Which turbo trainer?
Discussion
Hi all
I've had a 'static' Elite Qubo turbo trainer for years and got on very well with it using print outs of interval sessions found on the web. Over the last 8-9 months I've used it more than ever. This is partly because work & family like has meant I've only had 1 hour slots available so not long enough for ride outside and more recently because of the rubbish weather.
I'm thinking about upgrading to a Smart trainer so I can use online apps such as Zwift for some variety.
I guess first choice is wheel on or direct drive. Cost & convenience means I'm leaning towards wheel on at moment, something like this https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Wahoo/KICKR-SNAP-... The bike I'll use for the trainer will be on it semi-permanently - I use it as my winter bike outside when the weather is poor but leave it on the turbo the rest of the year so maybe a direct drive will not be a problem. They're still more £s though...
I got my current turbo after a recommendation from this forum so hoping for some more good advice this time
Cheers,
L'rs
I've had a 'static' Elite Qubo turbo trainer for years and got on very well with it using print outs of interval sessions found on the web. Over the last 8-9 months I've used it more than ever. This is partly because work & family like has meant I've only had 1 hour slots available so not long enough for ride outside and more recently because of the rubbish weather.
I'm thinking about upgrading to a Smart trainer so I can use online apps such as Zwift for some variety.
I guess first choice is wheel on or direct drive. Cost & convenience means I'm leaning towards wheel on at moment, something like this https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Wahoo/KICKR-SNAP-... The bike I'll use for the trainer will be on it semi-permanently - I use it as my winter bike outside when the weather is poor but leave it on the turbo the rest of the year so maybe a direct drive will not be a problem. They're still more £s though...
I got my current turbo after a recommendation from this forum so hoping for some more good advice this time
Cheers,
L'rs
The expert advice is to go Direct Drive - and the reasons are sound; but remember these same experts think we all need a £5,000 bike to ride. I'm not a pro, and just want to regain some fitness after a rare winter doing very little due to asthma flaring up - so a 'wheel on' is more than good enough for me.
Blacks had a Saris M2 Smart trainer reduced and it seemed too good to turn down - even came with a month free subscription to Rouvy......
Blacks had a Saris M2 Smart trainer reduced and it seemed too good to turn down - even came with a month free subscription to Rouvy......
Yup, personally I'd go for direct drive.
You will wear through a road tyre on a wheel-on turbo quicker like-for-like than on road, and it will slip when you lay down those monster sprint watts in a Zwift race or training session. Best advice is to have a "turbo wheel" with the turbo or old tyre on, and if you are swapping out the wheel each time you might as well go with a direct drive.
Have a look at a Kickr Core. Been very pleased with mine.
Oh, and consider MyWhoosh for indoor rides/training... its really good, and mainly free.
You will wear through a road tyre on a wheel-on turbo quicker like-for-like than on road, and it will slip when you lay down those monster sprint watts in a Zwift race or training session. Best advice is to have a "turbo wheel" with the turbo or old tyre on, and if you are swapping out the wheel each time you might as well go with a direct drive.
Have a look at a Kickr Core. Been very pleased with mine.
Oh, and consider MyWhoosh for indoor rides/training... its really good, and mainly free.
For turbo training, I personally found that motivation / engagement / ease of access is much more important than your trainer.
Motivation - I've found it much easier to get on the turbo if I'm training for something like an event or a planned big ride with a friend.
Engagement - something like Zwift to keep you involved is great. Other stuff is available, but just pedaling along gets boring fast (for me). Most of these types of app do free trials so you can see what you like for free.
Ease of access - having a dedicated bike set up in a space that you can just jump on and go makes a huge difference, especially if time is limited.
I used to have a Tacx Flow (wheel on) smart trainer, and now have a Tacx Neo 2 (direct drive), so have used both. The direct drive is smoother and quieter, and the road feel feature in Zwift is pretty cool, but the wheel on was fine with a dedicated turbo tyre, and did me for about 5 winters. I'd be a bit reluctant to downgrade now, but if you don't know any better a wheel on works just fine, and some Iron Maiden will soon drown it out!
Motivation - I've found it much easier to get on the turbo if I'm training for something like an event or a planned big ride with a friend.
Engagement - something like Zwift to keep you involved is great. Other stuff is available, but just pedaling along gets boring fast (for me). Most of these types of app do free trials so you can see what you like for free.
Ease of access - having a dedicated bike set up in a space that you can just jump on and go makes a huge difference, especially if time is limited.
I used to have a Tacx Flow (wheel on) smart trainer, and now have a Tacx Neo 2 (direct drive), so have used both. The direct drive is smoother and quieter, and the road feel feature in Zwift is pretty cool, but the wheel on was fine with a dedicated turbo tyre, and did me for about 5 winters. I'd be a bit reluctant to downgrade now, but if you don't know any better a wheel on works just fine, and some Iron Maiden will soon drown it out!
Jetblack Victory has been getting excellent reviews at £399 - just no stock in the UK until end of Feb or into March
https://www.jetblackcycling.co.uk/indoor-cycle-tra...
DCRainmaker and GPLama have in depth reviews of the Jetblack (and any other ones you might be looking at)
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2024/11/jetblack-victo...
https://www.jetblackcycling.co.uk/indoor-cycle-tra...
DCRainmaker and GPLama have in depth reviews of the Jetblack (and any other ones you might be looking at)
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2024/11/jetblack-victo...
DCR said:
Outside of very specific individual requirements/preferences, I’d struggle to see why you’d spend money on anything else. We haven’t seen this big of a slam-dunk in a long-long time in the sports technology realm.
I’ve been using Trainerroad, Zwift and now Rouvy for the thick end of ten years with a dumb turbo: so long as it has a decent (i.e. consistent) resistance unit then it’s fine, even if you don’t have a power meter.
The apps all connect to BLE or ANT+ speed sensors and use an algorithm to convert wheel speed to power - and your avatar’s pace in the app is determined by your power.
None of which is a good reason not to buy a new direct-drive turbo if you want one…
The apps all connect to BLE or ANT+ speed sensors and use an algorithm to convert wheel speed to power - and your avatar’s pace in the app is determined by your power.
None of which is a good reason not to buy a new direct-drive turbo if you want one…
Another long term user here and I'd recommend direct drive too as swapping a wheel in or out really is no biggie.
I have a wahoo kickr which was more than I wanted to spend and it has been absolutely brilliant.
As far as the apps go I use a combination of Zwift and Rouvy which both give you 25km & 20km respectively free each month and MyWhoosh which completely free.
I have a wahoo kickr which was more than I wanted to spend and it has been absolutely brilliant.
As far as the apps go I use a combination of Zwift and Rouvy which both give you 25km & 20km respectively free each month and MyWhoosh which completely free.
dave123456 said:
Wahoo kickr. If you get the smart cog you don’t need derailleurs so could in theory buy any old frame, handlebars and saddle and have a permanent set up.
A permanent setup is great, instantly usable, as is riding outside.I managed to make one for under £150 using and old used ebay £50 frame paired with a cheap 9 speed mtb drive train.
Wahoo kickr v5 and Zwift, very happy with set up and having ease of access is key, found it so much easier to maintain some fitness through winter.
Direct drive is very much worth the extra ££. Keep an eye on eBay or Facebook marketplace as they regularly come up for good prices.
Direct drive is very much worth the extra ££. Keep an eye on eBay or Facebook marketplace as they regularly come up for good prices.
Edited by BlindedByTheLights on Wednesday 19th February 14:53
snotrag said:
Honestly, Direct Drive or just dont bother. Been there done that with the wheel on trainers.
Direct drive is just magnitudes better.
AS lots have said....I've tried both. Just get a direct drive one.Direct drive is just magnitudes better.
Mine is a Elite directo it's been good and they're cheap compared with the latest stuff.
I've got an old steel bike permanently mounted on it the garage. Ease of use makes for regular use.
Hi all
Many thanks for the helpful replies.
I've already got an old wheel with an indoor tyre that I put on my winter bike for use on my current turbo so getting another wheel on turbo wouldn't be a problem. However, some of the direct drives mentioned above are not silly money so I think that's the route I'll go down.
Cheers,
L'rs
Many thanks for the helpful replies.
I've already got an old wheel with an indoor tyre that I put on my winter bike for use on my current turbo so getting another wheel on turbo wouldn't be a problem. However, some of the direct drives mentioned above are not silly money so I think that's the route I'll go down.
Harpoon said:
Jetblack Victory has been getting excellent reviews at £399 - just no stock in the UK until end of Feb or into March
https://www.jetblackcycling.co.uk/indoor-cycle-tra...
DCRainmaker and GPLama have in depth reviews of the Jetblack (and any other ones you might be looking at)
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2024/11/jetblack-victo...
Appreciate the recommendation Harpoon. The JetBlack also gets a great review here https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/bes...https://www.jetblackcycling.co.uk/indoor-cycle-tra...
DCRainmaker and GPLama have in depth reviews of the Jetblack (and any other ones you might be looking at)
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2024/11/jetblack-victo...
DCR said:
Outside of very specific individual requirements/preferences, I’d struggle to see why you’d spend money on anything else. We haven’t seen this big of a slam-dunk in a long-long time in the sports technology realm.
Cheers,
L'rs
Durch said:
I've got a Kickr Core which I could be persuaded to sell if it's of any interest. Zwift tells me I've done a whole 77hrs on it. Felt like a lot more than that at the time!
Thanks for the offer but I got a great deal on one on Saturday using a voucher at my local Sigma store Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff