Ryinc Posted January 15, 2016 Posted January 15, 2016 The Wahoo Kickr is awesome, but pricey. Three is a new Tacx which apparently is compatible with more software, and is relatively cheap - I think it's the Vortex Smart T2180, approx. R8k.I would not go vortex smart. I have been through two units. They were replaced under warranty but if i had to buy an erg indoor trainer again i would pay more and go kickr or cycleops. Personally though i think the best route is a power meter plus a mid level non-erg trainer (unless the intention is to simulate courses with gradient changes)
Ryinc Posted January 15, 2016 Posted January 15, 2016 The key benefit of a smart trainer is the controlability (spelling?). This allows for 2 "advanced" training methods:1 is erg mode which is great as it doesn't allow you to "hide" by dropping cadence. 2 is interactive training where the trainer automatically adjusts the resistance based on the software you are using (think automated interval pieces, rolling hills on a road bike etc.) Another benefit of a smart trainer is that they are premium products. They are not just basic trainers with a power meter installed. Trainer itself tends to be better quality, and also provides more resistance. The power meter of course is great as you get feedback while on the road as well.This is a good summary. However:1. I am not convinced, power figures from the erg trainers are very accurate (e.g. from.comoaring against power meter). My tacx is certainly not accurate across the range.2. The cadence point could be debated. Out on the road, your power falls if you drop cadence (assuming no increase in force), on the erg trainers it does the opposite so could be training yourself to get lazy in maintaining a cadence. It also potentially limits performance - so on a good day you ride say 300 watts for x minutes, but actually you could have hit 310 because you were good on that particular day.
Pusher Posted January 15, 2016 Posted January 15, 2016 Just got my quote from cycleops on the PowerSync BLE. Connect with Blue tooth. The Ant models will only be available in 6 to 8 weeks. What is the benefit of Ant over Bluetooth - if any.Ant allows you to connect to Garmin products.
NISI Posted January 15, 2016 Posted January 15, 2016 I was thinking, as an alternative, to get a "dumb" quality indoor trainer and a Stages power meter. A benefit of that approach would be that I can measure power while training on the road, but a smart indoor trainer has a whole host of other benefits, including the racing, which really speaks to my competitive side. Will have to think about this and see what my bonus is like this year, I guess.I do have a powerbeam pro but enjoy my cateye ciclosimulator with a powertap hub more(the feeling with the windtrainer mag combo at high speed_but more a bit more noise)
Eon du Plessis Posted January 15, 2016 Posted January 15, 2016 I do have a powerbeam pro but enjoy my cateye ciclosimulator with a powertap hub more(the feeling with the windtrainer mag combo at high speed_but more a bit more noise)Want to sell the Powerbeam? You say it's pretty awful, so it has to go cheap
NISI Posted January 15, 2016 Posted January 15, 2016 Want to sell the Powerbeam? You say it's pretty awful, so it has to go cheap nope just saying there's cheaper options
carbon29er Posted January 15, 2016 Posted January 15, 2016 The new Tacx Neo T2800 is the one of the best indoor trainer ever released. But not cheap. http://www.tacx.com/en/products/trainers/neo-smart
TALUS Posted January 16, 2016 Posted January 16, 2016 Best value for money indoor trainer 60002-8-Skipping-rope-cropped.jpgn+1 bud, n+1....
Skinnyone Posted January 18, 2016 Posted January 18, 2016 Ant allows you to connect to Garmin products.Yes but the Garmin cannot control the trainer as is needed by the CycleOps PowerSync and the Wahoo Snap/Kickr...still need an app to control the trainer, the Garmin can read the data but in most cases the app(s) will also upload the workout to Strava etc anyway....
venom1 Posted March 22, 2016 Posted March 22, 2016 Has anybody purchased a indoor trainer from Chain Reaction?If yes, did you have to pay a delivery fee and what tax percentage did you pay?
HosstheBoss Posted April 8, 2016 Posted April 8, 2016 Hi LIttle bit of a bump but I'd like to know as well if anyone has an answer for Venom1's post above. Chain reactions price seems great (as does evans cycles) but they seems a little vague on delivery costs and of course they can't answer on our customs rates.
Christian van Zyl Posted April 8, 2016 Posted April 8, 2016 Hi there, There is zero duties on trainers, just the 14% VAT. The Shipping is quite expensive. The KICKR is 28kg and the SNAP is 22kg. These are all brought in via sea freight to bring the costs down... 7 weeks on the water, but does bring costs down due to volume shipped. Local support is almost like insurance... If your unit is bought on CRC breaks you will definitely have a nightmare in getting it fixed. You will have to ship it back. My advice.. Buy local, have support, Feed a South African family.
Grey Hubs Posted April 14, 2016 Posted April 14, 2016 Cycleops Powerbeam is a really good choice. With Virtual Training Subscription, the online routes available around the world makes bleeding more interestingI purchased the BT version that works a charm with the IPAD. The online challenges is a BIG bonus on the HUB. The one thing you need to know is at some point, you will need backup help. Cycleops is THE best backup, hands down. Nice to know there are local guys supporting you. 2 things I would improve:- no matter what I do, there is still wheel slip when climbing and the resistance increase. It is less with a training tyre but still irritating. - It would be nice to have both BT and ANT+ as an option. The Whoo Kickr has got this right, but at a big cost... Either way, your strength and endurance will benefit from a good trainer that can motivate you to commit to an indoor training session.
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