I am considering buying a Cyclops Hammer since it is so affordable. I have a question concerning the apps that could control these. I'm not interested in any of the social media type apps like Zwift at this time, just trying to privately train. I presently use an old used Elite fluid wheel-on unit right now, and just shifting gears for resistance is somewhat random. You don't really train to do a segment easily that way.

If I were to buy one of these two units, would I be able to take a well defined or even created route that I've ridden before, and then ride that route in the evening for training? I currently create my routes on Strava, then load to my Roam and ride them, recording to it and Strava. But can that route then be fed back into some app with the GPS information to simulate it in my living room on one of these units? If it's possible, what app would I need for an iPhone to drive one of these units?

As a side note, is there any reason the Hammer is a poor choice over Tacx or the Wahoo unit?

I am pretty sure you can use your Roam to control a smart trainer. For an app-only experience, I suspect the Wahoo Fitness app can as well.

I have read that the original Hammer has a problem with overheating. The comments on DC Rainmaker in-depth reviews can be useful to find real user experience with any given trainer, here is the one on the Hammer.

I followed that link and it led me to his article on the apps for controlling the trainer. You were right that the Roam can do it, and that would be perfect. Possibly I should be thinking about buying the Wahoo unit instead just to ensure compatibility. I don't know if the Roam support FE-C yet or not but will check that out first. It would already do what I like for the Kickr unit. I also picked up on the point about the noise on the Tacx Neo being so low, that happens to be on sale now too since their latest unit is out.

Good information, thank you.

Garmin/Wahoo can control the resistance level too. Wahoo only used to work with the KICKR, now with works with all.
On your Roam, set the unit to Indoor. It'll then have a screen on the HAMMER for resistance level - watts and basic resistance. It can record the workout. Not sure if it'll do a planned workout.
On your phone, Saris has two apps Rouvy and Saris for this too. - EGR mode is the name
https://www.smartbiketrainers.com/6-...t-trainer-8681

Thanks for the confirmation. It looks like what I want the trainer to do is built in to several apps, but to use it from the Roam, is most convenient, no separate phone or computer required. Now I have to make the decision on whether to spend the money extra on the Tacx NEO or the Kickr. The Cyclops Hammer is dramatically cheaper right now, but I guess that is because it's older tech. The NEO is on sale right now, but still 400 more than than Hammer.

I'd go with the one that is the smoothest and quietest, as it's all the same hamburger .
My observation is that the Kickr is smoother than the Hammer h1, but the later versions are the same. The Kickr lies to the traininer app on workouts, so it's easier to follow the app workout plan (sprint ramp up / ramp down).

The Neo doesn't have a belt to cause issues. I haven't used one though.Probably the MOST likely to work you into a trainer death spiral if they don't have software around this, which I'm sure they do.

The hammer probably has the most flexible with axles. The heavier flywheel + gearing probably better for sprinting. This trainers flywheel will spin forever after a sprint, so you miss the low power effort on the training app after every sprint.


Look at axle handle / derailleur clearance (bottom and interior)

I've been studying them today. The NEO 2 is the one that's on clearance and the NEO T2 doesn't appear to have any features I'd be needing, just better ergonomics for road feel. But apparently those are the quietest of the bunch which is worth something. Axle wise, I have an Emonda which I think is likely very generic, and if I'm measuring it right is a 130, though the Hammer doesn't show compatibility with that, unless how they are measuring is on the outside of the frame (I'm still studying just what the standards are for axle measurements). The real issue though is the price. Right now, 599 gets the Hammer and 998 gets the Tacx NEO 2. There are few other shown in that lower price range, but I have no idea if they would be any good. I'm especially concerned about maintenance, and I didn't find anything good about Elite when I was trying to see if I could repair my antique Elite. I couldn't even find a website that mentioned it or support. The Kickr is higher at 1199, and if as you mentioned, it doesn't play fair in it's reporting, I should probably avoid it. It's a baffling market given the number of brands and price ranges. There is also Saris and Kinectic in the lower range. I probably should just grab the Hammer if as you say, it's flexible on the axles, it would have to fit such a common bike as mine.

if your Emonda is 130, you have a non-disc bike. They all work fine for that.

The highend wheels on trainers (M2 and Snap) are good too. They are quieter than the other wheel on units. Wheel on is just lower flywheel, resistance, taller to climb onto, and tires wearing out.

If the hammer is that cheap and you’re buying it from a place you can return it, do that. They don’t get better than “meets your needs”. The hammer has a rep for noise, this is only on coast and you can put a bunch of heavier grease in the freehub mechanism.

Yes, Clever is offering it and they were really good when I had to return my first power pedals so I trust them. Yes, the Emonda was a very old 2015 old stock bike I picked up cheap before I knew anything about bikes (got me into it though), so not disc brake, that will be my next bike and this one might just become a dedicated trainer.

My little Elite Primo Elastigel is the wheel on and is burning up my tire. I thought these type might save me money in the long run. I'm guessing the hammer isn't much louder than my fluid trainer which whirrs up there quite a bit at high RPM higher gearing. I didn't find the M2, but the Snap is only 100 less than the Hammer and the only benefit I could see is you don't get your hand dirty putting it on. Now the pressure is on, have to decide if I'm going to pull the trigger. Thanks for the info.

Thanks all. I did the spur of the moment purchase and picked it up for 599 (plus shipping and tax, but... good enough). This should be great for those miserably wet days my part of the country is notorious for. I didn't find that I could focus on the training with the simplistic fluid trainer. If it got hard, I'd take it easy. I'm hoping that doing my normal segments will make the urge to push remain like it does out on the road.