I need a new smart trainer, what should I buy narrowed to Tacx Neo, Wahoo Kickr 3, CycleOps Hammer?

Kellie Moran-Jones

So what's the verdict on all those indoor miles on your smart trainer?  Like it?  Which one do you use?  I LOVE my computrainer and zwift but the computrainer is on its last leg.  So what should I buy?  I'm looking for a high end, direct drive and I like the idea of no calibration needed.  Tired of doing that with my computrainer and heard from a friend her Wahoo Kickr calibration gives her trouble.  
So looking at my list I have and leaning towards the Tacx Neo.  
Tacx Neo-No calibration, accurate, quiet. 
Wahoo Kickr 3-Possible CLIMB interesting add-on in the future, need to calibrate, very popular see continued support of the product. 
CycleOps Hammer-it needs calibration, need to go to Rouvy to calibrate than to Zwift.  Takes 5 min.  

Paul Hough

I have the Hammer and calibrate once in a blue moon.  I use Rouvy instead of Zwift.  

John Katsoudas

I bought the Neo about 8 month ago for three reasons:

1) doesn't need calibration
2) extremely quiet (as in, all you hear is driveline noise)
3) the simulated road feel is pretty cool (but you should know that it doesn't work when doing a workout in erg mode in Zwift, which is most of the time for me)

I love the Neo and would buy it again in a heartbeat - primarily for reasons 1 and 2.

Mike Westover

One that I have been waiting for is coming out this summer -- the STAC Zero VR (variable resistance). It's a wheel-on trainer that does not touch the tire; it uses magnets to create resistance by inducing eddy currents in the rim (so not compatible with all-carbon wheels, or steel ones). Even quieter than the NEO since the trainer itself is silent; you just hear your drive train. Since the resistance is generated electrically, it is easy to measure how much power is being dissipated.

The VR version is being released this summer for $799, but they are taking preorders for $699.

Satish Punna

I've had a hammer for 6 months and I'm happy with it so far.  The calibration in rouvy is as you describe, takes less than 5 minutes and isn't a big headache.  What is a headache ( and will be with any direct drive trainer) is the hassle involved with switching bikes, especially if you have a mix of 10 and 11 speed machines.  I ended up just permanently mating an old 10speed road bike to mine.  

The Hammer seems to work well in zwift and Rouvy, sometimes the change in tension with grades is rather abrupt especially in Rouvy which may be due to the software. 

I use both smart and dumb trainers regularly and don't really find one is all that much more 'stimulating' than the other.  I enjoy Zwift just as much with my dumb trainer and power meter as I do with the Hammer.

Paul Hough

@Satish Punna  - what am I missing by only calibrating maybe twice a year?  It doesn't matter whether I'm riding my G3 powertaps, my old Powerbeam Pro or the current Hammer - I just don't bother with the calibration very often.  Nothing seems to change when I do calibrate and it if it's off by a few watts, I could not care less. 

I considered the Tacx Neo since it was the quietest but in the end stuck with Cyclops because of their proven, superior customer service.  In the unlikely event you have to ship the Tacx Neo back to the manufacturer it will be a yuuuuuge PITA.  Before you buy a Neo you might want to read this SlowTwitch thread:

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/Tacx_Neo_issue_P6552218/

Satish Punna

@Paul Hough I calibrate since I want my data to be as reproducible and consistent as possible within the Hammer as well as across several other power meters on my other bikes.  Plus I'm a bit OCD.

I passed on the Tacx Neo for largely the same reasons.  I heard customer service can be a pain, and it was much more expensive.  The Hammer was available  to me at a discount from my LBS. Even the Kickr was more expensive. 

Gary Lewis

I have an Elite Direto.  Its quiet, no calibration required, but I think it reads about 10 watts different than my crank based power meters.  I like it and it was the best deal at the time - October is trainer discount season if you can wait until then.  

I always like to go to DCRainmaker.com and see Ray's reviews on different equipment.

Jorge Duque

I have the Wahoo Kickr and absolutely love it. Calibration took less than 5 mins and it reads with in 5 watts with my P1 pedals.

It fits very easily both my road and tri-bike. Use it with Zwift 100% of the time.

I was between the Taxc Neo and the Kickr and decided to go with the Kickr after reading multiple reviews. Bought it at REI and got 10% back as a dividend.

Phil Mills

I have the Elite Direto and the Kickr (1st Gen.).  Both serve me well in training, but if I had to pick just one, I would go with the Kickr Gen 3.  The Gen 1 model is noticeably more responsive, better "road" feel and just all around snappier than the Direto.  I would suspect that the current Kickr would be that much better.  

I can understand how the calibration of the Kickr can be a PITA, especially if the application doesn't have an option in game.  After calibrating, with the Wahoo app, I sometimes have difficulty unpairing (from Wahoo) when switching to  another VR app.  My solution is like @Paul Hough's. I stopped calibrating and called it good.  I use my Quark PM instead of the the trainer's PM for consistency.  

Paul Hough

@Phil Mills - so after this thread, and not having calibrated in over 6 months, I calibrated my Hammer ... and it feels like ... NOTHING changed!  I'll probably wait until 2019 before I calibrate again.  Seems like such a non-issue.

Phil Mills

@Paul Hough I would agree, since I'm not using the Kickr's internal PM to set resistance.  I keep my bike's PM "calibrated" prior to riding and again 10'-15' into the ride.  

I'll be in your neck of the woods tomorrow, sort of.  Two week vacation : Orlando-Coco Beach-Sebring then back to Orlando.  Bike is packed and I'm ready for some warm weather riding.

Paul Hough

@Phil Mills - hope you are enjoying your vacation.  Good luck in the Half Marathon this weekend!

Jeremy Behler

I have/had a Neo, Hammer, and KICKR.   All are great and will work fine.   The Neo is what I use.   It's the most expensive but in this case it's a case of you get what you pay for.   Super quiet, idiot proof, fun things like road feel, and the flexing laterally boosts comfort.  

Brian Hagan

I love this topic, as there is no perfect answer.  All three are great products.  The 2 reasons I did not get the Neo, was it is a little more expensive and it is made in The Netherlands.  Hammer and Kickr are both made in USA.  This only matters to me, because I've heard the customer service is outstanding with Cyclops and Wahoo.

My LBS sells Kickrs and gave me a 10% discount, so I went with it.

Since then, I've been following this product that Cody Beals (pro triathlete) uses.  https://www.staczero.com/hero

With this one, you don't have to remove the rear tire.  The STAC Zero delivers a smooth and completely silent training experience without touching your wheel. Zero noise. Zero tire wear. Train anywhere, anytime.  The power meter version currently connect to apps via Bluetooth and will do erg mode.  There is a version coming out in July that will do SIM mode (let you feel the hills in Zwift, Rouvy etc....).  The only noise you hear is your bike's drive train and heavy breathing.

Mike Westover

@Brian Hagan I’m also watching the new Stac Zero closely. DCRainmaker will have a review up in the next week or so, before the preorder deadline. The price point and value prop look very strong if you want a quiet trainer. Biggest downsides would be wheel compatibility (not all carbon, or steel), and needing to add weights for good road feel. 

Jeremy Behler

That's an innovative approach...I hadn't seen it.

scott dinhofer

hard to add to what everyone else has written thus far up there, I had a powerbeam pro in the past and more recently got two kickrs. After buying them from different sources at a discount, I discovered that Kickr sells past year models refurbished, like this 2014 model for $750 (it was $550 during black Friday season if you can hold out that long!)
https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/bike-trainers/original-wahoo-kickr-powertrainer

Mark Roberts

I have a KICKR and its great.  That being said, if I can pick up a NEO in Europe before I move back to the US I’m probably going to come back w one.

John Katsoudas

I discovered one unexpected "benefit" of the Tacx Neo today during my ride.  I had to stop for a nature break, so I crested a climb and paused the workout.  Well, the interactive road feel on the Neo simulates going down hill by powering the rear "wheel" to spin on descents.  While I was in the restroom I could hear the freewheel spinning away.  I returned to the pain cave to find that I was going 40mph downhill and had ridden a mile while I was in the restroom.  Woohoo!  :-)