - not a massive hardship really but it did allow a bit more movement and positions.

I think a smart turbo would be great, if I had the rest of the technology to make use of it all, but for now, I'm searching for road race footage I can watch.

However, I did jump on the turbo to watch the laps of Glasgow on Sunday’s World Champs road ride and found it much easier to be pedalling and stay pedalling…got engrossed in the racing, so I reckon I need to get something like that sorted to watch and turbo sessions will be a bit more manageable (and also last longer – may as well try and improve fitness if I’m sitting on it).

I was watching the same race, but at the same time I was virtually riding the Glasgow race route on Zwift.

likewise you could ride some of the famous climbs whilst they were racing them in the TDF this year.  Zwift is becoming a game changer for me in terms of training motivation

Is that Evan's offer collection only? I'm not seeing delivery options.

Home delivery shows up for me during the checkout process.

<Repeat to self - I don't need one, I don't need one>

Once you go to checkout it gives you home deliver option. For the same price as store delivery…

It was via Evri. They aren’t bad round here but Evans keep sending me emails saying it’ll be with me later in the week despite the fact evri delivered it yesterday.

Oh God no not Evri, that'll be mine delivered to a random neighbour then.

@ Dick Barton

If you want a shot of my old turbo, it's an Elite Novo Smart. It's a wheel on turbo, so no faffing about. It'd be easier with a road bike, as it's currently setup for that, but it does come with spacers for 26 up to 29er wheels.....I'd just have to find them. All you'd need is a tablet, phone or laptop with wifi and bluetooth, then Bob's that hairy bloke you sometimes see me hanging out with. Send me your email address and I can even fire you a link for a month's free Zwift subscription to get you started.

Then we could arrange online rides together, without me having to listen to your awful patter. Ohh, I'm liking this better and better. 😉

@Beagleboy, thanks for the offer but I'm happy not having the extra technology (as it saves me a monthly/yearly subscription for Zwift or whatever/saves me spending money on more technology that then sits in a room that remains empty unless I'm on the turbo). I also have a fear that if I do get into it then I won't actually stop. The turbo is just something to keep my legs spinning, so isn't something I'm looking to spend much time on...likely to do a bit more during the winter as trailbuilding evenings will not be happening, so I'll replace those with some more winter evening biking and turbo sessions. You enjoy my poor banter - you've said several times it encourages you to ride faster so my chat gets quieter!!! 😉

I've an Elite something-or-other direct drive (TurboMuin, maybe?) - it has a sensor for speed and power, but it isn't smart. I'd need kit to connect the sensors to whatever is receiving them to then send them to Zwift, I'd then need something to broadcast Zwift in a usable size - phone won't work as I sweat so much that my glasses fall off, so the screen would need to be big so I could make out blobs and shapes once my glasses are gone.

I've a mate who has got himself set up on Zwift and since then he hasn't ridden outside - I've a fear that I may fall into that trap as well!

Sorry for the thread hijack...obviously a quiet day in the office and I've not spoken to people so I'm now speaking here!

What a great PSA! Ordered.

My current bike is 10sp though. Daft question but... will this be fine on the 11sp casette it comes with or should i just remove that and put my old 10 speed on it? Will i need a spacer?

short answer is yes, if you want and yes!

Would we be better off getting her a basic 11 speed road bike instead?

Or another trainer, and sell the 11 speed cassette? Unless the bike upgrade is wanted, or costs less than £229?!  (Joking.  Kind of.)

We have a wheel off trainer and 4 bikes all with different gears so I swap cassettes pretty regularly.

A few other tips;

• I got an Apple TV off eBay, along with a cheap 42" telly.  Using it on a big telly is fantastic.  I'd recommend this if you have space/budget.
• Get a fan.  A big one. And a remote switch or smart plug to turn if on once you've warmed up.
• Rouvy is a pretty good alternative to Zwift.  I prefer it, and we can have 3 users on one annual subscription.

That looks interesting, but should i just buy the Zwift hub which is an updated version ? or will this do zwift well enough that I won't really notice the difference

I think the Zwift hub is mechanically identical, it's only the external branding that is different.

Ooo, always wondered about Zwift but I thought the cost was prohibitive.  I don't have a spare bike, but my MTB is 142 rear hub and 11 speed.  Would this thing be ideal, albeit can you zwift on an MTB frame bike as efficiently as a road bike?

It's be in the garage, which has power and wifi reaches.

142 rear spacing will fit as standard. It's a stationary turbo so as long as your drivetrain is clean it will do as well as a road bike

can you zwift on an MTB frame bike as efficiently as a road bike?

Depends what you want to do. With the lower gearing of an MTB you'll spin out very easily. There is a way of "correcting" this via a third party app. https://www.qzfitness.com/

Just looking in more detail, this is the original Volt rather than the V2 isn't it? Was that upgrade worth spending more for? Is V1 still good value at £229

Had been thinking of getting the Zwift Hub for 449, but if there is no effective difference this is a no-brainer isn't it?

Nothing against the think rider but it doesn’t have a built in cadence sensor

The latest version, like mine and the one in that ad, has an inbuilt cadence sensor.

Just ordered.......

I hate Mike Ashley but that's too good to be true.

Ordered too it's a long Winter in Scotland.

Just FYI it doesn't come with a block for the front wheel but probably doesn't need one - the back seems a little lower than with a wheel on if anything.

Can't tell if it's V1 or V2 but sounds like the only physical difference is disk caliper clearance - mine fits with 1mm to spare.

Now to find a 10 speed cassette.

Not such a practical PSA, but if you're still under the illusion that COVID has made turbo trainers grossly expensive, jut look on ebay or facebook. There's a Wahoo V5, climb and headwind for sale near me as a bundle for £385, and has been up for sale for months. There's bargains to be had.

1 left by my reckoning...get in quick!

Mine arrived today. Does the freehub erm free up? There's so much friction that you can't coat without the chain going supers slack or derailing.

Evri have lost mine, so that's fine.

Bad luck Merak, mine arrived on Saturday without drama, still in its box until new cassette arrives though.

Mine arrived a couple of days ago. Evri lost it for two days but found after some badgering.

I'm amazed at how quiet it is! Free hub was jittery on first ride, but on tonights it seemed to have free'd offed ok - but tonight was an FTP test so no chance to freewheel.

One thing that seemed like voodoo magic - how on earth does the turbo know what cadence I'm cycling at?

Overall I'm very impressed!

Mine arrived this afternoon - ordered Friday. Evri man phoned as we weren't in, and delivered to back door. That is good service in my book.
Had to remove QR adaptor on drive side, but not a major prob

Clearance to brake caliper on an Orro Gold is a v squeaky .8mm i reckon. Might put some inner tube inbetween.

Haven't yet had a proper go, but it is so much quieter than my old dumb turbo.

Lots of dicking around yet to sort HR, Cadence, Zwift, PC, lahdidah

Autumnal weather in Sussex at the moment makes it feel like good timing

Mine seems to have taken up residence in a warehouse in Rotherham.

One thing that seemed like voodoo magic – how on earth does the turbo know what cadence I’m cycling at?

By analysing your power variation.

@cheers_drive

no, mine does this also, I had to loosen off the driveside QR adapter to stop it clamping the freehub so hard it didn't freewheel. I think there is a spacer out of tolerance or a washer missing?

Please note I have not sense checked this but on a similar theme I saw the below yesterday which appears to be a deal on Wahoo Kickr v5 though I think you need an adapter as its a US plug or something:

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/you-can-snap-up-a-wahoo-kickr-half-price-right-now-at-chain-reaction/

"Wahoo Kickr V5 trainer hits half-price at Chain Reaction Cycles in best-ever deal"

scotroutesFull Member
One thing that seemed like voodoo magic – how on earth does the turbo know what cadence I’m cycling at?
By analysing your power variation.

Ha! That is clever!

Thanks for the earlier PSA on these 👌

Is zwift website only place for the XD(r) driver for these?

No problem with the freehub on mine though I did put some grease in to quiet it. It's far from silent but I haven't used a turbo before so maybe it's an improvement on others.

Thanks for the original psa, I went for the £200 thinkrider rather than give fat mike any of my hard-earned. It works well but have so far been unable to connect it to my pc, neither my desktop or laptop can find it through Bluetooth but my phone picks it up no problem. A quick Google suggests this is quite common for many trainers and I've ordered Ant+ dongle which will hopefully solve it.

Is there any half decent free zwift style software out there? I'm loath to pay a monthly subscription when there'll be weeks I just don't use it, especially in what we call a UK summer. I'm currently using the thinkrider app which puts you on a course using Google earth, it's not bad but a little too basic.

Honestly the moving landscape part of Zwift is pretty worthless. The racing or maybe group riding is the thing.

@mdavids  wahoo X provides free stuff including the fitness tests.  You also get a two week trial without putting credit card details in.

molgrips

Honestly , FOR ME/IMO ETC.....the moving landscape part of Zwift is pretty worthless. The racing or maybe group riding is the thing.

Fixed that for you 😉
Nothing wrong with freeriding around Zwift when the weather is crap outside & you want/need to get some miles in; especially if you have a route you need to tick off or join a pace partner.
I reckon I did over 50% of my training for the Reiver on Zwift - plenty of 2hr rides and even a few 3hr when the need arose.
Normally with a podcast on in the background.

I've just found (well currently using their free 14 day trial) FulGaz. So far it seems pretty good;I never really got on with zwift when I tried it; I have never been one for computer games so the "gamification" of training wasn't a turn on for me. Similarly, I'm not competitive so racing wasn't of interest.

FulGaz seems to have 4k videos of rides which link to the ERG mode so when the ride is going up hill gets harder. Claims to be more realistic than zwift wrt to climbs and speed. So far done a short pootle through the Vendee to get used to it, a 20ftp test up a South African hill climb then a gentle "recovery" ride yesterday through the Dordogne. Has a couple of training plans but apparently easy to import training plans inn from training peaks etc.

Only early days for me, but very impressed with it. Once the free trial is over I'll give the other programmes a go, but so far I'm quite impressed. That said, my last use of the turbo in a structured way was in 2015 when I spend probably a 1000 hours on a turbo training for an Ironman looking at noting but trainer road graphs so my expectations might be pretty low!

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check them out

Any thoughts as to using a heavy duty music stand type thing as a holder for the iPad whike on Zwift?
lothe to fork out the price of some of those dedicated tables…

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133420434283?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=zWyNzsGaRdy&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=6mN0IONwQou&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

~15£

thanks!

iPad weighs not much more than a thick music book so won't be an issue for that.

Unfortunately my trainer did turn up in the end. In the spirit of adventure I'm going to give it a try.

I'd like to set it up in the loft. I'm not sure how to do it on my laptop though. I have an old screen I'd like to use linked to the laptop.

Am I correct saying you download it to Apple or Android?

Apologies for dredging up an old thread, but does anyone who bought a Jetblack Volt have an adaptor A (the one for QR axles that goes in the non-drive side)  they would be willing to part with (money to you or charity of your choice)? Mine shipped without that adaptor in the box and I'd really like to avoid having to post the whole thing back to Evans.

Thanks for this PSA - Ive been using mine a lot since it arrived. So much better than the Tacx Vortex its replaced.

@granma

adaptor A (the one for QR axles that goes in the non-drive side)

Are you sure it isn't on he trainer itself? Adaptor A was alreadyon the cassette when mine arrived. Had to remover for thruaxle fitting
reread your post, think you're looking for adaptor B? Phone Evans in first instance I reckon

Cheers for that, you've made me look at it properly now and it is actually all there, I must get my eyes checked. Thanks again.