Being a kickr owner for 9 months and a previous computrainer owner, I've gotten a lot of questions as to why the kickr is better than the computrainer so I figured I would post a quick rundown. I have ridden both for 100's of hours. Here's why the kickr is so much better:
1. Calibration only needs to be done every once in a while (I do it every 2 weeks). No need to warm tire up for 10 min every time. Plus since the kickr is hooked directly to your drivetrain there isn't a variation in resistance throughout the workout as the tire heats and cools depending on your wattage. With the computrainer I would start out with 2.2 after a 10 min warmup then when i started hitting threshold intervals it would be 2.6. Sometimes it was the other way around when vibration would cause the knob to loosen and suddenly I'm at 1.5. Annoying to have to keep checking it.
2. The Flywheel is awesome. Much smoother and more realistic roadlike feel. Less vibration than the computrainer.
3. LESS CORDS. No controller. No hr wire. No cadence wire. No computer wire. Only a power cord and everything is on ANT+. Easily transported and even can be plugged into your car for a prerace warmup.
4. Takes no time to pop the wheel off and put my bike on the kickr vs. tightening 3 separate knobs, attach handlbar controller, align cadence sensor etc. 15 sec vs 2+ min
5. Better software options. I have used, Trainerroad, Strava Segments, Saris Virtual Cycling, Kinomap, and Perf Pro. A lot more variation and less boredom.
6. Better Support. I had various issues with my computrainer and the racermate support staff was difficult to work with. They also had an our product is the best and doesn't need to be improved attitude especially before there was any competition. With Wahoo everyone has been super nice and easy to work with. Had a slight issue with a clicking sound on the flywheel and a new kickr was on my doorstep in 2 days!
To sum it up the kickr is a CHEAPER, better product, with better support so why would anyone in the market for a trainer choose a computrainer!?
1. Calibration only needs to be done every once in a while (I do it every 2 weeks). No need to warm tire up for 10 min every time. Plus since the kickr is hooked directly to your drivetrain there isn't a variation in resistance throughout the workout as the tire heats and cools depending on your wattage. With the computrainer I would start out with 2.2 after a 10 min warmup then when i started hitting threshold intervals it would be 2.6. Sometimes it was the other way around when vibration would cause the knob to loosen and suddenly I'm at 1.5. Annoying to have to keep checking it.
2. The Flywheel is awesome. Much smoother and more realistic roadlike feel. Less vibration than the computrainer.
3. LESS CORDS. No controller. No hr wire. No cadence wire. No computer wire. Only a power cord and everything is on ANT+. Easily transported and even can be plugged into your car for a prerace warmup.
4. Takes no time to pop the wheel off and put my bike on the kickr vs. tightening 3 separate knobs, attach handlbar controller, align cadence sensor etc. 15 sec vs 2+ min
5. Better software options. I have used, Trainerroad, Strava Segments, Saris Virtual Cycling, Kinomap, and Perf Pro. A lot more variation and less boredom.
6. Better Support. I had various issues with my computrainer and the racermate support staff was difficult to work with. They also had an our product is the best and doesn't need to be improved attitude especially before there was any competition. With Wahoo everyone has been super nice and easy to work with. Had a slight issue with a clicking sound on the flywheel and a new kickr was on my doorstep in 2 days!
To sum it up the kickr is a CHEAPER, better product, with better support so why would anyone in the market for a trainer choose a computrainer!?