Zwift users, I’m trying to figure out if I should purchase a smart trainer. My question is once you get your trainer set up the first time moving forward is it as easy as login and start riding or do you need to allow time to perform spindown or other configurations before each workout. I have read a great deal about Wahoo snap having issues and I have been a Wahoo fan owning a number of their products. The market for smart trainers is pretty vast right now and I not sure which direction to go in.

If you're using Zwift as your primary "distraction", the smart trainer changing resistance does take the experience to another level. Using your gears makes the simulation much more engaging.

I have a Kickr, and I don't perform a spin-down very often. Usually I just hop on and ride. However, I have the Kickr set up to use my power meter to determine resistance.

The biggest pro of a smart trainer is ERG mode. You use what ever software you want for your work out (I use TrainerRoad, but Zwift and countless others do it as well), and just pedal - the trainer does the rest.

I have an older dumb trainer, and will say without hesitation that upgrading to the Kickr was the best cycling related expenditure I've made (and FWIW, my trainer has been problem free).

Thanks cvskates, hop on and ride is what I'm looking for.