rperkins146

I am looking at getting into Zwift for those rainy days, and have a trainer question. I can get a cheap trainer from a co worker on a trade. ( https://www.amazon.com/RAD-Cycle-Pro.../dp/B00AER20KM )


my concern is it's not a zwift supported trainer...

I already have an ANT+ speed and cadence sensor, as well as a Garmin chest HR strap.




Would this be good enough to begin?


what problems might I encounter?


basically, should I just go ahead and buy a better trainer?


I don't want to sink a lot of money into this until I know it's something I will continue with.

ill.clyde

So this is your second thread about smart trainers ...

I think therein lies your answer.

Sure, you could get the cheap trainer, and make do, but it sounds like you want more, and there's nothing wrong with that. The problem with the "dumb" trainer is it won't "work" with things like Zwift ... in that, it won't change the resistance, etc for you, to coincide with the training program.

Riding indoors on a trainer is NEVER going to be as enjoyable as riding outdoors, but if you're committed to cycling, and want to ride even on bad weather days, I say bite the bullet and get the smart trainer.

I plan to do that myself, but I'm going to wait until later this year. It's March, spring isn't far away, I'll make do with the dumb trainer I currently have.

rperkins146

So this is your second thread about smart trainers ...





Yep, I have a problem.


I hear what you're saying and will likely just go ahead and buy the tacx satori smart to begin with.


Thanks for the input.

gregf83 

You'd be better off buying a used KK trainer. It's not smart but works just fine with Zwift.

chaadster

Yeah, I was going to say...it's a big jump from getting an $80 trainer in a trade to buying a $400 one. There are options in-between.

First, let me expand on why the trade-deal trainer is no good for Zwift. No, it will not adjust resistance for you, but you can do that yourself via your drivetrain. The real problem is that the trade-deal trainer is not supported by Zwift in their Virtual Power Curve software, so there is no way to know how much power you are making. You could lie at setup and say you are using one of the supported trainers, but then the numbers will be all over the place and not correspond to your effort, thus becoming meaningless and useless. It may even cause erratic behavior on screen; I don't know for sure.

So, as Gregf83 points out, you could get a supported "dumb trainer" like a Kurt Kinetic or Cycleops Fluid2; there are others, and a visit to the Zwift website will list them. These will generate a reasonable estimation of your power output based on your wheel speed input, and allow you to "play the game" of Zwift properly.

I don't know where you live, but if it's near a moderate sized city, I imagine finding a used, supported trainer on Craigslist would not be hard, and not more than $200, probably less. I see you can get a used Cyclops Fluid2 from the reputable shop Brands Cycle & Fitness through Amazon for $227 shipped: https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...luid+2+trainer

Another option would be to get an ANT+ enabled power meter, and use it on any ol' trainer. Probably the least expensive option would be to get a Cyclops Powertap wheel off eBay, which can usually be found for sub $300, e.g. CycleOps PowerTap SL wheelset | eBay

Using a PM such as a Powertap hub equipped wheel will allow you to send accurate power info to Zwift, which is why the trainer becomes irrelevant except to provide you resistance.

So, there is the supported-dumb-trainer route, and the power-meter-and-trainer route as alternatives to the smart trainer route. No doubt a smart trainer will provide the most complete and engaging Zwift experience, but fun can be had with the other options as well!

Flatbroke

if you are going to zwift it needs a good internet connection. My bike was in the garage and too far away from the router. my rider stopped a lot and I finally cancelled the program. hindsight being what it is I could have purchased a booster and been fine.

I have the KK road with inride and zwift did not control the resistance or anything. I like it for an hour a day watching Netflix on a new big screen via wi fi in the garage. . the KK gives me Watts and speed, the cadence is off compared to the garmin but the speed is pretty close. Not sure if the power meter part is accurate or not. The trainer has improved my riding on the road though. I guess my point maybe you don't need zwift to be happy and maybe a good series will do. I am watching Arrow. its pretty good. only watch it when I ride though

Spaghetti Legs 

Check out the Zwift website and look at their list of supported "dumb" trainers. They have a power curve built up for these to make the experience a little better.

TrojanHorse

You can buy smart control add-ons for some KK trainers.

Also, you can buy full-smart trainers for $500-600 buxx. I get that it's a lot of money but if you specifically want to do something like Zwift, you might as well go all-in. You can probably find last generation used versions that aren't bad either, but the state of the industry is still changing pretty rapidly in that regard.

I would totally steer clear of a $90 trainer. There's a reason your buddy wants to get rid of it.

PatrickR400

If you want a measure of realism, the trainer you are linking to is a bit sad as you have to adjust resistance yourself.

You can get a "dumb" fluid trainer that responds to the speed of the back wheel; so shift gears, speed changes, resistance changes. This type of trainer, with a few gadgets will get you more enjoyment of Zwift.

The smart trainers react to commands sent by the software, making the riding more realistic, and open the way to training programs on top of just rides.

You can check DC Rain Maker's site for extremely good info on training and sports tech. He has an affiliate deal with Clever Training which may get you 10% off plus free shipping, and there are deals. With winter ending, some manufacturers may be moving their inventory out at a discount. Whatever you do, do not buy a Tacx Flux, those currently have known problems.

Personal trainer experience:

• 25+ years ago; magnetic resistance. So loud, fixed resistance that you adjusted at the beginning of training.
• 25+ years ago; rollers. Not for me.
• 2 years ago; Tacx Ironman smart trainer. Died an electric death about a month ago
• Less than a month; Elite Drivo direct drive smart trainer. Wow!

As for Zwift, it does nothing for me, and I've moved on to TrainerRoad. Their Power Match feature works very well with smart trainers, forcing you to comply with what the workout wants you to do.

Flatbroke

The tax flow unit is 337 at nashbar right now. Not sure if it's a unit with problems or not. Maybe this will work

dagray

I use the BKool Pro trainer with Zwift, and with the BKool software/app. I have had mine since October 2014 with me beginning at a weight of 396 pounds, and I am now down to 353 pounds with the trainer going strong.

TacX makes some nice trainers as do Wahoo. You just have to pick your price point. Smart trainers are more fun with Zwift and BKool as the program controls the resistance on the trainer.

That said you can use a regular trainer and then use a heart rate monitor, power meter (not cheap), cadence/speed sensor and an ANT+ usb stick and be able to use Zwift and BKool....

With a smart trainer you just need the cadence sensor, trainer, and heart rate monitor as the trainer will give the program your power data, but I still use a Stages power meter for my riding with Zwift and my actual rides outside.

rperkins146

Ordered a qubo fluid smart trainer. Should arrive within a day or two. Will update.




Thank you all for your input.

himespau 

I went this route because it would also allow me to have power data for my rides outside.

ill.clyde

Details? I found it on Wiggle, but was wondering if it's available stateside?

PatrickR400

The Flow is not the model with the problem. The Flux is the one with the problem

rperkins146

I found it on Ebay, elite qubo fluid smart trainer with misuro power/ cadence/ speed sensor. Came from a bike shop in Washington DC. $180/ used

rperkins146

Trainer arrived last night. I decided to do the long FTP test because I do long rides in excess of 40 miles regularly... this should be no problem. Holy cow, I was gassed after the warm up. Tonight I will retake the FTP test, this time the short version.


As far as the trainer goes, it connected to the bike and the cpu easily, I am very happy with it so far.