I have a Cycleops Flyid 2 trainer and I tried it a little with Zwift. I was not super impressed. I am interested in the best bang-per-buck trainer to work with Zwift.
I see the Wahoo Kicker Snap is about $600
Thoughts?
What should I buy?
I have a Cycleops Flyid 2 trainer and I tried it a little with Zwift. I was not super impressed. I am interested in the best bang-per-buck trainer to work with Zwift.
I see the Wahoo Kicker Snap is about $600
Thoughts?
What should I buy?
After a careful review (DCR, etc), I recently concluded that the Kickr Snap was a great bang for the buck and got one.
But after a couple months of use, I’m a little disappointed. The power is less accurate that I thought, even given the known caveats listed by DCR and others. It’s a big laggy. Having to calibrate every ride (which I knew going in ) is a bit of a hassle, particularly if you do the entire recommended 10-minute warmup first.
I have almost no basis for comparison, having never ridden the high-end Kickr or anything other than the Computrainer.
But if I had to do it over, I’d maybe pick the Direto (article on the main page), or spring the extra cash for one of the top-tier units.
I would save up some more and get a direct drive trainer. It’s worth it. I’ll bet there will be Black Friday coupons coming soon.
Another one to look at it the Cycleops Magnus.
More or less the same price as the Snap.
Depending on your situation, a direct drive trainer will give you a better feel and accuracy. Direct Drive trainers on the budget end are: The Elite Direto and Tacx Flux.
Depending on your situation, a direct drive trainer will give you a better feel and accuracy…
…and much less noise, no tire wear.
Depending on your situation, a direct drive trainer will give you a better feel and accuracy. Direct Drive trainers on the budget end are: The Elite Direto and Tacx Flux.
Would you suggest going with a direct drive trainer with a lesser known brand? Or, just stick to cycle ops magnus or wahoo kicker snap?
Are you using a power meter and speed sensor with your Fluid2? I am and it’s pretty compelling to me. But I’m a 2.5w/kg so YMMV.
Tacx Neo. I’ve had a Kickr for several years, but the Neo is the bomb.
Ian
Are you using a power meter and speed sensor with your Fluid2? I am and it’s pretty compelling to me. But I’m a 2.5w/kg so YMMV.
I have speed sensor, but my power meter wasn’t connecting. I need to investigate this season.
Yeah a Fluid2 without a power meter would be, understandably, boring. Is your PM ANT+ or BLE? Mac or PC or smart device?
What was it that you were unimpressed with that you’re hoping to improve with a different trainer?
i.e. Were you happy with Zwift itself and it was the interaction between your pedaling and the response that was the issue? Or resistance feel? Or lack of slope simulation? Or accuracy?
I can’t offer too much advice, but maybe an alternative would be to wait another 12 months and a.) find something second hand b.) wait for the prices to drop ~30% when all the new models get released. Or hold off for as long as you can. The cost of power pedals have dropped by about 30-40% in the last year. Expect the same from smart trainers.
I’m going to look at buying the Direto or Flux this (aussie) winter. It might be a bit cheaper by then. I don’t plan on riding indoors too much during summer anyway.
Depending on your situation, a direct drive trainer will give you a better feel and accuracy. Direct Drive trainers on the budget end are: The Elite Direto and Tacx Flux.
Would you suggest going with a direct drive trainer with a lesser known brand? Or, just stick to cycle ops magnus or wahoo kicker snap?
Elite and Tacx are well known brands but they might not be as popular in the US as in Europe. Both make great trainers. I personally own a Tacx NEO and KICKR and love both. The NEO has been solid and usually my go to trainer when I am not testing other trainers.
What was it that you were unimpressed with that you’re hoping to improve with a different trainer?
i.e. Were you happy with Zwift itself and it was the interaction between your pedaling and the response that was the issue? Or resistance feel? Or lack of slope simulation? Or accuracy?
Well, indoor training is really lame to me as the bike is stationary. Real life, you get out of the saddle and can move the bike side to side. Of course, we turn our bars too. Have scenery to look at. Most importantly, road feel in real life just isn’t like a trainer… at least what I have ridden as trainers.
Zwift seemed neat as I could concentrate a little more on being on the bike instead of Zoning out.
All of the above using swift with my Fluid 2: resistance feel, accuracy, etc. I was hoping a smart trainer would improve all of this!
Yeah a Fluid2 without a power meter would be, understandably, boring. Is your PM ANT+ or BLE? Mac or PC or smart device?
My Tri bike has a quarq. My road bike has a Cycleops G3 power tap. Both are ANT+. Honestly not sure about Bluetooth.
I have a PC laptop, or air can also use a Apple IPad.
What do you suggest?
I can’t offer too much advice, but maybe an alternative would be to wait another 12 months and a.) find something second hand b.) wait for the prices to drop ~30% when all the new models get released. Or hold off for as long as you can. The cost of power pedals have dropped by about 30-40% in the last year. Expect the same from smart trainers.
I’m going to look at buying the Direto or Flux this (aussie) winter. It might be a bit cheaper by then. I don’t plan on riding indoors too much during summer anyway.
Already looked on eBay and literally not any used Kicker or Magnis trainers.
I will have to buy new.
I’d probably go PC to start. You’ll need a USB ANT+ stick. They’re super cheap (like $15) on Amazon. I use this one (http://amzn.to/2hHjzgi) on my Mac. I believe it’s Mac & PC compatible from the Q&A section. Either bike will work if it’s ANT+ then.
If you wanted to go iPad, there a device called the CABLE (Connect ANT+ to BLE), but it’s in the $60 range (http://store.npe-inc.com/cable-connect-ant-to-ble/). It is, however, brilliant if you want to connect ANT+ devices to Bluetooth only tablets, phones, etc.
Once you have that set up, you’ll easily be able to connect the power to Zwift. The only drawback to using a trainer like ours without resistance control is that you need to keep your eyes on the speed, road grade and (ultimately) power to simulate the climbs and all around efforts better. That being said, it’s a quick and easy way to get an order of magnitude (IMO only) more outta Zwift without dropping close (or over) $1k on a high-end smart trainer.
Ask more questions. If I can be helpful at all, happy to respond.
Kickr Snap WITH a powermeter is great. I have been using that setup for 2+ years now.
As for noise level, my Snap is as quiet or quieter than any wheel-off trainer, nearly silent. Drivetrain is louder than the trainer, at least on a concrete basement floor
Elite Direto…best bang for buck for direct drive. Power accuracy is one of the best on the market…check out all the reviews.