timsmcm

Title says it all. Would you just buy a smart unit for the rock and roll trainer, or step up to a wahoo kickr, or tacx neo. I have speed, cadence, and hrm blue tooth sensors. I do not have a power tap sensor. I love the fluid setup on my rock and roll kk trainer. I just dont know how well the kk trainers work with zwift and that is what I am looking for, a good zwift setup.

bikefriday

I'm in the same situation as you...wondering about upgrade or replacement. I'll likely go upgrade as I'm already very familiar with Kurt Kinetic In-Ride and the associated sensors etc. An added bonus is that REI currently has 20% off on Kurt Kinetic equipment.
As for Zwift...I'm a total newb...so cannot offer any advice there.

redlude97

For Zwift, I think you will want an erg mode compatible trainer unless you are super disciplined.

treebound 

What apps or programs or fitness tracker devices are you collecting the speed and cadence data with? Does the app or program show live data while you ride the trainer so you can increase or deceease your effort while following a routine or program?

GreenAnvil

Same boat here... but I'm sticking with my RnR with a power meter and waiting until the Kickr or Tacx Neo (or something else) comes along that can move side to side like the RnR does.

I've done centuries on Zwift on my RnR; couldn't even begin to imagine doing that on a fixed no-side-to-side-movement trainer. For me, comfort beats all other bells and whistles, and the RnR is king. I also feel more confident doing sprints knowing that the stress on my bike's frame is much less. YMMV.

timsmcm

Does the newest smart unit that kurt kinetic sells have erg mode?

Esthetic

Could you kind folk please give your impressions of the Kinetic Rock n Roll trainers. Any long term usage snags or design woes you've come across? have they iterated on it since the original units 6-7 yrs ago?

In the market for my first trainer and hoping it would be my last. This one is my only candidate atm because of the unique feature of the movement, i'm looking for a more realistic core movement and training, and the out of saddle and lean ability really stand out for me.

I suppose my target units are the R&R Smart and the R&R Smart Control. They are spendy but are discounted on the Kinetic site to more palatable levels atm.

redlude97

I had one for awhile and its okay. Back on fixed position trainer with an erg mode. Sure it felt better while riding but erg mode was a game changer for me personally. If I needed both motion and erg mode I'd go with a smart roller system https://www.smartbiketrainers.com/ha...it-review-2268

Esthetic

Erg mode meaning app controlled resitsance? Does the Smart Control sku do just that?

redlude97

Right...I guess I've been living under a rock since I didn't realize KK had released a controllable unit, their old smart trainer add-on just allowed it to work with Zwift

Esthetic

Its ok, just making sure i understood the capabilities. This is new territory for me as i've only a few hours looking at options.

I know i want to Swift and i like to get out of the saddle, so this product looked interesting.

I'm all ears for any options under the $600 range this would cost me that provides a good experience and that i can leave my wheel attached. I have two road bikes, but i would be indoor training on my alum winter bike and i'd like it to be a quick dismount.

Cyclist0108

Read DC Rainmaker about the Kinetic and the upgrade before doing it. He, and those posting in the comments section, successfully talked me out of it.

One guy with the rock/roll version of the dumb trainer bought a new $600 cycleops smart trainer and found he could use the rock/roll frame with the new unit.

awesomeame

I love my RnR smart control w/turnable riser with both zwift and kino. I'd just buy the smart control if I were you-cheapest option. Being able to lean is fun! It's very realistic. Hell, I almost fell off the thing doing corners down the mountain yesterday when I broke 60 MPH. LOL

Matt

Esthetic

SOLD!!

Kurt has the R&R Smart Control for $599 until Cyber Monday. I think i needs it in my life.

So the unit doesn't support Ant+ just Bluetooth....so what is it that i would need to get Swift running on my PC to communicate with it ...just a BT dongle? Can the unit work direct with Swift or is there a mobile app/ middleware needed as well?

awesomeame

Cool! You'll like it.

Most PCs have bluetooth built in. If not, I got a dongle for $19.99 which works fine. You'll need to use zwift mobile link app on your phone as a bridge to connect your trainer to your pc. Just do a search for the ZML moble app. That's for android.

Matt

Esthetic

Thats great. I have a BT laptop that can get me started.

Now are sensors on the bike needed at all, or will the smart control trainer extrapolate speed, cadence and power on its own? Accuracy is not a requirement off the bat for me, i just want the interactive workout tbh.

I just like this model for its design and dont feel an issue spending the money on something that looks built like a proper piece of gym equipment, rugged, stable, massive flyeheel, etc.

ericy

The tricky thing about Bluetooth is that many cycling things are BLE - Bluetooth low energy. And with Windows that really only works well on Windows 8 and up. It doesn't work with Windows-7. That's the reason I had to go with ANT.

In terms of the other sensors, Zwift calculates a speed based upon power, weight and the grade of the incline. It doesn't use a speed or cadence sensor (you *can* use a cadence sensor, but it doesn't really affect that much - possibly only changing how fast the legs move in the animation). For trainers that don't have a builtin power meter, it calculates a power (ZPower) based upon how fast the lower wheel is spinning - they have curves for a good number of trainers.

The only other sensor that people frequently use is a heart rate monitor.