Indoor Training Bike Options

[Terry_Van_Delinder]

As much as I hate to think about it indoor season is right around the corner. I’ve been limping along with an old Tricross (my original bike actually) but it really should have some work done to be effective even for indoor riding. I also have a Kickr v5 (so no virtual shifting support) and primarily ride Zwift, loading workouts to it from TrainingPeaks even though I haven’t settled on a training platform for this year. I do ride a fair amount (8+ hours a week) so could justify a decent setup.

Right now my options seem to be:

1. Keep the current setup and do the work required on the dedicated trainer bike. That would at least be BB bearings, chainrings (it’s got a triple so ideally I’d simplify that), shifter cables, bar tape, and whatever else is uncovered. I have to admit, I haven’t been completely up on maintenance. This would allow me to ride as is but I’m probably looking at putting more into the bike than it’s worth (2011 Tricross Sport)

2. Throw one of my “good” (Aethos or Diverge) outside bikes on the trainer. I don’t like the idea of added wear and sweat but I’d be more apt to stay up on maintenance here at least.

3. Go the other way and get a new Kickr Core and Zwift Ride. It’d be more of an investment but would give me a solid indoor setup and with the new Core out hopefully more future proof than my v5 (which I’m still irritated about the lack of support on). Would have the v5 to sell and recoup maybe a couple hundred bucks.

4. Could go with a Kickr bike (probably the shift, don’t think I’d need the pro) but not sure I’d get any massive benefits over the Zwift ride setup and would have the Kickr if I ever had a reason to throw an actual bike on it.

Thoughts? Something I’m missing?

[Peter_Burghardt]

For option 1, I think “more than the bike is worth” is the wrong way to look at it. If that bike fixed up is the least expensive option you’d be happy with, it still might be a good investment.

3: If you commit to virtual shifting(sell the V5 and get a Core), your drivetrain maintainence does get simpler. Do all of the platforms you are considering support it?

Something like the Ride makes sense if there will be more than one user.

[jasedepuit]

There’s a pretty solid discussion here that would be relevant:

Recommendations for a dedicated indoor bike

Hi there, I’m trying to minimise decisions and be a bit more efficient with my time. I want to jump on and turn on TrainerRoad/Zwift, and when I’m going out, I want to cut down on the steps taken to get the bike ready. That said, I’ve come across a few training bikes at a decent price point on FB marketplace. The options are: Zwift Ride (bike only) Kickr Bike V1 Kickr Bike Shift @ 20% off (brand new) Given that the Kickr bike is more expensive than the Zwift Ride, is there any valu…

[Max_Lein]

Another option is to get something like the Caveworks Rivet, a dedicated frame for indoor cycling based on standard parts. Apart from the stem, everything are standard parts (because the stem is adjustable).