- Funnily enough I have been setting it up recently, but am struggling to find my front wheel riser block. I had two, sold one, the other is in the attic somewhere. Now there is a job I am not looking forward to, but Xmas decoration becton.
Its like M&S sizingā¦ Some smart trainers flatter and make you feel good about yourself. It was certainly the case with my Tacx Bushido Smart, I recon 10% over. On that my first ever ftp test was 279, when I got a Stages, I was sure the Stages was wrong, when I got a second Stages, I was sure that there was an error in the design, when I got a Quarq, I finally accepted that the Bushido was reading high.
Now I use my Assioma pedals on the Turbo Trainer to record power.
So, I really need to get around to getting my own new trainer. Iāve finally had some of the last Covid related refunds come in, and so I feel I should look to buy now, especially as stock is beginning to be replenished.
On the basis I canāt get a Neo, as my TT bike doesnt fit, what would people suggest based off some of the various summer purchases people have made? Iāve been borrowing a 2016 Kickr which I really need to return at some point, and so I am now āusedā to the higher end ones. Iām leaning to the new one, given it now no longer needs to be calibrated. As annoying as an additional āadaptorā would be when it gets released (no doubt for big money), the potential to hardwire into a laptop/network to negate any dropout issues is appealing.
Anything else in that Ā£800-1k mark that people would recommend based on personal experience, rather than me just reading DCR (which Iāve already done)?
I was gifted on of these a few months ago -
Not pure how they justify the price but it is decent. I actually lent it out to someone to stick with my borrowed Elite Muin because it wasnāt compatible with TrainerRoad but Iām not using TR now so am getting it back in 2 weeks.
They tried to become the official supplier of SKY/Ineos but were after testing they refused based on the lack of decent carry handle (or that was the official line).
I got a Saris H3 earlier this year.
Also running a MK1 Tacx Flux.
The Saris replaced an Elite Suito that was missing bolts in the unit!!!
Saris is really quiet - most of the time. There is a known knocking issue (which Iāve had sporadically) but Saris send out a kit to change the pulley unit. New ones might have this pre-installed. Iāve yet to take mine apart as naturally it stopped making a noise when this service kit arrived.
Other than that its been faultless. Only had it in SIM mode, so no ERG workouts yet. Stable, quiet, no connection issues etc etc. Came with all the gubbins to run QR/Thru axles etc.
I donāt have experience of high end trainers, but my thoughts:
What is the problem with fit on the Neo? For money no object I would like one as it doesnāt need calibrating, doesnāt need power except for downhill and doesnāt have a belt which Iāve seen snap on some other models.
Otherwise it would be Wahoo - is there much difference between the Kickr and the Core? Apart from the no calibration on the new one. The Core is small and light compared to most other units, useful if you have to move it or store it.
Itās so big that it hitās the chainstays on all of the Scott Plasma frames, as they jut inwards towards the downtube. Only some earlier Plasmaās are listed on the compatibility chart (as incompatible), but as the image at the bottom shows, the Plasma 5 has the same chainstay design.
Itās a fair point. They may well release a new version of the Core imminently, and if that has largely the same functionality then may suit. DCR called the 2019 Core a 2018 Kickr, without the legs. So a 2019 Kickr without the legs would potentially suffice. As I say, I do find the concept of a wired connection appealing though, even if itās just a concept at the moment. I do suffer quite a lot of signal interference in London. Some days itās fine, but other days itās borderline unrideable.
Not familiar with latest Core but the original didnāt fold up and didnāt have a handle so much more of a pain to move and store than Kickr, obviously not an issue if you have turbo setup permanently.
You obviously need a(nother) new bike.
Are there (m)any other options then?
If you like the Kickr you have been using, it seems the best option.
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Iāve just taken delivery of a new KICKR 
. Itās my first smart trainer, having previously owned a Tacx Flow several years ago, so Iām looking forward to getting into Zwift.
Mrs Wās tried it out already and is very impressed. My first ride will be tomorrow.
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What smart turbo would you recommend? My TACX is sounding like a bag of spanners, even after Iāve taken the cassette off, removed the hub, cleaned and greased it. Have a feeling the bearings inside might be worn but as no-one repairs them it looks like Iām going to have to buy a new one. Certainly donāt want to spend over Ā£1K. Not sure I want another TACX. Are Wahoo any better?
Iām loving my KICKR, but itās my first experience of a smart trainer, so I canāt comment on how it compares to other machines.
It just works straight from the box, no problems. It feels solid and well made, even with a 95kg bloke putting out 800+ watts in a sprint. Itās pretty quiet too.
I see Wahoo have just started offering 0% finance if you buy directly from them too.
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Thereās a facebook group for Tacx (tacx flux owners group) for which one of the members (ro Gru) has custom made his own part to deal with some noise issues. Heās been manufacturing and selling them I believe.
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Thank you. Iāve posted a message. Failing that, I might have to suck it up and get a KICKR.
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Still using the Tacx Satori I bought in 2007. Itās very loud. Not bothered about a Smart Trainer (Direct Drive), apart from the noise thing.
TBH I wasnāt bothered about having a trainer at all until a few weeks ago and it was Mrs W who was keen to get one for her own use. I had an old Tacx Flow years ago, but it was never much fun to use.
The KICKR with Zwift is a revalation. Itās much more fun to use and therefore Iām using it more. Iāve never had a power meter on any of my bikes, so a dumb trainer was never an option if I wanted to use Zwift. I donāt think Zwift with a dumb trainer with a power meter would be anywhere near as immersive an experience.
Youāre probably right, but itās a whole step up for me from dumb everything.
Its a different style of riding on zwift Iām sure. But itās getting me out and on the bike, so itās working.
Just not today.
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You need to work on your imagination!
It can be useful when a climb flattens out 
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Iām going to have to scope this well tomorrow for the TTT. There are a couple of climbs per lap, so iām going to need to work out when to power up and when to power down to keep in line/time with my fellow TTers.
Any tips anyone?
TBH in my limited time on Zwift Iāve just tended to get on and ride a route for as long as Iāve had available to train. If I was on a Wattbike or dumb trainer Iād probably just crank it up to 300ish watts and sit there at a constant power for the whole ride and whatever was going on on Zwift would be incidental.
On the smart trainer I still try to ride at a reasonably constant power, but I have to go up and down through the gears to achieve that as the terrain changes, which makes the whole thing more interesting and enjoyable.