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Turbo trainer choices

by greg43
Wed, Dec 14, 2016 10:24
7

Hi all

Looking for advice on turbo trainers.

Looking at Tacx Vortex Smart or Kinectic Road Machine Smart.

Both seem good, but seem to have compatibilty issues.

I do not own an IPad or Iphone.

Interested in doing interval training and I have an android LG G4 and a windows 10 laptop.

I would prefer to have display on my phone (through Bluetoooth), but would use computer if I could not.

Are their owners out there who have got their trainers working?

Is it also true you have to spend 10 mins calibrating each time?

Dont know whether I want to do Zwift(also internet bad in garage)

Finally would i be better off with a simple trainer that i could use my Garmin speed and cadence sensor and just suffer by using the information off my Garmin.

I want to get better at riding at 20 average and cope with bursts of extra speed in the group.

Very intereseted in your thoughts

Thanks in advance

Greg

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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7 comments

Avatar
Bike Swanky | 8 years ago
0 likes

Guess where the cheapest ones might be 1

Avatar
Johnnyvee | 8 years ago
0 likes

Greg43 what did you end up getting? Does it all work OK?

I'm heading the same way.

Avatar
greg43 replied to Johnnyvee | 8 years ago
0 likes

Johnnyvee wrote:

Greg43 what did you end up getting? Does it all work OK? I'm heading the same way.

I bought a Kurt Kinectic fluid smart trainer.

Got a good discount form Wiggle before Xmas.

Very sturdy, quiet and you can set up with their app to show power in workouts.

Felt the setting up of a laptop or similar in garage would just put me off.

Very pleased with it, but they have now sold out at that price. Review below

http://road.cc/content/review/176106-kinetic-road-machine-smart.

Hope this helps

Greg

 

 

Avatar
greg43 | 8 years ago
0 likes

Thanks very much for your advice. I think you have persuaded me to go the smart trainer route.

Avatar
Team EPO | 8 years ago
0 likes

Mr CXR94Di2-  is that fan photoshoped in your set up photo?!?!  Amazing.  Looks like the kind of thing you use to prep a hot air balloon!

 

I would also look for a fan with a remote as in the winter my garage is freezing to begin with but heat up quickly so a fan with a remote control is handy

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Honeywell-HO-1100RE-Oscillating-Remote-Control/...

 

If your WIFI is weak in the garage you might find a repeater via the powersupply helps,  I am very low tech and found it easy to install.  Literally plug and play.    Google also launching their version very soon but very pricey ($USD 299) versus £15 for a Netgear booster thing

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/cre/NETGEAR-EX2700-100UKS-WiFi-Range-Extender...

 

PS I have the Tacx smart trainer (used an old "dumb" trainer with cadence and the smart trainer is way more engaging.  Just consider how often and for how mnay months of the year you will use the trainer might be better off with the cheaper Tacx but DC Rainmaker is the gospel on which trainer to get:

DC Rainmaker has reviewed all the trainers

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/11/trainer-apps-guide.html

 

Review of trainer Apps

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/11/trainer-apps-guide.html

 

PS On your laptop watch out you don't block the Ant + adaptor dongle thing with the TV remote, towel etc as this can cause intermittent connection problems and Zwift is great and very time efficient.

Avatar
CXR94Di2 replied to Team EPO | 8 years ago
1 like

Team EPO wrote:

Mr CXR94Di2-  is that fan photoshoped in your set up photo?!?!  Amazing.  Looks like the kind of thing you use to prep a hot air balloon!

 

I would also look for a fan with a remote as in the winter my garage is freezing to begin with but heat up quickly so a fan with a remote control is handy

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Honeywell-HO-1100RE-Oscillating-Remote-Control/...

 

If your WIFI is weak in the garage you might find a repeater via the powersupply helps,  I am very low tech and found it easy to install.  Literally plug and play.    Google also launching their version very soon but very pricey ($USD 299) versus £15 for a Netgear booster thing

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/cre/NETGEAR-EX2700-100UKS-WiFi-Range-Extender...

 

PS I have the Tacx smart trainer (used an old "dumb" trainer with cadence and the smart trainer is way more engaging.  Just consider how often and for how mnay months of the year you will use the trainer might be better off with the cheaper Tacx but DC Rainmaker is the gospel on which trainer to get:

DC Rainmaker has reviewed all the trainers

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/11/trainer-apps-guide.html

 

Review of trainer Apps

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/11/trainer-apps-guide.html

 

PS On your laptop watch out you don't block the Ant + adaptor dongle thing with the TV remote, towel etc as this can cause intermittent connection problems and Zwift is great and very time efficient.

 

Re Fan, that is real, and yes you will need an awful lot of cooling when racing in summer. 1

Some use IR remote mains socket to switch on fan once they begin to sweat up, I should get one really!

Regarding Ant+ adaptor, buy a usb extension lead to get it within a foot of the trainer, makes a better reliable connection.  

DC rainmaker has some very good reviews, unbiased, on all types of trainers.

Avatar
CXR94Di2 | 8 years ago
1 like

I would recommend you get the best turbo you can afford, especailly if you're a big powerful rider.  This allows you to explore higher power and inclines without over powering(maxing) the resistance of the trainer.

I use 2 trainers, a Wahoo Kickr and Bkool Pro(racing in leagues).  I own the Kickr and borrow the Pro trainer.  I use them mainly on Bkool software.  I use TrainerRoad for specific interval training. I have also tried Zwift.  I use a PC in Ant+ mode for all my packages.  

You dont need to calibrate the turbo, unless your anal about every fraction of power displayed.  NOTE, each software package have errors which dont always reflect your ability, positively and negatively.

Get a decent connection for the internet(you can use a phone as a mobile hotspot with a pc)

The interactive nature is what is the most addictive part, once you experince a setup with a smart trainer and do a training session or race, you wont want a dumb trainer, guaranteed!

I have been using indoor trainer for 2 years,  I dont go out on the road in winter anymore, warm, dry and massivley convenient.

I use a 32" HD tv linked to my PC in my conservatory.  Oh get a fan, then get a bigger fan, you will need it.  see below

 

 

 

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