Good Direct Mount Turbo

[Patchelicious]

Hi,

 

With a few new turbos being launched recently, I have lost touch with what the go to ones are.

I am needing pull finger on the training front and am keen on getting a smart trainer.

 

What are your guys opinions on the new generations turbos. I am not looking at spending a ton of cash on it. but it needs to be gear driven, Zwift compatible and relatively quite. 

 

I know there is a whole Swift thread, but most of machines in there sound like Frankenstein contraptions.

Im, looking for a plug n play solution.

 

Ive gone through this, but would appreciate your opinions and inputs.

 

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/group-tests/smart-turbo-trainers-buyers-guide-326710

 

https://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/smart-trainers-the-best-options-weve-tested-and-what-to-consider-45980/

 

https://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/seven-best-smart-turbo-trainers.html

 

 

[fanievb]

I'm happy with my Tacx Flux. I had issues with my first unit, the agents replaced it with a smile.

it's quiet and plug and play (calibrate twice a week)

if you have the bucks I suggest the Neo.

[dirtypot]

I did a LOT of research and decided to get myself the Elite Direto, based on user feedback/reviews, accuracy (+- 1% in real world testing), sound pitch / level and fold-able legs.

Plus they use a picture of a BMC on it, so it was easy to visualise my bike 

 

So far I've been incredibly happy with it.  Setup out the box was literally two minutes and it paired straight away and has stayed paired since.  Calibration takes all of ten seconds and only needs to be done every few months (unlike wheel on trainers).  It's quiet (especially in ERG mode) and provides plenty of resistance.  

 

I was looking at the Flux as well, but it's got a more annoying whine, is far less accurate, can't be folded away and doesn't have height adjustable legs which it turns out I need for my floor which I thought was level...  Some of them have had issues and and needed to be sent back too - just a hassle I was looking to avoid.

I strongly contemplated the Wahoo as well but it's also got a high pitched whine which would drive me mad.  (you can hear it in all videos of it)

 

The Neo is obviously the top dog, but it's got the price tag to match.

 

For me the Direto fitted the bill perfectly and I don't regret it at all.

 

 

[mecheng89]

Can't believe no one else has replied? What did you decide on Patch?

[madbradd]

I missed the topic.

 

I have a 1st Gen Kickr. Did loads of kms on it (Zwift) while living in the sticks but haven't been on it much in the last year. The issues you hear of with Kickrs is losing accuracy, and PM reading dropouts. Supposedly addressed in the 2nd Gen.

 

If you're using a bike with another power meter on it, then this isn't an issue as you can use the PM as the power measurement and the smart trainer still responds to the dynamic course changes. Still, you paid a load for the "accuracy" so it would be pretty irritating.

 

If I was buying a turbo trainer now, I'd go with the Hammer because:

 

1. The Hammer, Neo, Kickr and Drivo all seem to be the same but different. So product wise you're getting pretty much the same thing for all of them except the Neo which vibrates when you go over the cobbled sections in Zwift.

 

2. Pricing on the Kickr and the Hammer are substantially less than the Drivo and the Neo. 

 

3.  BicyclePower are in Rivonia, where iKhambi (Wahoo) are in PTA - so it's easier for me to get the Hammer sorted if necessary. Tacx tend to get bad "after sales technical support" reviews.

 

4. Why not the cheaper units (Flux / Turno)? I'm a big guy, If I'm doing sprint intervals I can easily get to 1500W - I worry about what happens to these guys if you exceed the published ratings, (1500W for Flux and 780W for the Turno).

 

I also think that ideally you want a dedicated trainer bike. always set up on the trainer so it's easy to just hop on if you need to. More about gears being tuned correctly, drivetrains wearing evenly, not having carbon clamped in a trainer (some manufacturers actually stipulate this in their warranties apparently) and all that good stuff.

 

If I was spending proper money on a setup now, I would strongly consider this  - https://wattbike.com/us/product/atom 

[Patchelicious]

Can't believe no one else has replied? What did you decide on Patch?

Haven't decided yet, was hoping for some more user feedback.

[Patchelicious]

I did a LOT of research and decided to get myself the Elite Direto, based on user feedback/reviews, accuracy (+- 1% in real world testing), sound pitch / level and fold-able legs.

Plus they use a picture of a BMC on it, so it was easy to visualise my bike 

 

So far I've been incredibly happy with it.  Setup out the box was literally two minutes and it paired straight away and has stayed paired since.  Calibration takes all of ten seconds and only needs to be done every few months (unlike wheel on trainers).  It's quiet (especially in ERG mode) and provides plenty of resistance.  

 

I was looking at the Flux as well, but it's got a more annoying whine, is far less accurate, can't be folded away and doesn't have height adjustable legs which it turns out I need for my floor which I thought was level...  Some of them have had issues and and needed to be sent back too - just a hassle I was looking to avoid.

I strongly contemplated the Wahoo as well but it's also got a high pitched whine which would drive me mad.  (you can hear it in all videos of it)

 

The Neo is obviously the top dog, but it's got the price tag to match.

 

For me the Direto fitted the bill perfectly and I don't regret it at all.

Do you often fall off of your IDT too?

[mecheng89]

I missed the topic.

 

I have a 1st Gen Kickr. Did loads of kms on it (Zwift) while living in the sticks but haven't been on it much in the last year. The issues you hear of with Kickrs is losing accuracy, and PM reading dropouts. Supposedly addressed in the 2nd Gen.

 

If you're using a bike with another power meter on it, then this isn't an issue as you can use the PM as the power measurement and the smart trainer still responds to the dynamic course changes. Still, you paid a load for the "accuracy" so it would be pretty irritating.

 

If I was buying a turbo trainer now, I'd go with the Hammer because:

 

1. The Hammer, Neo, Kickr and Drivo all seem to be the same but different. So product wise you're getting pretty much the same thing for all of them except the Neo which vibrates when you go over the cobbled sections in Zwift.

 

2. Pricing on the Kickr and the Hammer are substantially less than the Drivo and the Neo. 

 

3.  BicyclePower are in Rivonia, where iKhambi (Wahoo) are in PTA - so it's easier for me to get the Hammer sorted if necessary. Tacx tend to get bad "after sales technical support" reviews.

 

4. Why not the cheaper units (Flux / Turno)? I'm a big guy, If I'm doing sprint intervals I can easily get to 1500W - I worry about what happens to these guys if you exceed the published ratings, (1500W for Flux and 780W for the Turno).

 

I also think that ideally you want a dedicated trainer bike. always set up on the trainer so it's easy to just hop on if you need to. More about gears being tuned correctly, drivetrains wearing evenly, not having carbon clamped in a trainer (some manufacturers actually stipulate this in their warranties apparently) and all that good stuff.

 

If I was spending proper money on a setup now, I would strongly consider this  - https://wattbike.com/us/product/atom 

Pics or it didn't happen. 

[mecheng89]

I did a LOT of research and decided to get myself the Elite Direto, based on user feedback/reviews, accuracy (+- 1% in real world testing), sound pitch / level and fold-able legs.

Plus they use a picture of a BMC on it, so it was easy to visualise my bike 

 

So far I've been incredibly happy with it.  Setup out the box was literally two minutes and it paired straight away and has stayed paired since.  Calibration takes all of ten seconds and only needs to be done every few months (unlike wheel on trainers).  It's quiet (especially in ERG mode) and provides plenty of resistance.  

 

I was looking at the Flux as well, but it's got a more annoying whine, is far less accurate, can't be folded away and doesn't have height adjustable legs which it turns out I need for my floor which I thought was level...  Some of them have had issues and and needed to be sent back too - just a hassle I was looking to avoid.

I strongly contemplated the Wahoo as well but it's also got a high pitched whine which would drive me mad.  (you can hear it in all videos of it)

 

The Neo is obviously the top dog, but it's got the price tag to match.

 

For me the Direto fitted the bill perfectly and I don't regret it at all.

Where did you purchase from?

[Patchelicious]

Is this a good deal?

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/291406-tacx-flux-indoor-trainer/

[madbradd]

Pics or it didn't happen. 

 

 

 

My biggest issue is I thought that meant whole pizzas, not just slices.....

[koukie]

I dont know what a ton of cash is for you, but I can honestly say that the Neo is the best piece of kit that I ever bought.

 

I recently used a kickr as well and its nice but the Neo is nicer, the Neo definitely makes less noise and for me the best part is that you dont have to plug it into the mains. And I dont have to calibrate the Neo, I think the Kickr needs calibration every now and again. 

[madbradd]

Is this a good deal?

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/291406-tacx-flux-indoor-trainer/

 

Yes, but only because they seem to have shot up in price. Black Fridayish They were around that price (maybe even under 10k) new. 

[Patchelicious]

PC.png

 

ZP.png

 

My biggest issue is I thought that meant whole pizzas, not just slices.....

1600w for 20seconds? 

[Patchelicious]

Yes, but only because they seem to have shot up in price. Black Fridayish They were around that price (maybe even under 10k) new. 

Good point, can get a new in UK for R10k

 

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/za/en/tacx-flux-smart-trainer/rp-prod152928

[Escapee..]

If I had to buy one now I would go for one of these

 

https://www.wahoofitness.co.za/wahoo-kickr-indoor-trainer.html