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WIth out wanting to clutter the massive zwift thread I'm after a bit of advice for a zwift setup. I was intending to start off doing it cheaply with a static turbo we already have but have discovered this is broken so am going to need to buy a new one. I don't have any current power measurement devices so looking to get something that will take care of this side. Also don't want to buy the cheapest device as I'll only end up buying a second more expensive one if I do this!
Really I'd like a direct drive turbo with interactive resistance adjustment however given those seem to start at £500+ probably not the best idea to start with. So looking around the £300 mark it seems I could get an interactive wheel on trainer (something like the Tacx Vortex) or non-interactive direct mount trainer (Elite Turbo Muin b+). The question is what would be the better way to go? Is the interactivity worth it, even if it means not having direct drive? I'm going to have limited time slots to train in so having to warm up the tyre to get accurate power readings puts me off a little. Is that really a big issue (and do direct drives completely solve this issue)?
Direct drive is less fiddly to setup & get consistent virtual power readings from (obviously if you have a proper power meter this is not really a concern). IMO though a smart trainer makes Zwift so much better though, would not want to go back now I've got one. Depends what is more important to you really?
By smart are you meaning I'm assuming you mean one zwift can control rather than just one that sends power to zwift.
yep. Makes it genuinely immersive & way more fun IMO
Also don’t want to buy the cheapest device as I’ll only end up buying a second more expensive one if I do this!
I have a turbo Muin B+, i'm going to get a directo as soon as I can find a way to not get in trouble for spending all that money 😀
Hmm just found a directo that would come out at £440! Tempting.
Don't think you'd regret going straight to the Direto at that price or, ahem, you could have my Rampa if you do want something cheaper: https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/elite-rampa-smart-turbo-trainer-200-posted/
(apologies for the shameless plug)
Nixie, where can you get a Direto for £440?!
You can't directly. That price is a product of stacking discounts, one of which is only available via a work discount scheme. I think its also the shop floor model so not brand new (if that matters).
Ok fair enough, thanks. For £440 I think you should go for it...
I'd be looking at a refurbed Kickr direct from Wahoo if I were buying again, either a Snap or the wheel-off version if you can afford it. They just work.
Damn, one of the discounts won't work!
beardo, the cheaper was on evans in the clearance section (decided I'm not going for that one)
And if you want to do some stacking you can get a brand new one for £477.43 from Halfords. Their spend and save gives you £50 off bringing it to £624.10, 15% discount if you join the Toyota members club and 10% off by buying discounted vouchers (numerous ways to do this). Or £505.52 using BC discount + cheap vouchers.
Anyway enough thread drifting my own thread!
Thanks for the input all. Have gone with the Elite Direto from Halfords as it ticked the most boxes. More than I was planning to spend! Hopefully that will help motivate me to use it.
Nixie you wont regret it, that is a great trainer and is perfect to take advantage of what zwift offers. I look forward to hearing your race reports once you become addicted to zwift.
🙂 glad to hear it. Be interesting to see how much I can improve. Never done anything like an FTP test before.
I have a turbo Muin B+, i’m going to get a directo as soon as I can find a way to not get in trouble for spending all that money
I too am in this exact position. You’ve made a good call getting the Directo.
I'm now trying to work out what else I'm going to need. Laptop meets the specs and I think I have Bluetooth on it. Hopefully that's enough and don't need a ant+ dongle.
Suck it and see, I've got bluetBlue headphones and they didn't play nicely with the trigger at the same time. Ant+ has been pretty solid though, have you got a heart rate monitor? You'll get dq'd on zwiftpower if not.
Nixie, I’ve got a spare Ant+ usb dongle you can have as I use my iPad for turbo work nowadays.
Yeap got a bluetooth HRM from my running watch. Sounds like i can pair that via the android companion app.
Thanks Matt, that would be great, you likely to be around Thursday?