Dgas Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 I currently have a Tacx Iflow trainer. It's linked to my PC and it gives some resistance on the back wheel. The problem that I have is the "some" resistance. Using the videos the software will slow you down going up a hill so that energy expended is the same when you get to the top. It simply cannot handle more power. When I set up a graph to ride, a 1 degree hill is quite a climb, on the road you would not even notice. Also wildly inaccurate when compared to my SRM power meter. Anyway, decision taken to get something more accurate and something that offers more resistance. I narrowed it down to 2 choices. Either the Cycleops PowrSync or the Computrainer. The Cycleops is half the price of the Computrainer and seems to offer a lot more. Online racing, 100's of different videos and profiles to ride etc. Has anybody out there used either the one or the other or both. Any opinions?
V12man Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 I currently have a Tacx Iflow trainer. It's linked to my PC and it gives some resistance on the back wheel. The problem that I have is the "some" resistance. Using the videos the software will slow you down going up a hill so that energy expended is the same when you get to the top. It simply cannot handle more power. When I set up a graph to ride, a 1 degree hill is quite a climb, on the road you would not even notice. Also wildly inaccurate when compared to my SRM power meter. Anyway, decision taken to get something more accurate and something that offers more resistance. I narrowed it down to 2 choices. Either the Cycleops PowrSync or the Computrainer. The Cycleops is half the price of the Computrainer and seems to offer a lot more. Online racing, 100's of different videos and profiles to ride etc. Has anybody out there used either the one or the other or both. Any opinions?Cycleops powerbeam pro.... lots of fans of this on the hub - me included.
Matt Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 I currently have a Tacx Iflow trainer. It's linked to my PC and it gives some resistance on the back wheel. The problem that I have is the "some" resistance. Using the videos the software will slow you down going up a hill so that energy expended is the same when you get to the top. It simply cannot handle more power. When I set up a graph to ride, a 1 degree hill is quite a climb, on the road you would not even notice. Also wildly inaccurate when compared to my SRM power meter. Anyway, decision taken to get something more accurate and something that offers more resistance. I narrowed it down to 2 choices. Either the Cycleops PowrSync or the Computrainer. The Cycleops is half the price of the Computrainer and seems to offer a lot more. Online racing, 100's of different videos and profiles to ride etc. Has anybody out there used either the one or the other or both. Any opinions? I recently reviewed the CycleOps PowerSync here. I can't compare it to the Computrainer, but here's my take on the PowerSync: https://www.bikehub.co.za/features/_/gear/reviews/review-cycleops-powersync-indoor-trainer-r3187
Skinnyone Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 Cycleops powerbeam pro.... lots of fans of this on the hub - me included.The PowerSync has the same features and functionality of the PowerBeam, just it has a wider frame to accommodate wider 142 MTB setups...
Ramrod Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 I have a computrainer that you could use to give a try if you like.
V12man Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 The PowerSync has the same features and functionality of the PowerBeam, just it has a wider frame to accommodate wider 142 MTB setups... Good to know.... never tried to fit an mtb to my Powerbeam - I have a road bike on my trainers... MTB's should have knobblies on.... and knobblies and trainers are hell on earth.... that much I do know...
SwissVan Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 The PowerSync has the same features and functionality of the PowerBeam, just it has a wider frame to accommodate wider 142 MTB setups... I thought the powerbeam is wider, sorri if I'm misreading your post
Dgas Posted July 31, 2015 Author Posted July 31, 2015 I have a computrainer that you could use to give a try if you like.Really thanks for the offer. I have tried one just recently I did like it as it offered good resistance. My concern is that it is old technology and software that is not the best out there. The Computrainer does not seem to offer the wide choice of downloads, roads to ride etc as the Cycleops. But as I do not have one I could be wrong.
Skinnyone Posted August 3, 2015 Posted August 3, 2015 Get hold of the guys at Bicycle Power, they sometimes have demo units to loan...
Skinnyone Posted August 3, 2015 Posted August 3, 2015 I thought the powerbeam is wider, sorri if I'm misreading your postThe PowerSync is wider...
Skinnyone Posted August 3, 2015 Posted August 3, 2015 Good to know.... never tried to fit an mtb to my Powerbeam - I have a road bike on my trainers... MTB's should have knobblies on.... and knobblies and trainers are hell on earth.... that much I do know... Yes knobblies on trainers can cause numb bum from the vibration... rather put a smoother knobbly or a slick...
V12man Posted August 3, 2015 Posted August 3, 2015 Yes knobblies on trainers can cause numb bum from the vibration... rather put a smoother knobbly or a slick...Numb bum would be the least of the problems .... slick are the only way to go. The worst for me was the noise...
pdt33 Posted August 3, 2015 Posted August 3, 2015 Any views on Cycleops Powerbeam vs the Wahoo Kickr?
Skinnyone Posted August 3, 2015 Posted August 3, 2015 The Kickr is a good unit, but you have to take your wheel off to use it....some people struggle to take their wheel on and off...also I think (correct me if I'm wrong) it comes with a 10speed Shimano cassette, so if you run 11sp you need to buy a new cassette...and if you run campy then a freehub and cassette. This is what I have heard - correct me if I am wrong The other thing to consider is the cost R11k for the CycleOps PowerSync over R15k for the Wahoo Kicker...same features and functions. I dunno bout you but I would be earning more brownie points taking my missus to dinner with the spare R4k....
Jono Waddell Posted August 3, 2015 Posted August 3, 2015 Cant say too much about the Computrainer, but i can tell you about the Cycleops. I have the powerbeam, and i love it. It feels good, the apps and software works well and to date i have had no issues paired with a Samsung galaxy tab 4 and iphone 5. By programming your sessions, you can make sure that hit hit your intervals correctly everytime. I have tried riding a route, and it also worked perfectly. The guys at Bicycle power are top class. Always happy to help, answer questions etc etc and generally a nice group to deal with. I looked at the Wahoo extensively and in the end ic ould not justify the additional spend. I also had dealt with Bicycle power before, so i knew the service they offer and what i could look forward to. I am sure the Wahoo guys are good too, but i have no experience with them. The powerbeam has the wider frame. It uses the 'pro' series frame which has wider legs as well as a clutch type locking mechanism to lock the bike on. The powersync uses the classic, slightly narrower frame as on the fluid 2. I previously had the fluid 2, and i was very happy with that frame.
Christian van Zyl Posted August 17, 2015 Posted August 17, 2015 The Kickr is a good unit, but you have to take your wheel off to use it....some people struggle to take their wheel on and off...also I think (correct me if I'm wrong) it comes with a 10speed Shimano cassette, so if you run 11sp you need to buy a new cassette...and if you run campy then a freehub and cassette. This is what I have heard - correct me if I am wrong The other thing to consider is the cost R11k for the CycleOps PowerSync over R15k for the Wahoo Kicker...same features and functions. I dunno bout you but I would be earning more brownie points taking my missus to dinner with the spare R4k.... Hello Skinnyone, consider the cost of an extra back wheel and trainer tyre. With the KICKR you never have to worry about running down a tyre.
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