dwing

Beware, that Kinetic trainer in uour link is the fluid based version where the resistence increases the faster the wheel spins. It will work with Zwift, but the zwift software doesnt directly control the resistence. Zwift is taking liberty with the word "smart" to describe those fluid trainers as being "smart trainer". I dont agree with the marketing ploy.

They do offer a trainer that Zwift will directly control and they market them as "Smart Control" trainers. Those are not fluid based. The resistence is directly increased/decreased by the Zwift software. These trainers are 600$ range and compete with Wahoo Snap, etc.

I have the one in your link, KKRoad machine fluid trainer , and i use it with zwift. The zwift software calculates power output based on the wheel spinning the drum and pedal cadence , and sets the speed of virtual rider accordingly.

These units are all over craigslist used now at 200$. And i think a NIB can b had for not much more with some digging. Its good solid trainer and im very happy using it for Zwifting past 2 years.

chaadster

I see, but it shouldn't be that you need to lie about your weight to make things work, so something is obviously wrong. I don't know what Zwift support would say, but judging on what I've seen around here and on the ZwiftBlog, most trainer issues are setup problems rather than hardware or Zwift software problems, so if you haven't, I'd suggest opening a help ticket and going back through the Zwift setup protocol. Good luck in sussing it out!

ill.clyde

As others have mentioned, while that says "Smart Trainer" it's not "Zwift Smart" for lack of a better term ...

And if you're going to spend $370 on a trainer, for another $230 you can get a Kickr Snap or a Cycleops Magnus and in all honesty you'll be SO much happier (the bKool would work just fine as well and only an additional $130) because they truly work with Zwift by altering the resistance when the road tips up or down.

I know with both the Snap or the Magnus you can finance through Affirm which is very reasonable. I got lucky when I bought my Snap, because Wahoo was offering a zero percent financing thing through Affirm, so I have six months to pay it off with no interest. Cycelops was recently running a similar deal but I can't find it now.

Riding the trainer, in the past is an absolutely slog, and it sucks ... but Zwift has changed that completely. I'm riding more, I'm riding stronger and I'm having more fun. I cannot recommend it enough.

kevlar_heart 

I'll echo ill.clyde. Using Zwift has changed my amount of training drastically -- in fact I have to make myself take days off. I am hanging on to my "dumb" Travel Trac with sensors until I can get a good deal via 0% financing -- PayPal Credit is probably what I'll use.

Supported dumb trainers give a great workout, but one shifts counter intuitively, and you can't take advantage of drafting along in a group (at least I don't think so). I am torn between the Bkool and the Wahoo Kickr Snap. Both are rated highly by DCRainmaker. I'm leaning to BKool because it comes with a year of their simulation application -- I've checked it out, and the ability to create courses from Strava data is pretty awesome....I can train for a segment goal over the winter

ill.clyde

@kevlar_heart ... I have to make myself take days off too ...

And that's a good point about PayPal credit ... hadn't thought of that.

bigbiker1

What about this one? https://www.amazon.com/Tacx-Vortex-S...t+bike+trainer

The Bkool is reviewed very poorly on Amazon

ill.clyde

That one will work ... as in, it's Zwift smart ... I have no experience with it however.

chaadster

Probably rather than relying on Amazon too much, you should spend some time reading DCRainmaker's trainer reviews. He also does an annual summary which you can read here: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/10/...endations.html

kevlar_heart 

Depends on which version of the BKool you're buying. DCRainmaker reviewed the Smart Pro 2 and liked it as did several other trainer-centric websites. Like the Kickr Snap 2017, the BKool is relatively new. I'll go see both in action this weekend at a LBS across the river...

bigbiker1

Thanks all. I think I will go with the Kickr Snap, I found an LBS that carries them and I am going to look tomorrow.

billsatori

Happy with my Kickr Snap. Took advantage of Clever Training 20% one item for members sale in early November for $479.99 but I had to buy a 12x142 thru axles adapter for $79. Also, i had an older Core 2 Duo PC and had to invest in a $70 nVidia GT 1030 to get it to work with Zwift -
now runs great. Amazon had the Tickr HRM on sale yesterday for $39 and pulled the trigger. Would be nice to have cadence sensor next and then I will have a very pimp setup.

Tip. I was having issues with losing ANT connectivity, even with a long cable extender for ANT sensor, right next to the trainer until I moved the trainer power supply a couple feet away from sensor.

ericy

If you have the ANT sensor on the floor, then put a little plastic bag of some sort around the ANT sensor. I dripped enough sweat on mine that it stopped working until I dried it off.

kevlar_heart 

I went with the Bkool Smart Pro 2 because the LBS dropped $40.00 off the purchase price for walking in the door. I tried both the Kickr Snap and the Bkool riding a road bike similar to mine. Both felt stable. I picked the Bkool for a) price break, b) no constant calibration (spindown), c) Watts.gradient specs. d) 1 year of Bkool simulation, which allows creation of simulations based on Strava GPS data....I think that is so cool.

If I hate it, I can take it back and get the Kickr Snap.

bigbiker1

I picked up the Kickr Snap today. I got to the LBS, the only one I could find in the area that carries them, and all they had was the floor model. They said it was only a couple weeks old and after some negotiating I got them to knock $60 off. My bluetooth dongle is coming tomorrow so I hope to get a ride in in the next day or two too see how it works.

Thanks for all the help!

copperfind

So update on my issues with my cycleops dumb trainer... zpower (zwifts power estimate speed based power estimate calculated on speed) was way out of wack, multiple attempts to get stuff worked out still unrealistic. Got my Powertap Powercal which is a Heart Rate Sensor/ Power Meter now my speed is based on power from power meter. Obviously not as realistic as a true power meter but it has changed my zwift experience 1000%. Can now ride with legit weight and hold reasonable speed... Zwift is so much more fun now.

chaadster

ericy

You may find equipment minor issues the first few rides. I know it took a few weeks for me to get everything sorted out.

kevlar_heart 

BKool is an effing pain. In order to unlock the trainer, I need to run their software....their software will not run on any PC I have...sting on "Logging In" screen. So.....this may go back for the Kickr Snap

dagray

get an ANT dongle and a micro USB to regular USB pigtail and use your smart phone to control the trainer.

I use the BKool Pro (original version) with Zwift with no issue. All you need is a six inch cord to plug one end into the ANT+ dongle and the other end into your phone.

sgtrobo

did you ever perform the spin-down test in Zwift?

copperfind

Dont think its possible with dumb trainer