What smart turbo trainer?
Discussion
After using a Kirt Kinetic for years I’m finally upgraded to a smart trainer last year. Picked up a second hand Wahoo Kickr for about £300 (they were about £900 new). Feels like a very solid bit of kit and works great with all the cycling apps. Ultimately I still think the kinetic with the extra flywheel feels better to ride but the Kickr isn’t far off. Would recommend.
Dannbodge said:
I'm still on my 10 year old Tacx Neo (gen 1)
Still as accurate and quiet as the day it came out the box.
I had a Tacx Neo Gen 1 in 2017 - it's was rock solid but sadly I had to sell it in 2021 due to taking a break from cycling.Still as accurate and quiet as the day it came out the box.
I'm looking to get back into it again now and have been doing some research.
The best 'bang for buck' appears to to be the Zwift Ride with Kickr Core 2 for about £1,100 [can use discount codes and it's often reduced]
https://uk.zwift.com/products/zwift-ride-kickr-cor...
Another option is the CycPlus T7 Smart Bike : an all in one belt drive unit for £1,328 which has reviewed very well
https://www.cycplus.com/products/t7-smart-bike?srs...
I use the wahoo kickr core with the "faff" buttons. They just allow you to simulate gear changes, it's nothing groundbreaking.
I love it, paired with Zwift it kept me fit over winter (actually vastly improved my performance) and gave me something to aim for with various races, climbs etc that I enjoyed tackling.
I need a much better fan as we head towards winter this time, I was sweating buckets on every ride. Definitely recommended and I think it's the best way to train for next spring summer.
I love it, paired with Zwift it kept me fit over winter (actually vastly improved my performance) and gave me something to aim for with various races, climbs etc that I enjoyed tackling.
I need a much better fan as we head towards winter this time, I was sweating buckets on every ride. Definitely recommended and I think it's the best way to train for next spring summer.
What bike are you (OP) looking to use? For instance, do you need thru-axle, 12 speed etc etc support?
What might you run Zwift or another training app on? If you were considering Apple TV then having a trainer which can re-broadcast your HR and avoid running out of Bluetooth channels is worth having.
If you want decent reviews to read, then I'd suggest DC Rainmaker and GPLama
https://www.youtube.com/@gplama
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-review-types/t...
What might you run Zwift or another training app on? If you were considering Apple TV then having a trainer which can re-broadcast your HR and avoid running out of Bluetooth channels is worth having.
If you want decent reviews to read, then I'd suggest DC Rainmaker and GPLama
https://www.youtube.com/@gplama
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-review-types/t...
Wahoo kick r core with the Zwift cog (changes the resistance for you) and a Zwift subscription. Been absolutely flawless for me.
I don t use the buttons it comes with. I train by following workout plans and it will adjust everything for you each session. Just pedal and sweat!! Zero faff.
PS: It helped me massively with my Ironman training
I don t use the buttons it comes with. I train by following workout plans and it will adjust everything for you each session. Just pedal and sweat!! Zero faff.
PS: It helped me massively with my Ironman training
Edited by Prohibiting on Tuesday 1st September 13:17
I ll be using my Dolan Rebus, 11 speed mechanical Ultegra. Normal quick release.
Ah - OK, that s interesting, so you don t have to use the buttons on the Kickr. Presume you ll have to use them if you want to race, though?
Don t really want another full bike setup, would rather use my bike so I can put it away if needed.
As for what will I use Zwift on - whatever people recommend!
Ah - OK, that s interesting, so you don t have to use the buttons on the Kickr. Presume you ll have to use them if you want to race, though?
Don t really want another full bike setup, would rather use my bike so I can put it away if needed.
As for what will I use Zwift on - whatever people recommend!
There’s two modes on a smart turbo trainer- Erg and Slope.
Erg works with training programs like Trainerroad where the app controls the resistance/watts and you just leave the bike in the same gear.
Slope tries to replicate a gradient by changing the resistance and you have to change gears to keep on top of things.
From what I can tell the cog buttons just mean it’s changing gear virtually so kind of a mixture of the two modes. On the Zwift bikes they just have one sprocket rather than a whole cassette.
Erg works with training programs like Trainerroad where the app controls the resistance/watts and you just leave the bike in the same gear.
Slope tries to replicate a gradient by changing the resistance and you have to change gears to keep on top of things.
From what I can tell the cog buttons just mean it’s changing gear virtually so kind of a mixture of the two modes. On the Zwift bikes they just have one sprocket rather than a whole cassette.
I have a TACX Neo 2 that I bought 3 years ago and has lived in a cold garage since then - it still works flawlessly and is pretty much silent if that's a concern.
Works seamlessly with Zwift / MyWhoosh, including adding 'road feel' for cobbles and rough surfaces in Zwift, which is really just a novelty, but quite good fun, and gives a bit of relief from the boredom.
I'm not sure how easy it is to mount / dismount the bike as I have a dedicated turbo bike along with an old laptop, TV and stereo. I'd definitely recommend a permanent set up to make it easy to jump on anytime rather than having to faff around with wheels and tech.
Might be worth seeing what's available second hand near you too? A decent trainer should be built to last for years.
Works seamlessly with Zwift / MyWhoosh, including adding 'road feel' for cobbles and rough surfaces in Zwift, which is really just a novelty, but quite good fun, and gives a bit of relief from the boredom.
I'm not sure how easy it is to mount / dismount the bike as I have a dedicated turbo bike along with an old laptop, TV and stereo. I'd definitely recommend a permanent set up to make it easy to jump on anytime rather than having to faff around with wheels and tech.
Might be worth seeing what's available second hand near you too? A decent trainer should be built to last for years.
Rosscow said:
I ll be using my Dolan Rebus, 11 speed mechanical Ultegra. Normal quick release.
Ah - OK, that s interesting, so you don t have to use the buttons on the Kickr. Presume you ll have to use them if you want to race, though?
Don t really want another full bike setup, would rather use my bike so I can put it away if needed.
As for what will I use Zwift on - whatever people recommend!
It depends...Ah - OK, that s interesting, so you don t have to use the buttons on the Kickr. Presume you ll have to use them if you want to race, though?
Don t really want another full bike setup, would rather use my bike so I can put it away if needed.
As for what will I use Zwift on - whatever people recommend!
You could get a trainer with the Zwift Cog which is a single cog at the back and the trainer then has virtual shifting via the Bluetooth Zwift controllers you'd mount on your handlebars with some elastic straps (eg the Click V2)
https://zwiftinsider.com/virtual-shifting/
https://zwiftinsider.com/virtual-shifting-support-...
Alternatively, you can get a trainer with a regular cassette on it and shift using your normal shifters. You don't need any extra Zwift hardware for this option. My trainer (a Saris H3) doesn't support virtual shifting, so I use "regular" shifting but have purchased the Zwift Click v2 controllers to make it easier to use Power Ups or change when racing.
As lufbramatt says, ERG mode is for structured workouts so no shifting, just sit in and suffer / enjoy whatever workout you picked from the library. Slope mode with the gradient simulation is when just to want to ride (or race) around a virtual world like Zwift, so you'd want to shift gears as the gradient changes.
Yes the buttons would be if you're racing or if you're "just riding" on an open course with not really much of a plan. The buttons act as virtual gears so no shifting on your actual bike. Hence the Zwift cog. Previously I had an older model where you had to shift gears using your own bike and honestly, the Zwift cog is a game-changer.
I only do the training programs/sessions so leave it on Erg and it's fantastic. Changes the resistance/watts for you. If you want to train and get better more effectively, this is the way to do it.
I only do the training programs/sessions so leave it on Erg and it's fantastic. Changes the resistance/watts for you. If you want to train and get better more effectively, this is the way to do it.
Rosscow said:
I say that - is Zwift the way forward or Rouvy?! Presume I'd have to change cassette if I wanted to use Rouvy.
I went MyWhoosh after my 12 months pre-paid Zwift subscription expired. It's free and does everything I need.Unless you want to enter competitions on the largest platform, I can't see what you're paying £180/yr for with Zwift. MyWhoosh does free rides and ERG mode training plans targeted towards your FTP.
Hardware like the zwift cog and buttons are offered to get you invested in the platform, and tied into paying the monthly/annual subscription.
Rosscow said:
I say that - is Zwift the way forward or Rouvy?! Presume I'd have to change cassette if I wanted to use Rouvy.
Zwift purchased Rouvy earlier this year and Rouvy got official support for the Zwift cog setup. I say official as Rouvy had support for the Zwift cog / shifters previously but it was reverse engineered.https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2026/04/zwift-acquires...
Depends if you want a real route video that is then virtual (ie Rouvy) or a virtual route that doesn't exist in real life (Zwift). Hang on, apart from the recreated real life routes in Zwift like Paris, Yorkshire, London etc.
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