Best Smart Trainer

[500 Miles]

Hello,

If money were no object, what would be the best smart trainer setup?

I fancy setting something up for the winter months but just getting into cycling.

Thanks all

[anonymous-user]

Probably a wahoo or tacx smart bike or wattbike atom

In an air conditioned room, with fans too

And a large screen with a decent computer and internet connection to run zwift or similar at 4K or above

And another next to it in case you don’t want to train alone

[numtumfutunch]

500 Miles said:

Hello,

If money were no object, what would be the best smart trainer setup?

I fancy setting something up for the winter months but just getting into cycling.

Thanks all

Look at DC Rainmaker or the Aussie Llama bloke for the "ultimate"

My own corner of sweaty paradise is a Wattbike Atom, an ipad, my phone, a spotify account, a banging sound system, the best fan available to humanity and a Zwift subscription. I tried Trainerroad and really wanted to like it over Zwift cos Im hardcore (innit) but I decided Zwift was just sooooo much better or a huge variety of reasons

Other pain cave options are available

I have previously been one of my clubs winter hard men but last year realised that I was the only one without a broken collar bone

Cheers

[anonymous-user]

Hearing positive and enthusiastic comments about the fulgaz climbing programme

https://support.fulgaz.com/hc/en-us/articles/36002...

[CatMatt7]

I’m in the garage, so not quite the ultimate man cave, but I have a 32” tv, wahoo headwind fan, dehumidifier, fan heater, oil filled radiator (I like to try to get conditions as right as is possible) and a TT bike on a Tacx Neo 2T. I have previously used different turbos, starting with an Elite Kura, Cycleops Jet pro and Wahoo kickr.

I have gone down the route of a turbo than smart bike so I can use different bikes if I want to, it take the training tt bike out on the road.

[Not Ideal]

I have a Wahoo Kick Core hooked up to Zwift via Apple TV - works a treat !

[500 Miles]

Thanks all - lot more options out there than I thought there was.

I’ll post some pics up when I’ve sorted my setup out - feel free to post pics of yours to give me some ideas.

Cheers

[anonymous-user]

Couple or three here

https://forum.trainerroad.com/t/lets-see-your-pain...

[Gareth79]

JPJPJP said:

Probably a wahoo or tacx smart bike or wattbike atom

In an air conditioned room, with fans too

And a large screen with a decent computer and internet connection to run zwift or similar at 4K or above

And another next to it in case you don’t want to train alone

Seconded! One of the all-in-one smart bike trainers for sure. Definitely not the Peleton though!

[anonymous-user]

Depends what you want to do with it and how you define “best”... A wattbike is the best training tool but not aa much fun as a Wahoo, Zwift and a big tv screen.... personally I get the best results from my track bike and a set of rollers.

[Dannbodge]

Tacx Neo.
Still the benchmark for turbo trainers.

Also decent gaming PC, big 4K TV and air conditioning + fans

[WestyCarl]

At the end of the day, a smart trainer is just providing resisatance. Pay more any they are quiter and slightly more accurate.

I purchased a mid range (£600) 12 months ago and it's been perfect. Not sure I'd have seen any significant benefit on spending £500 more.

[tribalsurfer]

My solution is very much if money is an object. Got a cadence and speed sensor connecting via ANT+ to a PC running onelap (http://www.onelap.cn/). Basic 2000 elite trrainer with mag resistance. Seems to do the trick.

[Gareth79]

pablo said:

Depends what you want to do with it and how you define “best”... A wattbike is the best training tool but not aa much fun as a Wahoo, Zwift and a big tv screen.... personally I get the best results from my track bike and a set of rollers.

A Wattbike can be used with Zwift though - so if money were no object you'd not want the hassle of using a real bike.

[MrThomo]

Just ordered a Wahoo Kickr Core. Its arrived today so will be out in garage setting up tonight. Will run through Zwift on iPad to start with whilst I sort out a flat screen. One question does anyone have any trick ways of getting onto a TV screen without Apple TV?

[dangerousB]

Mine's OK and to be honest I wouldn't think you'd need any more for a home setup:-



Tacx Neo, Core i5 PC, Logitech Z533 2.1 speaker system, LG 50" monitors. Speakers are epic for the money!

I use Zwift normally, but if I'm training for an event (as I am at the mo'), I use Trainerroad. Zwift is definitely more fun, but the training plans and structure on Trainerroad are superb and give me a better focus.

Need to get a MUCH better fan and a stand (anyone got any recommendations for either??) - at the moment I've commandeered a stool and put a couple of pieces of tongue and groove flooring across the arms to create a makeshift platform for my drinks!! Does the job, but not exactly aesthetic Oh and also get a wall mount for the PC/speakers & tidy up the cabling and tools!!

Best money I've ever spent on my cycling (and not as dear as I thought it would be to set up) - winter? What winter?

[dangerousB]

MrThomo said:

One question does anyone have any trick ways of getting onto a TV screen without Apple TV?

Chromecast?

[MrThomo]

dangerousB said:

Chromecast?

Does that actually work? don't own a Chromecast and read a number of reports that it doesn't work (some trickery in the app prevents it)? Might be BS but not actually found anyone that can confirm it

[dangerousB]

MrThomo said:

dangerousB said:

Chromecast?

Does that actually work? don't own a Chromecast and read a number of reports that it doesn't work (some trickery in the app prevents it)? Might be BS but not actually found anyone that can confirm it

I've never tried it myself, but it was the first thing that came to mind - have a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=1QXXD... . . . this guy runs through the options of getting Zwift onto a big screen

[E65Ross]

JPJPJP said:

Probably a wahoo or tacx smart bike or wattbike atom

In an air conditioned room, with fans too

And a large screen with a decent computer and internet connection to run zwift or similar at 4K or above

And another next to it in case you don’t want to train alone

This is actually the set up I have. Wahoo Kickr, 2 monster fans plus a portable air con unit, 32 inch TV, hooked up to a laptop plugged in nearby with a wireless keyboard with mouse tracker right next to me.

I'd like proper air con in the room....I have it in my bedroom but it's not exactly cheap and the portable job plus the fans do a good job.