I am setting up a small studio and was gonna go with the Magnus but the quality is really lacking.
I had to send a unit back 2 times for the flywheels being crooked and off balance
That said
Computrainer a can be had on the super cheap now.
Was thinking maybe they would work?? With the multi rider software
Any users have an opinion?
I think the real question is what level of risk are you comfortable with. At the moment, CompuTrainer’s future is murky.
I’m not sure if you meant studio for business or personal use, but either way…
For personal use, I think the CompuTrainer when bought cheap used can be very solid, especially with the right software setup. Obviously you’ll lack the wireless aspect for almost every app (except Kinomap and their accessory), but if you’ve got a full studio setup, then that won’t matter much.
For business use, it’s somewhat the same but will limit you longer term. Meaning, I wouldn’t go out and buy a dozen CompuTrainers today, because I think longer term you’ll get stuck as software suites advance. For example what Wahoo is doing with their gym functionality and such - others will get into that game as well. It may not matter for your scenario, but just pointing it out.
Either way, do consider what apps you plan to use. If you’re talking things like PerfPro, Zwift, and TrainerRoad - then you’ll see little difference between that experiance in a CompuTrainer vs a Tacx Neo or KICKR. Meanwhile, if you’re trying to use the other 15 or so trainer apps* that require wireless connectivity - then you’d want to change directions.
Finally, at the same time you do want to define what ‘cheap’ is. For example the new Elite Direto is $899 now, direct drive, and accuracy claims stated the same by both CompuTrainer and Elite (and myself and others who have tested the Direto show impressive accuracy). Plus it has all the wireless aspects for other apps. So if you’re comparing a used CompuTrainer at $500 - then great. But if you’re comparing a used CompuTrainer at $800…then, I’d probably re-think it.
All this of course ignores the discussion about RacerMate ceasing CompuTrainer production and to a degree support - making replacement parts tougher (though not impossible).
*Full app listing and compatibility: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/11/trainer-apps-guide.html
A very informed answer.
I’m wondering about the practicality of direct drive trainers in a commercial studio. Seems you’d be dealing with a mix of 10 and 11 speed drivetrains and that changing a cassette on the trainer is too fiddly of an operation to be doing when you’re trying to get multiple riders set up in a few minutes prior to a session. Wondering how commercial studios with direct drive trainers deal with this issue? Do they have a mix of dedicated 10 & 11 speed trainers available in adequate quantities to handle their likely customers? Or only accept reservations in advance and ask the clients what type of drivetrain they have, so that they can have the appropriate cassettes installed? Some riders may not even know!
Indeed true on cassettes. Most studios just have a blend of 10/11 speed, and over time they kinda figure out their clientele and adjust accordingly.
While not ideal to swap cassettes, if you get good at it you’re only talking 3-4 minutes. So in a worst-case scenario you could deal with it that way.
Some also have it within their booking platforms to choose a specific cassette type too.
I am setting up a small studio and was gonna go with the Magnus but the quality is really lacking.
I had to send a unit back 2 times for the flywheels being crooked and off balance
That said
Computrainer a can be had on the super cheap now.
Was thinking maybe they would work?? With the multi rider software
Any users have an opinion?
My wife just attended the USA Cycling Summit in Boulder last week. She said it was surprising how many cycling studio owners in attendence mentioned the problems they’ve run into trying to find trainers to substitute for Computrainers. The KICKR stood out as the most mentioned fail.
I would never recommend relying on any Racermate software. So no on the Multirider software. PerfPro would be your best option. You can use it and buy used CT’s cheaply in the short term. Then try other trainer options over time.
One challenge with the Tacx and Elite is where they are manufactured and their distribution and support channels. They aren’t set up to deal with studios and coaches.The Tacx US distributor is apparently only interested in dealing with selling trainers through large companies such as Clever Training, etc.