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Smart Turbo Trainers

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  • 07-11-2016 11:48am
    #1
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,218 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Any recommendations on affordable smart turbo trainers? Budget ideally less than €400

    Ideally looking for automatic resistance settings through Bluetooth that will work with trainerroad/zwift etc.


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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 12,583 ✭✭✭✭tunney


    godtabh wrote: »
    Any recommendations on affordable smart turbo trainers? Budget ideally less than €400

    Ideally looking for automatic resistance seeings through Bluetooth that will work with trainerroad/zwift etc.

    LOL. I love the way you always tool for high end features for bargain basement prices.....


  • Registered Users Posts: 9,451 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    I think there's plenty of options under that price range? When I was looking, it was the maximum resistance/ slope simulation that changed as you went more money. I nearly pulled the trigger on the Tacx Flow T2240 in Halfords a while back (€240ish before axa discount). Was recommended on here/ was a bargain alert, and is supported by trainerroad iirc.

    In the end I went direct drive over smart, so I went for the non-smart turbo Muin in the end!


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,343 ✭✭✭Daroxtar


    Tax vortex smart.
    See DcRainmaker reviews here https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/11/2015-2016trainer-recommendations.html
    I got mine on sale for about €300 with extra software. Great job altogether


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,218 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    Daroxtar wrote: »
    Tax vortex smart.
    See DcRainmaker reviews here https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/11/2015-2016trainer-recommendations.html
    I got mine on sale for about €300 with extra software. Great job altogether

    Yeah read that and saw the Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+ was recommended.

    Where did you get yours on sale? Is it noisy?


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,934 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    tunney wrote: »
    LOL. I love the way you always tool for high end features for bargain basement prices.....

    MOD VOICE: Neither a discussion nor anything useful. If you have nothing that adds to either, it may be best you sit back and not interact for awhile. Any questions, via PM please.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 10,260 ✭✭✭✭Borderfox


    I have a bkool classic and as far as I know they are around the €250 mark, great trainer as they go and natural feeling resistance. Works with all you want trainerroad and zwift


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,218 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    Borderfox wrote: »
    I have a bkool classic and as far as I know they are around the €250 mark, great trainer as they go and natural feeling resistance. Works with all you want trainerroad and zwift

    Has that been discontinued? Dont see it on their website any more.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,218 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    This one seems to have the proper electronic controls

    http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/turbo-trainers/trainers/tacx-flow-t2240-smart-turbo-trainer

    Decent price also


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,372 ✭✭✭iwillhtfu


    godtabh wrote: »
    This one seems to have the proper electronic controls

    http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/turbo-trainers/trainers/tacx-flow-t2240-smart-turbo-trainer

    Decent price also

    I have this although I got it for €159 last summer.

    It's a grand machine and works well with zwift. I think it's limited on the gradient it can replicate but more than enough of a work out.

    I should add I'm on my third one after a couple of issues with other but so far this one is going well. It's also fairly quiet.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,218 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    iwillhtfu wrote: »
    I have this although I got it for €159 last summer.

    It's a grand machine and works well with zwift. I think it's limited on the gradient it can replicate but more than enough of a work out.

    I should add I'm on my third one after a couple of issues with other but so far this one is going well. It's also fairly quiet.

    Did you need anything extra for swift?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 6,372 ✭✭✭iwillhtfu


    godtabh wrote: »
    Did you need anything extra for swift?

    picked up an ant+ and usb extension lead off amazon for around €15 nothing else required. Plug and play and picks up all devices no problem.


  • Registered Users Posts: 127 ✭✭mp2012


    Sorry to piggyback, in Zwift is the sensation of changing resistances etc plus gradient increases realistic. I have a basic old turbo and am considering upgrading and this seems like an ok unit and price. Thanks.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,343 ✭✭✭Daroxtar


    godtabh wrote: »
    Yeah read that and saw the Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+ was recommended.

    Where did you get yours on sale? Is it noisy?

    I got mine from Rose. There was a special deal which included the additional Tacx software for free. I don't see that on the website anymore but you don't need the software unless you want to run RLV videos or the Google Street view simulator.
    It's silent enough. Only noise really comes from the tyre or the chain or me gasping. I usually use it at night or early when the kids are in bed, never any issues


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,218 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    Daroxtar wrote: »
    I got mine from Rose. There was a special deal which included the additional Tacx software for free. I don't see that on the website anymore but you don't need the software unless you want to run RLV videos or the Google Street view simulator.
    It's silent enough. Only noise really comes from the tyre or the chain or me gasping. I usually use it at night or early when the kids are in bed, never any issues

    My plan is to use it early in the morning before any one gets up.

    The current going rate is about €350 delivered that I can see.

    I think at this stage I'm going to get my stupid turbo set up for swift and see if I enjoy it and if I do I'll look to get it in a couple of weeks were maybe Black Friday/other sales reduce the price.


  • Registered Users Posts: 16,786 ✭✭✭✭dahat


    I'm using the Tacx Satori Smart with Trainerroad last 2.5 weeks and while it doesn't have the resistance adjustment from Trainerroad I can't fault it tbh.Ipicked it up for €179.

    Gives a real good feel and workout once it's calibrated and using a specific tyre.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,218 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    Macy0161 wrote: »
    I think there's plenty of options under that price range? When I was looking, it was the maximum resistance/ slope simulation that changed as you went more money. I nearly pulled the trigger on the Tacx Flow T2240 in Halfords a while back (€240ish before axa discount). Was recommended on here/ was a bargain alert, and is supported by trainerroad iirc.

    In the end I went direct drive over smart, so I went for the non-smart turbo Muin in the end!

    Axa are having 15% off for members. Going to see if I can get a hold of a card for that . Seems like a great deal


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,372 ✭✭✭iwillhtfu


    mp2012 wrote: »
    Sorry to piggyback, in Zwift is the sensation of changing resistances etc plus gradient increases realistic. I have a basic old turbo and am considering upgrading and this seems like an ok unit and price. Thanks.

    It's hard to say how realistic the gradients are but there is a noticeable difference between a smart and non smart turbo when using zwift. They've put a lot of R&D into the platform and numerous trainers so I'd guess they have it fairly bang on.

    Also zwift is entertaining I've just finished a half hour group ride that was murder as you try or at least I try to hang on. I wouldn't push myself so hard on a dumb trainer for long periods.

    Godtabh just to note if they have a sale on they tend not to allow the axa discount on top but I find if you reserve it on line at the sale price then go in store to collect and hand over your axa card they take it.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,218 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    Its not on sale at the moment. Currently at 239€ and hopefully get the 15% OFF


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    Any bricks and mortar got these?
    Qubo smart b+


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    Back to the original question,anyone know who stocks these trainers in Dublin?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 4,359 ✭✭✭jon1981


    I picked up a kickr snap in base2race last month. They have a couple of different smart trainers with direct drive in there too.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,568 ✭✭✭harringtonp


    Just lost one of the barrels for holding the skewer on my elite crono (it had come detached several months ago and even though it could be placed back on it was only going to be a matter of time before it rolled off somewhere and disappeared) and am thinking of replacing it like for like:

    http://www.wiggle.com/elite-crono-fluid-elastogel-trainer/

    I own a power meter but it could be nice to have the option of using power from a trainer. Does the tacx satori:

    https://www.evanscycles.com/en-ie/tacx-satori-smart-trainer-EV220390

    broadcast watts and cadence over ANT+ in a similar way to a power meter and be picked up with older Garmin devices such as the Edge 500 ?

    And if it does what is the power source, battery ?

    Is it a smooth ride, many deadspots ? In spite of its low price the Elite Crono has been nice to train on and fluid resistance works well.

    Ideally I'd like the same but with the additional transmission of wattage and cadence. I not interested in control features, only broadcast, does anything that fits this comes to mind ?


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,568 ✭✭✭harringtonp


    Macy0161 wrote: »

    In the end I went direct drive over smart, so I went for the non-smart turbo Muin in the end!

    Looking at that as an option, is the feel as good as they claim ?

    And is fitting the bike to it quick once the wheel is off or is it fiddly ?

    Pricewise does https://www.bike24.com/p2138592.html seem ok ?

    I see on rainmaker that there is just ant transmission of speed which is converted to power by an app.


  • Registered Users Posts: 12,583 ✭✭✭✭tunney


    As far as Smart trainers go there is a clear winner

    latest.jpg


  • Registered Users Posts: 144 ✭✭eposhea


    tunney wrote: »
    As far as Smart trainers go there is a clear winner

    latest.jpg

    Only coming across this thread now as looking at the Tacx Flow Smat in Halfords at the moment....

    Tunney - I commend you on your photo - I proper chuckled out loud there!


  • Registered Users Posts: 9,451 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    eposhea wrote: »
    Only coming across this thread now as looking at the Tacx Flow Smat in Halfords at the moment....
    It might be worth hanging on a week to see if they repeat the 15% off for axa plus for November again?


  • Registered Users Posts: 748 ✭✭✭Paul_Mc1988


    eposhea wrote:
    Only coming across this thread now as looking at the Tacx Flow Smat in Halfords at the moment....

    eposhea wrote:
    Tunney - I commend you on your photo - I proper chuckled out loud there!


    Go the extra and get the tacx vortex. Shane millers review shiws the power readings are accurate to about 5 % and it can replicate gradients much better than the flow.

    Last i looked they could be got for about 370.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,372 ✭✭✭iwillhtfu


    Go the extra and get the tacx vortex. Shane millers review shiws the power readings are accurate to about 5 % and it can replicate gradients much better than the flow.

    Last i looked they could be got for about 370.

    It's nothing to do with gradient accuracy the vortex has a greater % gradient ability and at twice the price the flow can be got at it's not worth it imo.


  • Registered Users Posts: 144 ✭✭eposhea


    Go the extra and get the tacx vortex. Shane millers review shiws the power readings are accurate to about 5 % and it can replicate gradients much better than the flow.

    Last i looked they could be got for about 370.

    I had a look at lots of Shane Miller blogs/videos etc alright. The flow seems to be very similar to the Vortex and the price of Vortex seems to be around 400-450 at the moment.

    Flow Smart is €264 in Halfords now. Prob get for less - I spoke to another LBS and they spoke to the Tacx rep whileI was there and he said the Flow is discontinued and only Halfords have stock now.

    for €250 mark - I can't justify spending approx €150 more for the vortex!


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  • Registered Users Posts: 748 ✭✭✭Paul_Mc1988


    iwillhtfu wrote: »
    It's nothing to do with gradient accuracy the vortex has a greater % gradient ability and at twice the price the flow can be got at it's not worth it imo.
    eposhea wrote: »
    I had a look at lots of Shane Miller blogs/videos etc alright. The flow seems to be very similar to the Vortex and the price of Vortex seems to be around 400-450 at the moment.

    Flow Smart is €264 in Halfords now. Prob get for less - I spoke to another LBS and they spoke to the Tacx rep whileI was there and he said the Flow is discontinued and only Halfords have stock now.

    for €250 mark - I can't justify spending approx €150 more for the vortex!

    https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/tacx-t2180-vortex-virtual-smart-trainer-246764?delivery_country=71&gclid=CjwKCAjw7MDPBRAFEiwAppdF9ApQ09q-iCOHagZh3NGLqP4CpCRzp-wItSjrziPvCejefErWKKVSqRoCihUQAvD_BwE

    350 lads and having done a lot of research on this, reliability is an issue on the flow. Remember one individual having three units over a couple of months.

    90 euro for what in my opinion is a more capable and reliable machine. Plus what happens if you need replacement parts on a discontinued product:confused:


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