Smart trainers, recommendations please!

[RobertWhitehead]

My riding comprises of around 99% on the indoor trainer. I don't see the point of cycling outdoors. But to answer your question:

Budget options - I've had the Satori / Flow and Kickr and the kickr is way more realistic. Then the platform you can use is:

Zwift - avatar gamification (I personally think it is rubbish) 

Rouvy - cool

Sufferfest (Systm) - they do not log or record any elevation gain and the videos can become quite boring (but I used it for 7-8 years). They offer other exercises (strength, yoga). And their coaches are world class? 

Fulgaz - I currently use this, quite nice, a good change with actual footage, tomorrow I am doing the CTCT 😁. 

Golden Cheetah - cannot comment as I have never used it. 

[Jbr]

13 minutes ago, RobertWhitehead said:

My riding comprises of around 99% on the indoor trainer. I don't see the point of cycling outdoors. But to answer your question:

Best friday post

[Steady Spin]

22 minutes ago, Jbr said:

Best friday post

Especially for this specific 1st Friday of April

Edited April 1, 2022 by Steady Spin

[Knersboy]

The main reason I ride the trainer is that my wife thinks I am super sexy in my trainer outfit. Bibs, no shirt and a sweatband is a sure fire recipe for being irresistible. 
 

The throw up bucket adds even more to the excitement.

Come to think of it, I am surprised she hasn’t left me…

[Phillippe Coetzee]

1 hour ago, Knersboy said:

The main reason I ride the trainer is that my wife thinks I am super sexy in my trainer outfit. Bibs, no shirt and a sweatband is a sure fire recipe for being irresistible. 
 

The throw up bucket adds even more to the excitement.

Come to think of it, I am surprised she hasn’t left me…

I laughed harder than I should have XD

[Sid the Sloth]

5 hours ago, Super Sywurm said:

Rather get a warmer kit and go hit the trails.

This right here... No idt for me. I am gonna be training in what I have to race in haha. If I was not racing and had less flexy hours I would be more keen.

[Super Sywurm]

2 minutes ago, Sid the Sloth said:

This right here... No idt for me. I am gonna be training in what I have to race in haha. If I was not racing and had less flexy hours I would be more keen.

I would rather spend the money that I would have spent on an idt, on my bike.

[Jewbacca]

I just built up a rigid SS so I can go ride in the rain without having to worry about maintenance and expensive parts.

I still have way too much trauma attached to lockdown and the idt.

[SwissVan]

11 hours ago, Sid the Sloth said:

This right here... No idt for me. I am gonna be training in what I have to race in haha. If I was not racing and had less flexy hours I would be more keen.

 

11 hours ago, Super Sywurm said:

I would rather spend the money that I would have spent on an idt, on my bike.

pardon the upside down pic, but I’m sure you get the drift

lekker to live where the sun always shines hey sunshine 👍

 

 

Edited April 2, 2022 by SwissVan

[Super Sywurm]

55 minutes ago, SwissVan said:

 

pardon the upside down pic, but I’m sure you get the drift

lekker to live where the sun always shines hey sunshine 👍

 

 

Fatbike for the snow!!!

[X-Man]

Tacx Flux S or Flux 2. Accurate reliable and easy to use. Quiet as well

 

Best after sales service ever. 

Look no Further Go Tacx

[SwissVan]

1 hour ago, Super Sywurm said:

Fatbike for the snow!!!

Did I mention I also have treadmill  for running on those dark icy winter nights…. 😄 but it’s not a smart treadmill, no online compatibility.

For the OP’s original question, I have a powerbeam (Cyclops / Saris) A frame type IDT which I use to cycle on the Rouvy platform, the Powerbeam has been super reliable and I have been using it for at least 10 years without any hassles.

 

[Sid the Sloth]

3 hours ago, SwissVan said:

 

pardon the upside down pic, but I’m sure you get the drift

lekker to live where the sun always shines hey sunshine 👍

 

 

I didn’t know it snowed in summer in Australia?

[Jakkals.]

I had the kickr v1 and just upgraded to a kickr core…its better than the v1 (accuracy and silent) and cheaper than the kickr v5. 

I was sceptical but happy with my choice

[ChrisF]

21 hours ago, Newbie321 said:

What about the rainy days or the windy days?

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

Just realised it is almost three years since I bought my IDT.

 

Brands ... think you got the gest of that by now ....😋

 

So in terms of using it .... I would much rather go out in the wind than sweat on the IDT.

 

You dont get to choose the event weather ... best to get some wind training in.

 

Rain ... Having just done the wettest Argus race I can say that I am okay doing a wet event .... but going out into the wet for training .... uhm, no thank you.

 

Last few weeks have been hectic at work.  So yes, I started up the IDT last week.  It will get used a few times during the winter ....

 

Last year I was good to go at the end of a wet winter.  So yes, the IDT has its uses.

[G P]

I have the Saris H3 and use Rouvy.  Very happy with it - well built and no issues at all.  JHB agents are at the back of Kyalami race race track and are very helpfull- I bought mine direct through them.  I’ve done about 2500 kms with no issues. 
 

Can’t comment or compare to other trainers as I have not tried them.  I think SC Rainmaker does some good comparative reviews.