BigDL Posted August 20, 2019 Posted August 20, 2019 Hi Guys I have a Kickr 4 that I bought in December, which I love, but find myself hardly using it as I have to cart a bicycle upstairs, mount it on the bike, and inevitably will need it to ride the next day (hope this makes sense), therefore I often couldn't be bothered with the effort for a quick 30 minute ride, especially if my MTB is dirty. I enjoy Zwift and find it fun, so would love to continue using it, especially once the Northern Summer is over. I had considered getting another cheap bike to permanently leave on the trainer, but then happened upon an ad for the Wattbike atom, which is about £1500 in the UK here. So, here is the question: Would it be better to sell the Kickr (hopefully for about £800) and replace with the Wattbike Atom, or to spend maybe £300 on a cheapish bike to permanently leave on the kickr? Thoughts appreciated?
madbradd Posted August 20, 2019 Posted August 20, 2019 Is someone else going to use it? Wattbike doesn't come in sizes so if you're sharing with someone else it will make swapping between sizes easier than a cheap bike. Otherwise, cheap bike.
WrightJnr Posted August 20, 2019 Posted August 20, 2019 Cheap bike on trainer. As technology evolves we are always going to be in the upgrade cycle. So maybe in a year or three you decide it’s time for a new bike, your old bike will sell for nothing close to what’s it worth so that’s a great time to put it on the Wahoo. Then somewhere in the future, Wahoo come out with the KICKR 8+ which has ground breaking technology in it and is a must buy, well then just upgrade that. As nice as the Atom looks, you will be locked into its technology and capabilities. For example, what happens when Zwift go full 3D and the Atom hardware can’t be upgraded?? (Hypothetical of course) Trainer with bike also allows you the freedom of changing your indoor setup as allowed. New house with bigger room so a big TV. Small space so just a tablet, whatever.
lechatnoir Posted August 20, 2019 Posted August 20, 2019 Cheap bike. Seriously, it's a cheaper option than losing on the Kickr, and offloading another fat stack on the Wattbike. And if you pick wisely, it'll give you options when your main steed is feeling poorly and you aren't. and also because more bikes are more better!
madbradd Posted August 20, 2019 Posted August 20, 2019 Cheap bike on trainer. As technology evolves we are always going to be in the upgrade cycle. So maybe in a year or three you decide it’s time for a new bike, your old bike will sell for nothing close to what’s it worth so that’s a great time to put it on the Wahoo. Then somewhere in the future, Wahoo come out with the KICKR 8+ which has ground breaking technology in it and is a must buy, well then just upgrade that. As nice as the Atom looks, you will be locked into its technology and capabilities. For example, what happens when Zwift go full 3D and the Atom hardware can’t be upgraded?? (Hypothetical of course) Trainer with bike also allows you the freedom of changing your indoor setup as allowed. New house with bigger room so a big TV. Small space so just a tablet, whatever. Not sure if you're aware, but the Wattbike Atom is a Smart Trainer + bike Chassis in one. With the Wattbike "classic" your argument holds. The Atom doesn't come with a screen, you BYOD (bring your own device) like you do with a Kicker/Neo/Hammer etc. It's just sensors and a controlled resistance as with the others, only difference is you don't need to BYOB (bring your own bike - OK I made this acronym up)
shaper Posted August 20, 2019 Posted August 20, 2019 Check the comment on gearing when riding the atom...
madbradd Posted August 20, 2019 Posted August 20, 2019 Check the comment on gearing when riding the atom... This sums it up pretty well I think. both have some pros and cons. The only one I think they missed was multiple user aspect - especially if one of you has a different number of gears. Note - I have a Kickr 1 with a dedicated cheapie bike on it - am the only user. Would I swap it for an Atom - only if I didn't have to pay. If buying again, I would only consider the Atom if my wife was interested in using it - otherwise I would get a Kickr/Neo and a cheapie bike.
BigDL Posted August 20, 2019 Author Posted August 20, 2019 Check the comment on gearing when riding the atom... https://youtu.be/9N_Xp-xsxRgThanks for this - makes a lot of sense
BigDL Posted August 20, 2019 Author Posted August 20, 2019 This sums it up pretty well I think. both have some pros and cons. The only one I think they missed was multiple user aspect - especially if one of you has a different number of gears. Note - I have a Kickr 1 with a dedicated cheapie bike on it - am the only user. Would I swap it for an Atom - only if I didn't have to pay. If buying again, I would only consider the Atom if my wife was interested in using it - otherwise I would get a Kickr/Neo and a cheapie bike.I am the only person using the trainer, so it makes sense not to spend more money that I need to for little to no benefit. Thanks a lot guys.
Christian van Zyl Posted August 20, 2019 Posted August 20, 2019 Hi Guys I have a Kickr 4 that I bought in December, which I love, but find myself hardly using it as I have to cart a bicycle upstairs, mount it on the bike, and inevitably will need it to ride the next day (hope this makes sense), therefore I often couldn't be bothered with the effort for a quick 30 minute ride, especially if my MTB is dirty. I enjoy Zwift and find it fun, so would love to continue using it, especially once the Northern Summer is over. I had considered getting another cheap bike to permanently leave on the trainer, but then happened upon an ad for the Wattbike atom, which is about £1500 in the UK here. So, here is the question: Would it be better to sell the Kickr (hopefully for about £800) and replace with the Wattbike Atom, or to spend maybe £300 on a cheapish bike to permanently leave on the kickr? Thoughts appreciated? Eurobike is two weeks away...
madbradd Posted August 20, 2019 Posted August 20, 2019 I am the only person using the trainer, so it makes sense not to spend more money that I need to for little to no benefit. Thanks a lot guys. Then 100% get a cheap road bike. You can use an MTB, but be aware that Zwift is developed for road bike gearing (seems strange that they haven't put in a scaler yet, but I keep asking). So when you race on your MTB you will probably spin out on the flats trying to keep up with the field.
shaper Posted August 20, 2019 Posted August 20, 2019 I am the only person using the trainer, so it makes sense not to spend more money that I need to for little to no benefit. Thanks a lot guys.Then will re-iterate get a cheap bike permanently set up. I have the Kickr Core and permanent bike set up on it. Just jump on and ride. bike fit set up is the same and saddle was changed to the same as my road bike and I guess will feel much more natural to your outdoor riding that if on an Atom.
Dexter-morgan Posted August 20, 2019 Posted August 20, 2019 I have my son's old Silverback Sola on my Kickr, works well for me, did not cost me a cent extra.
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