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Turbo trainer - Tacx or Kickr?

Jakess1971
Jakess1971 Posts: 1,208 Member
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Previously I was looking at getting a Trax : http://www.tacx.com/ but this looks good with its various apps and ability to race Strava segments: http://eu.wahoofitness.com/devices/kickr.html

The Kickr can race strava segments with geovideos too, lots of apps to use with it, nice wheel off design and works with ipad/iphone n Mac pro, would value peoples opinions.

Anyone got one of these and rate it?

Replies

  • TheBigYin
    TheBigYin Posts: 5,686 Member
    Tacx are supposed to be opening up their ANT+ implementation to work with the third party software like TrainerRoad (and by extension the Sufferfest videos) -

    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/08/tacx-bluetooth-trainers.html

    http://www.trainerroad.com/
    http://www.thesufferfest.com/spinning-indoor-cycling-resources/

    but their track record on implementing software / hardware / firmware solutions on a timely or accurate basis is - how shall we say - "somewhere between P*** Poor and F***ing Awful" - the Hardware however - the Bushido, and particularly the Genius is excellent.

    There's a good review of the Kickr (he doesn't do any other kind of review) on the DC Rainmaker site...

    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/03/fitness-trainer-review.html

    just to throw another spanner into the works, theres the new wheel-less trainer from Elite, the Turbo Muin iirc.

    http://road.cc/content/news/92310-elite-and-wahoo-fitness-each-launch-direct-drive-turbo-trainers


    Personally, I'm so "bought into" the Tacx kit (the Bushido, the PC software TTS and the virtual reality DVD's (something like 30 of them...) that are the only thing that get me onto the trainer to do anything other than 1 hour interval stuff or FTP tests, I'm not about to swap anytime soon, but if I was buying now - i'd certainly be looking at something that had an open architecture on the software...

    I just hope that Tacx can get their ducks in a row for once and get the open ANT+ working before winter sets in properly...
  • Jakess1971
    Jakess1971 Posts: 1,208 Member
    I was looking at the dcrainmaker which as always is pretty excellent, gotta love that guy.

    It's a tough decision especially with that cost involved but I'm very swayed to the idea of using the API just because I love playing with these kind of developments http://api.wahoofitness.com/.

    The app developments already out looks pretty good, the trainer itself looks very nice too, the Strava segments looks a tad hit n miss by peoples reviews but that's a data thing and sounds like it's improving all the time, opens up the possibility of racing some far off friends segments or training on sections that your training to race for, nothings the same as being out on the road but anything that can help make indoor training more interesting has to be a good thing.

    And just wow on this: 'Use something like a GoPro and you can film your own rides and then re-ride them at home. You can even simulate headwinds and tailwinds.'

    I wonder if an app exists for simultaneous multi-player time trials, if not I might knock one up :)
  • TheBigYin
    TheBigYin Posts: 5,686 Member
    The Multiplayer ride/race thing is one thing that Tacx alreads has nailed - works well apparently - though personally, i've never been fit enough to give it a shove...

    as for the "roll your own" VR, Tacx had that as well - but the third parties ended up making better DVD's than tacx's own, so they nobbled it in later versions of the software...

    One of the bits that actually attracts me to the "wheel-less" trainers is exactly that - you DON'T need to keep swapping wheels - just bolt a compatible cassette onto the trainer and clip the bike on. I'd still personally prefer to be bolting a Ally or Steel framed bike to the trainer myself rather than my Carbon bike, but that's just me...
  • narak_lol
    narak_lol Posts: 855 Member
    I've been researching for a trainer the last few days so this topic is very timely!

    I am also attracted to those wheel-less ones - elite muin and cycleops silencer - "seems" good road feel and no cleaning up needed afterwards.... What are your thoughts? Also looking at elite power fluid, which is more friendly in the price.
  • TheBigYin
    TheBigYin Posts: 5,686 Member
    I'll be honest, the only wheel-less trainer I've had a shot on was the Lemond version - which felt absolutely fantastic, but was just a complete no-go because it was so so SO loud. Basically, anything over 25kph was enough to make your ears buzz... wound it up to around 50kph and it felt like I was at a Motorhead Concert - doing sprint intervals on one of them would leave you with your ears bleeding.

    I'm sure the other ones use mag. or fluid resistance though, which would make them substantially quiter (doubt they COULD make them noisier tbh!)
  • Jakess1971
    Jakess1971 Posts: 1,208 Member
    It does beg the question of noise, it's not something I've considered, checking the review though the Kickr seems ok

    Here is the extract from the dc rainmaker who echos the loudness of the Lemond :)

    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/03/fitness-trainer-review.html

    "
    And, for those that don’t care about video, here’s the simple table.

    TRAINER 20MPH (200W) 30MPH (200W) 50MPH (200W)
    WAHOO KICKR 68.7DB 83.5DB 86.1DB
    RACERMATE COMPUTRAINER 69.7DB 82.4DB 85.8DB
    KINETIC ROAD MACHINE 70.0DB 82.6DB N/A
    I didn’t include the LeMond Revolution Pro this time, because honestly it’s like bringing a bull into a china shop. I’ve well established it’s incredibly loud at every level, well beyond these other trainers. Not even in the same city, let alone ballpark. And just repeating how much louder it is than the other ones seems silly."
  • cloggsy71
    cloggsy71 Posts: 2,208 Member
    I've got a Tacx Genius & love it.

    I bought the 'multiplayer' license but never used it...

    Much like TBY, I won't be swapping mine any time soon!
  • TheBigYin
    TheBigYin Posts: 5,686 Member
    I've got a Tacx Genius & love it.

    I bought the 'multiplayer' license but never used it...

    Much like TBY, I won't be swapping mine any time soon!

    we really must get together near a computer for a hour or two with my portable HD vault before the winter kicks in mate...
  • narak_lol
    narak_lol Posts: 855 Member
    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/10/2013-trainer-recommendations.html

    Just out :smile:
  • Jakess1971
    Jakess1971 Posts: 1,208 Member
    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/10/2013-trainer-recommendations.html

    Just out :smile:

    Perfect, thanks for this Narak, it's backed up my already preferred option or the Kickr, build, connectivity and software options make it a clear winner, love that you can record your fave route on your gopro and then use it as training footage, the segments app give you chance to race friends segments from across the world like Japan ;)
  • TheBigYin
    TheBigYin Posts: 5,686 Member
    Just don't try Hong Kong... it's hilly there :lol:
  • narak_lol
    narak_lol Posts: 855 Member
    Very true :laugh: It's a task to find a 10km route without some sort of elevation... This reminds me we have a big climb (to me) on Sunday - a bit scary but also looking forward to it :bigsmile:
  • Jakess1971
    Jakess1971 Posts: 1,208 Member
    Did you decide on a trainer Narak? Been trying to get my head round all the software choices now and what to use for what etc, here's some notes on the software for the Kickr if it's of any use to you http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Jakess1971/view/more-kickr-turbo-trainer-software-then-you-can-throw-a-stick-at-590923
  • guruman007
    guruman007 Posts: 1 Member
    Bit late in the day however latest Feedback from Tacx support today :((((

    Hello,

    Sorry but we will not update the software or the trainers to open ANT soon. Maybe we will do this later but at this moment it isn't possible for us to do this.

    We have the Tacx Trainer Software version 4 advanced. In this newer version it is possible to import TCX files and also export scores as GPX file or directly to Trainingpeaks.


    Kind Regards,

    Tacx Support
  • TheBigYin
    TheBigYin Posts: 5,686 Member
    Bit late in the day however latest Feedback from Tacx support today :((((

    Hello,

    Sorry but we will not update the software or the trainers to open ANT soon. Maybe we will do this later but at this moment it isn't possible for us to do this.

    We have the Tacx Trainer Software version 4 advanced. In this newer version it is possible to import TCX files and also export scores as GPX file or directly to Trainingpeaks.


    Kind Regards,

    Tacx Support

    Why does that not surprise me...
  • cloggsy71
    cloggsy71 Posts: 2,208 Member
    Have you seen that Team Sky are now using Kickr's as their warm-up kit now?
  • TheBigYin
    TheBigYin Posts: 5,686 Member
    Have you seen that Team Sky are now using Kickr's as their warm-up kit now?

    Makes sense, no need for an extra wheel with the turbo tyre fitted, considering the number of bikes &. Wheels they're carrying. Plus, the stages Powermeter will Bluetooth link to the kickr so they can do their structured warm up / down routines on the same power measuring device they're using out on the road...

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