IronHorseRiderX

Can someone recommend good stationary trainer?

I'm planning to ride it during rainy days and hoping to use Zwift so it has to be one of these I guess https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/a...Zwift-support-

They basically have only two models listed:
- Wattbike
- 2015 and newer CycleOps Indoor Cycles

Both are in $2K+ range (cheapest I could find CycleOps Phantom 5 Indoor Cycle - REI.com ) - not so sure about spending that kind of money on a trainer.

My main reason to get stationary trainer and not something like Wahoo KICKR (for half the price) that I want my wife and kids to ride it.
Wife was asking to get indoor cycling trainer for her few times but I dismissed it since I was certain that she will not do that for long.
I know way too many people (friends, coworkers etc) who went thru this cycle of getting spin-bike / treadmill and turning it to expensive cloth hanger in just a few months

Now with Zwift it will be different story - I almost certain about that
Same goes for my kids - having some sort of interactive game is the only way they will do that.
This is the reason why I want to get model which pair with zwift properly and provide correct power reading along with controlled resistance.

Does anyone has experience with this?

PepeM

For 2,000 you could buy a regular trainer and also get your wife and kids entry level bikes. That way they get to ride indoors and outdoors.

Also, Zwift is not really that entertaining. Not sure kids will find it funnier than the Xbox. I personally prefer staring at the wall.

Xherion

Just my 2 cents, but I'd seriously reconsider dropping a ton of money on a stationary trainer that has power built in. Several years ago I bought a stationary trainer (a spin bike), but severely regretted it later. I ended up buying a Kickr. The problem is most stationary bikes just don't get close enough to the fit and feel of a road bike - which I believe directly translates to the real world. Now the stationary bike is just collecting dust. If your kids and wife already have a bike, the Kickr can be adjusted to a variety of different size bikes. Also, how serious are they about cycling? I'm not sure I'd justify a big purchase on that sole reason. I've done tons of miles on Zwift on the Kickr and it is loads more fun than Trainer Road or Perf Pro, but don't get it mixed up. You're still riding a trainer indoors, which isn't the most fun thing to do, video game or not.

SpeshulEd 

I can't help with a stationary bike, but I would suggest checking out the Tacx smart trainers. No need to take off a wheel and connect it to something like Kickr, it's still a smart trainer with resistance, and they're the cheapest ones out there that I know of at the moment. I picked up a Bushido about a month ago and it's worked beautifully with zwift.

Tacx T2780 Bushido Smart Trainer, Trainers/Rollers, TRAINERS / ROLLERS

If you're looking for something a bit cheaper, the Vortex trainer will do the same thing, but the resistance isn't as strong.
Tacx T2180 Vortex Smart Trainer, Trainers/Rollers, TRAINERS / ROLLERS

I mean, technically speaking, if you're wife and kids already have bikes, it should be super easy to set them up...or they could buy new bikes and still probably come in cheaper than the stationary ones supported by zwift.

chaadster

I do coached, power-based training at Powercycling studio here in Ann Arbor, and have ridden a Cycleops Phantom, or the older 300Pro, at least twice a week for the past three years. They're solid, serious pieces of equipment for training on.

Fully adjustable, I transferred my road bike measurements (e.g. saddle positon, bar drop) to the Cycleops stationary bike (hereafter, let's just say Phantom) so it fits identically. I use SPD pedals and my preferred saddle, so it's very much like a real bike in that respect, too. The bars are proprietary, but have a compact shape and brake hoods, so are like real road bars aside from the durable coating, which is perfectly comfy even when you're sweating buckets.

The solidity is great when really hammering; i don't think about the unit at all, which is something I cannot say about my Cyclops Fluid2 turbo trainer at home. I like the Fluid2, but really, when pounding out a sprint, though I trust I connected the bike right, there's a faint concern I might yank it out, or damage it somehow, so the Phantom is much better in that regard.

I think that having a Phantom is better than a "turbo trainer" in every way (provided you've the space and money), and especially for multiple riders. Taking bikes on and off a trainer is a pain, and just another impediment to doing a convenient workout. Keeping one bike on a trainer would be a pain to set up each time for each rider, and not have the adjustability of a Phantom, which has big, easy to use attached levers to slide things into position. All settings are graduated, so just keep a card with seat height, reach, and bar height numbers for each rider handy, and it's super easy to put back in proper position.

I use Zwift at home with the Fluid2 and a Powertap wheel, which works, bit the Fluid2 is not electronically controlled, so I have to watch the gradient profile and shift to approximate the road feel, which is not as immersive as electronic control. I hope to get a smart trainer soon, but if I had the space and cash, I'd definitely get a Phantom instead. Zwift is so cool, and I foresee it only getting better, that replacing my perfectly fine Fluid2 just to get more out od Zwift makes perfect sense to me.

rex615

Perhaps the novelty and challenge of learning to ride rollers might be enough incentive to get the wife and kids to train indoors. Comparatively speaking they are not that expensive. REI has this one, but you can usually find them on sale for half that much.

I get bored to tears on a trainer, but will use my rollers when it is nasty out. Good way to hone pedaling smoothness and improve balance. Plus it is easy to store under the bed.

spdracr39

I just wish I could get Zwift to work.

bmthom.gis

You want your wife and kids to ride it, but how much do THEY want to? You mentioned you wife has been interested, but have your kids shown any interest?

SpeshulEd 

What are you having issues with?

spdracr39

It tries to load and gets to the preparing to rollout screen then crashes. Doesn't matter what compatibility mode I try. I may revert to Windows 7 and try again.

SpeshulEd 

Hmm, I'm not sure about that one. Have you tried downloading the latest version from the zwift website? The app doesn't seem to update itself, at least on my Mac and I need to download the update and reinstall whenever they roll out a new version. I had a similar issue where I loaded the older software and it had me riding alone on the island instead of in Richmond, however, that was for the most recent Jensie ride and they had a pile of server issues that day, so I just assumed it to be that.

chaadster

I'm running it on a Mac, and every time I launch the app, it checks and makes updates automatically, without any indication of an option to bypass, either. It has always been like that in my experience.

SpeshulEd 

Really?! I've had to do mine manually for the one at the beginning of October and the one from this past weekend. I'm going to have to watch for the next one and see what happens.

I though it was weird that it wouldn't do it automatically. Perhaps I have a weird setting on my mac somewhere.

IronHorseRiderX

Chaadster you are reading my mind

This is exactly experience I was looking for!

I already have rollers - got them about a year ago.
Fortunately weather was really good in SFBA for cycling and I only used it like three or four times.
I can't say I enjoyed it much, it was helpful to develop some sense of balance but it was nearly impossible to put anything over 300W (even with 80psi in both tires).
Not sure how can I do my regular hill repeats or hill climbs - I need something where I can put out at least 300W..350W at 75..100rpm and also be able to stand and pedal at 55 rpm for few mins.
There's no way I can do that on rollers

My wife does not have road bike and even if I get her one she will not ride it on the street - may be on MUP but I fail to see how 13mph MUP rides will help much with fitness.
And again this is meant to be a tool to train thru rainy days, something readily available at any time.

Kids have hybrid/mtb bikes and in general pretty active (do lot's of other sports already), not concerned much if they will not ride trainer at all thou I'm almost certain that they will since they love to play Wii / Wii U active games.

What's important to me that smart trainer + something like zwift allows you to set clear targets (like put XXXWatt over XX min or ride given segment/climb at certain time etc, or place yourself well if virtual race).
Something like that will be nearly impossible to do with simple spin bike or even bike with power (you sure can go for watt @ min goals but you can't do it all the time as it is very boring and pretty brutal).

I'm now seriously considering getting Phantom 5 from REI, wonder if they will have some decent deals on Black Friday.

SlowerGuy

If you know so many people who have spin-bikes, why don't you
- ask them about their experience?
- buy a used spin-bike from one of them?

SpeshulEd 

They will not. Maybe Cyber Monday though.
REI closing on Black Friday for 1st time in push to #OptOutside

IronHorseRiderX

I have plenty of first hand experience with regular (none-smart / ANT+) spin-bikes, this is not what I'm looking for.

spdracr39

Yes It runs fine on another windows 10 computer so I'm sure it has something to do with the intel chipset drivers on mine.

DaveLeeNC

FWIW, I have a spin bike (Lemond Revmaster Sport) that I can ride with power (Garmin Vector pedals). The power capability has made it interesting enough that I have 'stayed with it' for a couple years now. I have just started 'Zwifting' (one real ride so far). I can see how a 'smart trainer' might well be better in this case.

dave

IronHorseRiderX

Dave,
I actually entertained an idea of getting regular spin bike with manual resistance control and use pedal/crank based PM with it.
There's few problems - you still have to control resistance manually and also have to swap pedals before every ride.

DaveLeeNC

My configuration includes Garmin Vector pedals (single sided just to save a few bucks). And they stay permanently attached so this is a real 'sit and go' solution with no setup required beyond connecting your Garmin or Zwift software. THe pedals are dedicated to this trainer as I am not a 'hardy biker' weatherwise.

From a pure Zwift perspective this is not bad. It is kind of like shifting with downtube shifters when you hit a slope, approach a sprint, etc. But I can see the appeal of a smart trainer when using something like Zwift. But so far (handful of Zwift rides) this is not a bad solution for me.

dave

IronHorseRiderX

My one and only powermeter is Powertap AMP50 wheelset which I use from training and racing.
Since I want non-cycling members of my family to ride it can't be pedal based which leaves very few options - either Stages or 4iiii PRECISION (both around $400).
There's quite a few used indoor trainers (Lemond Revmaster and few older Cycleops without PM or any electronics really) on craigslist in my area.
Most asking $300-500 so perhaps $400 for used trainer.
I can get Shimano PD-M324 SPD Dual Platform Pedal for ~$40 so I can ride with my SPD shoes and / or just wearing snickers.
Total comes around $900 which is almost three times cheaper than buying Phantom 5.

I imagine that I do not need Garmin since I can see all the metrics on the Zwift screen and also upload my rides from Zwift to Strava directly?
Powermeter should also provide cadence so the only part missing is speed sensor (not sure if it is required).

So far it does look pretty sweet - assuming 4iiii PRECISION can be installed on trainer left crank (I do not see why not).

The downside is that you I can probably find used CycleOps 300/400 Pro (older models) for about the same and they theoretically should be compatible with zwift (as classic / non-smart - power meter only option).

metalheart44

I have a Wahoo Kickr and just started using Zwift in trial mode. For those days when I can't ride outside or time is limited, I like the option of Zwift on my own bike. It seems one of the advantages of an electronic trainer is being able to use your own bike rather than a spin bike or some such option.: I get the feel and fit of my own bike while doing workouts. I am going to try Kinomap for a trail period too and if I decide not to extend either trail period, then just go back to ERG mode workouts and watching Netflix and TED talks while I do indoor workouts.

Since none else has mentioned it DCRAINMAKER has a recent review of trainers that is worth reading.

SpeshulEd 

If you're going through the free trials, might as well give BKool a try too. I'm waiting for my free trial of Zwift to wrap up and then I'm going to give it a shot to see what it's like. From what I've read Zwift > BKool, but I have no idea.