Recommend a smart trainer

CramCycle · 19-10-2020 11:42pm

nilhg wrote: »

Also, there are other apps apart from Zwift, I've used bigringvr quite a bit, works very well if you want to step away from the competitive side of online training, well worth a look, there's a free trial available, plenty of other options too.

I just could never do training. I have used Wattbikes, turbos, rollers, smart trainers. it is just not me. If I kept my Core, I would have just done training and considering the pains in my hip and Achilles only started after I started using it, its just not sensible for me. 5km from my home though I am really lucky, I have some class climbs both on road and off road.

this isn't a post against e trainers, I wish my hip and Achilles didn't start troubling me or I would have kept at it but 3 months without touching the thing and I realised it was money down the drain.

Kind of jealous of people who don't get lasting pain from using them as I did enjoy the races, even with the guilt from other rooms in the house

nilhg · 19-10-2020 11:54pm

CramCycle wrote: »

I just could never do training. I have used Wattbikes, turbos, rollers, smart trainers. it is just not me. If I kept my Core, I would have just done training and considering the pains in my hip and Achilles only started after I started using it, its just not sensible for me. 5km from my home though I am really lucky, I have some class climbs both on road and off road.

this isn't a post against e trainers, I wish my hip and Achilles didn't start troubling me or I would have kept at it but 3 months without touching the thing and I realised it was money down the drain.

Kind of jealous of people who don't get lasting pain from using them as I did enjoy the races, even with the guilt from other rooms in the house

Sorry, didn't mean that to be specifically directed to you, more of a heads up in general, especially at this time of the year which should be less competitive anyway.

I'm not advising against fancy smart trainers either, I realise I'm lucky that i live in the country, have a seasonal occupation which allows me to sneak off outdoors when it's half suitable outside and my family is at the stage where I'm not as often required, they're a good tool and nice to have but a bit expensive to have hanging around when your heart isn't in it.

CramCycle · 20-10-2020 12:17am

Didn't think it was a dig. I did enjoy the racing but work never died off for me, and occasionally was busier than ever. It was great as I love work but I was racing on zwift and not fit to walk right on several occasions. I even drove on occasion where I could barely walk. Then coming home to a packed house who had to work from home who seemed to think you hadn't done a day's work so ended up sprinting round for ages after work. I did enjoy it but I'll never do it again. I'm too competitive, I couldn't sit on it again without racing, so I'm just not doing it.

It's KOM hunting time this time round.

Macy0161 · 20-10-2020 9:18am

That must be a fit issue though Cram - why would it effect you on the turbo and not outside? Assuming the same bike and shoes?

The only issues I've ever had have been saddle related - raising the front wheel more and built a very basic rocker plate and accepted you have to wear decent shorts on it. The few competitive events I've done on zwift I'm out of the saddle far more than doing TrainerRoad.

CramCycle · 20-10-2020 9:29am

Macy0161 wrote: »

That must be a fit issue though Cram - why would it effect you on the turbo and not outside? Assuming the same bike and shoes?

The only issues I've ever had have been saddle related - raising the front wheel more and built a very basic rocker plate and accepted you have to wear decent shorts on it. The few competitive events I've done on zwift I'm out of the saddle far more than doing TrainerRoad.

I would be quite inflexible at the best of times. A rocker plate would have helped but I'm just not arsed. To be honest I could have solved a lot of issues with a stretching routine and proper warm ups. I used to jump on about 2 minutes before a race and go from zero to 90 straight off the bat. Fit issue is fine, its the same bike inside and out, and am happy there are no issues there.

CantGetNoSleep · 20-10-2020 12:36pm

OK Wahoo Kickr Core ordered - direct from Wahoo (didn't find anywhere else with it in stock at RRP).

It is saying that it ships in 2-3 weeks (just in time so I can send it back if I can get a deal on Black Friday) so I will update once it ships.

Jimbo789 · 21-10-2020 11:45pm

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

OK Wahoo Kickr Core ordered - direct from Wahoo (didn't find anywhere else with it in stock at RRP).

It is saying that it ships in 2-3 weeks (just in time so I can send it back if I can get a deal on Black Friday) so I will update once it ships.

Mine was delivered from Wahoo in around a week.

CantGetNoSleep · 22-10-2020 8:11am

Jimbo789 wrote: »

Mine was delivered from Wahoo in around a week.

It's gone out of stock now so hoping I got in just in time and they are sending me one from stock

9Crimes · 22-10-2020 9:18am

Hey, hoping some cycling pro's can help me out with this rather silly query on direct drive turbo's -

Myself and my partner want to get a direct drive turbo but have a potential compatibility issue (with the turbo, not with each other!). Her bike is an 11 speed rear cassette, mine is a 10 speed. I have been told that with a direct drive turbo this doesn't matter as you will put a 10 speed cassette on the turbo, stay in the one gear on the turbo and the turbo will adjust resistance. Is this correct?

Thanks!

keane2097 · 22-10-2020 10:16am

9Crimes wrote: »

Hey, hoping some cycling pro's can help me out with this rather silly query on direct drive turbo's -

Myself and my partner want to get a direct drive turbo but have a potential compatibility issue (with the turbo, not with each other!). Her bike is an 11 speed rear cassette, mine is a 10 speed. I have been told that with a direct drive turbo this doesn't matter as you will put a 10 speed cassette on the turbo, stay in the one gear on the turbo and the turbo will adjust resistance. Is this correct?

Thanks!

It is and it isn't. You can put the trainer into a mode where it maintains your power output regardless of your gearing, the 'terrain' in zwift or whatever etc, but it sort of takes away one of the main aspects of a smart trainer to do that.

On Zwift and the other platforms you select a route and the smart trainer varies the resistance based on whether you are drafting, whether you are descending, on a hill with changing inclines etc.

If you are in ERG mode (controlled resistance) all the time you might as well be on an exercise bike as you're going to be in the same gear putting out the same watts whether you're pootling along on the flat or climbing Alpe d'Zwift.

You can just buy an extra cassette and change over and back without too much hassle, but I'd be sceptical of a salesman trying to tell you that you wouldn't want to change gears or vary resistance on a smart turbo.

CramCycle · 22-10-2020 10:21am

Buy two cassettes and swap over, shouldn't take more than 2 minutes each time

Macy0161 · 22-10-2020 11:05am

keane2097 wrote: »

It is and it isn't. You can put the trainer into a mode where it maintains your power output regardless of your gearing, the 'terrain' in zwift or whatever etc, but it sort of takes away one of the main aspects of a smart trainer to do that.

I'd say that "depends".

ERG was the main reason I got a smart turbo, and wouldn't swap back for my workouts. I'd had it a couple of years before I tried zwift/ simulation mode (only at the start of the first lockdown). I had an old 7 speed on it, and hadn't even indexed it until then. I used TrainerRoad, and my "entertainment" was netflix/ prime/ spotify. I still use ERG for the majority of my sessions as I follow a TrainerRoad plan. Zwift is moving wallpaper, and now (again) weekend outdoor ride substitutes.

So if ye plan to do just workouts with the likes of TrainerRoad, one cassette probably will work fine.

If ye plan to zwift/ rouvy/ RGT then the two cassettes as the others say.

dahat · 23-10-2020 7:48am

Kickr core ordered & eta mid November which suits really as I'm off season currently. Looking forward to using Zwift with smart control now.

Anyone after a direct drive non smart trainer? ðŸ€£

9Crimes · 23-10-2020 8:42am

Thanks for the replies.

It wasn't a sales guy that mentioned using the same cassette for both bikes but I was skeptical, hence my question here!
I will be doing specific power and cadence based workouts so would be using ERG mode anyway I think. My girlfriend would be going up and down gears though and following a written workout rather than a workout preset on the turbo.

I didn't realise it was a quick and easy job to replace cassettes in and out so that's great to know, thanks. Is there any specific brand that is easier to switch out cassettes over other brands?

Thanks again everyone, You are an invaluable resource on here!

Macy0161 · 23-10-2020 12:15pm

9Crimes wrote: »

I didn't realise it was a quick and easy job to replace cassettes in and out so that's great to know, thanks. Is there any specific brand that is easier to switch out cassettes over other brands?

Thanks again everyone, You are an invaluable resource on here!

There's tools involved - chain whip and lock ring nut tool. Shimano probably the easiest got for the latter/ in any kit.

Personally, I'd find it an added pain the arse on top of the pain in the arse of swapping bikes!

btw a lot of software give the option of building workouts and then using erg mode for your girlfriend. Obviously, hitting power targets takes care of itself with ERG, but specific cadence and hitting power I've found hard without erg.

CramCycle · 23-10-2020 12:18pm

Chain whip, lock ring tool and that's it, brand, is dependent on your groupset so presuming its Shimano, SRAM or Shimano will do the job nicely

pete6296 · 25-10-2020 6:23pm

dahat wrote: »

Kickr core ordered & eta mid November which suits really as I'm off season currently. Looking forward to using Zwift with smart control now.

Anyone after a direct drive non smart trainer? ðŸ€£

I might be looking, what is it?

dahat · 25-10-2020 6:38pm

pete6296 wrote: »

I might be looking, what is it?

Elite Turbo Muin, non smart and no sensor. I've used it fine on Zwift, with my own power meter. 3.5 yrs old and still in great nick.

pete6296 · 25-10-2020 8:06pm

dahat wrote: »

Elite Turbo Muin, non smart and no sensor. I've used it fine on Zwift, with my own power meter. 3.5 yrs old and still in great nick.

Apologies, never read the piece earlier where it said non smart. Looking for a smart turbo. Thanks

JKC · 25-10-2020 10:18pm

dahat wrote: »

Kickr core ordered & eta mid November which suits really as I'm off season currently. Looking forward to using Zwift with smart control now.

Anyone after a direct drive non smart trainer? ðŸ€£

Would be interested, what is it, how much & where are you located?

Thanks in advance.

Bambaata · 26-10-2020 3:23pm

I've been using 105 11 speed bike with 10 speed cassette on the kickr with no issues at all. Have been using a fair amount of the gears and it runs surprisingly smoothly!

wersal gummage · 27-10-2020 3:08pm

Anyone got any clever (by which I mean cheap or free!) suggestions for getting the laptop set up in front of the trainer? Couldn't justify paying for one of the official stands.

dahat · 27-10-2020 3:52pm

wersal gummage wrote: »

Anyone got any clever (by which I mean cheap or free!) suggestions for getting the laptop set up in front of the trainer? Couldn't justify paying for one of the official stands.

Kitchen chair.

wersal gummage · 27-10-2020 4:13pm

dahat wrote: »

Kitchen chair.

Thanks, might be a bit low, I'm quite tall as well... I've a few step ladders and hopefully one of them might work too.

On the topic.... Are these fans really essential? I'll be in an uninsulated, block shed with corrugated roof... Also have a couple of windows to open to let the cold air in, but it's almost as cold in there as outside....

Bambaata · 27-10-2020 4:18pm

wersal gummage wrote: »

Anyone got any clever (by which I mean cheap or free!) suggestions for getting the laptop set up in front of the trainer? Couldn't justify paying for one of the official stands.

Sell/leave rented house, procure a number of cardboard boxes, pack belongings to these boxes. Buy/move into a new house (or apartment) and move these boxes into a spare room. Stack the boxes to desired height and never unpack, ta-da problem solved!

wersal gummage · 27-10-2020 4:27pm

Bambaata wrote: »

Sell/leave rented house, procure a number of cardboard boxes, pack belongings to these boxes. Buy/move into a new house (or apartment) and move these boxes into a spare room. Stack the boxes to desired height and never unpack, ta-da problem solved!

It's always the obvious inventions that are successful!

Thanks, I might bypass the selling the house part, but a few storage type boxes are probably the answer here.

Would 2 new bicycles also be the answer? The width of the 2 cardboard boxes would be about right for a laptop, and height should be about OK too....

Macy0161 · 27-10-2020 4:53pm

wersal gummage wrote: »

Thanks, might be a bit low, I'm quite tall as well... I've a few step ladders and hopefully one of them might work too.

On the topic.... Are these fans really essential? I'll be in an uninsulated, block shed with corrugated roof... Also have a couple of windows to open to let the cold air in, but it's almost as cold in there as outside....

I've seen people using a music stand.

I've used my fan in my unheated shed when it's been -6 and snow on the ground! You may get away with it if there's enough of a draft though. Door and windows just delay the turning on for me, rather than stop the need for a fan.

CramCycle · 27-10-2020 4:57pm

Its the airflow to take the sweat off and stop you cooking. If there is a good draft, you are grand. I was fine outside on a windy day but on a cold day with no wind you cook after about 5 to 10 minutes.

pete6296 · 28-10-2020 8:39am

Looking at a Kinetic Core Smart Rock n Roll trainer.
Any opinion on this unit

CantGetNoSleep · 28-10-2020 8:57am

Wiggle got a few Kickr Core's in this morning. I tried to order within 15 mins of getting the notification email, 3 in stock when I added to my basket but gone by the time I went upstairs to look for my credit card

monkeysnapper · 28-10-2020 9:11am

I bought a tacx vortex September 2019 for €177 on chain reaction.... I remember at time advertising it in bargain section and a good few on here jumped into it fast . ...

I do use it a good bit but wish I'd got a direct trainer but l suppose it cost me so little and I'd prob get half what I paid back if I sold it.

I find it ok if I do a zwift race or if I set something up in advance .... in my opinion if you just jump on it with no plan you could bore yourself to death.

I tried the tacx videos but found them boring . After month trial I used the free ones a few times but total boreville ....

I've tried watching netflix but it doesnt suit me , I'd rather sit and relax watching tv.

Music and music videos is a bit better but you can only do it for so long .

Tried watching sport and that can be good if sport is good .

My overall best option is zwift and racing on it .... its total balls out racing for 30 mins , time flys on and the work out is great .

dahat · 28-10-2020 10:05am

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Wiggle got a few Kickr Core's in this morning. I tried to order within 15 mins of getting the notification email, 3 in stock when I added to my basket but gone by the time I went upstairs to look for my credit card

Cigala retail are taking pre orders for delivery mid November. Your order is secured once paid for which was my best option as no outlets were stocked when i booked.

CantGetNoSleep · 28-10-2020 10:15am

dahat wrote: »

Cigala retail are taking pre orders for delivery mid November. Your order is secured once paid for which was my best option as no outlets were stocked when i booked.

Thanks. I have one ordered from Wahoo direct tbh (although you can't order there anymore) so I'd hope to have it by then, they said 2/3 weeks when I ordered a week or so ago. If I found one in stock I'd just take it - stuck at home working long hours.

Wouldn't mind but I sold a Tacx Flux for no real reason having not touched it since the first lock down

CantGetNoSleep · 28-10-2020 10:48am

Got an order confirmed eventually - if anyone else is looking you need to be ready to click buy the minute you get the notification

redlead · 28-10-2020 12:24pm

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Got an order confirmed eventually - if anyone else is looking you need to be ready to click buy the minute you get the notification

I got an elite suito last week after doing exactly that. They were out of stock again almost instantly.

I've really been enjoying zwift so far I have to say. The riding style takes a bit of getting used to. I'm quite a lazy rider naturally, used to free wheeling when I get the chance. You can't do that on zwift so its a constant effort. I'm as tired after 25k as I usually am after 50 because you can't get a breather. That's a good thing though because no-one wants to be sitting on a turbo for 2 hours. Well I don't anyway.

pete6296 · 28-10-2020 12:59pm

pete6296 wrote: »

Looking at a Kinetic Core Smart Rock n Roll trainer.
Any opinion on this unit

http://www.adverts.ie/21959867
That is what I'm looking at.

Anybody use rouvy instead of zwift, a little less subscription

CantGetNoSleep · 28-10-2020 5:58pm

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Got an order confirmed eventually - if anyone else is looking you need to be ready to click buy the minute you get the notification

I now have three of these ordered - and the third one shipped almost immediately.

Wiggle were showing delivery date of 12 Nov so I will cancel that one.

If anyone else is looking - just set up alerts everywhere and order immediately when you get the email notification

gn3dr · 28-10-2020 10:19pm

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

I now have three of these ordered - and the third one shipped almost immediately.

Wiggle were showing delivery date of 12 Nov so I will cancel that one.

If anyone else is looking - just set up alerts everywhere and order immediately when you get the email notification

Which shop shipped immediately?

CantGetNoSleep · 28-10-2020 10:28pm

gn3dr wrote: »

Which shop shipped immediately?

LBS near me in France so no good to anyone here unfortunately, hoping to get it out for delivery tomorrow

Enduro · 28-10-2020 11:10pm

redlead wrote: »

That's a good thing though because no-one wants to be sitting on a turbo for 2 hours. Well I don't anyway.

Ironically enough, I was near the end of a 2 hour turbo session when I read this

Macy0161 · 29-10-2020 12:50pm

I regularly do 2 hours as part of my TrainerRoad plan, and first lockdown regularly did some of the endurance rides/ events/ gran fondos on zwift that were 3 hours plus.

Having said that, I had no motivation for those events after doing the Team Ireland race on Friday evening last weekend, and struggling to see when I'll ever be bothered for my my "missing" route badges of the the mega pretzel and the PRL routes. I have zero motivation for those at the moment, especially the PRL Full.

I think the turbo is one of those things you either have the head for, or not. I found doing workouts outside more boring than the turbo tbh!

dahat · 29-10-2020 4:54pm

Turbo sessions are all about structure of the time on it. 3 x 20 mins tempo with cadence work & 8 mins recovery between each then add in warm up and cool down gives you a good session.
Never sit on it just for 2 hrs with no plan or you'll crack up.

wersal gummage · 02-11-2020 10:09pm

Hello again good people....

Set up the kickr core and gave it a go, happy days... Sort of thought a Zwift code would be in the box but oh well.... Netflix it was...

I'm now back in the house, the kickr is unplugged in the shed, and my phone has been searching for it for about an hour now.... Bluetooth scanning.... This has never happened me before with any number of different Bluetooth devices I have currently paired... So I think its the kickr app rather than my phone.

Anyone encountered this and know how to switch it off??

CramCycle · 02-11-2020 10:35pm

I think I got the month of zwift when I connected the core to the app. Zwift gives you a few free km and then you can add on 30 days with your wahoo, can't remember the process but I think I had to go on the wahoo site.

lissard · 03-11-2020 1:23am

Wahoo sends a load of codes for the various partner apps when you register the device. Think I got on month free on each of Trainerroad, Zwift, Sufferfest and Rouvy.

wersal gummage · 03-11-2020 10:20am

Yeah registered the device via the app yesterday but no codes yet, I'll wait a bit. A Google search suggests it is common enough and some people don't get codes and have to contact wahoo.

Was just curious is anyone else having a problem whereby (presumably) the wahoo app is forcing my phones Bluetooth to constantly search and try and connect to the kickr?

lissard · 03-11-2020 11:12am

To be honest I don't use the Wahoo app very often - just used it to register the device. All the other apps can connect to the trainer natively so no need for the wahoo app. This includes when doing a calibration spin. I know Wahoo bought the Sufferfest last year so over time we might see this one integrated into the Wahoo app - but I'm only surmising.

dahat · 11-11-2020 1:05pm

Should the Kickr Core be left powered on permanently?

CramCycle · 11-11-2020 1:07pm

dahat wrote: »

Should the Kickr Core be left powered on permanently?

I wouldn't say so, part of its selling point is that it is easy to fold up and put away.

dahat · 11-11-2020 1:08pm

CramCycle wrote: »

I wouldn't say so, part of its selling point is that it is easy to fold up and put away.

Perfect, thanks.

Recommend a smart trainer

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