But when power accuracy is way off and you're using nothing but the trainer and the app that comes with it, it's on the manufacturer who sold you that system and no one else. And when they make no effort to resolve, you're stuck with a device that doesn't do what you bought it for.

I have a couple used Computrainers to sell if anyone wants one- PM me.

This - 15 years and counting on my CT. I don't see a need to upgrade to a smart trainer. I would like better software, however ErgVideo works pretty well and I can live with that plus erg mode.

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Live long and surf!

The fact that they're all wireless also causes major variability. In my old place the trainer was in the garage. In the summer we'd ride with the back door open for airflow. The back door was there to access the air conditioner for maintenance. When the A/C kicked on... the signal would start dropping a lot. In my second summer job I was I/T at a casino, and one issue I had to diagnose that was really fun was the fact that the microwave in the brake room across the wall from an office was causing the CRT monitor (way back in the day) to get wavy whenever anyone used it. People with "clean" airwaves will have better luck than people with "dirty" airwaves, and it's not always under your control (in the old place we just learned to turn off the A/C while riding). This is why I asked for USB connectivity so at least the trainer would consistently produce the correct resistance.

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The point is, ladies and gentleman, that speed, for lack of a better word, is good. Speed is right, Speed works. Speed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.

I have moved to mostly riding track bikes... I considered buying an older kickr and seeing if I could machine a piece for 120mm spacing (I know I've seen a few pro's with one in the past) but in the end figured the hassle wasn't worth upgrading from my computrainer. After reading a lot of this thread... kinda glad I didn't follow through.

(Fwiw a guy on facebook is selling a 120mm adapter for the Lemond Revo if any other track guys were interested)

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My Blog - http://leegoocrap.blogspot.com

Had a CT for 14 years plus before it suddenly was malfunctioning and not working correctly. Found a replacement head unit for a low price and was back in business but...for some reason my long distance riding computrainer software-real course video--stopped working. Was pissed as there is no way to obtain help. Decided to upgrade all and tried one famous European brand name hardware and software and found the hardware just did not provide realistic workload for the wattage being reported. Moved to the Kickr Core, hardware is working fine but it appears my Rouvy software works but the "speed" of the movement is off (too fast) from what the wattage I am producing. The computrainer real course video speed was realistic. I'm into real video for longer rides and can ride graphic for the more intense shorter workouts. Just my 2 bits.

I have a computrainer that I bought in 2014. Worked flawlessly and still does. Only thing I got annoyed with was the wires and tubes popping every few months (I had a dedicated trainer wheel with a trainer tire). I “upgraded” to a 2017 kickr and my CT is now collecting dust. I was pro CT for years and read all the negative reviews on the kickr and other smart trainers. Figured the 2017 model would have most of the kinks worked out by then and I was able get a good price. Pulled the trigger and haven’t looked back. I have been fortunate that I haven’t had any issues with my kickr. But I don’t really use the pm on the kickr. I control the kickr with my srm.

My only issue I have had is the kickr speed drops out frequently on my Garmin. Not really a big deal at all as speed is meaningless. I haven’t taken the time to figure out what is causing the issue but someday I’ll get annoyed enough to try to diagnose it.

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blog

If you want a smart trainer that works and is always correct and never needs to be calibrated, just get a Velotron.

I have a V3 Kickr and overall am happy. I have around 400 hours on the unit. I do use a quarq for power during zwift races and powermatch on trainerroad. The Kickr by itself reads 5-10% low based off three different quarqs. I have had some connectivity issues that were mostly wifi interference related. I think if i did it again i would stay with Wahoo as their firmware support is very good and the products are well made ( i have a bolt and element).

Except if yo go to their website everything is out of stock and several links and pages don't work.

And outside US not available in rest of the world.

For now you have to buy a used one. They are rock solid and a significantly better value than a new one. That is what I did. SRAM/Quarq bought them so I would imagine they will be selling them again.

DCR--What might be interesting, though I suspect impossible, would be some data from Clever Training. They sell every major brand of trainer, and I imagine that they sell just about as many total trainers as any retailer anywhere (in part, through their affiliation with your). So, what are the brands (and specific trainers) about which they get the most and least complaints, returns, etc.? I'm guessing at least some manufacturers wouldn't be happy if they revealed this information, but it would be interesting and at least somewhat less anecdotal than most online comments about various trainers.

Dev, I think what you are saying is that we are in the F-35 stage of trainers! https://www.nytimes.com/...joint-strike-fighter

Rich

I believe the kinetic R1 has a USB port for direct connection.

Here is my N=1 experience so far with my Kickr Core.

First one, worked fine for 4-5 rides, then suddenly quit providing any erg braking at all. Wahoo replaced pretty quickly stating it was a known issue. The match between the power and my crank based PM was spot on.

Second one, reads about 14% lower power than my Power 2 max PM, which means that all the intervals were quite a bit harder unless I ratchet it back or change my FTP lower. Not really sure what to do here, on the one hand I could suck it up and deal, but on the other hand it means mentally recalculating all the time when I go outside. I tried running it under power match from Trainerroad (using the Crank based PM to control the ERG on the Kickr), which works but then I loose the flexibility to run bikes without PMS. To me using the power match is a patch fix.

I am going to contact Wahoo on the second unit and see what their advice / reaction is. I wish that they would allow you to change the "published" resistance manually to reflect a given wattage but that would allow a proliferation of cheating if there is not enough already on Zwift or other platforms.

Fundamentally I want a smart trainer that just performs as stated, where watts and function are accurate I would be happy with accurate within 2%..

I bought that knob to 'upgrade' my old CycleOps Mag+. It certainly made my pre-ride tasks easier.

Maybe you should look at this first:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5-9JmEnh8A

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I wanna go fast!