My wife and I have Kickr Core trainers side by side.
We use rip offs of the Wahoo tables.
I use an AppleTV connected to a monitor and my wife uses her iPAD with HDMI to a monitor. Previously I used a laptop but Zwift made it obsolete.
Both have Vacmaster fans with remotes that Ronan tested. We have a Breville oscillating fan between us.
My bike is an old Aluminium BMC frame I bought cheap and built with a spare Red mech groupset.
My wife’s trainer bike is an Aluminium Polygon (105) we bought new, cheap as a store return.
I started with a Kirk Kinetic, using Coach Troy videos. That lasted about 10-years and worked well. In fact, it’s still in the basement as a back-up.
In 2020 (a few weeks before the COVID lock downs hit Canada), I bought a Tacx and got a subscription to Zwift. I haven’t looked back. It has been reliable (my old laptop, less so) and allows for good workouts and free rides in the long, cold, Canadian winters.
I’m glad you noted this. My Kickr v. 5 is the only direct drive trainer I’ve used, so I hvae no idea how it compares to others. As for my setup, I built my own training desk out of plywood and 2x4s–does what I need it to do. I use a Lasko 15” fan Model U15617 with a VIVOSUN Variable Fan Speed Controller to keep me cool.
Tacx Neo 2T with motion plates. 1575 hours so far. I have installed a new bearing kit, which is easy if you have the tool. Before that, a 1st generation kickr that was a bit noisy.
Bike: cheap frame with components I took off another bike. The bike has not been ridden outside.
Fan: a blower with a remote control bought at a hardware store
Software: 2100 hours on Zwift. I tried Rouvy, but missed seeing other riders and didn’t like the video speed/distortions.
Hardware: mac mini with a 32 inch screen, mounted on the wall below eye level.
Zwift cog, so I can easily mount other bikes on the trainer for bike fitting.
Zwift Play for easy access to controls.
Zwift click controllers in the drops for “sprinting”, if you can call it that.
Lube: always used a wet lube, but recently switched to wax. Not yet convinced this was a good move.
Jersey/no jersey probably has supporters on both sides
I used to ride with no jersey or top until I realized that for me, sweat does a better job cooling when it is against my skin than when it is dripping on the floor. Now I wear a cheap lightweight wicking base layer.
I ride the trainer with a t-shirt on. I figure it extends the life of my cycling jerseys a wee bit since I only wear them when riding outside (and once every few years at a bike fit session). I also like to get some heat stress while on the trainer. I’ve found that I cool more effectively with a jersey instead of a t-shit, so the t-shirt is the optimal choice, for me, to help increase that heat stress.
I’ve had 5 trainers through the years. The later direct drive and app integrated ones are definitely better, but pretty much a commodity at mid range so whether you buy a tackx, wahoo or Elite makes no odds other than avoiding some models which were unreliable. Mine is a Direto X fwiw.
Same story on the bike. If it fits, done. Mine is a nice but outdated Parlee with Dura Ace 10 speed, but far less cool than my friend Gary’s that he welded together from scrap.
Fans. Anything big or 2-3x small. Mine is a generic big box store item that never goes above low as it’s cold enough already.
What really makes the difference is having a nice permanent setup. After getting rid of the junk that filled a bare concrete room in our cellar and then adding paint, electrical, flooring, lighting I have a nice setup and ride a lot more. Cost-wise everything you see apart from the Colnago and Parlee was about chf3k with full DIY, so a much better investment than bike parts (or a fancy top of the range trainer bike).
Would you agree that there should be a difference though? Seems logical to me and across a couple of different Kickr and Core iterations versus Quarq and P2M power meters, I’ve always observed the trainer being 5-10 watts low relative to the spider. Now I’m wondering if some trainers might “mark up” measured power numbers in their algo to try to come up with a number that matches pedal/crank PMs?
This indoor trainer setup was assembled in 2020 to allow me to ride my custom Pinion - Gates Carbon drive bikepacking rig. I really appreciate that manual transmission shifting is required while riding. The Wahoo Kickr is about a decade old, I machined a couple of pieces to interface between the Paragon Machine Works rear axle and the Kickr axle clamps. The trainer wheel was built from a 2012 DT Swiss rim and an inexpensive hub. The Kickr, cadence, and heart rate sensors are all directly connected to Rouvy installed on a cheap mini PC with a 32" monitor. While riding the trainer, Rouvy is controlled by the Companion App on my phone. A worn out yoga mat, and old fan work well. Conversion back to playing outside mode takes less than 10 minutes.
Nothing special really. They’re just some plastic architectural dropped ceiling tiles. I wanted to be able to wipe them down if necessary, and also avoid any fiberglass dust flying around. They do look pretty sharp. Thanks.
We’ve a kickr core and a v6 setup in our gym/bike storage room, mines got my old Felt F4 race bike from the around 2012 permanently attached while my other half insists on using her good Summer bike on the turbo so I need to take it on and off come cycling holiday or post Winter hibernation
We’ve a few big floor fans and a patio door to let some cool air in!
Using Zwift via an Apple TV hooked up to a large to screen. System works quite well.
I don’t get why they aren’t more popular. The skill takes just a little while to learn. The ride feel is excellent. They improve bike handling. Awesome all around.
I’ve used a on wheel and off wheel trainers over the decades, but I’m never going back to them. Rollers forever, and the Inside Ride rollers have been great.
The only downside of the Inside Ride rollers is that the erg experience is not the best. But since I never use erg mode, it doesn’t matter. And it mimics terrain just fine.
The Kickr Move is amazing for me. Fixed position trainers break my brain—even 30 minutes is intolerable. The Move’s movement makes even a 2+ hour ride mentally doable.
I have a semi-dedicated pain cave. My home office is big enough for me leave the trainer+bike in place, pointed at my computer on my desk. I’ve been using Trainer Road for a few years now, and I’m very happy with being able to minimize it so I can watch movies. I have two high velocity Vornado fans to keep me cool (and I’d love to add another one).
Pro tip for anyone trying to decide on a trainer: Take advantage of REI’s generous return policy. Buy and try, and if it’s not for you, take it back.
