The latest Zwiftcast got me thinking....
As much as people love their wireless gizmos, when it doesn't work it just isn't worth the "convenience". With BLE and ANT+ dropouts wreaking havoc on Zwift users people in the trainer industry need to admit that over a 45-90 minute workout or race requiring no dropouts, that a wired connection is going to be more reliable. This was discussed on the latest Zwiftcast and the argument that it's the fault of other wireless signals in the home (like routers) is not a practical one. Everyone has wireless cross-traffic in their homes and if you live in a condo or apartment there may be many, many channels on the wireless spectrum you can't control (I've checked). I'm all for next-gen trainers that have a hard-wired USB port for people that require a reliable connection as well as the usual wireless crap for those who are willing to pay the wireless convenience fee of signal dropouts.
My hierarchy of trainer features in order:
• Robust build-quality/proven design
• Direct drive: fits 10, 11, 12 speed cassettes
• USB port for hard-wired, reliable connection
• Responsive
• Power accuracy
• Quiet
• Price
• May as well add rocking motion because when Kinetic's patent expires [premium] turbos are going to start looking very different
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Madison photographer Timothy Hughes | Instagram
As much as people love their wireless gizmos, when it doesn't work it just isn't worth the "convenience". With BLE and ANT+ dropouts wreaking havoc on Zwift users people in the trainer industry need to admit that over a 45-90 minute workout or race requiring no dropouts, that a wired connection is going to be more reliable. This was discussed on the latest Zwiftcast and the argument that it's the fault of other wireless signals in the home (like routers) is not a practical one. Everyone has wireless cross-traffic in their homes and if you live in a condo or apartment there may be many, many channels on the wireless spectrum you can't control (I've checked). I'm all for next-gen trainers that have a hard-wired USB port for people that require a reliable connection as well as the usual wireless crap for those who are willing to pay the wireless convenience fee of signal dropouts.
My hierarchy of trainer features in order:
• Robust build-quality/proven design
• Direct drive: fits 10, 11, 12 speed cassettes
• USB port for hard-wired, reliable connection
• Responsive
• Power accuracy
• Quiet
• Price
• May as well add rocking motion because when Kinetic's patent expires [premium] turbos are going to start looking very different
-------------------
Madison photographer Timothy Hughes | Instagram