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Indoor Bike Trainer Recommendations

Old 09-14-20, 02:31 PM
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laparks
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Indoor Bike Trainer Recommendations

I am looking for recommendations for an indoor bike trainer for use during the North American winter months. I used to have a Kinetic Fluid trainer and it worked ok. For the past few years I have been going to spinning classes at the local gym, but now, with COVID, I will work out at indoors when I cannot ride outdoors.

I am willing to spend up to $250 and will consider buying used on Craig's List or wherever.

I would appreciate your recommendations. If there is a better forum for this type of topic, please let me know and I will repost there.
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Old 09-14-20, 02:58 PM
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caloso
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I have a Kinetic and have been very satisfied. It's a "dumb" trainer but it will talk to Zwift, Trainer Road, etc. When it's properly calibrated, the power estimation is pretty good compared to my Quarq. Rock solid.
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Old 09-14-20, 03:01 PM
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Your KK will be better than anything you can get for $250 unless it's another KK RM (new for $249) or Rock and Roll. I would avoid their smart trainer lineup. I wouldn't bother with a used Wahoo or Taxc also. Wahoo needs the warranty (no QA/QC to speak of) and Taxc is now Garmin (getting replacement parts is now more than double when you can find it).
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Old 09-15-20, 05:22 AM
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If you want a trainer, typiclaly called a smart trainer, that you can use with online applications like Zwift, you might be able to find Wahoo Kickr SNAP used in the $250 range, they sell for $500 new unless on sale. I've been riding one for 4 years now, love it, very reliable. But, you won't find a new smart trainer for $250.
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Old 09-15-20, 05:13 PM
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If you still have your old Kinetic fluid trainer, you can get one of these for $20. https://www.kurtkinetic.com/inride-p...de-sensor-only
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Old 09-16-20, 12:34 AM
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Second the motion for a "dumb" KK with the inRide sensor added. The resulting power numbers are really no different from what I get with a power meter (Favero Assioma). People who have smart trainers like the Wahoo Kickr really appreciate them, I think, but my Kurt Kinetic Road Machine - maybe 5-6 yearrs old, has been flawless and trouble-free.
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Old 10-22-20, 09:21 AM
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I went out and bought a cadillac. The Tacx Neo 2T. Ive got no complaints a year in.... I absolutely love it.
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Old 10-22-20, 09:41 AM
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Thanks everyone for your replies. I bought a used Kinetic dumb trainer from Craig's List or FaceBook Market Place and a new $50 Kinetic sensor. I also downloaded Zwift, connected everything up and did my first indoor "ride" of the season. I still have some quirks to work out, but at least this setup will provide some conditioning.
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Old 10-23-20, 09:44 PM
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If you have an itch for a smart trainer then Wahoo will likely have a sale around Black Friday. I think they do (or did) two sales a year. I picked up mine over the other sale period around Memorial Day at 20% off. I wouldn't be surprised if the other smart trainers are also on sale around Black Friday so you've got a month to decide. I really love my Kick Core and feel a smart trainer was the right choice, even if it was pricey.
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