https://www.dcrainmaker.com/...inter-2019-2020.html

Good luck finding one in stock though...

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I wrote this, you should read it:
https://www.slowtwitch.com/...n_Swimming_6700.html

I believe that places are starting to have some back in stock.
But everything is going to be at full MSRP right now.

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http://www.instagram.com/cyclewise

I have an elite suito and I really like it.
I am not sure if I would go used on one, only because a lot of smart trainers have had issues in the early batches (the suito, Kickr core, flux)
If you are in the US, I would wait for REIs 20% off coupon in November, I think that is going to be the only sale on them this year.

Can you buy a smart trainer new around $400-500? I assumed new would be out of my budget.

The first question to decide is wheel-on or direct drive. I started with wheel-on, but then flipped to a KICKR direct drive and now a Tacx Neo 2.

There are trade-offs, but most folks strongly advocate for the direct drive trainers for the best all-around performance and feel.

If you are looking for performance on a budget, it is tough to beat the KICKR Core.

Yes you can.
A wheel on version, they come with all of the smart functionality of a wheel off/direct drive, but are just not as "smooth" and are missing a few bells and whistles, but will still do a very good job.
Here are a few that you can look up
Wahoo Snap
Saris M2
Tacx Flow
To name a few though I am sure that there are other ones as well (I am pretty sure that Elite makes one but I can't think of it right now).

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http://www.instagram.com/cyclewise

If you think you might have an interest in doing Ironman VR races in the main championship division, you have to have a direct drive trainer from the approved trainer list. This is the most recent list I saw:

Valid Trainer List
CYCLEOPS SARIS HAMMER H1 / H2 / H3
ELITE DIRETO X
ELITE DRIVO II
ELITE SUITO
ELITE ZUMO
HAMMER
KICKR BIKE
KICKR CORE
MYCYCLING SARIS
HAMMER H1
SARIS HAMMER H2
SARIS HAMMER H3
TACX FLUX
TACX FLUX 2
TACX FLUX 2 SMART
TACX FLUX S
TACX FLUX S SMART
TACX FLUX SMART
TACX NEO
TACX NEO 2
TACX NEO 2 SMART
TACX NEO 2T
TACX NEO 2T SMART
TACX NEO BIKE
TACX NEO SMART
TECHNOGYM MY CYCLING
WAHOO FITNESS KICKR
WAHOO FITNESS KICKR BIKE
WAHOO FITNESS KICKR CORE
WAHOO KICKR
WAHOO KICKR BIKE
WAHOO KICKR CORE

I think that you can get a direct drive for as low as $600 "if" you can wait.
For example REI has the Tacx Flux S for $750, of you wait until the %20 of sale that will bring it to $600.

Thanks for that, but I’m just a lowly mop age grouper who takes himself way too seriously when it comes to training haha.