Don't cheap out. Buy a Kicker or other higher-end smart trainer. If you have to ride indoors as much as you do, it's worth the extra cost. Especially if you don't already own a powermeter as you want a trainer that is at least relatively consistent with power numbers.

You can get the Tacx Vortex for less than $500, actually $471 from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/...893ac34483dfb368c381

It's a solid trainer for the money. However, if you can afford spending another $100, then I highly recommend the Wahoo KICKR Snap just for it's accuracy and better fly wheel. Plus more app support than any other trainer on the market. Wahoo just dropped another $100 off the price to compete with the Cycleops magnus that is coming out later Fallhttp://www.wahoofitness.com?acc=eccbc87e4b5ce2fe28308fd9f2a7baf3[/quote[/url]]

I've seen the Tacx Vortex even cheaper than that. The Kicker Snap would be great if I can get it under $500.

Thanks,

You can get the Tacx Vortex for less than $500, actually $471 from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/...893ac34483dfb368c381

It's a solid trainer for the money. However, if you can afford spending another $100, then I highly recommend the Wahoo KICKR Snap just for it's accuracy and better fly wheel. Plus more app support than any other trainer on the market. Wahoo just dropped another $100 off the price to compete with the Cycleops magnus that is coming out later Fall
http://www.wahoofitness.com?acc=eccbc87e4b5ce2fe28308fd9f2a7baf3

I would steer well clear of a Kickr Snap. The power accuracy is a joke. I had one, exchanged it. The replacement was no better so ended up getting a refund. I suggest heading over to DCRAINMAKER.COM and read his extensive reviews on trainers. I'm back on my Cycleops Fluid 2 trainer in conjuction with a power Mteer and couldn't be happier. Most of my rides are on the trainer using Trainerroad.

Anyone know anything about the Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+ trainer? It's very affordable.

Get the Vortex. I works well. I had to use a power meter to calibrate the roller tension to make it 'accurate'. If you can't calibrate, your power numbers will likely be offset (+/-), but at least you'll have a starting point in your training to set baselines and targets. It works really well with Zwift and Trainerroad too.

Don't get the Satori Smart. I had it briefly. The resistance profile is MASSIVELY different (i.e. Harder) from older Satori generations. The power readout (for me) was WAY OFF (low) what my PM was saying. I sent it back to Tacx for warranty assessment, and they sent it back to me and said nothing was wrong with it :(. I unloaded it quickly and haven't looked back.

The lack of integrated ANT+ control of the Satori smart is also a drawback.

Zwift and Trainer Road are different approaches to the same thing (training). They both have trial periods to see which is best for you. I like TR because I like the set workouts. I like Zwift because the group rides better simulate the intensity changes of real world cycling. I don't like Zwift because seem to have a hard time making it to the start line of a group ride:(.

The Minoura is a neat concept, but man, does it ever sound loud on this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGrnSLoD5N4

You can get the Tacx Vortex for less than $500, actually $471 from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/...893ac34483dfb368c381

It's a solid trainer for the money. However, if you can afford spending another $100, then I highly recommend the Wahoo KICKR Snap just for it's accuracy and better fly wheel. Plus more app support than any other trainer on the market. Wahoo just dropped another $100 off the price to compete with the Cycleops magnus that is coming out later Fall
http://www.wahoofitness.com?acc=eccbc87e4b5ce2fe28308fd9f2a7baf3

I would steer well clear of a Kickr Snap. The power accuracy is a joke. I had one, exchanged it. The replacement was no better so ended up getting a refund. I suggest heading over to DCRAINMAKER.COM and read his extensive reviews on trainers. I'm back on my Cycleops Fluid 2 trainer in conjuction with a power Mteer and couldn't be happier. Most of my rides are on the trainer using Trainerroad.

Miss ERG mode. Not really. On an easy workout where there are no sudden power changes ERG mode works really well and you don't have to monitor your power. However any interval workout where the power suddenly changes the Snap couldn't settle down fast enough to the correct power, even using Trainerroad's power match. Then if you're like me and like to push it near the end of an interval and exceed the power target, you can. You can can't easily do that in ERG mode. You can only bump up the intensity. I also found with the Snap it preferred a cadence around 90. Doing a low cadence workout at say 80 would make the power too hard and more than the target power required . Then spinning 100+ would be too easy.

Hmmm....definitely thinking about going back to the Cycleops Fluid 2 with my power meter. I think maybe if I used Zwift then using a smart trainer might be more important to me. Using trainerroad with a dumb trainer was never too much of a hassle keeping an eye on making sure I matched the target power.

I've been using a turbo mag trainer for the last 14 years and I want to upgrade without breaking the bank (under $500). I live in a region that makes cycling outside almost impossible at least 4-5 months a year. I don't have a power meter either. My questions are:

1. Low end Smart Trainers (Tacx Satori, Tacx Vortex or Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+) or Regular Mag Trainer with Zwift or Trainer Road?
2. Big differences between Zwift and Trainer Road?
3. The Minoura FG540 hybrid trainer, can it adequate resistance on rollers?

Thanks much,

I've been using a turbo mag trainer for the last 14 years and I want to upgrade without breaking the bank (under $500). I live in a region that makes cycling outside almost impossible at least 4-5 months a year. I don't have a power meter either. My questions are:

1. Low end Smart Trainers (Tacx Satori, Tacx Vortex or Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+) or Regular Mag Trainer with Zwift or Trainer Road?
2. Big differences between Zwift and Trainer Road?
3. The Minoura FG540 hybrid trainer, can it adequate resistance on rollers?

Thanks much,

Agreed. In my limited experience, the fluid trainer quality of ride is far superior; I quickly "downgraded" away from a smart trainer after "upgrading" to one.