Smart trainers

[antonengel@mweb.co.za]

Hi..which smart trainers between Tacx and Wahoo will u suggest..and why ?

[DieselnDust]

Tacx Neo or NEO II or Wahoo Kickr (4?) are really at the cutting edge.

Both are pretty future proof with large companies behind them. Tacx has just been bought by Garmin so expect to see some deeper integration of the Tacx training software, garmin headunits and the Smart trainers.

Wahoo has similar capability.

 

As far as the differences between the NEO and Kickr goes, the NEO gives a much more realistic feel and experience in whatever platform you use. Kickr holds a target power number while the NEO holds a power range so you will see more drift in the numbers. This mimics what happens when you do power based drills on the road. 

The NEO has more flex designed into the drive unit so your frames flexes in a more natural way.

The NEO is still more quiet than the KICKR and the frequency of the noise is more pleasant. KICKR still has a bit of a high pitch whine.

The NEO's plastic case is easier to clean and will outlast the steel frame of the KICKR if you live at the coast.

Both have XD and XDR drivers being made available by March 2019.

 

I think try and demo each unit and decide from there. For me the quietness of the NEO was a win

[Gav1]

I've been using the tacx vortex for about 8 months no issue. 2 days ago I switch off and hear a funny pop type sound. Wouldn't switch on again.

 

Went to cwc and told that it it's power supply it wont be warrantied (wtf it's only almost 8 months old!). I saw another 1 there and ask about it - similar issue but confirmed that it was power supply. Poor owner had to pay for new one.

 

Really not happy. I switched it off as I normally did and pop. Also not happy that they might not warranty something like this. But I'm pre-empting at this point (although 1 customer has already gone through this so it could be a common issue/occurrence).

 

Just my experience. Might be isolated (clearly not so isolated it seems). Also a search on the web suggests it's more common than I would have thought. Thought you should know before you take the dive.

 

G

[mecheng89]

Wahoo. Tacx local support is non existent. 

[lechatnoir]

Wahoo. Tacx local support is non existent. 

 

^^^^ THIS

[m-squared]

I've been using the tacx vortex for about 8 months no issue. 2 days ago I switch off and hear a funny pop type sound. Wouldn't switch on again.

 

Went to cwc and told that it it's power supply it wont be warrantied (wtf it's only almost 8 months old!). I saw another 1 there and ask about it - similar issue but confirmed that it was power supply. Poor owner had to pay for new one.

 

Really not happy. I switched it off as I normally did and pop. Also not happy that they might not warranty something like this. But I'm pre-empting at this point (although 1 customer has already gone through this so it could be a common issue/occurrence).

 

Just my experience. Might be isolated (clearly not so isolated it seems). Also a search on the web suggests it's more common than I would have thought. Thought you should know before you take the dive.

 

G

 

Also have the Vortex and very happy with it.  Once I got it working again.  I posted a thread about the issue with the sensors not picking up but finally got it working again after updating the brake firmware.  

 

Thanks for the heads up on the power supply.  I tend to unplug the unit by pulling out the cord from the unit but I haven't felt comfortable doing it as I have noticed the indicator light tends to glow brighter when I plug it in and out, almost like a micro surge.  I'll rather turn it off by the power point first and then unplug it.  

[mecheng89]

^^^^ THIS

This may however change with the recent Tacx acquisition by Garmin. Here's to hoping. 

[cpelser]

Read up on the CycleOps Hammer as well.

It was between that and the Elite Direto for me, but I got the Hammer for an absolute bargain (and it was my first choice)

 

Elite Direto can be picked up quite cheap, look at the comparisons on DC Rainmaker

[Jarred]

If budget is not a worry its between the Tacx Neo 2 and Wahoo Kickr 4

 

Slightly more budget dependent direct drive trainers are Wahoo Kickr Core or Elite Directo or Tacx Flux S

 

Non-direct drive (wheel on) trainers- Wahoo Kickr Snap or Tacx Bushido

 

Dark horse to look at is Elite's new direct drive trainer the Zumo

[Andrew_Smith]

Wahoo.

 

I was originally in the market for the Elite Direto but boy was it a MISSION to get a store that has stock of it. Apparently there is a shortage of the units (not sure if it changed by now).

 

Ended up buying the Wahoo Kickr Core, the Kickr 4 was just way out of my budget.

 

Very happy with it thus far.

[Muttley]

I can vouch for the Kickr 3 and the local support (no issues with device, just queries about spindowns etc).

 

My mate purchased a Snap 2 and after 3 months it started making a funny noise - they collected it, assessed it and replaced the device with no questions asked. They even offered him the option to pay in the difference for a direct drive unit.

 

I also like that the Kickr's come with a cassette and the list of addons are quite cool yet pricey. 

 

Make sure that your bike is compatible with the trainer - purchased a Tacx Flux initially after the salesman told me that it would fit with my XX1 groupset 

 

I would also get an ANT+ dongle 

 

Lastly, get yourself a mat from Builders as opposed to buying a branded one. I Paid R170 for a 1.7M rubber mat. 

[awesme]

Wahoooooo

 

Local Backup is the best and Wahoo as a company globally also believe in support, from the top, from a product point of view I'd rate them the most mature, they're the original smart trainer paired with TrainerRoad, Zwift etc.

 

it comes with a cassette,

You get with the unit a Wahoo RPM Cadence module which gives you cadence.

I'd propose you also get the Wahoo TickR HR strap.

Both these are BTLE and ANT+ compatible

 

This all is BTLE so will work with a Samsung or Apple iPhone/iPad or MAC.

 

if you using a Samsung then you can connect BTLE or ANT+ 

 

If you'll be using a PC then propose you make sure it can use the newest BTLE otherwise get a USB/ANT+ dongle,

 

G

[RocknRolla]

Elite Direto is worth a look. It's priced very well, I have heard from people in the power cycling service industry, that the Direto's are very capable. I am not sure of local availability, or support.

 

I only have experience on Kickr's and am slightly biased towards them, have had connection issues a couple of years ago, and the local support is brilliant.

[dirtypot]

Elite Direto is worth a look. It's priced very well, I have heard from people in the power cycling service industry, that the Direto's are very capable. I am not sure of local availability, or support.

 

I only have experience on Kickr's and am slightly biased towards them, have had connection issues a couple of years ago, and the local support is brilliant.

 

I have a Direto and it's been 100% faultless for about a year and a half that I've had it.  Zero complaints at all.

[Cippo]

Elite Direto, decent specs, 0.5 - 1% accuracy. Mine has been faultless so far. Syncs well with devices. Im running Sufferfest via Iphone streaming to an Apple tv. Using a Wahoo bluetooth heart rate belt to transmit to my cell. Have trialled Zwift which synced well with Apple tv.

[Veebee]

https://www.bicyclepower.co.za/product-category/best-indoor-cycling-trainers/

 

Cycleops is your way to go. Using their old powerbeam for few years now and not a single days issue.

 

BPT support is great, used them for other stuff.