Is there a better option than Nordictrack?

Tech Tech - What to Buy
1

First, I think tacx would probably be the best bike for me since I am already in the Garmin ecosystem. The Wahoo bike looks cool though.

In any case, my wife has said those are too expensive.

Here is the specific Nordictrack option I am looking at: Tour De France Bike - NordicTrack

The $700 additional from the x24 is steep, but I think the features it offers over the x24 make it worth is. I am replacing a Peloton, so if I am going to do it, I am going to have drop bars or I am just not going to do it.

The Zwift bike is not an option because of the exposed chain…unless there is an easy way to fix that.

I am open to any other suggestions.

2

The Nordictrack is $3000…..but you can get the Wahoo Kickr Bike Shift for $2499.

You also won’t be locked into a crappy, proprietary training program and can use any training platform (Zwift, TR, etc) you want.

3

the one thing I need to do research on the shift is the grade simulation. What does it mean to simulate the grade and not just move the bike?

4

Out of curiosity, what is the specific issue with the exposed chain?

5

I have four cats that will get chain grease all over them. Dog will probably be a moron too.

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6

Just get a zwift bike with the kickr core and wax the chain?

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7

I think that just means that it’ll vary resistance according to grade, using whatever algorithm they have for calculating or approximating the resistance necessary, based on your weight (hopefully) and height (maybe….to help approximate CdA) and of course, grade.

8

The only thing that actually changes is resistance. But as @Robin says, there will be some algorithm that links the (virtual) gradient and (virtual) gear choice to the resistance, to simulate riding at that gradient in that gear.

If you want the bike to actually tilt up, you need to buy a frame, turbo trainer, and gradient simulator (Wahoo Climb; Tacx Alpine; Elite Rizer) all separately.

9

the nordictrack does actual incline (as does the Kicker Pro)

10

I’d be wary of being locked into iFit. My partner’s treadmill just lost iFit support, and there’s no other way to connect to a tablet or use another app.

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