Newbie - Kickr 4 or which other indoor trainer

[LLTHB]

Hi to all. Back in cycling after a long long 10 year period off.

 

Now able to to do about 10 hours a week training.

 

Used to have a Cat Eye indoor trainer, placed the whole bike in the trainer with the front wheel off.

 

Was excellent training for me. Now looking for advice on what to do, what to purchase in this new modern era.

 

Live in Prince Albert which is MTB cycling heaven, but still feel the need for an indoor trainer for the days I simply cant get out.

 

Any advice, input appreciated as well as links to links in previous posts, which I did search, but think I still need more input.

 

Cheers.

[Slowbee]

I can only speak of experience with the kickr.

 

They are amazing units. Simple plug and play. It really is that easy. The setup is less that 10 min.

 

What ever you do, avoid the tacx units, which are nothing more than a pain in the proverbial donkey to get going and set up.

 

Contact Christian van Zyl, also a hubber who runs iKhambi a distributor of whaoo for more info. He is a super help full dude!

[LLTHB]

Upgrading my post.

 

As I do more homework and learn more on this site, I see I will be looking soon for a power meter and a bike computer.

 

I would hate to buy goods that do not integrate and I sit with a VHS machine and Beta tapes and LPs and CDs while all others are now on Netflix.

 

So. I have a good bike and a Polar Heart Rate monitor watch.

Strava on my phone.

 

What I  am looking for is a one stop shop - new or 2nd hand:

Indoor trainer -  for winter, for power training

Bike computer - must integrate with the indoor trainer and power meter

Power meter - must integrate with the above.

 

What else do I need?

 

Any one stop shops that I can present my situation to that can service my needs?

 

Cheers.

[Dexter-morgan]

Get a proper Garmin 520 or 530, and if you interested, I have a road bike wheel with a ant+/Bluetooth power tap hub for sale for 2800.

 

Kickr for the win I have a Gen 1, bit noizy but great kit

Edited January 1, 2020 by Dexter-morgan

[Vetplant]

Upgrading my post.

 

As I do more homework and learn more on this site, I see I will be looking soon for a power meter and a bike computer.

 

I would hate to buy goods that do not integrate and I sit with a VHS machine and Beta tapes and LPs and CDs while all others are now on Netflix.

 

So. I have a good bike and a Polar Heart Rate monitor watch.

Strava on my phone.

 

What I am looking for is a one stop shop - new or 2nd hand:

Indoor trainer - for winter, for power training

Bike computer - must integrate with the indoor trainer and power meter

Power meter - must integrate with the above.

 

What else do I need?

 

Any one stop shops that I can present my situation to that can service my needs?

 

Cheers.

Indoor trainer:Any of the Kickr's (Snap, Core, 1,2,3,4)

Power meter: Stages(integrates easily with many bikes,

Bike Computer: Garmin 520 or above

 

Many other devices will be good enough, but there is a reason why some devices end up on top: they just work.

[ChrisF]

Welcome LLTHB

 

first things first .... meet up with your local bike shop (LBS).  You have an EXCELLENT gent running the shop in Prince Albert, who happens to be "Prince Albert Cycles" on the forum.

 

Adding to Slowbee's reply, I also opted to go for the KickrCore.  LOTS of information on this thread -

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/160110-show-us-your-winter-pain-cave/?hl=pain+cave

 

 

Choosing the trainer is the easier part ...     The fun starts when you experiment with which software to use......

 

 

For the sake of interest :

https://bike-addict.co.za/products/wahoo-kickr-core-smart-trainer?variant=14035139625044

https://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/wahoo-kickr-core-trainer

 

Prices are all "recommended", ie pretty much the same ....  Bike Addict does sweeten the deal with their Voucher. 

 

 

 

EDIT : "Snap" vs "Core" .... the units where your bike wheel runs on a roller comes in cheaper, but are crazy noisy to operate !!  Rather invest in a unit where you remove the rear wheel and the bike clips onto the trainer.

 

 

PS - spent the day with the family, and could not get to the trails.  And after doing many hills at the end of December my legs and knees were feeling it .....  started up the trainer, and did a gentle 7km virtual ride.  The trainer will never replace my time on the trails, but man it is HANDY when the weather or life gets in the way of riding.  A decent setup, including the trainer, screen, fan, computer/controller does cost a few rands.  But so glad I did it properly !!

Edited January 1, 2020 by ChrisF

[madmarc]

GARMIN 530 - or even a 520, probably get a good deal on a used 520 with guys upgrading to 530

 

Power meter - I cant help you, don't have one, don't want one

 

IDT - I went from TACX FLOW wheel on trainer to Kickr Core and run TrainerRoad off a Gen 2 Ipad with ANT+ 30 pin dongle. with the latest firmware update the TR app picks up cadence from the Kickr now. I also use a GARMIN 520 mainly for HR and session recording for Discovery, with the firmware update on Kickr the Garmin also picks up Cad and Power from the Kickr. It all connects and works flawless.

 

But be warned Kickr have had lots of quality issues, I had mine replaced 3 times in 4 months. And trust me 1000's of others worldwide have had same issues. I cannot fault their service but with you living in Prince Albert make sure there is a Kickr agent in town.

 

If i were to replace my IDT now i would def not buy another Kickr - would be looking at high end TACX

[LLTHB]

Thanks to all some good input.

 

Kickr4 does seem to have some issues. Pity.

 

Will look at TACX

 

Garmin 530 it will be

 

Power meter - still need to do some more homework on this, still lost.

[aiyaaz]

The newer Kickr units, i.e. 2019 and beyond production units seemed to have had earlier issues resolved. Based on forums it also seems like there less occurrences than seen during 2018. I also had to do one warranty replacement with the first unit developing an issue after about a month of regular use. The replacement unit has been faultless and has seen regular use for the last 6 months. So whether you go Kickr 4 or Tacx Neo 2/2T, I doubt you'll go wrong either way. Wahoo do support their products very well though, which in the end is what made me go with their trainer.

[Schnavel]

Also have a look at the cycleops products. The hammer is a great indoor trainer. My wife and I both use one and both have been faultless since day one.

[Vetplant]

The newer Kickr units, i.e. 2019 and beyond production units seemed to have had earlier issues resolved. Based on forums it also seems like there less occurrences than seen during 2018. I also had to do one warranty replacement with the first unit developing an issue after about a month of regular use. The replacement unit has been faultless and has seen regular use for the last 6 months. So whether you go Kickr 4 or Tacx Neo 2/2T, I doubt you'll go wrong either way. Wahoo do support their products very well though, which in the end is what made me go with their trainer.

Agreed on the support front, on that alone I would go with the Wahoo. The local Wahoo guys really do give the best support.

 

Consider a 2nd hand older generation Kickr, great value for money. Otherwise the Kickr Core should be all that you need if you want to go new.

[Markellis]

I wouldn't buy a 530. The worst Garmin product I have ever owned.

 

Cheaply made, doesn't hold a GPS signal and doesn't compare to the Wahoo Element in terms of usability.

 

My 530 sits in the cupboard. I ride with the Element.

[Christian van Zyl]

Thanks to all some good input.

 

Kickr4 does seem to have some issues. Pity.

 

Will look at TACX

 

Garmin 530 it will be

 

Power meter - still need to do some more homework on this, still lost.

Hello LLTB,

 

We had a batch of early KICKR 4 units, mid 2018 that had an issue. You will note on the Hub that our fellow Wahooligans rave about our after sales support and issues were resolved speedily. Since then I'm happy to report that we are not seeing any issues with the KICKR 4 units... You can also look at the KICKR CORE. 

 

The integration between the ELEMNT BOLT and the KICKR is far beyond any  other brand. You can do training sessions, past rides and interval sessions all by connecting your ELEMNT to your KICKR. 

 

My view is bias, but I strongly recommend you visit your closest retailer for a demo on the Wahoo Ecosystem... It's different and it's fun. 

 

Your local Wahooligan 

 

Christian 

[NISI]

Hello LLTB,

 

We had a batch of early KICKR 4 units, mid 2018 that had an issue. You will note on the Hub that our fellow Wahooligans rave about our after sales support and issues were resolved speedily. Since then I'm happy to report that we are not seeing any issues with the KICKR 4 units... You can also look at the KICKR CORE. 

 

The integration between the ELEMNT BOLT and the KICKR is far beyond any  other brand. You can do training sessions, past rides and interval sessions all by connecting your ELEMNT to your KICKR. 

 

My view is bias, but I strongly recommend you visit your closest retailer for a demo on the Wahoo Ecosystem... It's different and it's fun. 

 

Your local Wahooligan 

 

Christian 

Edited January 3, 2020 by NISI

[Fitbull]

Thanks to all some good input.

 

Kickr4 does seem to have some issues. Pity.

 

Will look at TACX

 

Garmin 530 it will be

 

Power meter - still need to do some more homework on this, still lost.

 

I have the TACX NEO 2 after having borrowed my mates KICKR 2 for a month before settling on a purchase. Nothing wrong with the KICKR but for me the NEO tidies away very nicely. I also love the fact that you dont need a power supply for the NEO so you can use it anywhere and I move mine around quite a lot. It silent, effortless to set up, no calibration etc.... You will love it, there is a reason why KICKR's are for sale in the classifieds and very few NEO's IMHO anyway    I also contacted TACX support once for an "issue" and they are extremely helpful, the "issue" worked out to be an ID10T error on myside however but even so they still called me 2 days later to make sure everything was OK!

 

If you going Garmin I would go TACX, they have bought TACX and I think there will be fantastic integration in the future. I have a Garmin 520 and it already integrates very nicely with the TACX.

 

As for a power meter.... stay away from Stages, I have one it sucks, all my mates had one and they also all hated them most have now changed to either ROTOR or 4iiii. I am looking at moving to a 4iiii as soon as they bring the podiiiim rechargable ones into ZA although its taking so long I am temtped to just order it from overseas getting fed up with the local distributor not being able to get me one even though they have stock.

 

Why I dont like Stages - the cover isnt very water proof and once its wet it just eats batteries. The power reading isnt very accurate and this is compared to my NEO and Garmin pedals which are more consistent.

[BicyclePower]

Take a look at the Saris H3 direct drive (rear wheel off) trainer, this has been rated as one of the best trainers for the 2020 season. The trainer will connect to the likes of Zwift, Rouvy, TrainerRoad and many more applications. Connection is either via ANT+ or BLE. integrated speed, power and cadence data all come with the H3.

 

RE power meters you can get in contact with us too, we specialise in power2max crank based systems and Favero pedal based systems. Both units also work on ANT+ and BLE and will provide the basics such as power and cadence data, pedal metrics and left right balance are also available depending on the level / model of power meter you choose.

 

Head units, as already mentioned both the Saris H3 direct drive trainer, power2max and / or Favero power meters work with ANT+ / BLE so will connect with any head unit able to receive ANT+ power data, common head units are - Garmin, Polar, Wahoo these will also give you HR data as most are sold with HR sensors. 

 

Perhaps give us a call next week to discuss the various options, we have been in the power meter / indoor training game for over 15 years!