Help with purchasing a new Smart Trainer
I’ve been using a Kickr Snap for 3 years and really enjoy the thing. And I love riding the trainer/Zwift. I put in 4,000 miles on Zwift last year vs 1,000 outside. And all the outdoor miles were in 2.5 months leading into IMMD. So as you can see, I’m a trainer dog.
So here is the situation. My wife and one of my sons have been riding Zwift on a dumb trainer with Wahoo speed and cadence sensors utilizing Z-Power. After much trying, I finally convinced them to start using the Snap. And now they won’t get off it. As you can imagine, swapping bikes around every time someone is going to ride Zwift is a pain in the butt. And trust me, I’m the one doing it, not them. And I don’t really want them touching my bikes anyway. So I believe the time has come for a new trainer for me and let them share the Snap. So I have narrowed it down to two options. Help me decide.
Kickr Core vs Saris H3.
Things that may influence which way I should go. 90% of my Zwift riding is EN workouts in ERG mode. Very little racing if any, occasional group ride, and mixed in ‘free ride’ from time to time without structure. I rotate 3 tri bikes on the trainer (Felt B14 does 80% of the riding, Cervelo P5 Six and Premier Tactical get the other 20% of trainer time). For my outside riding, the B14 never sees the road. The P5 gets the bulk of road riding, and the premier is race day bike that gets in some closer to race day riding to make sure everything is proper. In my mind, with a price difference of $100 between em, its really a coin toss. Thoughts? Or just get another Snap because I am familiar with it, has served me well, and the savings can be put toward other things?
And now for the spoiler, wrinkle in all of it. Though a long shot because I’m cheap. Kickr Bike vs Watt Bike as they both have really gained my attention and I could be swayed, especially to the Kickr Bike if REI lets one use the 20% coupon coming up soon as they do on trainers.
Thanks team! Appreciate your input.
Comments
Kicker has good reviews, used by a large group of EN'ers and appears to be the best value.
I use Tacx Neo - prob the most expensive option and rated as the most quiet. I have had zero issues.
Good luck!
I have the original Kickr. Bombproof.
Late last year I bought the Kinetic R1 for the rock n roll aspect. I like it. The power from it seems a little off but I am using P1 pedals for power. I did do a calibration and it was an little better. Ut still off. The controllable aspect for ERG works great. I do like the rock n roll movement. I had read some reviews that the motion was opposite of when riding outside. Got into the hard intervals on the FTP test and it was moving in the same motion as outside for me. I was riding seated not standing so that may make a difference. I almost never come out of the saddle for effort, only for stretching, so it works for me.
Not directly answering your question, but like @Shaughn Simmons I'm also using a Tacx Neo2 and I love it. Besides being the quietest trainer out there, it's also supposedly the most accurate and unlike most others doesn't require calibration. When I first got it I ran my Garmin Vector3 pedals in parallel and compared files, and was never more than 1W off (usually identical AP/NP at the end of the WO). The 'simulated road surface' is a fun little gimmick but not a reason I'd buy it (and it doesn't work when in ERG mode). I know it's a bit more than the ones you're looking at, but for something I plan to get near-daily use out of for many years I was OK spending a little more.
I just bought the Saris H3 on black Friday as I saw DC Rainmaker analysis that it is one of the most accurate in ERG mode. Like you @Brian Terwilliger I plan to do a lot of the structured EN work this year as opposed to Zwift group rides. I sold my original kickr to a friend. I find the H3 is great and by far quieter than my kickr. I love it. I would scan Clever Training as they always have sales and if you join their VIP program you always get 10% off even full priced items so it is worth the $15 one time fee. I fully endorse the Saris H3. Good luck.
+1 on the Tacx Neo. For me it was all about the sound (or lack thereof) as we live in a condo / dense urban environment. Yes, the reviews talk-up the accuracy as well, but honestly, they're all so good these days that a .1% accuracy delta isn't something I'm going to lose sleep over.
Don't have much to add except that I got the Core at REI with the 20% coupon and it distinctly said that bike simulators like the Kickr Bike were not eligible.
I have the Saris H3 and it's great.
but, a Tacx Neo 2 for $999 delivered is hard to beat!
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/tacx-neo-2-smart-trainer/rp-prod179403?gs=1&sku=sku689438&istCompanyId=64a3dd19-9b5e-411d-a4f3-46f21c06bfee&istFeedId=504a9a46-d791-4ab6-bde1-bd49b4b78bc6&istItemId=iwxximppi&istBid=t&pgrid=55315922554&ptaid=pla-673580808695&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid|sJNrNgG4g_dc|pcrid|253651924461|pkw||pmt||prd|689438US&gclid=CjwKCAiAhJTyBRAvEiwAln2qByW05JJjWaH-3Fx45RVTBIHpGPZYmVakuf_DQFdrwKG_ptLEp4bexRoCy3wQAvD_BwE#
@Tim Sullivan oh boy. May have to grab that
You can also get Saris 3 original version which is the Cyclops Hammer it is here for $599.99 delivered. https://www.clevertraining.com/cycleops-hammer-direct-drive-trainer