This looks like a new product. Anyone get their hands on this early that can post a review? Since I’ve got a KK, and no powertap, etc., this might be a cost-effective, albeit incomplete, alternative.
interesting!
i wonder how they will provide power data just because you have a kinetic trainer. 1 - do they have some sort of power calibration for all models and 2 - does each kinetic trainer secretly have some transmitting device built in?
what am i missing?
all that said, im tempted! even if the power data isnt 100% accurate, as long as it is consistent (precise), it will probably be pretty helpful for the winter trainer rides.
Very helpful for someone like me who doesn’t have a grand sitting around for a powermeter/powertap. it’s only $50…almost seems too good to be true.
I recall KK had some “power meters” for awhile. It only works on their trainers - they’ve got tech pages explaining it http://www.kurtkinetic.com/computer_tech.php http://www.kurtkinetic.com/powercurve.php. If you have a rear wheel sensor cyclocomputer, you can make a handy reference table to translate your trainer speeds to power. I posted an excel spreadsheet that did this awhile ago, but the link is dead now…
It isn’t new. KK has published power vs. speed equations for a long time, and they have had a computer that will display power for a few years at least.
I have a KK and it seems consistent and fairly accurate, provided that you set the roller tension adequately and at the same amount each time.
I went through two of these. Unless they have a new design BE CAREFUL!!
Although it gives you a power reading, which is kind of nice, it is not sealed so a few drops of sweat on the front face and the unit is screwed!
Search function…
Here is an old thread I posted to:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1433050;search_string=remnfa%20kinetic;#1433050
As I mentioned there, I’ve since moved to a PT. But, it works well for seeing if wattage training is something you would like to try.
ive got an extra one in the basement. it was good but i upgraded to the wireless PT. let me know if you want to try it out.
I have one of the older ones and it’s not all bad. For the most basic usage on a trainer, especially for someone thinking they may want to work with power numbers, it’s an okay introductory option for your trainer sessions. You can pick one up for $40 on ebay. If you’re looking for all of the info a power meter can offer, downloading ride data, etc, skip it.
It’s not a power meter, it’s a calculator. The Kurt Kinetic has a defined power curve based on the trainer’s speed. This device simply displays the calculated power based on speed. Assuming you have the wheel size programmed in correctly, the unit will display the power required. They also have the factors you need to program in for several other trainers. Yes, you can refer to a spread sheet and get the same info from a rear wheel speedometer, but when you’re working your ass off to go a little faster it does give that immediate feedback of how much more power it takes to go a little faster.
Yes, if you’re just curious about how much power you’re generating on the trainer, it’s a fun little gadget. It is a cheap way to get the most basic of information: current, max, and average power. Looking for something to think about on the trainer rather than the wall in front of you? This will give a power number to mull around in your brain. If you pop the bike off of the trainer (and they openly admit this), the power reading is completely invalid. It doesn’t catch spikes in power for accelerations, etc. It is, however, still an accurate basic bike computer.
If it sounds interesting, get one. If you think you’re getting a power meter, I think you’ll be disappointed.
I went through two of these. Unless they have a new design BE CAREFUL!!
Although it gives you a power reading, which is kind of nice, it is not sealed so a few drops of sweat on the front face and the unit is screwed!
I also went through two of these, and have a friend that went through two of them (he bought it before I could tell him not to).
A much better result, IMO, is to read up on vVo2max (an easy way to set your ‘zones’ based on speed), and use a rear-wheel mounted cyclocomputer. Even though I have a PT now, I still sometimes use speed on my trainer.
Can you offer any comparison as to the KK “power” readings vs the PT readings?
I created a spreadsheet that takes the Kurt formula and converts speed into power.
It doesn’t match my SRM exactly, but it’s relatively close.
Mine (an older model) stopped working (not battery) 3 to 4 months after I bought it.
As others said, the Kurt Kinetic has a “calibrated” speed-to-power curve, so all you need is a rear wheel speedo to get power.
I printed out a sheet with speed-power numbers and taped just below my training TV. Not sure how accurate this is, but it is a good way to experience training with power. It’s been great for my interval training and seeing the steady improvement in 6min and 20min power, somehow feels more significant than seeing equivalent speed increase, especially since the speed on Kurt trainer doesn’t seem to relate to my road speed at all. 21mph on KK is more like 25/26mph on a flat smooth road.