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Recommend a smart trainer

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  • 17-03-2020 1:40pm
    #1
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,446 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    I never thought I 'd go down this route but seriously considering it. Looking at the Wahoo Kickr Core. any negatives (or positives), or better options?


«13456

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    #2
    themighty
    Registered Users Posts: 136 ✭✭themighty


    CramCycle wrote: »
    I never thought I 'd go down this route but seriously considering it. Looking at the Wahoo Kickr Core. any negatives (or positives), or better options?

    I don't think you can go wrong with the Kickr Core. Solid unit by all accounts, and quiet.

    Another alternative the H2I bought one last autumn, very happy with it. Not as quiet s e Core but much quieter than my old on-wheel trainer. Very good for Erg mode - I use Trainerroad.

    https://www.rutlandcycling.com/accessories/turbo-trainers/return-cycleops-h2-hammer-direct-drive-smart-turbo-trainer_482773


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    #3
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,446 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    Went wit the Kickr Core, got one with a 30 day, no quibble, return policy for the same price. Have a cassette and all that. So what else is needed. I presume a fan , some rug to catch sweat (I presume it doesn't have to be fancy, the ones on online shops look like giant Yoga mats, would a cheap Aldi yoga mat do?). Will give the Zwift 7 day trial a run. Any tips on anything else needed?


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    #4
    dahat
    Registered Users Posts: 16,632 ✭✭✭✭dahat


    Fan, argos do one for €30 ish, more than adequate for indoor turbo.

    My advice would be if you can set up outdoors i would. This time of year with temps rising it becomes quite a sweaty mess with heart rates sometimes inaccurate as a result no matter what fan you have.


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    #5
    Beasty
    Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 75,285 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    Always thought Lumen was pretty smart at his training


    :pac:


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    #6
    themighty
    Registered Users Posts: 136 ✭✭themighty


    Congrats on the turbo.

    Planet X have a sale on trainer mats £10 but postage is another £10. Very cheap compared to other places. You'd prob be fine with a yoga mat though.

    I got my fan off a building supplier, a good bit more powerful than the Argos ones. Very happy with it.

    https://cpcireland.farnell.com/search?ost=Fan&searchref=searchlookahead&product-range=pro-elec-high-velocity-floor-fans

    Think I got the 18 inch one.


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    #7
    cillchainnigh
    Registered Users Posts: 45 ✭cillchainnigh


    CramCycle wrote: »
    Went wit the Kickr Core, got one with a 30 day, no quibble, return policy for the same price. Have a cassette and all that. So what else is needed. I presume a fan , some rug to catch sweat (I presume it doesn't have to be fancy, the ones on online shops look like giant Yoga mats, would a cheap Aldi yoga mat do?). Will give the Zwift 7 day trial a run. Any tips on anything else needed?


    @CramCycle - Where did you buy?


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    #8
    mr spuckler
    Registered Users Posts: 3,107 ✭✭✭mr spuckler


    Am curious to see what kind of setup people are running and where - in the house, garage etc. I'm trying to figure out how mine will work in practice!


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    #9
    joey100
    Registered Users Posts: 3,421 ✭✭✭joey100


    Get yourself the biggest fan you can afford. Something like a WiFi/remote plug to works well so you can turn it on and off when your on the bike, warming up it can be cool enough nice to be able to turn on and off the fan.

    https://www.halfords.ie/tools/garage-equipment/garage-essentials/552101.html

    I use something similar to these mats. Aldi and Lidl sometimes do them too, bit to protect from sweat and bit to reduce vibrations thru the ground as well.


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    #10
    Harrybelafonte
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,450 ✭✭✭Harrybelafonte


    joey100 wrote: »
    Get yourself the biggest fan you can afford. Something like a WiFi/remote plug to works well so you can turn it on and off when your on the bike, warming up it can be cool enough nice to be able to turn on and off the fan.

    https://www.halfords.ie/tools/garage-equipment/garage-essentials/552101.html

    I use something similar to these mats. Aldi and Lidl sometimes do them too, bit to protect from sweat and bit to reduce vibrations thru the ground as well.

    Homebase had huge mats that could be cut to size when I was in there at the weekend too. Believe they were cheaper than the above.


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    #11
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,446 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    I do have to remember that i haven't asked anyone in my house if this is OK, might be returning the trainer very quickly if it isn't.


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    #12
    CantGetNoSleep
    Registered Users Posts: 7,208 ✭✭✭CantGetNoSleep


    Possibly not the best in terms of timing for delivery, but you can get a stick on thing from Aliexpress that gives your phone the same attachment as a Garmin, so handy to use an out front mount for your phone while on the trainer.

    I bought a second cheap case and stuck the Garmin mount on that - much easier than trying to use phone mounts and probably cost less than a fiver delivered for the sticker and new case. Wouldn't use it out on the road but perfect for the turbo.

    Something like this
    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32950409458.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.34a14c4dJTjVbY


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    #13
    maxamillius
    Registered Users Posts: 1,134 ✭✭✭maxamillius


    Anyone got a view on this one?

    https://www.halfords.ie/cycling/turbo-trainers/standard-turbo-trainers/212792.html

    It says it’s one way smart? Not sure what that means, looks to be compatible with Zwift which is really all I’m after.


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    #14
    lennymc
    Registered Users Posts: 6,458 ✭✭✭lennymc


    maxamillius wrote: »
    Anyone got a view on this one?

    https://www.halfords.ie/cycling/turbo-trainers/standard-turbo-trainers/212792.html

    It says it’s one way smart? Not sure what that means, looks to be compatible with Zwift which is really all I’m after.

    i think it transmits date to zwift, but doesn't alter resistance based on what zwift sends back to the trainer. E.G, if you were going up a hill, you would have to manually change your resistance, and your speed would slow down until you upped the resistance


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    #15
    Macy0161
    Registered Users Posts: 9,268 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    Second the vote for those halfords mats. An airmover/ professional drying fan is more effective than any "argos" fan I've tried. Worth the extra imo, especially if training in the house. I'm on a recovery week, so easy endurance, in an unheated shed, and had my fan going this morning.

    https://www.cleva-uk.com/collections/vacmaster-air-movers/products/vacmaster-air-mover


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    #16
    maxamillius
    Registered Users Posts: 1,134 ✭✭✭maxamillius


    lennymc wrote: »
    i think it transmits date to zwift, but doesn't alter resistance based on what zwift sends back to the trainer. E.G, if you were going up a hill, you would have to manually change your resistance, and your speed would slow down until you upped the resistance

    Makes sense thanks for that, never used zwift but I presume you know when your coming to a Holland then would have to move to a harder gear to imitate a change in resistance?


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    #17
    mr spuckler
    Registered Users Posts: 3,107 ✭✭✭mr spuckler


    Macy0161 wrote: »
    Second the vote for those halfords mats. An airmover/ professional drying fan is more effective than any "argos" fan I've tried. Worth the extra imo, especially if training in the house. I'm on a recovery week, so easy endurance, in an unheated shed, and had my fan going this morning.

    https://www.cleva-uk.com/collections/vacmaster-air-movers/products/vacmaster-air-mover

    I presume they're pretty loud? Am trying to work out a setup for the garage - problem is my son sleeps directly overhead!


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    #18
    Macy0161
    Registered Users Posts: 9,268 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    mr spuckler wrote: »
    I presume they're pretty loud? Am trying to work out a setup for the garage - problem is my son sleeps directly overhead!
    My original Hammer smart turbo is louder to be honest.


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    #19
    martyc5674
    Registered Users Posts: 2,520 ✭✭✭martyc5674


    maxamillius wrote: »
    Makes sense thanks for that, never used zwift but I presume you know when your coming to a Holland then would have to move to a harder gear to imitate a change in resistance?

    You don’t have to change gears at all. Zwift will have a power curve for that trainer. It knows how many watts are needed to spin it at different speeds(per the curve)... it uses the wheel speed and your weight and the gradient to determine what speed to move you along the screen. It works fine but it’s a bit weird in that the resistance is always the same just your speed display alters as the road undulates.
    They have another trainer for a little over 200€ that is 2 way... much better experience altogether.
    Marty.


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    #20
    maxamillius
    Registered Users Posts: 1,134 ✭✭✭maxamillius


    martyc5674 wrote: »
    You don’t have to change gears at all. Zwift will have a power curve for that trainer. It knows how many watts are needed to spin it at different speeds(per the curve)... it uses the wheel speed and your weight and the gradient to determine what speed to move you along the screen. It works fine but it’s a bit weird in that the resistance is always the same just your speed display alters as the road undulates.
    They have another trainer for a little over 200€ that is 2 way... much better experience altogether.
    Marty.

    Thanks for that response all makes sense now , might take a look at the next one up.


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    #21
    eeeee
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 6,820 Mod ✭✭✭✭eeeee


    How quiet is the wahoo core? I can't train at home indoors because of noise to downstairs which it's a huge pita, and wondering if their marketing 'it's super quiet' speil is true.


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    #22
    Oberkon
    Registered Users Posts: 206 ✭✭Oberkon


    Ordered one in Halfords Tuesday. The saris m2 @382 euros . Got an email to say it would be ready yesterday . No sign of it so rang Halfords and was told it’s still being picked
    Not only that I now see its gone up on their website to 570 from 382!


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    #23
    maxamillius
    Registered Users Posts: 1,134 ✭✭✭maxamillius


    Oberkon wrote: »
    Ordered one in Halfords Tuesday. The saris m2 @382 euros . Got an email to say it would be ready yesterday . No sign of it so rang Halfords and was told it’s still being picked
    Not only that I now see its gone up on their website to 570 from 382!

    Clearly cashing in on the so called impending lockdown


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    #24
    Oberkon
    Registered Users Posts: 206 ✭✭Oberkon


    maxamillius wrote: »
    Clearly cashing in on the so called impending lockdown

    Will it really happen ? I’ve noticed a few comments on social media cropping up that cycling during this is a burden on the health system and is selfish
    I get the feeling the ones say it never cycle Or exercise

    Personally feel cycling alone or running should not be a problem . I’ve as much chance as crashing in my car


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    #25
    Kaisr Sose
    Registered Users Posts: 3,085 ✭✭✭Kaisr Sose


    Oberkon wrote: »
    Will it really happen ? I’ve noticed a few comments on social media cropping up that cycling during this is a burden on the health system and is selfish
    I get the feeling the ones say it never cycle Or exercise

    Personally feel cycling alone or running should not be a problem . I’ve as much chance as crashing in my car

    Less risk than going shopping


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    #26
    maxamillius
    Registered Users Posts: 1,134 ✭✭✭maxamillius


    Oberkon wrote: »
    Will it really happen ? I’ve noticed a few comments on social media cropping up that cycling during this is a burden on the health system and is selfish
    I get the feeling the ones say it never cycle Or exercise

    Personally feel cycling alone or running should not be a problem . I’ve as much chance as crashing in my car

    I think the point people are trying to make re being a burden, is that, if you crash or injure yourself whilst cycling you are just adding to the pressure the healthcare are already under, but if that was the case you literally wouldn’t be able to leave your house.

    Mental health is as important know as ever, getting out for a cycle is well needed for some and even in a full lockdown should still be allowed.


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    #27
    dahat
    Registered Users Posts: 16,632 ✭✭✭✭dahat


    Long term review of the Core?


    I'm likely to buy one next week all going well but the Direto XR is a candidate as well. €800 is a fair wad of cash so want to be sure i'll get the best bang for buck.


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    #28
    CantGetNoSleep
    Registered Users Posts: 7,208 ✭✭✭CantGetNoSleep


    I'm facing the same dilemma but was leaning more towards the Direto XR. Can't really say why either. Stock of either isn't looking great though.


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    #29
    dahat
    Registered Users Posts: 16,632 ✭✭✭✭dahat


    If i'm getting the Wahoo it will be through Cigala retail as they are an approved seller for warranty etc. From googling about the old web Wahoo customer support are miles ahead of Elite which is something to bear in mind especially as the X4 is a new unit.


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    #30
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,446 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    I've just sold mine, great unit, really solid and reliable, I just hate trainers, end of story


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    #31
    CantGetNoSleep
    Registered Users Posts: 7,208 ✭✭✭CantGetNoSleep


    dahat wrote: »
    If i'm getting the Wahoo it will be through Cigala retail as they are an approved seller for warranty etc. From googling about the old web Wahoo customer support are miles ahead of Elite which is something to bear in mind especially as the X4 is a new unit.
    Yeah warranty seems a huge issue with trainers - they don't seem to be built to last


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