Smart direct mount turbo trainer advice please

byrnem31 · 13-12-2021 06:09PM #1

Im going to invest in a turbo trainer. Im thinking of a direct mount smart turbo trainer.

Can anyone recommend one please? I would like something easy enough to use as im not the most tech savy person.

DaveyDave · 13-12-2021 06:45PM

What's your budget?

I have the Wahoo Kickr Core. There's not much to set up really, use the app to pair my phone/PC, calibrate it once a month and that's it. I spent more time physically assembling it than I did setting up with my phone/PC. Main thing is to make sure you have a compatible device. Phones, laptops or tablets have Bluetooth which is fine. PCs generally don't, so you'll probably need a Bluetooth or ANT+ USB adaptor. Cheap ANT+ adaptors either just won't work or have very limited range, best to pay for branded ones.

byrnem31 · 13-12-2021 08:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118316643#Comment_118316643

Yeah i was thinking of that model as i had a go on one today and it was amazing. I was going uphill on it on a virtual map and it was really making me work. €800 though is a bit much. I was thinking more like €500.

Do you have a spare bike that you leave on it or do you use your regular bike?

13-12-2021 08:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118317173#Comment_118317173

Kicker Core is a good set up and probably worth the money.

Get a spare cassette with the same number of sprockets as your bike and you should be able to take it on and off without much hassle.

I put my winter bike on the turbo and just clip the back wheel back on and away I go.

byrnem31 · 13-12-2021 08:53PM

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/turbo-trainers/smart-turbo-trainers/elite-zumo-smart-interactive-turbo-trainer-244622.html

Halords direct mount for roughly €500. Im wary buying anything out of halfords though.

byrnem31 · 13-12-2021 09:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118317198#Comment_118317198

I have a spare 11spd 105 casette in the shed. I was looking at some on adverts and they want 600 odd quid for them. A brand new one with warranty etc is just under 800 and id get a little discount on that for cycle superstore membership. So its probably best getting a new one as at least i know it hasn't had the nuts cycled off it.

DaveyDave · 13-12-2021 10:24PM

The Tacx Neo is just under €600 at the moment I believe. Similar to the Kickr Core.

My main bike is on the turbo at the moment full time. Good thing about direct drive trainers is that if you want to go outside you just put the wheel back on and head out.

gn3dr · 13-12-2021 10:53PM

Another recommendation here for the Kickr Core. I bought one 12 months ago and I initially baulked a bit at the price but for the amount of cycling it allowed me to do last winter rather than sitting on the couch it was worth it.

I went a bit mad and ended up buying a 2 nd hand bike to mount to it permanently. It is easy to swap out a bike but I figured I'd eliminate any excuse for me not to go out to the shed and just get on it. 😀

I did see later in the year that Wahoo were selling refurbished ones with warranty for about 600 I think.

lissard · 14-12-2021 08:49AM

Another vote here for the Kickr Core - it's a solid piece of kit that just works. If you haven't read it already I would recommend looking at DC Rainmakers Smart trainer overview.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/11/smart-cycle-trainer-recommendations-guide-winter.html/

lissard · 14-12-2021 08:50AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118317508#Comment_118317508

The brand new one also includes a few months free on various training apps.

byrnem31 · 14-12-2021 09:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118317652#Comment_118317652

Thanks for that. The reviews for the tacx neo are mixed but its 200 quid cheaper than the kickr core. Do you have one?

I dropped a hint to her this morning i was spending more money on bike stuff, around €500. (Always undercut what you really need).The look i got off her. Why is cycling so expensive? I thought buying a carbon fibre bike and wheels was enough but ive only started my journey.

byrnem31 · 14-12-2021 09:08AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118318467#Comment_118318467

Thats the one i had a shot on yesterday and it was amazing. Going uphill and the machine adapted to the conditions. Made me work hard. I didnt have to go out on a road full of potholes in the rain with cars and lorries trying to kill me. I never understoood why people would use them until yesterday.

pairofpears · 14-12-2021 09:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118317206#Comment_118317206

I have this unit for 2 years now and have had no issues with it. I dont know why anyone would be wary about buying anything from Halfords as the trainer is made by one of the biggest trainer manufacturers in the market.

If you are with AXA or know anyone with AXA you would get a 10% discount with their rewards scheme. When I bought mine I bought it because of the AXA discount as I didnt want to spend a whole lot.

Mine came with a years free use of the Elite trainer app which is all I have ever used but it can work with Zwift and other platforms.

byrnem31 · 14-12-2021 09:45AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118318583#Comment_118318583

Thanks. Is it quiet?

byrnem31 · 14-12-2021 09:53AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118318583#Comment_118318583

Sorry another question. Im definitely considering this one.

Are there adapters for thru axles that come with it?

byrnem31 · 14-12-2021 10:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118318467#Comment_118318467

There is some great info on that link. Thank you.

pairofpears · 14-12-2021 11:09AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118318732#Comment_118318732

Yes there is. I recently had to buy a replacement for one side as I misplaced the part but they are readily available online.

I did have some minor calibration issues but Elite were very helpful in their support as well. For the amount I use it, it is the perfect unit for me pricewise.

pairofpears · 14-12-2021 11:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118318695#Comment_118318695

Relatively quiet. I use a tablet with the audio via a bluetooth speaker and even when the speaker was behind me and closer to the operating trainer I had no issue with hearing the bluetooth speaker. When I was audio via the tablet it was hard to hear but thats more down to the tablet speakers than the unit.

byrnem31 · 14-12-2021 12:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118319178#Comment_118319178

Thank you.

byrnem31 · 14-12-2021 01:59PM

https://youtu.be/JWh_dSiS-uA

Good review on the zumo. Out of stock till the 20th but even then its not guaranteed. I have it ordered either way.

pairofpears · 14-12-2021 03:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118320150#Comment_118320150

Dont forget to find someone with Axa and get that 10% off.

14-12-2021 07:58PM

I’ve an elite direto x. I love it. Have it about 2 months now and am really enjoying it. I got it from wiggle when it was on offer so worked out to about 600ish.

Came with all adapters for thru axle and a year subscription to elites app.

good luck and happy cycling

byrnem31 · 14-12-2021 08:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118320883#Comment_118320883

Is it axa car insurance or can it be house insurance? We have axa house insurance but no cars insured with them.

byrnem31 · 15-12-2021 10:55AM

I ended up getting a tacx flux s in the end from cyclesuperstore for €600. I wanted to give them the business as they are sound to deal with. Plus they are taking my 11 speed 105 cassette off my pr2 that i dont use and sticking in on the tacx free of charge. There were a few issues with the tacx compatibility wise in 2018 but they should be fixed by now.

Nothing wrong with halfords but id rather support my lbs. Thanks everyone for advice.

Trekker09 · 15-12-2021 12:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118324474#Comment_118324474

I have a Tacx Flux S as well and love it. The only criticism is that the legs can't be folded. I don't (yet) have a dedicated space so have to haul it between my daughters room (when she's at college) and my wife's sewing room. I do have an outside gym but I can't connect to Zwift as the WiFi isn't strong enough. I'm currently researching extending the network so that I get the coverage out there.

byrnem31 · 15-12-2021 12:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118324788#Comment_118324788

Thanks for that. If i sort out my shed, i should be able to get the trainer in on the bike. At least its out of the way. The other option is the kitchen but ill have to take bike off, put unit away, etc every time which is a ball ache.

Did you get thru axle adapters with the unit or have you a quick release?

Trekker09 · 15-12-2021 01:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118324898#Comment_118324898

I have QR on my Cannondale Disc but will need to get Thru Axle Adapters for my Look 785 Disc.

My son has taken over my bike shed as his gym as he trains twice a day for boxing. Time to bite the bullet and tell him to sling his hook as it's my space, he's 27 and moved back with us last year when his Masters got cancelled due to C19

ratracer · 15-12-2021 05:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118324788#Comment_118324788

I don’t have a strong enough wifi signal in my shed to run Zwift either, but when I hotspot from my mobile phone it works flawlessly. Might be worth trying it out? ( If you haven’t done so already)