Looking for user feedback on the Saris H3 trainer - I do indoor training on an older Lemond Revolution direct drive but would like to start doing some interactive training with Zwift or Fulgaz. Have an opportunity to purchase a gently used H3 (or possibly a Tacx Flux S at a slightly higher price).
Thoughts? Thanks in advance…
I have used one for tens of thousands of miles in FL
I got another for the house in NY
Having a house built in SC and will get a third one one for that house
Safe to say I like them lol
BUT I have never tried another brand or model except I have rollers as well
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Have to say I love my H3.
Had an issue with my H1 and after several attempts, Saris sent me an H3 to replace it
so just from a customer service perspective- incredible!
Accurate and I ride Rouvy and have zero issues with it.
I ride rollers and have a Kinetic Rock/Roll that I ride and the H3 is amazing
Good luck.
I’ve used one for a couple years now and just bought a second so my wife and I can each have one. No issues, it does what it is supposed to do.
Just buy it. It’s a great product, very quiet and has incredible road feel with its massive flywheel.
Hammer and H3 in out household. Briefly had the Flux S. H3 is a much better bet. Service from Saris was excellent.
Minor caution that people report it does not play nicely with some (most?) 12 speed configs.
I used dumb trainers and H2 extensively. I use a Kickr bike at work quite a bit. I have had the H3 at home for the past few months. All with Trainerroad almost exclusively. The H3 has been really good to me, especially for the clearance price I paid. Two small critiques: 1) The first few pedal revs can be pretty heavy, especially if I’ve left the bike in the big ring. Nothing like the almost full lock-up I’ve experienced on the Kickr though. These might both be due to user error but still. 2) While pedaling the noise is bike drivetrain only (great), but when coasting the freehub is super loud.
Also, I ran the H2 with an XDR 12sp driver body and SRAM Red AXS CS and RD, and I think the RD would run into the trainer housing in the big cog. Not sure if they fixed that with H3 since I’ve got a mechanical 11sp bike on there now.
Pros: rides well, stable connection/signal, can find them at great prices
Cons: power port can be fragile, accuracy could be better, missing the hardwired and wifi connectivity options that Wahoo has introduced, the internal top cap spacer (under the freehub body) is fragile. If you over tighten the end cap you’ll break it and then you’re on a fixed gear. Finally the freehub/trainer body wasn’t designed well and the RD cage can hit the trainer when in the largest cog.
The H3 was just at $400, now at $640, still a descent deal.
I have 2 of them and don’t have any complaints. Probably close to 1000 hours on my older one.
I picked one up at the end of May for $450. I heard they could be had for as low as $400. That was right before the bankruptcy announcement. I came from a fluid trainer, I have no complaints. It makes less noise than a fan, so plenty quiet enough. It comes with all of the axel adapters you could need, but it does not come with a cassette or a XDR freehub body. As mentioned, the 12 speed thing was just featured in GP Lama on youtube’s h4 review. H3 and h4 freehubs are not up to spec and the 12 speed ultegra cassette is incompatible. Also, if you are using disc brakes and have a fixed lever, you won’t be able to tighten your axle. It’s supposed to have the best erg mode, but it’s the only one I have used so I can’t say.
If you can pick it up at a good price like I did, you’re getting a top level trainer for a mid range price. Can’t beat that.
It is also made in Wisconsin, so that’s something to feel good about as well.
I have a total of about 50,000 zwift miles split between H3 and Kickr. I feel like the H3 is a very slightly better real road feel. You certainly can’t go wrong with either but I have had no issues with big volume on the H3.
Here’s my best stab at an analogy.
It’s kinda like a 2012 Toyota Camry. Utilitarian, gets you from point a to point b, reliable, the company stands by behind it, and you’ll get good mileage out of it. You go to your bike, not a thought about any issues, and you’re off riding in Zwift, Rouvy, or whatever app you use. I’ve had one for 3 years and I haven’t had a better purchase in the hobby. Hobby has taken the back burner because you know, family… Otherwise, I still ride the trainer in the cold months twice per week.
It’s the Toyota Camry of bike trainers. Almost no way of getting it wrong unless you want floaty, swing side to side rides, with levitating front end. That’s not me but each to her own.
Ten times out of ten, I’d pick H3 over Wahoo or a second-tier trainer (e.g. Flux).
I’ve had and tried many trainers since the original Hammer and still miss the feel of that flywheel. You also won’t read or worry about warranty returns like you do with Wahoo/TacX because it’s built like a tank and designed to last.
Thanks to everyone for all of the feedback - picked up an H3 yesterday. Traveling for work this week but will get set up over the weekend and finally eneter the world of a smart trainer. Much appreciated!