Wattbike or CycleOps Phantom 5?

[juscpt]

Hi all,

 

I'm trying to decipher which indoor bike to get for training at home. These two seem to be the top choices -- the Wattbike gets talked about a lot, but the CycleOps at a glance seems like a more rounded product for the average person, with electronically controlled resistance, virtual riding, etc. 

 

Any thoughts from anyone? I have no experience with either of them, and I'm not keen on a trainer rig either.

 

Cheers!

[Skinnyone]

The CycleOps Phantom 5 wins hands down IMHO, it has a LOT more versatility than a Wattbike, in terms of features the Wattbike is equal to the Phantom 3...

 

From what I have ridden on a Wattbike, the CycleOps bikes are a lot quieter too, which will keep the missus happy in the early mornings or evenings.

[BicyclePower]

Our CycleOps Phantom 5 would in our view be the next step up on a watt bike as it would be classified as a "smart / interactive" trainer having the controlled resistance function in order to simulate route profiles or complete structured workouts, our CycleOps Phantom 3 would be similar to that of a watt bike in that is a "dumb" trainer with a built in Power Meter. while these "dumb" trainers can integrate with the likes of Zwift, TrainerRoad, CycleOps Virtual Training like other "dumb" trainers will not simulate the demands of a route profile. 

 

the likes of the Phantom 5, PowerSync, Hammer (Coming Soon), Kickr etc are all smart trainers and will simulate route profiles, this is great fun and makes the training more engaging and demanding in some cases.

 

the biggest differential the watt bike offers is pedal stroke, the ability to get L:R and pedal stroke analysis.

 

in order to get this from the CycleOps / PowerTap products one would need the P1 pedals, this will provide very similar feedback. 

 

if one is not to obsessed by pedal stroke and simply looking for an enjoyable indoor training session then in our opinion the Phantom 5 is more suited. 

Edited June 27, 2016 by BicyclePower

[Joeboy69]

Our CycleOps Phantom 5 would in our view be the next step up on a watt bike as it would be classified as a "smart / interactive" trainer having the controlled resistance function in order to simulate route profiles or complete structured workouts, our CycleOps Phantom 3 would be similar to that of a watt bike in that is a "dumb" trainer with a built in Power Meter. while these "dumb" trainers can integrate with the likes of Zwift, TrainerRoad, CycleOps Virtual Training like other "dumb" trainers will not simulate the demands of a route profile.

 

the likes of the Phantom 5, PowerSync, Hammer (Coming Soon), Kickr etc are all smart trainers and will simulate route profiles, this is great fun and makes the training more engaging and demanding in some cases.

 

the biggest differential the watt bike offers is pedal stroke, the ability to get L:R and pedal stroke analysis.

 

in order to get this from the CycleOps / PowerTap products one would need the P1 pedals, this will provide very similar feedback.

 

if one is not to obsessed by pedal stroke and simply looking for an enjoyable indoor training session then in our opinion the Phantom 5 is more suited.

Can you please confirm if the Phantom 5 is Ant+ only or will it work with Bluetooth as well? Need something similar to the powerbeam pro I'm currently using.

[BicyclePower]

Can you please confirm if the Phantom 5 is Ant+ only or will it work with Bluetooth as well? Need something similar to the powerbeam pro I'm currently using.

 Joeboy the Phantom 5 works off both signals, ANT+ as well as BLE. Independent of one another.

So if you are wanting to use an IOS device you now can without having to purchase a Wahoo ANT+ key.

Download the app and off you go.

[rouxtjie]

Something else to consider is backup, when it comes to laying out the amount of randelas for either pieces of kit.

 

It's all fun and games until it stops working / needs servicing. 

[TALUS]

My CycleOps has been used so much that the crank arms are rusted. No problems. Any technical questions gets sorted with one phone call. That's all folks!

[BicyclePower]

We as the Distributors will ensure your bike works at all times. If the bike does not work for some unknown reason and need to bring the bike back to our offices we will supply you a loan unit in the interim. 

 

You will never be Bikeless :-) nor powerless :-)

 

This is our promise to you and i am sure some hubbers can vouch for the Service that they have gotten from us in the past.

 

Clients are our #1 priority!

 

@Talus, Please get in contact with us so that we can sort out your rusted Cranks, we like to know that all our bikes in the field are in top condition at all times :-)

[rouxtjie]

And there is your answer OP

 

didnt want to say it...but if you look at presence in the thread as well as their reputation its a no brainer. This is in the unlikely event that your trainer needs a service / fixing / support. My cyclops trainer has been going strong for of years now....not a single issue to date, nice to know that their distributors have my back should I need something though.

Edited August 11, 2016 by rouxtjie

[BicyclePower]

If you are in the Market for a CycleOps indoor bike, being a manual or our fully automated bikes, take a look at our current Early Spring Specials (one of three)

http://us10.campaign-archive2.com/?u=3b4f6cdb5255aea65ebc47adc&id=349e9b6bdd

 

Thanks to our current Exchange rate for allowing this.

[Cheese]

One Day when I am grown up I will buy the Phantom 5.

For now I will have to stick to the Wattbike at the VA.

[BicyclePower]

One Day when I am grown up I will buy the Phantom 5.

For now I will have to stick to the Wattbike at the VA.

Pity you in Bloem, else would of offered you our Studio http://cycleopsvip.co.za/ where you could of enjoyed the Phantom 5 Ride :-)

 

If you do ever come up to JHB give us a shout and come do a session on us :-)

[BicyclePower]

And there is your answer OP

 

didnt want to say it...but if you look at presence in the thread as well as their reputation its a no brainer. This is in the unlikely event that your trainer needs a service / fixing / support. My cyclops trainer has been going strong for of years now....not a single issue to date, nice to know that their distributors have my back should I need something though.

We are always here for when you need assistance with anything-  we a call away or a mail drop away :-)

[awesme]

I know it is not the OP's question,

 

but can I raise the flag for Wahoo Kickr = TranerRoad.

 

Ye another vendor can call this a "dumb" combination but I can not say this again, as a combination you can not sped your money better, it's not just bout whats under your ass, it's also the program/workouts you going to do and as for quality time on a trainer TrainerRoad is in my view top of the list, add Kickr as the smart ERG trainer and you got one heck of a system.

 

G

[awesme]

... If I can add a point,

 

depending how "URGENT" you want to buy, generally this is the month not to buy as Interbike is about to be in Europe, with all the guys launching new units and updates.

 

Go have a read at DR Rainmakers site: http://www.dcrainmaker.com

 

G

Edited August 11, 2016 by awesme

[awesme]

Might be worth while,

 

newest Ride magazine, page 70.

 

Something i defence of the Kickr, not the it needs any defending, they don't really make, or spend a hell of allot of time making control software, they rather made the platform open, which means you can use any of the 3rd party apps to control it (TrainerRoad, ZWift, BKool, Golden Cheetah, Kinetic etc), which gives you a couple of benefits, more options, more regular updated, and software is a hell of allot cheaper.

 

G