Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
Reload this Page >

Talk me out of a Direct Drive trainer?

Notices
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) Looking to lose that spare tire? Ideal weight 200+? Frustrated being a large cyclist in a sport geared for the ultra-light? Learn about the bikes and parts that can take the abuse of a heavier cyclist, how to keep your body going while losing the weight, and get support from others who've been successful.

Talk me out of a Direct Drive trainer?

Old 11-09-18, 11:03 AM
  #1  
expatbrit
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: 'burque, holmes
Posts: 820

Bikes: Ridley X-Fire (now an ex-bicycle), Trek X-Cal, Giant Defy 3

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 13 Posts
Talk me out of a Direct Drive trainer?

So. I have a TACX Vortex Smart. Works well, noisy, but works well. Won’t do huge hills or resistance, but I’m not putting out 5W/kg either ...

now the KICKR Core is on sale. I’m tempted. I can’t see it’ll make a lot of difference. Talk me out of it!
expatbrit is offline  
Old 11-09-18, 01:22 PM
  #2  
ill.clyde
Senior Member
 
ill.clyde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Brodhead, WI - south of Madison
Posts: 2,928

Bikes: 2009 Trek 1.2

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 239 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 1 Post
FWIW ... the cycleops trainers are all on sale now too ...

That said, unless you were upgrading from dumb to smart, or replacing a dead wheel on trainer for a new one, I wouldn't bother with a Direct Drive.

Cool and all ... eliminates the need for a spare wheel (not really a need, but handy), but if what you have works, I wouldn't bother with an upgrade just yet. Not to mention, Wahoo seems to be having some serious quality issues with some of their 2018 trainers ... might be best to wait and let that get sorted
ill.clyde is offline  
Old 11-09-18, 05:53 PM
  #3  
TrojanHorse
SuperGimp
 
TrojanHorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Whittier, CA
Posts: 13,346

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix

Mentioned: 147 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times in 47 Posts
Is it the core or the regular kickr they're struggling with? Or both?

And yes, direct drive is cool. Get one.
TrojanHorse is offline  
Old 11-09-18, 07:59 PM
  #4  
expatbrit
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: 'burque, holmes
Posts: 820

Bikes: Ridley X-Fire (now an ex-bicycle), Trek X-Cal, Giant Defy 3

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 13 Posts
Originally Posted by ill.clyde
FWIW ... the cycleops trainers are all on sale now too ...

That said, unless you were upgrading from dumb to smart, or replacing a dead wheel on trainer for a new one, I wouldn't bother with a Direct Drive.

Cool and all ... eliminates the need for a spare wheel (not really a need, but handy), but if what you have works, I wouldn't bother with an upgrade just yet. Not to mention, Wahoo seems to be having some serious quality issues with some of their 2018 trainers ... might be best to wait and let that get sorted
well. That bike is mostly just on the trainer anyway, but I did realize that a spare wheel was (much) cheaper than a direct drive and solved the same problem. Except the noise.

So i I went on a quest for a cheap rear wheel and found a wheel set that I can use for not much. Problem solved, though I still like the idea of a KICKR Core.
expatbrit is offline  
Old 11-12-18, 05:51 PM
  #5  
TrojanHorse
SuperGimp
 
TrojanHorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Whittier, CA
Posts: 13,346

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix

Mentioned: 147 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times in 47 Posts
We're going to revisit this conversation when you get a bloody FLAT inside your own house. Mark my words.
TrojanHorse is offline  
Old 11-12-18, 06:04 PM
  #6  
expatbrit
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: 'burque, holmes
Posts: 820

Bikes: Ridley X-Fire (now an ex-bicycle), Trek X-Cal, Giant Defy 3

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 13 Posts
Originally Posted by TrojanHorse
We're going to revisit this conversation when you get a bloody FLAT inside your own house. Mark my words.
Like last night?

Though that was me being dumb 2 months ago...
expatbrit is offline  
Old 11-13-18, 05:05 AM
  #7  
jpescatore
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Ashton, MD USA
Posts: 1,296

Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Disc, Jamis Renegade

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 363 Post(s)
Liked 304 Times in 217 Posts
I'm using a Kickr SNAP, never had a flat or even came close. Noise not an issue, it is in the basement.

If you really want to talk yourself out of it, think of how much you could upgrade your road bike with $800, less a few bucks to hand out ear plugs to those who the noise is bothering...

I'm using that strategy to talk myself out of buying the Stac Halcyon wheel-on trainer that used magnets and wheel weights, no contact to the tires. The bike I use on the trainer is my 1995 Trek 520, which I still ride outdoors sometimes, and during the summer I occasionally want to get on Zwift on a rainy day. The Stac Zero would eliminate all the tire or wheel changing, as would a direct drive (at a cost of more $$) - but I really just want to see how that technology works.
jpescatore is offline  
Old 11-13-18, 07:22 AM
  #8  
ill.clyde
Senior Member
 
ill.clyde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Brodhead, WI - south of Madison
Posts: 2,928

Bikes: 2009 Trek 1.2

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 239 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 1 Post
Originally Posted by expatbrit
Like last night?

Though that was me being dumb 2 months ago...
eh ... with a spare wheel it's less of a problem. Heck ... when I broke a spoke I just swapped out the regular outdoor wheel for my trainer wheel while it was being fixed ... nice thing was, the bike shop isn't as busy so the repair was done in the same day I dropped it off.
ill.clyde is offline  
Old 11-15-18, 09:23 AM
  #9  
cyclist2000
Senior Member
 
cyclist2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Up
Posts: 4,695

Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 & 93 Stumpjumpers, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, Serotta Duette, was gifted a Diamond Back

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 305 Post(s)
Liked 2,038 Times in 604 Posts
Why do you use a different wheel on a trainer, I have heard of trainer tires.
cyclist2000 is offline  
Old 11-15-18, 09:39 AM
  #10  
ill.clyde
Senior Member
 
ill.clyde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Brodhead, WI - south of Madison
Posts: 2,928

Bikes: 2009 Trek 1.2

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 239 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 1 Post
Originally Posted by cyclist2000
Why do you use a different wheel on a trainer, I have heard of trainer tires.
Basically so in early spring, or late fall, when there are indoor days as well as outdoor days, you can swap out the outdoor wheel for the indoor one.

I use a trainer tire, so if I had the trainer tire on my outdoor wheel, in order to ride outdoors, I'd have to swap the tire.

Instead I can just swap the indoor wheel for the outdoor wheel and be outside in minutes.
ill.clyde is offline  
Old 11-15-18, 10:16 AM
  #11  
cyclist2000
Senior Member
 
cyclist2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Up
Posts: 4,695

Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 & 93 Stumpjumpers, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, Serotta Duette, was gifted a Diamond Back

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 305 Post(s)
Liked 2,038 Times in 604 Posts
Ok, I see the reasoning. I have quite a few bikes and have my hybrid setup with knobbies and chester platform pedals for snow days (if I feel like trying to ride outdoors). I just thought that maybe you were using a different wheel on the trainer because the trainer could cause problems for the regular wheels.
cyclist2000 is offline  
Old 11-15-18, 10:56 AM
  #12  
expatbrit
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: 'burque, holmes
Posts: 820

Bikes: Ridley X-Fire (now an ex-bicycle), Trek X-Cal, Giant Defy 3

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 13 Posts
Originally Posted by ill.clyde
Basically so in early spring, or late fall, when there are indoor days as well as outdoor days, you can swap out the outdoor wheel for the indoor one.

I use a trainer tire, so if I had the trainer tire on my outdoor wheel, in order to ride outdoors, I'd have to swap the tire.

Instead I can just swap the indoor wheel for the outdoor wheel and be outside in minutes.
Mind you, it doesn't take THAT long to swap a tyre either. I'm not 100% convinced it's quicker to swap the wheel and adjust the indexing, but I'm still going with this approach as well. Especially as in NM, there's riding all year round outside. I've take the motorbikes out on a Saturday, driven an hour and skied on a Sunday before.
expatbrit is offline  
Old 11-15-18, 11:01 AM
  #13  
ill.clyde
Senior Member
 
ill.clyde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Brodhead, WI - south of Madison
Posts: 2,928

Bikes: 2009 Trek 1.2

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 239 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 1 Post
Originally Posted by expatbrit
Mind you, it doesn't take THAT long to swap a tyre either. I'm not 100% convinced it's quicker to swap the wheel and adjust the indexing, but I'm still going with this approach as well. Especially as in NM, there's riding all year round outside. I've take the motorbikes out on a Saturday, driven an hour and skied on a Sunday before.
True ... however, if you're fighting with Contis I would argue that even reindexing takes less time
ill.clyde is offline  
Old 11-15-18, 11:39 AM
  #14  
expatbrit
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: 'burque, holmes
Posts: 820

Bikes: Ridley X-Fire (now an ex-bicycle), Trek X-Cal, Giant Defy 3

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 13 Posts
Originally Posted by ill.clyde
True ... however, if you're fighting with Contis I would argue that even reindexing takes less time
I guess that's a solid reason to change tyre brands?
expatbrit is offline  
Old 11-15-18, 02:02 PM
  #15  
TrojanHorse
SuperGimp
 
TrojanHorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Whittier, CA
Posts: 13,346

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix

Mentioned: 147 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times in 47 Posts
Even better is a trainer bike.

On a direct drive trainer, just saying. Did you get one yet?
TrojanHorse is offline  
Old 11-15-18, 02:51 PM
  #16  
expatbrit
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: 'burque, holmes
Posts: 820

Bikes: Ridley X-Fire (now an ex-bicycle), Trek X-Cal, Giant Defy 3

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 13 Posts
Originally Posted by TrojanHorse
Even better is a trainer bike.

On a direct drive trainer, just saying. Did you get one yet?
I have a trainer bike. With spare wheels. So it can be a grocery getter if I getter some ambition...
expatbrit is offline  
Old 11-15-18, 04:03 PM
  #17  
brawlo
Senior Member
 
brawlo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,210
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 288 Post(s)
Liked 76 Times in 57 Posts
Originally Posted by cyclist2000
Why do you use a different wheel on a trainer, I have heard of trainer tires.
Worth noting too, that using your road tyres on a trainer will mean that any little bits of road debris will work their way deeper into the tyre and potentially cause a flat. That's what happened to me. I think the extra concentrated pressure of the small roller against the tyre causes the problem.

Nowadays I have a Kickr after upgrading from a Kurt Road Machine and I definitely won't talk you out of a direct drive smart. BUT my primary concern is high torque track sprint training. I had to wrap grip tape around the Kurt roller to stop slippage. If you aren't really that powerful then I honestly don't see s need to upgrade from what you have.
brawlo is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ibanez350ex
Indoor & Stationary Cycling Forum
52
11-16-19 03:53 PM
OUGrad05
Road Cycling
25
09-30-18 12:33 PM
Hunterdog
Road Cycling
58
11-10-17 10:17 AM
Noonievut
Training & Nutrition
4
08-09-17 11:39 AM
bwebel
Tandem Cycling
4
10-17-16 02:59 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.