Testing the CHEAPEST Smart Trainer! Is it any good? Tacx Flow
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
- Tacx Flow Smart Trainer: www.garmin.com...
// Cycling eBook: www.ilikemount...
// Instagram: / katiekookaburra1
// Strava: / strava
// Bikes: www.ribblecycl...
// Patreon: / katiekookaburra
Well chuffed to have the following brands support me and my ol' cycling adventures. So you will see some of their products I choose to use in my content :)
www.ribblecycl...
www.garmin.com/
www.zwift.com/uk
www.lazersport...
exposurelights...
Quad Lock: bit.ly/3R1CErg
I had the Tax Flow for a couple of years, absolutely superb. Just upgraded onto a smart trainer and now have the Stages SB20. I sold the Tacx so someone else now has the benefit of it. One tip, I got hold of a spare wheel from my local bikeshop and put the blue tyre on it - saved wearing out my best cassette and wheel!
Arrived as expected with all parts intact, also included two hex keys for assembly. ruclips.net/user/postUgkxwOUUBdw8-88Iu4QnQS7q6b2NwZkHiYVl Had to adjust mine slightly to fit my bike, this was easy enough with instructions. I bought it to train with my track bike and found it to have resistance similar to climbing a slight gradient. Takes a while to learn to balance but there is plenty of guidance to help on the internet. Edit: There was more resistance at lower speeds because of the number of contact points but at higher speeds it is much easier as you don’t have to contend with drag.
Hi Katie, This is the first time I've see your channel and I must say I'm really impressed with your down-to-earth and honest method of reviewing! I will now follow your channel with great interest and I look forward to your future videos. I hope to learn from you. I have only recently come back to cycling at the age of 66! I used to be a member of Abbotsford Park Road Club and used to time trial regularly in my early 30s. I have resurrected my vintage Gazelle road bike and attempted to repair my ancient dumb turbo trainer but without success. I would love to own that Tacx turbo trainer. I'm doing all this to try and be fit and heaithy and elongate my life for my 6 Yr old boy. I'd forgotten how passionate I was about biking but that has returned in spades! I work at Media city in Salford. I must say that it is incredibly generous of you to gift this trainer to who ever is lucky enough to win it. Keep up the good work. I will be watching you from now on. Tom.
picked one of these up for about £75 (60+15 shipping) on ebay in september - and have been happily zwifting with it since october now, and it's certainly good enough that I don't feel the need to replace it with a direct drive. The only real problem i had was that bluetooth was really inconsistent, but £15 ish for an ant+ dongle for the computer took care of that :D
Hi Katie, one of the big things about the ride on trainers rather than direct drive is that the little resistance wheel on the trainer can get very hot - this leads to a bit of a melted rear tyre and potential re-decoration of the wall behind the trainer in little specs of rubber as they fly off. I'd highly recommend a turbo specific tyre as they don't do this. Fantastic review though.
The resistance wheel does not get hot enough to melt the tyre! It can quickly degrade the tyre if you've got it set up wrongly (at a slight angle) but it doesn't get anywhere near hot enough to melt anything.
I completely disagree with this. I've been using normal tyres: rubino pro 3, conti gp 5000s and never had a problem other than tyre wear. Highly recommend saving money and just using cheap tyres with wheel on trainers.
(for about 5 or 6 years). I'm not a beast, I peak out at maybe 800w, FTP of 269 at the moment (295 highest). Used with trainerroad and zwift for a long long time.
The biggest difference between the wheel on and direct drive trainers is the massive disparity between what the wheel on trainer says what watts you are doing and the reality when you get a direct drive trainer and your ftp drops 40 watts😂😂😂
@@simoncbr900rr I use my wheel on trainer with powertap pedals so that doesn't happen.. but yeah that is a huge downside of wheel on
My 1st smart turbo trainer a few years back. Did a job and kept me fit on those cold winter nights until I could afford the Wahoo Kickr. Great entry level smart trainer.
Same 👍🏼
I loved my tacx flow, got it 2nd hand and used for a couple of years with my spare bike!
So that's what sunlight looks like ! Great pitch Katie.
Thoughts with your friends in the LAPD after recent dreadful events. Top people.
Stay safe ☀️
🚴♀️
I have had my Tacx Flow for over a year and have been extremely happy with it. I used my normal road tire until a friend gave me a used wheel with a trainer tire on it. Both seem to work well. I have not noticed any issues with using a normal tire. Yes, it can look like there is a 'stripe' in the middle of the tire, but this disappears as soon as you go for a ride outside. It was easy to setup and I have logged about 7000 km on it. I do consider every now and then to upgrade and have actually tried a friend's Kickr V5, but I have been hesitant to pour even more money into the sport :-) So for now, I continue with the Tacx Flow. Another nice thing is that I can easily set an older 10-speed bike on it and then switch it out to a newer 11-speed with ease. So it makes it quite convenient. Actually when I first started, I setup a city bike on it with 3x8 gears and 32mm tires. All worked well.
Super happy you’re pleased with it!!! 🙌🏼💕
I’m on a dumb trainer and keep looking at smart trainers, but have so far resisted the urge! My 25 year old CycleOps fluid trainer is so bombproof! I do use a dedicated tyre. That was a game changer. No more slippage and way cheaper than the GP5000s! I’d
Love to be in with a shout of winning the Tacx Flow, but live a bit further down the M6 than can be considered local, even though I was born up there and grew up in the beautiful Ribble Valley. I hope whoever the lucky recipient is goes on the achieve all their cycling and fitness goals with this wonderful piece of kit 😊🏆❤️
I was a heavy commuter (before covid) and have been looking for a way to train inside the house (3 kids - so time is short).
Money is short atm and wouldn’t be able to get one of those HOWEVER that trainer would absolutely save me from the dad bod thats starting to settle in. Plus i live in BURY (you actually cycle pretty close to my house - strava)
Great stuff Katie !
Love your videos, keep it up !
😊
I got a red tyre off amazon for this and a cheapish wheel, so a dedicated wheel and tyre, not had any issues. Found its best to release the tyre tension overnight as it leaves a bump when you start riding. Not had any wear on the tyre and do need to keep pressures up. Also put a cover on the floor as last winter I had a strip of ‘grease’ on the carpet from the chain, I used squirt, although this was in the garage. Brilliant video once again…..
Hi Katie, i have this trainer, because i don't want to spend much money, For me it is enough touse my bike a bit in the winter. I am verry happy with the flow smart trainer and for me it is good enough. For a short workout you can certainly use a normal, clean tire. I use the Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Home tire and I definitely recommend a roller trainer tire, for a longer workout or if you use the trainer more often. ... phu... i hope my english was good enough for you and all your followers. Greetings from Germany to all british cyclists.
Here is my anecdote: When I started zwifting a year ago, I started with a used Tacx dumb trainer for 30€ which is essentially the same as the Tacx Flow sans "smart". To use it with zwift I had to buy a cadence and a speed sensor for 20€ each, re-used an existing heart rate strap. I also purchased a trainer tire (30€). So basically ~140€ + some money for a foam pad etc. I still think this is enough that could work with Zwift and did the job for quite some time (mainly caused by my motivation to stick to it) - just to understand Zwift and my fitness level. Late last year I bought the zwift hub smart trainer (direct drive) which is awesome but requires hefty 500€ which I spent because I was using Zwift before and knew I would use it again this Winter for ~3 Months. Before going for the cheap setup I remembered the "gym membership problem": many people purchase a subscription in January then never come back by March yet still having to pay. So my expectations were low and I had only "an upside chance", as risk was limited to a small amount of money. Thankfully Zwift can be cancelled on a monthly basis. This "start cheap, evaluate, upgrade to a decent setup" thing is what I prefer. That's why I like to buy used bikes - they have already scratches and there is no excuse to not using them.
Started off with a Tacx wheel on smart TT back in lockdown 2020. Now using the Elite Direto X and it’s an absolute dream for winter training or quick training sessions. I did ride a 100km in the garage over winter, 2ºC and completely forgot to use chamois. 4 hours later and my gentleman’s area resembled a cowboys satchel and required some serious TLC the week after!
Would love a smart trainer, can collect, I am a lockdown 62yo cycling convert, training for a coast to coast (Way of the Roses) this summer. You've been inspirational on my cycling journey.
Great video review Katie.
The Tacx Flow was my first trainer that i bought, when starting out on indoor training, and I thought it was a brilliant little unit. I used it for a couple of years, before I upgraded to a Tacx Flux 2, direct drive. I was going to sell it, but I was glad I didn't, as after only 6 months, my flux 2 broke,, and had to be replaced, thankfully under warranty. (Apparently with a fault which is common with that model.)
I was glad I kept my flow, as it took 4 months to get replacement, (which has had no issues), due to availability issues, during covid, and was able to keep on riding.
I would recommend it to anyone who is starting out for the first time, on indoor training.
So nice to see you back to basics. But for Strava - where I saw your postings - I was worried about another accident, Fortunately that was not the case. Welcome back from all your admirers. HOWEVER, buy a tire specifically for a wheel-on smart trainer. My regular road tire totally disintegrated, delaminated, and would not hold air after about 10 hours, but the Victoria trainer tire is unfazed after 50.
I appreciate the validation of my opinion on this. I've been using mine for about 18 months or so (in the colder months of a Canadian winter), but have never used a direct drive trainer, so didn't have anything to compare it to other than the dumb trainer I had been using for a couple of decades. Clearly it's a big step up from that.
When my wife retired we sold the house and downsized so, for the first time in 32 years, I have downstairs neighbors. I let them know what I was doing. They've since told me that think they've heard it a couple of times but they honestly weren't sure. The biggest issue with noise turns out to be conflicts between whatever my wife is doing and the podcasts I play through a Bluetooth speaker while riding.
I’d love this . I live just over the hill near Cragg vale and need something to get me off my office chair and back in the bike after a tough 2 years as a new parent with no exercise, and lots of stress. Biking and health has taken a back seat. The review looks good so whoever is the lucky winner will be in for a treat.
Fingers crossed!
I bought a tacx flow second hand as a starter trainer, it’s been so good I’ve never needed to upgrade!!
Yes please Katie! This would be my 1st trainer and I’m happy to collect even though I’m some way souf of you 😂 as for plans, I want to ride some sportive and try a bike packing adventure this year so building up to these on the Tacx would be an amazing boost to my training plan. Thanks for all you do, I love your videos and look forward to more inspiration this year xx
So glad I decided to go with this trainer, I've been on the fence for awhile. I'm glad to hear your rave review.
I bought my Flow in February 2022 to help prep for the Kentucky Century Challenge. I can't complain about it since I went on to complete 4 of the 5 metric century rides and earned myself the jersey. ERG mode has enough resistance to allow me to pedal when I'm out of the saddle, which is an interesting concept since my right leg is paralyzed from the knee down and has a tendency to be a bit jerky. Great review!
I'm so happy you posted this video. I am a weather wuss. I just don't like having to go through so much prep just to ride my bike. Also, life circumstances oftentimes don't allow me to go for a ride where I want to go for a ride when I want them. Having a home smart trainer to use with Zwift gives I think will give me the closest thing I can find to a nice outdoor ride as I can get. So, during the holiday sales, I bought myself a cheap (highly rated though) smart trainer I can use. I haven't used it yet because we are remodeling the area I will use it (half done now). I would have LOVED to have bought a fancy designated trainer bike, but I simply don't have the budget as I'm also saving up for a really nice used touring bike! So, hearing that you were pleasantly surprised with this trainer was WONDERFUL to hear.
Basically, I just recently discovered biking and rail trails in the last year and the start-up cost is enormous, so saving a penny where I can, is super helpful!
Really friendly down to earth, useful presentation. Thank you.
I have been using this trainer since 2018. It just works for me. I do get a puncture every few months. I do use the Tacx tire.
I have used it with Zwift, Tacx and Rouvy and it has performed well. It is important to keep your tire inflated correctly and calibrate the trainer regularly.
It is a great entry level trainer. My next one would be the next level up.
Yeh, I'm a big fan of mixing indoor and outdoor cycling and echo what you say about the gym, I spent years going to gyms and really didn't like it - covid saved me - I never went back! Indoor cycling led to me having the confidence to go outside on longer more demanding rides having built up my fitness. No black ice in Sydney but we've had plenty of rain this past year and on all these days I had the option. Also, work demands make morning club rides difficult for me so the trainer also keeps my fitness going. I was born in Manchester and lived there for 18 years, left in 1991, so no freebie for me but good luck in finding a home and thanks to Garmin for helping you out with your channel. I love their cycling computers.
It is 8 months on from when I posted this just finding it today you have convinced me to go get one at the weekend ty for a great informative video
So glad to see you review the Tacx Flow trainer. I took mine out of storage last month (Dec 22) and I've been using it the last 5 weeks for the first time in 6 years. I've done 800km on it now and I love it. I use it with the Tacx app, which has improved since they were taken over by Garmin in 2019. Great review Katie and spot on!
HI Katie. I bought one a few days after you reviewed it while stuck at home recovering from a broken leg😔 (bike accident)
So after completing my first 1,000 km on it here are my inputs... At low speeds there is very little noise. At higher speeds 35+km/h the noise is mostly from air going being blown around by the spokes. Just go up a steeper hill, drop gear and slow down. Problem solved same power output - no noise. Also different tire type probably makes a big difference. I have smooth tires. Treads would probably create more noise. Since I usually have music going anyway the trainer noise is not an issue. As for power output... if you can really put out 800w you're not looking at our reviews anyway. Overall a decent, fairly inexpensive way to get on a smart trainer, doesn't require re-aligning your derailleur like a wheel off unit and in 1 second you can unhook the bike and be back on the road. Happy with it.
Vortex for me ! On my second one after water from the reef tank splashed onto and smoked stank. Most reliable otherwise and relatively quiet. Used Zwift and Taxc. Both have merits. Both have gaps but both hugely better than riding in the dark or with ultra low sunshine in winter. As for Katie. Breath of fresh air. We love your videos!!
Nice conclusion. I fully agree, in April 2020 (1st Corona wave) I realised there would be no cycle commuting for me in the near future and bought this at Decathlon for about the same price.
Nearly 3 years later I still love it! Of course having a quieter direct drive trainer would be nice, but for me this does the job (at a very nice price). Using a trainer specific tire at the correct pressure keeps the noise down.
I bought a second basic 11 speed rear wheel (still had a good set of 11 spare cogs), so I have my original wheel with road tire and this spare with the trainer tire, so when the weather decides to be very nice and dry, I only need to swap the wheel in order to ride outside 🙂
The Tacx Flow was the first bike trainer I bought. I got a Tacx Flux S a couple of years later. A year later I sold the Tacx Flux S and went back to the Flow. I know there is a difference in the specs but honestly, I have had it for approx 5 years. I couldn’t really feel the difference when riding and have never had a drop in internet connection. The handiness of being able to carry it about and use it in different places in the house or elsewhere is fantastic. I have even used it outside my house in the summer when I didn’t have time to go on proper outside rides.
Hey Katie, thank you so much for a great and informative video! 🙂 I was so much inspired by your review and what the Tacx Flow Smart Turbo Trainer can offer that I took the plunge and ordered one and its arriving in a few days! 🙂 I've had a dumb trainer for so long and it caused me to go a bit stale as I just lose focus and climb off. I needed something that gets me involved rather than just sitting there on my dumb turbo smashing myself to pieces whilst staring at the garage door! I thought of writing a piece regarding your kind and generous offer, but there are loads of people who have more of a genuine reason than me! Thank You again and Best Wishes 👍
Fab to see this video and your positive comments as the Tacx Flow is the trainer I invested in last year. I love it but in all fairness don't have anything to compare it against. I did find investing in a trainer specific tyre to throw on my spare wheel made it quite a bit quieter in use.
When it's cold, wet and nasty there is a lot to be said for bolting your bike on a trainer, sticking Zwift on a tablet and throwing a film on the TV whilst you workout.
I appreciate your videos! You have a great voice and your enthusiasm for cycling comes to the forefront.
I had a trainer 10 years ago and decided I’d rather ride in the rain near Vancouver BC. Then last year I moved to northern BC and got this trainer for the winter. It works great and Zwift is excellent. I do find that I need a fan on the trainer motor for doing longer climbs as holding 270+ watts overheats the motor and shuts it off. Otherwise, 2nd year running and it’s doing great.
I got one of these 3-4 years ago now with a bike. Basically, since I sold the bike it came with, the trainer was almost free. Guy just wanted to get rid of it because he didn’t use. Honestly, I have thought of buying a direct drive on many occasions but I don’t really do Zwift, mostly train with GCN videos, which are awesome btw, and feel like the connection between this and my Wahoo computer work pretty good. Like I honestly can’t see needing to upgrade unless I can get a direct drive at a good price.
At 10:39
This is why Zwift's idea to color code the assembly steps and locations/orientations of parts directly on their trainer with stickers is genius. Every manufacturers should do it.
I used a Tacx Flow for a few years and the noise meant I couldn't use it when the kids were in bed (garage is right underneath their bedroom). Also after a while the metal 'cover' on the roller started to separate from the axle and it made a horrible clicking noise every rotation. Ended up upgrading to a mid range direct drive trainer which highlighted the limitations of an entry level smart trainer.
i cant believe this video literally just came out, i was looking for different options for my first indoor trainer and was just contemplating whether i should get this or the wahoo kickr snap. great video!
Yes please Katie! I’m training for Ambitious M2L in June and live locally, this would be great for interval training 😊 Ed
I had a Tacx Flow for years never let me down great trainer for the price, yes it's louder than a direct drive but for immersive experience you can't fault it. It's now used by my son with his 26 inch bike
While viewing I was wondering about the Tacx blue tires, and a few seconds later my question was answered. 👍
I would love the trainer happy to pick up anywhere in Manchester. Live on the Wirral. I have always wanted one. Have a goal to cycle every day this year. Need to get fit xx
I bought my first Smart Trainer in lockdown, an Elite Nuvo, very similar specs to the tacx and currently 199 at Halfords before any British cycling discount.
I can’t fault it, I use it with a spare wheel fitted with a trainer tyre and it’s been perfect. I’ve got the chance to buy an as new Elite Direto (direct drive) so will move the wheel on trainer on shortly but it’s been spot on.
I live for turbo training. I've got one upstairs but now have a new turbo but I did love this old turbo. Have a great week skinny k great vlog too
Looks a great bit of kit and fair play to ya giving to worthy person that’s what genuine people do 👍 keep the videos coming always interesting and real
Hi Katie another good video I've had a trax pair off rollers more than 15years l have a trax trainer there good you take care it's going to be 37c this Satarday l will go out early on my bike in Victoria Australia
I loved that you have the camera set to capture you halo!
Yes please, I live in preston and just started my cycling adventure. These past few weeks have had me stuck inside due to the weather. I’m wanting to do my first 50 and 100 mile ride this year and would be a big help in getting me there.
I've been using a Tacx Vortex for quite a few years now, which I think is quite similar. It was more expensive though. I can't really fault it for Zwift. I've kept it purely because I don't have a dedicated area where I can set up a direct drive trainer and bike more permanently. Instead, I set up, ride/race on Zwift then pack away afterward. Because the bike still has a rear wheel attached, it keeps things more straight forward. Great video as always 👍
Hey, I'm a noob that wants to maintain fitness indoors (uk weather).
I bought mine in November last year and it worked no problem. 5 days ago, it wouldn't calibrate on the Tacx app. Garmin and Decathlon couldn't figure it out so I have sent it back for a new one.
That aside, this is a really good product if you're new to the game! (I am not fussed about noise because I'm usually listening to music hehe!)
Using it with a trainer tire is significantly reducing its noise. I'm currently with the conti home trainer tire and its a lot quieter with it.
I've had a vortex since 2015. Agree with your review. Is a bit noisy and I think a direct drive trainer would have a nicer pedalling action..... but it does the job and I can't justify spending money on something I don't really need!!!
I’ve been using mine with Zwift for around 3 years. Does the job well enough for me
Definitely worth highlighting the tyre wear aspect on those wheel on trainers, Ive got a Tacx Blue Matic, so nearly identical except for the smart features to the flow, and it will quite happily wear a visible centre line on your tyre just in a 1hr session, and leave you hoovering up tyre marbles from around your trainer, seemingly for ever more. It can also be quite fiddly to get the right level of friction with the tyre touching the roller just right, as too loose and it will slip, too tight and you're increasing wear and resistance, and it changes as the tyre heats up.
I live nowhere near Manchester but Maine is lovely this time of year!
Hi Katie, having a mid life crisis and found cycling!! I can find a new home for this smart trainer. This would help me kick start my 2024 training. 🙏🙏
Great video Katie would love this turbo mine packed in wks ago , just on a come back few heart problems so need to get my fitness back not far away from Manchester so easy to pick up cheers Simon
I live about 30,000 miles away but I would love to get a smart trainer some day. I use to cycle years and years ago but quit. After 20+ years of drinking and smoking, slowly killing myself I took up cycling again a year ago. Cycling helped me set goals which in turn helped me quit drinking as well as quit smoking. It is unfortunately difficult to get the ambition to go for rids in winter.
just come up on my feed. was looking at this and elite tuo ended up just getting tuo since was $60 cheaper :D nice review.
Welcome back from LA (there were rumors you left on a human powered pedal plane). As for the Taxc, my suggestion for that type of turbos: use an old tyre or a dedicated tyre, those rolls "eat" the tyre a lot)
Hi Katie I would love it! I'm in Essex but would pay for delivery. I want to lose weight so I can go on adventures!
Great video Katie, I would definitely love this as a gift for my other half. I am.keen to get her into cycling so she can join me at the weekends, but she has concerns about riding outside, this would really help build her confidence on the bike.
I am way down south but would happily pay for postage. 😁
A really good review Katie - should do more 😊
I have this trainer too, after going from a dumb trainer, well impressed with it, alot cheaper 2nd hand
Hi Katie, thank you for the review. I’m a life long runner, or I was until I had foot surgery at the beginning of December so I’m looking to keep fit by using a bike trainer. Currently I’m using a dumb trainer which suits this dumb rider just fine although looking ahead I want to get a bit more sophisticated with a smart trainer and possibly Zwift. Your review was timely and I would definitely think about the Taxc. My parents live in Manchester although I’m in Switzerland so unless I can persuade my 80 year old parents to get a bike I guess your Taxc can go to another worthy Manc. Great work on the videos I love em.
Got mine for £40 off ebay. Love it.
On the known Internet auction house you can get these even to a lower price. And in my experience the Tacx Flow is much more reliable / long lasting than the belt-driven Tacx Flux. I also never saw much tyre wear on the Flow trainer.
I agree that it's not that much more noise than a direct drive trainer. I recommend though to calibrate The Tacx Flow before each ride (only takes a few seconds).
Live in Swinton would love this can't get out due to a recent accident hit by a car and want to get into swift ❤️
I had one and used enough to determine it’s worth getting direct drive. I found the problem with it was for any climbs it would end up slipping as the gradient went up and meant zero progress.
Definitely recommend finding the extra £ for the Zwift trainer in comparison. Difference is significant in experience / ability to replicate zwift environment.
Plus the control board blew a capacitor and needed to be replaced.
Evening Katie, great review. I need to knock my winter night riding on the head as I fear having an off. Pairing this smart trainer with Zwift will allow me to train better for the Cambrian Coast Sportive century ride in September! 👍 I’m in wrexham!
Thanks for the video. This sounds perfect for me fir next year. I had the same problem this winter, too eager to get back out and came off on ice and broke my little finger. So next year I'm after some sort of indoor trainer.
Hi Katie, fab video as always. Would love the turbo (I've never used one and can see everyone on my Strava is hardcore Zwifting whilst I'm in the rain haha), I live in Didsbury but can cycle to meet you and pick it up. I met you at the This Girl Can event at Rapha Manchester (on the hottest day of the year! I was the girl in the checked dress that kept asking q's). I have a few cycling plans for the year, but the main one would be trying to join the Rapha ride MCR-LDN, scary but hopefully with lots of training I'll make it. Thanks for your content, you inspired me to get into cycling over lockdown. Keep smiling, Laura 🚴♀✨
Great video Katie. I have the old dumb version of the TACX Flow and would love a smart version. Got a 'training wheel', which has a red reinforced tyre on it. I haven't been out on the bike much so far due to weather and not wanting to have to call out an ambulance as they're in short supply. I live in Levenshulme south Manchester, so within easy reach 😉 Take care and see you next video.
I only have one bike and I just realised that if I need to use another wheel to preserve mine it's kind of pointless and not an easy setup anymore. Right? Might as well get a direct driver.
The blue tire is quieter and saves you (potentially) expensive road tire for the outside. Also, the blue tire is made of a compound better suited to grip the little spinner.
I have a Tacx Vortex, which I believe was a slightly better model that the flow (mainly just higher watt capability), but not sure they make it any more. Used to be Flow and Vortex, but now seems to be Boost and Flow. (Boost is even cheaper, but didn't look into spec differences.) They all are based on the same design.
I've had mine now for 5/6 years and can confirm everything you have said in the video. It is getting noisier with time. I think some of the bearings are starting to wear out and start out pretty noisy as a result. Tire wear is also definitely an issue, and where ever you have the trainer, you are going to accumulate marbles around it. I typically just cycle through old tires to avoid any major issues there.
I'd obviously highly recommend them. Its capability I don't think warrants the higher priced need to upgrade. Other than tire wear, I haven't seen the cost benefit of things like the NEO. (Maybe soon, when I can dedicate a bike to trainer only..but I am not quite there yet.)
I also bought it to support 365 training...primarily for the winter months. If you want to be a Crit racer...you have to become a 365 day athlete. No rest during winter breaks. That's the time to build...not to rest.
Sorry, just looked at the specs of the Boost, and it's manual magnetic. No Bluetooth or Ant+. It does have a higher watt capability though - 1050. That was the difference I think between the Flow and Vortex - Flow - 800, Vortex - 1050. Other than that, they are pretty much spot on in capability. (ERG, Bluetooth, Ant, etc....)
I'm pretty sure I ran into you on Monday at the bike shop on Tenerife.. was like can't be. .
Parabéns Katie, seus vídeos são ótimos.
Bought it in ‘17 for less than 200 frm Halfords.
Still remember how it sounds😂.
Great smart trainer to get started.
Moved to Neo 2T and Atom now.
Would be stoked if you could review more budget options for a indoor set up! Would also be stoked to pop on a train to Mancs lmao, great vid!
I bought the Wahoo kick'r and do love it. But cause I use a gravel bike, I had to spend $120 for a thru axel and also bought another tire to use with the trainer so I don't wear out the rear tire on my gravel bike. These extra costs put me up another 180.00.
Hi Katie. I’d love to be considered for the Turbo Trainer. Winter’s minging for riding and summer can be to, as I have Lupus. I’m only around the corner from Manchester. I’d be happy to come to you. At 54 it might be better suited for a younger rider but if I don’t try…….
Yeah, used to have a Tacx Vortex. Then an Elite Drivo. Then a Saris H2. Then a Saris H3. Then an Elite Direto XR. Except for the Vortex that I lent to my mom (she doesn't use it anymore, I should think about it), I'm lucky to have been able to resell them all at a good price, so each time I switched, in fact I didn't really lose money or value :-) I'm still using the Direto XR (second or third ? Winter) and am still satisfied with it, so, as long as it keeps working, I shouldn't switch again anytime soon.
PS: BTW, the Vortex was kinda OK, as a first trainer.
Lifeline TT-02 Fluid trainer ($57 usd) and TT1-01 magnetic ($34 usd) are bargain cheaper and work pretty well...
Fair review, my wife uses my old Vortex which is similar (Just started her Zwift journey). The New Garmin/Tacx app makes the calibration etc easier than before too. The 800w limit is maybe a bit low for seasoned zwift users... especially for the guys as 800w can get hit in a sprint fairly easily and you don't have to be fit to do that. For building training, enjoying some indoor zwifting and community there is nothing wrong with this. Took me a couple of years to outgrow that type/equivalent device. Garmin also supply a range of thru hole axles for different axle lengths and thread pitches etc. Only thing I would consider is the tyre issue, it will eat through a nice soft rubber tyre like a conti 5000, and unfortunately, as you know, with some of the modern wheels -- and running tubeless-- may make swapping out to a blue training tyre a bit of a pain. ( To be fair I would consider a cheap training wheel to throw on the bike for the indoor season)
i bougtht one of these used on ebay for £40.
after a while it became super noisey, clicking constantly, turns out unlike yours which has the newer roller without the holes around the edge of the metal tyre part. the ones with holes start to delaminate from the nylon drum, but a drop of thin superglue on each hole seeps under and reglues it.
i still have it, but keep it as a spare as i bought a direct drive suito for £300 instead.
They're how much now!
I got one of these 2 - 3 years ago. I'm sure it was only around £150 then.
Other than that, it does what it does. Only other thing I've ridden to compare is a WattBike so I won't comment on quality compared to DD trainers.
Biggest problem I have.
I hate indoor cycling! Fortunately this last winter, I've not had to do it at all! Been able to get out whenever I needed. (this is life the other side the 'ill in Gods' County you see)
❤️ from Yorks
Hi Katie. Great review . I have the same bike as you , just fitted some full length mudguards to it .I'm training for a couple of sportives. Bad back has got me off to a slow start this year. Would love that turbo trainer, it would definitely help me get fitter. I live in Leeds but working in Swinton,Manchester
IMHO, you’re better off buying a Zwift Hub that comes with a cassette for $499.99. I have an ancient dumb trainer set up I put together mostly from fb marketplace. Not great, but can Zwift fine. And I don’t have a stable of bikes in the garage.
I would not pay $300 for this smart wheel on trainer because the extras add up. You may need to buy a thru axle adapter for $40. A Vittoria training tire is $32 and you are not going to want to change tires every time the weather changes if you don’t have extra bikes. So you should buy a used wheel with a cassette, which I found for $150. So that’s all over $500 already
You should try it with a dedicated trainer tyre.
Made for this, not as noisy, won’t wear out as fast as a non-trainer tyre...
Do I have to use any apps with the trainer? I have an Edge 130 and a Fenix 6 Pro, can I use them with the trainer and if so, how? How can my stats be transferred to my Garmin Connect?
One remark: check with your frameset manufacturer if your carbon bike is approved for this kind of trainer. Not every carbon frameset is. See around minute 5 of the video for the forces your bike has to stand when used with the trainer.
Recovering from major vascular surgery( May-Thurner Syndrome),that trainer would be a natural progression for me.
I m in Leicester but can travel.
Guy
I live in rochdale area Manchester, training for triathalon & half marathon this year and looking to use cycling to lose weight and tain without destroying my joints, i would love a smart trainer
I know nothing about indoor training equipment, apart from the trainer, what other items would I need to buy? Like you, I'm looking for a winter riding alternative. Thanks.
For your normal set up, Why did you switch from the wahoo kicker to the Tacx neo T2?