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Well, I'm in the unenviable position of helping to choose a new bit of kit for the gym on the ship (the old tub won a significant safety performance prize).
A good smart bike type trainer is in the cross hairs, Something like a Wahoo Kickr, Wattbike Atom etc.
They all seem darn good, and you get what you pay for. My main area of puzzlement is the need to bring your own device, and it seems like getting the best means using some sort of online service like Zwift. Internet connectivity on the ship is slow, and then devide that by 180 people.
I know how the Atom uses the Wattbike hub and that makes thing simple enough, without the need to be online. I use it already with our Wattbike Trainer/Pro.
The Wahoo looks like the bees knees, what apps can you use to get most out of it without being online? Might also buy a cheap tablet to go with it for those don't have their own phone/tablet loaded with software.
WWSTW buy if they had 3k to blow (coke and hookers not an option).
coke and hookers not an option
One in every port already?
Sticky @ Zwiftpower reckons the Wattbike power readings are garbage IIRC, lots of issues in races where riders get DQed.
Sticky @ Zwiftpower reckons the Wattbike power readings are garbage IIRC, lots of issues in races where riders get DQed.
I can believe that, the two we have are noticably different. On th Pro version I hit about 225W average for 45mins of slog. On the Trainer it gives me 300W+ for the same effort (same average BPM and with the resistance set the same. I have contacted Wattbike with the readings they requested and the reckon all the 'offsets' and 'co-efficients' are all within parameters.
Obviously Peloton!
More seriously,
DC rainmaker might have reviewed them. He's generally good at this type of thing.
I don't know how serious the people using it will be but it might be preferred if people connect their own devices to make it easier to keep their own records of training.
Wattbike are probably more set up for this as they are the leader in the market in Gyms etc.
How many are on the crew. Some of the smart trainers don't look like they would be suitable for constant changing of sizing. I've heard reports the Atom is not as robust as the version used in gyms. Levers breaking and that kind of thing.
Quality of the bike part not the trainer part are what matter. As said, look at dcrainmaker for recommendations. Then buy the Wahoo. It’s based on the KICKR which is an excellent unit.
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/10/smart-shootout-wahookickrbike-wattbikeatom-tacxneobike.html
Robustness is an issue.
The two Wattbike we have have been damaged by hamfisted numbty clumsiness.
Realistically, the more specialised it looks the fewer people will use it, ie skinny saddle and need proper shoes. We have a crew of up to 180, but on a busy day I'd guess only 10 are using the cardio side of the gym, and most of them are running. Currently, it's a busy time for the Wattbikes, there are 4 of us regularly on them.
Also hoping for a second Concept 2 rower, and if we bin the broken crosstrainer thing we might get a C2 Ski Erg. It's down to space.
The cash is burning a hole, and we have to spend it on 'things' that will be of 'benefit to all onboard'. Some has been spent on a Golf Simulator (already busted) and a few other oddities of questionable purpose.
Then buy the Wahoo. It’s based on the KICKR which is an excellent unit
I don't think that's really true:
It’s actually an entirely new KICKR design, one that far more closely resembles that of the electromagnetic unit that is the Tacx NEO series, than the KICKR’s of the past.
Another alternative
You’ve really got to go some to break a Watt bike, adjustments and contact points are rock solid.
I think we have 7 pro’s / 3 trainers at my gym. Watts are very consistent across each range with my effort.
Main reason I bother paying for gym, missed them the last few months.
Sure most of the places do some kind of 30 day free trial. Only real way is to jump on and see what you prefer.
Wattbike atom have a rubbish seat post design, which once its started slipping, keeps slipping. The ones I've used had all had multiple replacements, which might be an issue for your use.
You’ve really got to go some to break a Watt bike, adjustments and contact points are rock solid
The bottle cage on both of ours have been ripped off by people jamming too big bottles in them and just by knocking into them, damaging the casings, and both monitors have been broken off their mounts, the fan case was kicked off one when someone's foot slipped off the pedal (saw them do it, they were on the back of the pedle not using the straps)
Just plain old muppetry.
Seadog is right to point out robustness. I’ve been through 2 KICKR Cores in the last year, and I’m not putting out all the watts!
Wattbike have the commercial AtomX-basically negates the need for punters to bring their own touchscreen devices. They’re based on the first generation Atom though-which has been faultless for me. Only issue with the Atom is the lack of saddle/bar manoeuvre (for and aft). The X may have a different system though.