Smart Trainer Advice

[DuncanDoughnuts]

I need some advice on a smart trainer and the use of one. My needs are rather basic, I have no desire to race people online. but I do want something where I can monitor my power and cadence. 

One of my needs is to be able to set say a 50 min ride at 220W and the trainer will provide 220 of resistance to achieve that.

I also like the idea of going on a virtual ride that will simulate a climb or even long zone 2 session on the saddle and adjust power to keep me in zone 2

There are a few Kicker Core units for sale in the classifieds and not sure if this base model will be able to do this or I need the next one up?

Is there anything I need to be aware of when purchasing any of the units, second hand or not in the kicker core range? 

Any advice will be appreciated. This is all new to me.

Ta

 

[Rudi Pollard]

I have a kicker core, and it does all of the above. i use it in ERG(targeted zone training) mode 95% of the time for training sets, but have also just rode various routes where it adjusts as the terrain adjusts

[Gr3mlin131]

I have a kick SNAP v2 and some cheap cadence sensor on a dedicated cheap indoor bike that is only for the trainer. It does the auto workout in erg mode and can do the virtual ride thing, but I prefer riding outdoors if it is not a workout. 

I believe that is the cheapest smart trainer option available, but is wheel on and cannot handle really big watts (the wheels slip during sprints). From there every step up gives you more features for more cost, wheel off, higher accuracy, more watts etc.

So go up the food chain until you can see the one with the enough all the features that you need. The base model did it for me, maybe others can help with the more expensive ones.

[HdB]

The Kickr Core would be absolutely fine for your intended use, plus would be able to handle most online races anyway should you decide to give it a go later. Unless you really want to simulate riding up climbs steeper than about 16%, there is very little need for the more expensive trainers.

The less expensive wheel-on ones , like the Kickr Snap, Saris M2, Tacx Vortex/Flow are good enough if you are not worried about the noise and are not too worried about accuracy of the power numbers. Their accuracy can vary quite a bit, depending on the temperature, the resistance unit being tightened against the tyre correctly, etc. so 200w today might not be exactly the same as tomorrow.

[DuncanDoughnuts]

7 minutes ago, HdB said:

The Kickr Core would be absolutely fine for your intended use, plus would be able to handle most online races anyway should you decide to give it a go later. Unless you really want to simulate riding up climbs steeper than about 16%, there is very little need for the more expensive trainers.

The less expensive wheel-on ones , like the Kickr Snap, Saris M2, Tacx Vortex/Flow are good enough if you are not worried about the noise and are not too worried about accuracy of the power numbers. Their accuracy can vary quite a bit, depending on the temperature, the resistance unit being tightened against the tyre correctly, etc. so 200w today might not be exactly the same as tomorrow.

Thank you for that. It seems like the kicker core will do the trick. 

Is that new orange thing the new ones come with worth it ? seems it just replaces the cassette. and can simulate 8 to 12 speed cassettes ?

[Ozzie NL]

Basically all smart trainers cater for your described needs.

 

I have a Kickr v4 and it integrates really nicely with Zwift as well ... which makes that 50 min at a said power output a lot more bearable.... but am sure other trainers have similarly smooth interfaces

[HdB]

5 minutes ago, DuncanDoughnuts said:

Thank you for that. It seems like the kicker core will do the trick. 

Is that new orange thing the new ones come with worth it ? seems it just replaces the cassette. and can simulate 8 to 12 speed cassettes ?

The Zwift hub replaces the cassette yes, and you then use the Zwift Click button thing or the fancier shifters (if you can get them) to shift.
But it is (currently) not compatible with all software. Technically Zwift only, although Rouvy have apparently found a way around it, so perhaps in the future it will be enabled for MyWhoosh or TrainingPeaks Virtual as well.
I can't say if it is worth it, probably just a nice to have. Less wear on an expensive real cassette, but if you are just doing structured training you can just use one gear anyway