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Probably been asked 100 times before but just wondering what people's thoughts are.
Firstly debating between smart rollers, back wheel on or direct drive.
I want something that's easy to set up as I'll use my daily commute road bike. Initially I thought direct drive would be a faff taking off my wheel but it sounds like calibrating for wheel on would actually be more time consuming and perhaps not the best if I'm just using dirty road wheels.
This will be my first venture into smart trainers but I've used zwift before at a rolling gym. So don't want to commit to the top of the range till I know it's something I enjoy and get use out of.
The new kickr core coming out looks interesting but a good £200 more than the wheel on trainers...
What are people's thoughts/recommendations on what trainer to go for?
I've had my tacx flow for nearly a year and been very happy with it, using it for zwift.
The main weakness is that it can only do up to about 7% gradient so above that it doesn't get any harder, you just go slower in zwift for the same effort
I'd have no problem recommending it though
I would go for the core, the 200 is justified just by the noise reduction, in fact I will next month. Tyre on really increases the noise quite a bit, the core seems amazingly quiet.
I currently have the kinetik smart road, which is mechanically good, but electronically shit, it only has bluetooth and not ant+ which reduces compatibility with the training apps/services.
+1 for the Kickr Core. Been using a wheel-off Kickr for around a year now and it's brilliant. The Core seems to be basically the same thing, but stripped down slightly and near silent.
As a left field option the Kinetic Road Machine Smart is awesome. It’s semi smart so has a power sensor but you still just change gear / pedal harder to increase it.
Damned accurate too. Look at DC Rainmaker’s first look at the new inRide 3 module. Tracks ‘real’ power meters scarely close.
The Road Machine is quite, feels good and would survive a nuclear blast too. Pick one up for £230 or so and then if you want the inRide 3 so it’ll talk to a Garmin or whatever that’ll be £45.
The inRide 2 module that it comes with already works with Zwift etc. I personally don’t see the advantage of a powered trainer and for the money you’ll not get anything that’s better built.
Just a point but ime calibration isn't necessary each time with my flow (wheel on) - it doesn't really drift when I take the bike on and off. I recalibrate maybe every couple of weeks or even once a month and even when it's been towards the lower end of the calibrate zone the difference in zwift has been unnoticeable so I don't worry about it.
We've just gone through this decision making and are going to get the new kickr core that is coming out in a few weeks. At least that's the plan. Done a spot of zwift on the old fan turbo trainer but it's a bit crap (and v noisy).
The new kickr core coming out looks interesting but a good £200 more than the wheel on trainers…
The one downside with Wahoo stuff is that it's hard to find discounted unless you have a Wiggle platinum discount and can be bothered to wait for one of their 17% off weeks - the other option is to buy a factory-reconditioned unit direct from Wahoo, but presumably it'll take a while for the new models to filter through on that.
Very happy with my Elite Direto. With various discounts came in at £540. Easy to live with. Working very well with Trainerroad.
<not your main question ,but> If you continue using the trainer (and aren't massively pushed for space), my money's on you having a "trainer bike" within 6 months - cheap old frame/fork and some used parts and any old front wheel is all you'd need for a direct drive machine
Direct drive for me but it does have a permanently mounted "bike"
Old bike on TCAX Vortex for last 3 years very happy. Would consider going to trainer bike just waiting until they come out. Id buy second hand smart trainer if your in doubt. Loads around. Id certainly recommended smart over any other option. Zwift is great fun 🙂
@wait4me. Where did you pick up the Elite Direto for at that price? That's the one I'm going to get this week.
Great price.
Matt
Matt, I got it from Halfords. They had it discounted and then I got 10% extra off with BC membership. But I've just looked and noticed they're no longer in stock and neither is the Drivo so wonder if there's some sort of supply issue.
I've got a Kickr Snap and if I was going to replace it i'd get a direct drive just for quietness.
Thanks wait4me. I'll give them a ring.
Cheers.
Matt