Originally Posted by
chaadster
You've got to be specific here; "spin bike" doesn't mean anything, and the Road Machine, Smart version or otherwise, is a huge step *down* from the Cyclops Phantom 5 (as pictured upthread). No question about that.
As for electronically controlled trainers, you can grab an Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+ from Nashbar right now for $450, while a Road Machine Smart is going for $400 at REI. I can't imagine being so short sighted as to choose the Kurt just to save $50.
If we're talking Zwift, the $400 Road Machine brings no more than I can get from a $310 Cycleops Fluid2 off Amazon, or a $150 Nashbar Traveltrac.
This is Kurt Kinetic's problem; they're simply are outfeatured at the pricepoint, or matched at lower ones. That's a big problem as I see it.
Fair point on the Elite, I just looked it up. Like I ended with, horses for courses. It all depends on what the OP wants to do with the trainer. I pointed to the non technical trainer because the OP had his eyes on a $2-300 spin bike. That's definitely not a high end bike, so presumably there's not a lot of money to throw around. I'd be super happy to spend $150-200 on a used Kurt as they're almost bulletproof and so robust. That's cheap, and you can still attach the power unit to it.
With the workouts I do, there are few trainers that fit my requirements. The Elite would never make the list. But my workouts are related to track racing and so my needs are different to others. I also have a Cyclops 2 that I have kept for my daughter to use. There is definitely a difference, and the Kurt is a winner, but it comes down to intended purpose.
If you wanted the controlability in the future, then I'd look for a cheap trainer in the meantime and save up your money. I know a lot of people that use zwift now that have all started on a variety of trainers and trialed via friends a variety of trainers. Almost all of them would say that if Zwift was your thing, then the Kickr is the start point. Anything less is just a stepping stone.