Looking ahead towards indoor winter training, I am wanting to add a new dimension to my indoor riding. I am debating between adding the Kickr Climb to my Kickr trainer or an Elite smart roller for some variety and technique work. Has anyone added the Climb to their indoor riding? Is it a beneficial addition? Has anyone added the Elite Nero smart roller? Advice in choosing between these two additions?
While I don’t have those Elite Smart Rollers I do have a set of entry level rollers. I’ve got to save when I did use it, it was great for variety on the trainer and was much easier to do recovery rides on it (mainly because I couldn’t adjust the resistance). It also immensely help my bike handling skills that year in emergency situations. Felt it was more engaging honestly.
But, I haven’t used my rollers in a couple of years since I picked up a Elite Direto…only because my setup is a PITA to move and using trainerroad. But if I had the space I’d have both setup to alternate honestly. Or I’d be willing to trade my Direto for one of those smart rollers honestly if somebody was willing to in my area.
I’ve never used a smart roller, but I have the Kickr Climb. Before I got it, I wasn’t sure it was really very important. I saw it as an extravagance but, because I got a great package deal, I took it. Since I’ve used it for the last few weeks, I’ve changed my mind. I think it’s an important piece of equipment. Why? Because you use different muscles – or the same muscles in a different way – when you climb or descend. I don’t know any other way to stress the body in the appropriate way indoors. The Climb is expensive, but I think it makes indoor training a lot more valuable for riding and racing in the real world. Outdoor riding is almost never perfectly flat (where I live, anyway). With the Climb, my indoor workouts are a better simulation of real world riding.
I had a Climb and wasn’t a huge fan but it’s ok. I have used the Elite Nero’s and I wouldn’t wish them on anyone. I found them to be significantly lacking and overpriced.
I am a long time Kreitler roller user and used to do all my indoor training on them, usually with a powermeter. Nothing about the Nero’s made me think they were an improvement over dumb rollers and a powermeter, and in my experience they weren’t “smart” enough to justify the upcharge over regular rollers.
And even if the “smart” part worked and I couldn’t tell that it did, maybe I used a bad set, but I doubt it. Anyway, they fold up but I wouldn’t let my child try to fold them because I like my kids with all their fingers and even when they’re folded they’re still pretty unwieldy. The “step” they provide that folds down was damaged by the very first time I stepped on it cycling shoes, and I use plastic cleats.
I don’t have a Kickr Climb but I do have Elite smart rollers and a Wahoo Kickr. I do most of my training on the Elite rollers, also my interval training. Just love the feeling on those rollers, so much nicer feeling then the Wahoo Kickr. The smart function also works great, it isn’t very accurate so I use the power numbers of my powermeter but ERG mode works great. Really recommend it!
Thank you for the response. It does seem like an extravagant addition but I am looking for something that does upgrade the indoor riding experience and what you describe helps.
Thanks for your candor!