Good wheel-on trainer - worth upgrade to direct drive?
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Good wheel-on trainer - worth upgrade to direct drive?
Hello, I have very good wheel-on smart trainer - Tacx Genius T2080 with also descents simulation, ANT+/BT connection, power/speed/cadence monitoring, zwift compatible etc - it's good. According to manufacturer, accuracy is +/-5%, but after tests with external cad/power meter in crank arm, I can say, that "measurement error" is about 10% (FTP test on internal power meter = 290 W, on external = 250 W, big difference).
This trainer is very good, and also it isn't too loud. I consider exchange to direct drive smart trainer like Wahoo Kick or Tacx Neo. These trainers are more accurate, maybe quieter... But, is it worth it? I can sell current trainer, multiple this by two (or three!) and then buy direct drive trainer. I have only one bike with two wheelsets (CX bike, wheels with tyres for road and also for gravel/cx) and afraid, that trainer will be require some derailleur adjustments avery exchange. I also have external power meter (as wrote before, as crank arm) - Watteam Powerbaet and use it on zwfit / workouts to monitor/control power and cadence, because I want to make differences between trainer/real riding as small, as possible
I know, that wheel-on trainers have some problems with tyre slippage on high power / small cadence, but it was important only if I use low gears on bike. With higers and ERG on Zwift, everything will good.
So... is it worth it? What can I gain from direct drive trainer?
This trainer is very good, and also it isn't too loud. I consider exchange to direct drive smart trainer like Wahoo Kick or Tacx Neo. These trainers are more accurate, maybe quieter... But, is it worth it? I can sell current trainer, multiple this by two (or three!) and then buy direct drive trainer. I have only one bike with two wheelsets (CX bike, wheels with tyres for road and also for gravel/cx) and afraid, that trainer will be require some derailleur adjustments avery exchange. I also have external power meter (as wrote before, as crank arm) - Watteam Powerbaet and use it on zwfit / workouts to monitor/control power and cadence, because I want to make differences between trainer/real riding as small, as possible
I know, that wheel-on trainers have some problems with tyre slippage on high power / small cadence, but it was important only if I use low gears on bike. With higers and ERG on Zwift, everything will good.
So... is it worth it? What can I gain from direct drive trainer?
Last edited by Cyclist0114; 03-24-19 at 03:58 PM.
#2
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Maybe try updating or calibrating your wheel on trainer before dumping it
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I would say look into a quarq power meter and a speed cadence sensor for your bike . You will get the most accurate data regardless the trainer.
Or a full on direct drive smart trainer. You will get good data but also erg mode if you are into that kinda thing.
Or a full on direct drive smart trainer. You will get good data but also erg mode if you are into that kinda thing.
#4
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I've gone through the same decision process. I don't have a noise issue with my Wahoo Kickr SNAP, perfectly happy using it on Zwift for workouts, races, rides, etc. I don't have a power meter on my bike, so I'm not really needing more accuracy in the power estimation on the trainer.
So, most of the advantages of a wheel-off trainer aren't there for me. The major disadvantage of my current setup is when real biking season comes around, if I want to use the Trek 520 I use on Zwift, I have to change the rear tire back to a road tire (from a trainer tire I bought that seems to last forever). Then, on rainy days when I want to do a Zwift ride, I just use the road tires on the SNAP and it does wear them faster. Changing tires every time I do that (which is only once a month or so over the summer) is too big of a pain - taking the rear wheel off would make that situation much easier. If I only had one bike, this would be a bigger issue as there are many times over the winter where I ride outdoors, too.
I had actually decided I would make the switch for that reason, until I hit the immovable object: my 520 is so old (1996 or so) that it has a 7 speed cassette on the rear and none of the major direct driver trainers support that. So, I'm sticking with wheel-off.
So, most of the advantages of a wheel-off trainer aren't there for me. The major disadvantage of my current setup is when real biking season comes around, if I want to use the Trek 520 I use on Zwift, I have to change the rear tire back to a road tire (from a trainer tire I bought that seems to last forever). Then, on rainy days when I want to do a Zwift ride, I just use the road tires on the SNAP and it does wear them faster. Changing tires every time I do that (which is only once a month or so over the summer) is too big of a pain - taking the rear wheel off would make that situation much easier. If I only had one bike, this would be a bigger issue as there are many times over the winter where I ride outdoors, too.
I had actually decided I would make the switch for that reason, until I hit the immovable object: my 520 is so old (1996 or so) that it has a 7 speed cassette on the rear and none of the major direct driver trainers support that. So, I'm sticking with wheel-off.
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I've gone through the same decision process. I don't have a noise issue with my Wahoo Kickr SNAP, perfectly happy using it on Zwift for workouts, races, rides, etc. I don't have a power meter on my bike, so I'm not really needing more accuracy in the power estimation on the trainer.
So, most of the advantages of a wheel-off trainer aren't there for me. The major disadvantage of my current setup is when real biking season comes around, if I want to use the Trek 520 I use on Zwift, I have to change the rear tire back to a road tire (from a trainer tire I bought that seems to last forever). Then, on rainy days when I want to do a Zwift ride, I just use the road tires on the SNAP and it does wear them faster. Changing tires every time I do that (which is only once a month or so over the summer) is too big of a pain - taking the rear wheel off would make that situation much easier. If I only had one bike, this would be a bigger issue as there are many times over the winter where I ride outdoors, too.
I had actually decided I would make the switch for that reason, until I hit the immovable object: my 520 is so old (1996 or so) that it has a 7 speed cassette on the rear and none of the major direct driver trainers support that. So, I'm sticking with wheel-off.
So, most of the advantages of a wheel-off trainer aren't there for me. The major disadvantage of my current setup is when real biking season comes around, if I want to use the Trek 520 I use on Zwift, I have to change the rear tire back to a road tire (from a trainer tire I bought that seems to last forever). Then, on rainy days when I want to do a Zwift ride, I just use the road tires on the SNAP and it does wear them faster. Changing tires every time I do that (which is only once a month or so over the summer) is too big of a pain - taking the rear wheel off would make that situation much easier. If I only had one bike, this would be a bigger issue as there are many times over the winter where I ride outdoors, too.
I had actually decided I would make the switch for that reason, until I hit the immovable object: my 520 is so old (1996 or so) that it has a 7 speed cassette on the rear and none of the major direct driver trainers support that. So, I'm sticking with wheel-off.
.
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Yep, I though about that so long and decided to not change anything. I have two wheelsets and on winter can mount trainer tyre for one - if I'ld like to ride outside, must spend only few minutes to swap wheels and adjust brakes (discs). It's fast and easy.
Also, if I have external power meter, I can use it on current trainer and also outside - with the same accuracy. This Tacx is more than enough for me, so... it's nonsesne to buy new for more money.
Also, if I have external power meter, I can use it on current trainer and also outside - with the same accuracy. This Tacx is more than enough for me, so... it's nonsesne to buy new for more money.