Wattbike Atom

Author
Discussion

Mannginger

Original Poster:

9,032 posts

256 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
quotequote all
I'm seriously interested in this.

https://wattbike.com/gb/product/atom


It popped up on my FB feed as a friend of mine is "modelling" it in their product video. Anyway from a price perspective it's nearly half of their normal wattbikes and seems to be a great balance of the Wattbike tools but for home use, with the benefit of being able to slot in a phone/pad for Zwift or TrainerRoad for example

Given I'm clearly a massive fair-weather rider and using my Gym membership primarily for PT I'm thinking it'd be a useful addition to my man-cave for wet weekends and winter training.

Any thoughts on one of these V a turbo-trainer (I'd want a second frame rather than using my only bike so would need to bear that in mind from a pricing perspective)?



Type R Tom

3,859 posts

148 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
quotequote all
Watched a GCN video, looks good. Do like the idea of a tablet to train with giving good feedback. If they did 3 years interest free I'd get one and cancel my gym membership.

esuuv

1,306 posts

204 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
quotequote all
There is a review on the DC rainmaker website - he seems to rate it.

I think from a training perspective it’ll be about the same as a bike and a decent wheel off turbo - 900/1000 for a Kickr / Neo and 400 for a B Twin or similar from Decathlon.

ShortShift811

532 posts

141 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
quotequote all
These look like a great bit of kit.

I'm a fair weather rider too. Just moved house and set up a BKool Smart Pro with Trainerroad but not getting on with it to be honest. I have my winter frame in there and it's all just a bit of a faff - lots to set up, bluetooth signal constantly drops out, etc.

The gym that I had access to at my old place had Wattbike Trainers in and they were brillant.

I'm very tempted to stick an Atom on a 0% credit card to replace the BKool. I'd be interested to pedal one in anger first to see how the resistance feels vs. the flywheel of the Trainer and Pro models.

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
quotequote all
Initial reviews are very positive and it is much better than the more expensive watt bike for integration with zwift / trainer road / sufferfest etc.

I haven't seen one in real life and would want to before parting with £1500

Given that a wahoo kickr snap (reconditioned) from wahoo is £400, the £1100 premium is chunky, but much less so if you would need to buy a bike as well (although the bike could be used for real life riding too of course)

I can see the appeal


simonF10

68 posts

201 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
quotequote all
Very tempted by this. My kickr is 4 years old now and I am looking for something to replace it with. I was initially looking at a tacx neo.

I had thought about getting a winter bike with the cash but unfortunately as much as I tell myself otherwise I am mostly a fair weather rider.

louiebaby

10,651 posts

190 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
quotequote all
So if I get a router that will boost my WiFi to my garage, (where there is no power), and I get a Watt Bike Atom battery when they become available, I could...

Do Zwift, wire free, on a bike that I could exactly match the Geo on to my road bike.

The only issue being the 170mm vs 175mm cranks?

scratchchin

sma

107 posts

134 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
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I will be in the market for this, having followed the development. Only another 6 or so weeks to wait.

WindyCommon

3,354 posts

238 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
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I have a Wattbike Pro (v2). The Atom appears to be both better and cheaper. Did I miss or misunderstand something?

loudlashadjuster

5,082 posts

183 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
quotequote all
WindyCommon said:
I have a Wattbike Pro (v2). The Atom appears to be both better and cheaper. Did I miss or misunderstand something?
Nope, it's cheaper on account of the fact you have to supply the screen. When you consider that the display was by far the worst part of the original Wattbike, and most of us already have a phone/tablet that would work with the Atom, this seems a rare occurrence of a company *not* gouging their customer. Kudos, as they say.

I've used Wattbikes plenty at the gym but would not/could not justify one for home use. I was in the market for a turbo/rollers now though I might seriously consider an Atom.

ALawson

7,814 posts

250 months

Thursday 14th September 2017
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My wife has started spinning (well the last 12 months), so this seems more sensible than a clever TT and my bike on top.

I wonder how noisy it really is as it would need to be in the house!

okgo

37,857 posts

197 months

Thursday 14th September 2017
quotequote all
Still struggling to see what this offers really over any of my bikes in my turbo... £1500 a lot of money for a tablet holder...

Mannginger

Original Poster:

9,032 posts

256 months

Thursday 14th September 2017
quotequote all
I'm still pretty new to the sport and essentially casual so from my perspective I'm interested for the following reasons:

  • I only have 1 bike currently and wouldn't be keen on using that on a turbo-trainer for a couple of reasons (the perceived effort of installing it / removing for a ride out and also increased wear on the bike). That means I'd need to budget a bit more for another frame although I accept I wouldn't be spending as much
  • Looks (not really vital but it looks less cluttered than a turbo and frame I think)
  • Noise (Maybe) just can't tell yet if it's any quieter I suspect if it is it's only marginal but
That's about it I have to say so then it comes down to mainly subjective reasons as I think the delta will be about £500 compared to a frame / decent turbo-trainer. I'll wait for a couple of reviews before determining if "ooh shiny" is enough to justify that delta!

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 14th September 2017
quotequote all
okgo said:
Still struggling to see what this offers really over any of my bikes in my turbo... £1500 a lot of money for a tablet holder...
Nothing at all

But you aren't the target market so it is good that you picked up that you shouldn't spend £1500 on one

okgo

37,857 posts

197 months

Thursday 14th September 2017
quotequote all
JPJPJP said:
Nothing at all

But you aren't the target market so it is good that you picked up that you shouldn't spend £1500 on one
I am the target market though. I can afford to buy it, I cycle with power, and I hate riding in our winter as its gash.

What is their target market if its not me?

Magic919

14,126 posts

200 months

Thursday 14th September 2017
quotequote all
MAMILs are the target market.

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 14th September 2017
quotequote all
okgo said:
I am the target market though. I can afford to buy it, I cycle with power, and I hate riding in our winter as its gash.

What is their target market if its not me?
Someone who doesn't already have power meter equipped bikes and / a (smart) trainer, but who is interested in training with power

So whilst they aren't going to stop you buying one (!), Wattbike recognise that someone that has power meter equipped bikes and / a (smart) trainer already is unlikely to pay £1500 for the small incremental improvement that might come from a purpose designed indoor use machine over their existing set up.

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 23rd September 2017
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Had a good look at the wattbike atom at the cycle show yesterday, including a couple of minutes riding one

It is a nice machine and the general noise from people having a go was very positive

£1500? The consensus I head was that was a bit more than people expected, but not much


Magic919

14,126 posts

200 months

Saturday 23rd September 2017
quotequote all
I think the price will work for them. Quite a bit cheaper than the normal Wattbike and that sold well enough. Looks like it’ll take up a bit less space, which is good. Probably not enough to upgrade.

Mannginger

Original Poster:

9,032 posts

256 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Took the plunge and ordered yesterday. 6-8 week waiting time currently so it looks like they're selling well.

Now I need to work out how to use my steam-link so I can run it from my PC to my TV in my man-cave!