Price aside, I was wondering if anyone could help me decide between the Wahoo Kickr (new) and Computrainer (8002 Pro model used).
I currently use a Powerbeam Pro but find the Joule interface annoying, can’t do low cadence drills, find the roll down calibration process tedious, and that it calibrates incorrectly (feels like I’m pedaling through mud at just 100W and huge variance from my powermeters)
I really only plan to use ERG mode (spin to TV, have workouts from coach) and some other factors:
· I typically leave my bike setup on the trainer during the week and ride outdoors during the weekend
· Wires aren’t the end of the world, I always leave it setup
· I already have a dedicated trainer wheel and tire (plus old tires) that I can use
· I have used Computrainers before and find it very easy to use and the calibration process to be exactly what I want after a 10-15 min warm-up (effortless and quick).
· Kickr seems to be easy to calibrate after you fix any bugs at first?
· Ant+ or Bluetooth connections aren’t an issue
· Noise?
· Using it years from now isn’t a huge concern, I like gear and blow too much money on it
· If software was easy to use and setup I would consider using the simulation modes for longer indoor rides as necessary (not often)
i think there are a couple of topics about this , ive never tried the computrainer but i do have the kikcr and it’s an awesome tool , the calibration is easy , and the bluetooth ant+ combination works perfectly , about the noise i think dc rainmaker have a comparison on many trainers including the kickr . The only issue i had before is when i use trainerroad the conection between the imac and the kickr drops many times during long rides but i saw somewhere that the problem is the version of my garmin ant+ stick . I live in Colombia South America and when you buy this type of equipment you have to be almost 100% sure that the product you are buying is reliable an without any qc problems since we dont have waranty here , and so far the kickr has been working very good . Hope this will help you
i think there are a couple of topics about this , ive never tried the computrainer ( Kickr) but i do have the kikcr **( Computrainer since 2002 )**and it’s an awesome tool , the calibration is easy , and the bluetooth ant+ combination ( wired connection ) works perfectly ( every time ) , about the noise i think dc rainmaker have a comparison on many trainers including the kickr . The only issue i had before is when i use trainerroad the conection between the imac and the kickr drops many times during long rides but i saw somewhere that the problem is the version of my garmin ant+ stick **( the only issue I have with Perfpro & Computrainer is none so far ) **. I live in Colombia South America ( Australia ) and when you buy this type of equipment you have to be almost 100% sure that the product you are buying is reliable an without any qc problems since we dont have waranty here , and so far the kickr has been working very good . Hope this will help you
I have no experience with Kickr but the CT and now with Perfpro has been rock solid for year after year
Either way, I think you’re choosing between the two heavyweights of the trainer world. no losers here.
Just look at all the complaints on here about the Kickr (many) and compare those to the CT. Go with the proven one - CT. It’s built like a tank. I wish I had gone that route. Good luck.
Have you tried to use your Powerbeam with TrainerRoad, Peripedal, PerfPro etc.?
I have two PowerBeams and really like them. I’m using mine with Peripedal and Virtual Training software and its working great. No problems what so ever. I actually had the Joule 3.0 with one of them (the reason I bought the second one) and found that thing difficult to program and use so I sold it the Joule and kept the PowerBeam.
Yeah, this has never been discussed on ST…not once…
nor have we ever discussed disc wheels, Zipp wheels, Flo wheel, Hoka shoes, Newton shoes, 5-2 diets, Paleo diets, military intervention, Kona Qualifying, handguns etc etc
but we’ll most certainly discuss it again and again and again…
oops, forgot to mention drafting…
have we ever discussed drafting? I don’t remember…
I have a powerbeam pro (new version, on my second one over 3 years) and that “mud” feeling is not going to go away on the CT but is a little better on the kickr as the flywheel feel is different. Also if you are really struggling with a stuck/mud feeling go to an easier gear, i tend to prefer 53x25/23 once i go down under 20 it just feels off but the power is close. I also found out the PBP is very sensitive to tire pressure and how hard the RU is pressed against the tire. I use the Quarq as the primary power source and can compare it with the PBP and it will vary around 3-5% on a daily basis which is within spec. If it varies more than 5% you either have a very off unit or there is some serious user error.
Now on to your post, i am in a similar situation as i expect my PBP will die in the next year and have started doing research on whether to stay with the BPB or the kickr/CT. I am 95% sold on the CT simply because they work and have a rock solid software suite that comes along with the trainer. The only downside to the CT is having to get the tire/RU interface correct. The big attraction to the kickr is the lack of tire and hopefully it can provide better resistance at high watt efforts without the tire slipping like on the PBP/CT (which you can eliminate but it will feel like mud when riding it is on so tight). The other downside to the Kickr appears to be occasional bugs that pop up with different users that may or may not be fixed. In my opinion with the current 200 off a new CT i would either grab a CT for 1400 or just stick with the PBP. In the end i know 100% that cycleops and CT will fix any issues right away but i am not sure about the customer service at wahoo.
I have both Computrainer Lab and the Wahoo Kickr all hooked up to Perfpro. One is for me and one is for the wife. When i go down to the cave I always choose the Computrainer. I just don’t like the kickr. No technical reasons, no money reasons… I just like the solidness of the CT and wish i ha d bought another CT instead of the Kickr. Both of us will choose to be on the CT.
your powerbeam is a nice trainer. I have used the CT and Kickr, I prefer the Kickr by far because of the heavy flywheel, lack of tire-roller interface and far fewer wires. It might not be as accurate, but I’m beyond caring in the middle of the winter.
I’d stick with what you have and quit doing low cadence work.
The real world is ERG mode with slopes, false flats, hills and surface changes. I had gone the Power Meter + Fluid trainer method before and while it’s better than heart rate training it’s not ERG mode. ERG mode forces you to certain power outputs where as the Power Meter gives you the output you’re targeting. It’s much easier to not hit the target with the power meter because it’s self regulated. ERG mode it’s the wattage or you’re bust which can be similar to riding with somebody vs alone. You’ll always push that much harder in the group when you’re struggling.
I’ve just gotten myself a CT and I must say after a few sessions I’m hooked. It’s much better to not have to think about “where is my power output at” and just focus on a smooth natural cadence that is regulated via ERG. I’m hoping to see the same level of results as others have using this amazing training tool.
To the OP of the thread. Either is good and you can’t go wrong but as others have mentioned, there is something about the track record of the CT and the lack of issues users experience. It just works 100% of the time.
How about tossing in the elite turbo muin - its half the price as the KICKR with similar reviews?
I’ve been very curious about this. Heavy flywheel, all the features of kicker without the advertising, fancy box and might not have all the bluetooth comparability, but who cares. It could have a 20’ USB cable and it’s perfect for me if it links to trainerroad.
EDIT: it looks like it’s a fixed resistance curve, with data output only.
The real world is ERG mode with slopes, false flats, hills and surface changes. I had gone the Power Meter + Fluid trainer method before and while it’s better than heart rate training it’s not ERG mode. ERG mode forces you to certain power outputs where as the Power Meter gives you the output you’re targeting. It’s much easier to not hit the target with the power meter because it’s self regulated. ERG mode it’s the wattage or you’re bust which can be similar to riding with somebody vs alone. You’ll always push that much harder in the group when you’re struggling.
I’ve just gotten myself a CT and I must say after a few sessions I’m hooked. It’s much better to not have to think about “where is my power output at” and just focus on a smooth natural cadence that is regulated via ERG. I’m hoping to see the same level of results as others have using this amazing training tool.
To the OP of the thread. Either is good and you can’t go wrong but as others have mentioned, there is something about the track record of the CT and the lack of issues users experience. It just works 100% of the time.
"ERG mode forces you to certain power outputs where as the Power Meter gives you the output you’re targeting. "
uhmmmmm read that again…
if I am targeting 235 what is the dif between “forcing me” to do it on my own?
if u can’t do it in ERG mode then cranks will stop moving or will spin very very slowly (that has happened to me) and if I don’t do it on my own then the “target” is not reach.
still don’t see the dif??!?!
btw: Totally agree on CT, that thing just work (I had it for two years without a problem and the wattage was within 5% of my PT/Quarq)
A good example is when you are coming from recovery section into an interval. For me with the power meter setup I’d take time to build up to the output target which if I had a 5 minute interval would take 30-45 seconds away from that to build. With the CT it hits you in the legs immediately and either you get the legs moving and get to the target wattage or it breaks you. This is my experience after about a dozen sessions on the CT now since switching.
I guess I find it more unforgiving than the self regulated method. Perhaps I did a poor job of expressing this in the first message and perhaps it’s just me. I also like that with the CT I barely change gears at all. I get my chain in a straight alignment and I let the CT adjust the resistance on the fly keeping me singularly focused on enduring the pain.
I get my chain in a straight alignment and I let the CT adjust the resistance on the fly keeping me singularly focused on enduring the pain.
About how I feel using the Kickr in ERG mode.
It is nice not having to keep my eyes constantly fixed on the screen for the short duration high intensity intervals. I can just let my eyes glaze over and let my legs scream until I feel the resistance release once the programmed interval is over.
I also own e-Motion rollers and hopefully be able to add a ANT+/BLE controller next year. I will hopefully be able to use it in ERG mode if I want.
I get my chain in a straight alignment and I let the CT adjust the resistance on the fly keeping me singularly focused on enduring the pain.
About how I feel using the Kickr in ERG mode.
It is nice not having to keep my eyes constantly fixed on the screen for the short duration high intensity intervals. I can just let my eyes glaze over and let my legs scream until I feel the resistance release once the programmed interval is over.
I also own e-Motion rollers and hopefully be able to add a ANT+/BLE controller next year. I will hopefully be able to use it in ERG mode if I want.
