Turbo trainers/Zwift/Peleton

[frisbee]

Even if your PC has the right type of Bluetooth it is worth getting a cheap ANT+ dongle. Windows updates and Zwift updates periodically break the Bluetooth interface to trainers and sensors.

[emicen]

This was an expensive thread to stumble upon, right when I was thinking my dumb trainer needed an upgrade

I got a billy basic trainer during lockdown and its been fine for what it was. Zero adjustment of resistance beyond using the gears. Using my gravel bike on it, I would be easily able to watch a complete Aussie Supercars race clattering along in second top gear [full top gear produces just too much noise and vibrations].

So looking at smart turbos, I was a bit skeptical of getting another wheel on trainer, pretty much pushing me towards direct drive. That combined with what is actually available anywhere right now boiled it pretty much down to Wahoo Kickr Core, Wahoo Kickr or Tacx Neo 2T.

After reading buyer reviews, this thread and much YouTubing, Wahoo Kickr ordered.

[Mastodon2]

frisbee said:

Even if your PC has the right type of Bluetooth it is worth getting a cheap ANT+ dongle. Windows updates and Zwift updates periodically break the Bluetooth interface to trainers and sensors.

Agreed, I wire in with an ANT+ dongle. There is a bug with Zwift on Windows where if the trainer lost Bluetooth connection to the computer, you had to restart Zwift sometimes to re-pair, which would knacker your session if you were doing a 2 hour set session for example.

It was meant to be patched last week with the latest Zwift update but I just use ANT+ now, less hassle.

[emicen]

Mastodon2 said:

Agreed, I wire in with an ANT+ dongle. There is a bug with Zwift on Windows where if the trainer lost Bluetooth connection to the computer, you had to restart Zwift sometimes to re-pair, which would knacker your session if you were doing a 2 hour set session for example.

It was meant to be patched last week with the latest Zwift update but I just use ANT+ now, less hassle.

Any particular recommendation for an Ant+ dongle?

They all seem to get much the same reviews on Amazon, wondered if there was one which is Zwift users preferred choice?

[J4CKO]

I just ordered this one,

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07D4J7KH6/ref...

Hopefully thats it spend wise now !

Went out for a ride last night, started as was going dark really quite enjoyable, definitely feel a bit safer when its properly dark and well lit.

[frisbee]

Mastodon2 said:

frisbee said:

Even if your PC has the right type of Bluetooth it is worth getting a cheap ANT+ dongle. Windows updates and Zwift updates periodically break the Bluetooth interface to trainers and sensors.

Agreed, I wire in with an ANT+ dongle. There is a bug with Zwift on Windows where if the trainer lost Bluetooth connection to the computer, you had to restart Zwift sometimes to re-pair, which would knacker your session if you were doing a 2 hour set session for example.

It was meant to be patched last week with the latest Zwift update but I just use ANT+ now, less hassle.

I use both at the same time. My heart rate and cadence stopped working on Bluetooth but the trainer responds much quicker to gradient and erg changes on Bluetooth.

[Ares]

riskyj said:

Cheap atom was too good to be true so now weighing up Neo Bike vs cheaper setup. I Would buy a new Atom but the wait is too long. Neo is due back in stock middle of November.

Probably crazy looking to spend this much money but I need quietness and have no real interest riding on the road. I am not a road cyclist (I do some casual MTB) but figure a Neo bike allows me to do Zwift plus spin stuff from YouTube (or even peloton app if it’s substantially better).

I was originally looking at the Peloton but put off by being locked into their ecosystem and the bike not actually being very good (although the newer one is supposedly better). Also figured that the saving on subscription cost over a year covers the difference between the peloton and the Neo

Peletons are great, but think 'spin-class/aerobics-class' rather than bike trainer.

[Ares]

J4CKO said:

Got the email to say its been shipped, so due in 2/3 days.

Got a ten speed cassette, well I stuck that on my bike and kept the old one for on the Kickr.

PC is there with a 24 inch monitor, got a fan already set up. Garage floor has those rubber tile mats down.

One thing am not sure on, ANT+ vs Bluetooth, will check the PC as to its capability BT wise, not sure if it has, but have a BT dongle, or do I need to order a specific ANT+ one, as per,

https://support.wahoofitness.com/hc/en-us/articles...

ANT+ is WAY better and far more accurate. You can get a simple ANT+ dongle for under a tenner.

[Ares]

emicen said:

This was an expensive thread to stumble upon, right when I was thinking my dumb trainer needed an upgrade

I got a billy basic trainer during lockdown and its been fine for what it was. Zero adjustment of resistance beyond using the gears. Using my gravel bike on it, I would be easily able to watch a complete Aussie Supercars race clattering along in second top gear [full top gear produces just too much noise and vibrations].

So looking at smart turbos, I was a bit skeptical of getting another wheel on trainer, pretty much pushing me towards direct drive. That combined with what is actually available anywhere right now boiled it pretty much down to Wahoo Kickr Core, Wahoo Kickr or Tacx Neo 2T.

After reading buyer reviews, this thread and much YouTubing, Wahoo Kickr ordered.

KICKRs are an investment. I've just sold mine for 75% of what I paid for it, 3yrs and over 20,000km ago

[J4CKO]

Its Here, will set it up later today and report back.

[Ares]

J4CKO said:

Its Here, will set it up later today and report back.

Enjoy....!

Get on some Zwift group rides, great training. Shout if you need recommendations!

[ferrisbueller]

Is there anywhere to check for active Zwift discount codes, referrals or similar at all please?

[emicen]

J4CKO said:

Its Here, will set it up later today and report back.

I held off posting when mine arrived last night in case yours still hadn’t arrived

(Ordered Wednesday morning )

[J4CKO]

emicen said:

J4CKO said:

Its Here, will set it up later today and report back.

I held off posting when mine arrived last night in case yours still hadn’t arrived

(Ordered Wednesday morning )

Appreciate your consideration !

The accepted standard is "Mines here, ner, ner ne ner ner"

[J4CKO]

Well, all set up, dead easy and I went for a trundle round Watopia for 15 mins, by which time sweat was dripping into my eyes.

Maybe my Aldi car/diy pants, crocs and a fleece arent ideal cycling gear, but was just to confirm its all set up, the fan helps, the monitor could do with being a smidge higher but considering it wasnt set up with Kickr's and Zwift in mind it works really well. The Kickr Itself packs away really small which is perfect as my garage man cave is somewhat bijou. It seems very well made as well. Very easy to switch it back to a proper bicycle, tried it and it took less than a minute, albeit with the usual oily fingers.

Am fannying round with old planes tomorrow but will try and get half and hour in, not going to turn it into a crusade, little and often for now.

I gave it some proper stick and it went to 970 watts, felt a bit weird, so grabbed a can of beer and went to get some dinner, its a bit disconcerting when as a man, your brief maximum power output is half that of a Decent Vacuum cleaner

[defblade]

J4CKO said:

its a bit disconcerting when as a man, your brief maximum power output is half that of a Decent Vacuum cleaner

I proudly announced to SWMBO the other day that I can now hold just over 1000w for 10 seconds.
She tries to pretend to be interested, bless her, but the very concept of exercise is foreign to her, leave alone cycling, so I got a look that crossed "that's nice" with "errrr???"
"You've got nothing to base that against, have you?" I said
"Ummm... you could power a little 1Kw heater for a brief period of time???"

[MOBB]

I’ve not read this thread fully, but is there a shortage of turbos at the moment?

I’ve had my Tacx Flux for a couple of years, not used it much so put it on eBay last week

Paid £405 for it, 3 hours to go it’s at £670 wtf? 141 watchers

[Harpoon]

MOBB said:

I’ve not read this thread fully, but is there a shortage of turbos at the moment?

I’ve had my Tacx Flux for a couple of years, not used it much so put it on eBay last week

Paid £405 for it, 3 hours to go it’s at £670 wtf? 141 watchers

Yes, they've been in short supply since the start of Lockdown in February / March! I'm waiting to upgrade from my "dumb" Kinetic Road Machine to a Saris H3 or KickR but short supply means deals are very rare.

[eyebeebe]

defblade said:

I proudly announced to SWMBO the other day that I can now hold just over 1000w for 10 seconds.
She tries to pretend to be interested, bless her, but the very concept of exercise is foreign to her, leave alone cycling, so I got a look that crossed "that's nice" with "errrr???"
"You've got nothing to base that against, have you?" I said
"Ummm... you could power a little 1Kw heater for a brief period of time???"

I think the yoof would say „burnt“

[frisbee]

I'm quite enjoying the pace partners in Zwift. I can just jump on and there is a big pack of people riding around with the pace partner.

I'm terrible at riding at a consistent pace and sitting in the draft, both outside and on Zwift, so it's good practice.