Finding the right bike trainer

[Pinarello-Dogma]

Hey cyclist, how are we all? So I am in the market for a trainer... not fussed if it's smart or not, regardless I can use it on riding platform without the real. What are people using out there? Im leaning more towards wheel on as I keep my bike on display thanks in advanced guys and girls... This is not what's better, this is what you find works for you. Thank you.

[g-boaf]

The wheel on rollers trainers are a bit of a pain. The smart trainers like Tacx neo or Kickr are less problematic- not wearing out tyres, no slipping.

I’m using a Neo heaps at the moment - running from a laptop computer with PerfPRO studio. That’s how I’m getting my fitness back after being crashed out.

That software has inbuilt sessions but I’ve created my own workouts.

[iNGE]

I use an Elite Rampa and am generally happy with it - have it combined with Zwift and stay fit that way. Cycling outside is definitely nicer but when the weather is crap or when there are too many pollen in the air (which we have at the moment in the Netherlands) I am glad I can cycle indoors.

[steve-waters]

I am a bit retro I love my Kurt Kinetic Rock n' Roll tis not smart and it is wheel on...but oh it feels so good...

Super simple to just pop the bike in and pedal away...no mucking around with pulling wheels on or off etc...

Does it wear the tire yeah a little but not enough that I am worried if I am hitting it hard on the trainer like doing Time Crunched Cyclist I have put a trainer tire on before but normally don't bother and I do two trainer sessions a week.

I think the advantage of a smart trainer is that you can be entertained while you ride but really if you have a plan and need to hit some numbers the rock n' roll will do fine.

Note: I have not used a lot of smart trainers so take that with a grain of salt and I a scared to commit to one as the RnR feels great.

[g-boaf]

The kickr and neo are both pretty good.

Having a smart trainer is a godsend when you are recovering and badly need to get fitness back in a hurry.

I’ve built a whole library of workouts - I just load the software, choose the one I want and hit the start button. When done it auto uploads to the sites I use and sends me an email report.

It also tracks trends and notifies me if I have bettered my average power in some way. Really useful.

[steve-waters]

For me I have built a library of workouts as well on my Garmin that I then smash out on the trainer so it is not just smart trainers that allow that.

Smart trainers do give you more options such as “incline” though which could be neat.

It is horses for courses for me though is a smart trainer “better” yes probably - can you still build killer fitness and train without one 100%.

I don’t think you need spend $1500 on a smart trainer to train indoors...if I were to go a smart trainer I am drawn to the kicker somewhat so there maybe be one in my garage eventually.

[Pinarello-Dogma]

Sorry guys, been flat out and haven't had a chance to be here. Thank you so much to everyone who posted and gave there input. I ended up with a tacx. Once again, thank you so much for the useful info

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Sorry guys, been flat out and haven't had a chance to be here. Thank you so much to everyone who posted and gave there input. I ended up with a tacx. Once again, thank you so much for the useful info

Which Tacx?

[Pinarello-Dogma]

Which Tacx?[/quote]

Hi mate, went the neo 2

[g-boaf]

Hi mate, went the neo 2

Out of curiosity what did they change on the Neo 2 versus the original Neo?

I’m using my Neo a lot, and it seems to be working. I’m getting PRs for average power and NP.

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Hi mate, went the neo 2

lol, starting at the bottom end then...

Have fun with it. Would love to try one out.

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Hi mate, went the neo 2

Out of curiosity what did they change on the Neo 2 versus the original Neo?

I’m using my Neo a lot, and it seems to be working. I’m getting PRs for average power and NP.

They added some colour.

DCR covers the changes:
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/12/tac ... l-overview

[g-boaf]

Thanks Alex.

So, potential for integration with that kickr climb. Hmm - it would be interesting to try that.

I just put a higher block under the front wheel for my trainer ride today to change things up a bit.

[Pinarello-Dogma]

Hi mate, went the neo 2

Out of curiosity what did they change on the Neo 2 versus the original Neo?

I’m using my Neo a lot, and it seems to be working. I’m getting PRs for average power and NP.

Hey mate, sorry about the last reply... just under 2k not negotiable.

[dare007]

Kickr Core, quite and not super expensive.