I love the TaCX Bushido Smart. It's self powered and works great with Zwift. Can easily take it outdoors or for warmup since it doesn't plug in.
Got mine from a german website. Name escapes me at the moment. Definitely under $500 and about 7-10 days to arrive.

Multiple threads about this trainer and the website.

Here's the guide from DC Rainmaker. Also, looks like there's some sort of 20% off sale, too lazy to look into details further though.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/...recommendations.html


Edit: Also check the classified forum for something used.

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--Chris

I think if I was going to buy a new trainer I'd be looking at the Tacx Flux. With 20% off it's still more than your price range but not crazy much more. Personally I hate dealing with the tire so I would love a direct drive trainer and that's the cheapest one right now.

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--Chris

Why did you delete your posts? Now, if someone else has a similar question, this thread is useless.

If you are looking around $500 I'd take a serious look at the Cycleops Magnus, you can also get the Powersync now at about 1/2 price.

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http://www.instagram.com/cyclewise

Flux's have a high failure rate. I suggest anyone contemplating buying one check out the Facebook Flux owners page.

I'm pretty happy with my new Cycleops Hammer trainer. Expensive but it should be reliable for many years.