With British Cycling discount the Zumo is £405, the Direto £495 and the Suito is £585 (but has a cassette obviously). As such, those units last 10-15 years (or more). It’s now almost November. I have no issues with it from a Zwift or TrainerRoad standpoint, meaning no issues in regular riding, sprints, or doing ERG mode 30×30’s – all of which can be demanding. Surprisingly I got a new Core, no longer a refurb’ed one as replacement. Unlike the other trainers that hide everything inside a giant shroud, Wahoo Fitness leaves much of the KICKR’s spinning innards exposed. If you live in TrainerRoad, then you’ll love just how good the H3 feels. If I wanted that I’ll just ride outside in the cold. Whereas the Flux started life more as a budget trainer. » Elite Fuoripista 14,000EUR Indoor Smart Bike: First Ride and Specs, » Tacx NEO 2T Smart Trainer In-Depth Review, » RAD Cycling Trainer Desk: For when you just can’t justify the Wahoo KICKR Desk Price, » Elite Tuo Smart Trainer In-Depth Review, » The Smart Trainer Recommendations Guide: Winter 2020-2021, consolidated trainer stock & alerting tool, The 2020-2021 Smart Trainer Recommendations Guide, driver interactions getting worse and worse, the older 2015 trainer recommendation post, Pop-open a new window to see all 6 trainers here, the NEO 2T got substantially increased power, they’re cobblestones or what-not on Zwift, InsideRide solution with the floating fork, Weekend Tidbits: Hammerhead Adds Radar Support, Elite Releases Upgrado app, Garmin adds Edge connection to inReach, click here to Subscribe without commenting. Technically they’re cobblestones or what-not on Zwift, but you get the point. So if you are right regarding the coding of the serial number mine were produced in week 25 and 33 this year. So I settled for the Flux and dug deep into the price comparison. Best, No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too! Hope this helps Scott. So that’s $120 back in your pocket (to spend at REI). But more annoying was the noise it made through the floor. By the way, I don’t race but do some long bike rides and occasionally a duathlon or triathlon so mainly looking at indoor fitness. Review: The virtual world of Zwift - Just a game, or will it change the way we train? Below $700 CAD smart trainers seem to pickup an additional 5-10dB. Elite Direto OTS 2 £550 in the UK at Halfords, extra 10% discount for British Cycling members. I have to admit figuring out all of the applicable dimensions is somewhat tricky so any help would be greatly appreciated! For the moment it is possible in Belgium to buy the Elite Direto X for only 70€ more then the Suito. ERG is an entirely different story and very untrustworthy when transitioning zones in a workout or just staying steady in a single zone. Upgrade to new kickr Wahoo Fitness could leave some more room between the driveside thru-axle end cap and the cassette lockring, however. Thank you so much for the in-depth reviews. I’m certain I could throw that in front of a semi-truck, and it’d probably be fine. Business is booming and none of the four majors are going anywhere anytime soon (Garmin/Tacx, Wahoo, Saris, Elite). Is there a leading option for mountain bikes? I like the extra “immersion” features of the powered freewheel (accurate sensation of coasting) and simulated road/trail surface vibrations. Shop where I bought it wants my to send it back first, so was without trainer for 1 week. I’d go h3 every time I think, especially for erg mode. Why did they fail so fast? Also I can tell that noise level is overestimated for H2 based on DCR video. I don’t really see how it increases reality when there’s no back wheel though…guess I’ll find out when I upgrade , Forget what I said about wear on the bike’s drivetrain, obviously the chain doesn’t spin when you stop pedalling , I’m still on an old kettler ergometer* – along with (my wifes) crosstrainer it does not take more than 1,75 x 1,75 meter. I am shopping for a trainer and I wonder when the new versions are coming up. For example with Tacx you’ve got the Flux S ($749) and Flux 2 ($899) both in the market. But for TrainerRoad, no, there’s no major difference there. A three-color LED will change the hue projected on the ground beneath your feet, too, and the frame will even vibrate if you’re riding on rough surfaces on Zwift (although I was only able to get that feature to work intermittently on my sample). Most companies have adapters (and in many cases finally just released them in the past few months), but not always. So Amzaon.FR if in France, DE in Germany, and so on. Keep in mind that 70dB is twice as loud as 60dB. OPTION 3) $ 1210 Thanks fir taking the time out to answer. Can’t wait to try it out, though I’m still hoping the majority of my winter miles will be outdoors! So for things that are still outstanding, it’s tougher for me to recommend them at this time. You mention in the body of your article that Tacx Neo does not support FTMS at this time. The annual fall VIP 20% sale is planned for mid-November. Questions, anyone else experiencing this problem, and So, from what I can find on the interwebs… 4) KICKR 2020 gets added, but with a warning on an edge case accuracy issue, No new tech expected at EuroBike? Here’s all the trainer sales here: link to dcrainmaker.com. But the two ‘core’ rides I do on every trainer (Zwift Titans’ Groove route and TrainerRoad 30×30 ERG workout) are done on all those and they passed. Elite Drivo II is currently on offer at £750 in the UK. Awesome to know. There’s really no surprise this trainer is here. I have seen that the Elite Drivo 1 is for sale in the UK at Halfords for £499 which seems an unbelievable price to me for the spec. Unfortunately it makes the same sound than yours, I already added videos to my ticket at Wahoo and ask for another replacement. Not enough snow readily available for that . If you’re using ANT+ though and have no issue with the number of connections the standalone cadence sensor should work better based on Ray and Shane’s findings. That’s disappointing? But for a more immersive feeling I like to have a bigger display. My gf is looking for a trainer and we are wondering the same Core vs Suito, she’ll probably get the Suito it is 900 at Primeau Velo when she goes to Montreal. The more I use all these bikes, the less optimistic I get on spending money in 2019 on these bikes. This only happens when the two trainers are operating at the same time. Heck, Elite even saves you $5-$10 by tossing in a front wheel riser. Trying to find a smart trainer/bike in-stock? I like smooth transitions around the draft, but responsive attacks/sprints. Hey! And even if I tested one, I don’t really see how it competes with the KICKR CORE at the same price, primarily on noise and road-feel. Hope to see you again in Longchamp . In my case, 275lb / 125kg. Problem was the same. At least not without being not satisfied with the trainer. Bluetooth. . The silent first Core 402xxxxxxxx. So is your comment more about “it works as it should, but one could expect a bit more features for this money” or “it is not worth the money, because what they promised is not 100% delivered”? This is supposed to be compatible, but the spacing between the cassette and drive side drop out is wider than when the wheel is installed. I use the pedals to control the trainer via the setup in the apps (I use BKool and Rouvy; Zwift can do this also). Now, what strucks me is that the internet is full of unhappy people who ordered the suito, and this has a ton of problems. Well this post made me feel good about my refurbished KICKR I bought this summer. I do have the feeling my flux 2 reports lower wattage than my vectors…how can we verify or test this? I purchased one of them too. I had actually in September at note at the top of the post saying beware. I would like to support DCR and enjoy ad-free DC Rainmaker ($20 per year). Ok, we’re almost to the recommendations. Now we run my KickR 2016 side by side with the Neo 2 and I must say that the silence of the trainer is overrated for me. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. This is a fan. Ciao, That’s about the only real tangible differences between them. All of the trainers covered here are also wickedly expensive, likely costing more than the bikes on which most of us got hooked into the sport. But only Wahoo and Ray will know, and they won’t tell us ;-). For trainers it’s 90 days no questions asked. The NX cassette actually fits on a standard hub which makes it a very affordable option. The casing’s considerable width also precludes the use of some thru-axle skewers — I had to disassemble the one on my Giant TCR Advanced SL tester, for example — making the Hammer quite inconvenient for riders who don’t have the luxury of leaving their indoor stations set up throughout the off-season. I haven’t double-checked all the EU prices but isn’t a Flux S in that same price point? I swim, bike and run. I can go independently on both of them without beiing redirected. I generally don’t recommend products that don’t have a sustainable support path. CycleOps PowerSync Bluetooth Smart review Our review Performs admirably well on its own with great power accuracy, but limiting to Bluetooth frequency misses a major point of 'smart' trainers Surely you can go longer. Now here’s the thing. You will get power/speed/cadence from all smart trainers. In the UK/EU/Australia/New Zealand? would that be a good buy? It’s basically a wash price-wise once you factor in the required cassette. Bluetooth Smart Broadcast: Power, Speed, Cadence. Noise, appearance, transport and various luxuries etc. Like CompuTrainer, they’re out of business. The Wahoo Fitness KICKR’s frame is decidedly pared down compared to the others tested here, but the four-point contact and very wide wingspan yields fantastic stability. Switching to a softer aluminum lockring fixed the issue, but not before a decent gouge was formed in the end cap. Whereas that first batch needs a different firmware due to some tweaks they made, so they’re working on that still. An 11 speed and a 12 speed. With a new dedicated room i also expect to upgrade to a modern trainer, but how much space do i need for it not to be cramped ? This will be my 1st smart trainer. Just tested if a third o-ring would reduce the problem on my Neo 2 and it does. Then I found your site. In many cases, I’ve detailed out longer answers in posts related to those products. Over the last few years we’ve continued to see major shifting in price vs feature-set combinations. Wahoo KICK has been there for two years now. I will look forward to take the suito then. With that, Tacx got rid of the low-speed slip-sprint problem of the NEO 1/2. (I have yet to use it as I am waiting on the cassette to arrive). Kinetic: ANT+ FE-C and Bluetooth Smart FTMS on all 2019 smart trainers. I aim to leave no stone unturned. Don’t want to spend lots for a peleton. For those who experience this issue, we’ll replace the entire product.”. Because of my location overseas I don’t want the hassle of return shipping and late night customer service calls. I haven’t done a full review of the Smart Go, but have done the other BKool trainers and have things a bit variable. Wahoo seems to be one of those companies that strive to make it right for their customer. I’m a 52 year old Scot that’s just got back into cycling in the last year or so and it’s a world away from when I was last on a bike. Awesome Ray! Wahoo Support isn’t available on the week-end thus not sure how expensive multiple returns back to the US might be (anyone from Canada who has first hand knowledge, let me know if Wahoo covers shipping both ways on exchanges). I had 5 kickr 16 (studio usage) and they were working fine though they had power vi of 10percent – I have a climb (bought it because the kickr was sold in china as 17 year edition, and it was kickr16). The Neo 2t is $1,119 at REI. perhaps because you were lucky and your unit is not broken yet? As for CORE, I don’t expect any further Wahoo trainers this year (as they stated their full 2020-2021 winter training season trainer lineup is complete). Indoor Special: Smartes Training im Winter 12 Seiten, 9,43 MB, Ausgabe: 11/2020 Kaufen für 3,99 € (für Print-Jahresabonnenten kostenlos) Zum Shop Robert Kühnen am 19.11.2018. That central unit’s large footprint doesn’t sink into carpet padding very much, and the feet on the outriggers don’t extend down far enough to completely keep the trainer from rocking. So to me it is not related to trainer firmware. I run the Kickr’s power from my Vector 3s and I’m not bothered about the noise. I have tried it both with and without tmy Quarq power meter linked but so far it is unusable. For the most part, looking at historical issues for NEO’s, anything that you’d find, you’d find on like Day 0 usage. It’s a good price, but it’s also a much older trainer. Ray, no clue how you manage to stay so calm and collected. The ‘worst’ durability type issue we’ve seen is the stickers (chevrons) on the back of the Wahoo KICKR/CORE trainers flying off the flywheel. Great write up and thanks a lot for sharing! Given the amount of investment involved, the question naturally has to be asked: Which one should you buy? The main difference on those is how it can replicate climbs, and specifically the power floor. Wahoo Fitness wasn’t the first to introduce a computer-controlled indoor trainer when it debuted the original KICKR at the 2012 Interbike show. CycleOps even includes a spacer for riders who might be using bikes with disc brakes. Despite software updates, is this still a device you find yourself struggling to recommend? Note the rust on the steel bits at the hinges. Have been leaning towards the Saris H3. . If you’re familiar with the CycleOps H2 direct-drive smart trainer, then you’re familiar with the Saris H3—nearly the same CycleOps product, with new Saris branding. Spend the extra money on the Snap or Saris M2, but it works. Overall support ended up being good for me . Perhaps most upsetting is the Neo Smart’s susceptibility to corrosion. If I’m gonna fork out a bit of cash, I hope to get something good which will last me for many years. The biggest plus I see with the Smart Bike is the multiuser capability. Go spend the $300 on ice cream or something for her. I’m looking to purchase one in Great Britain but will be moving back to the U.S. before terribly long so I don’t want to have to buy a trainer twice. Enjoy! I’ve been planning on getting a trainer (probably a Kickr Core) for a while now. I remember last winter Des of DesFit was at the DCR Cave doing a workout a few days after the Open House, and he curiously picked the then CycleOps H2 trainer as he wanted to give it a whirl as he hadn’t tried it yet. I was inclined to purchase a TACX Neo 2T smart but now I am concerned. I thought issues with early models would be solved when they are checked before send out as refurb’ed. I’ve been using a SNAP for the last few years, that has performed faultlessly. From once-great-to-now-bargepole-territory is, consequently, how I view them. The only benefit of trainer tires is that some tires will slowly shred tire specks over the course of the winter, depending on both the specific tire and the specific trainer. I sure as hell wouldn’t touch any used 2018 Wahoo trainers though, god no. Comparable to kickr core? You were bang on correct. Those electromagnetic innards not only generate resistance when appropriate — up to 2,200W and simulating slopes up to 25% — but they’ll also act as a motor to (modestly) simulate downhills, which only adds to the Neo Smart’s hyper-realistic feel. Note that this feature only works when you have the trainer plugged into the outlet. Since then my girlfriend used the Bushido and was absolutely happy (as I was before). Speaking to one colleague from mechanical engineering he expects some tolerance issues so that one ball bearing isn’t fixed in his position and causes too much movement one the other, normally lightly floating bearing. The few times I have let the trainer control the resistance the P1 vs Snap are usually within 2-3 watts on AVG out of 160-180 watts and a 45-60 minute ride. As always, the recommendations are based on my actual testing as well as looking at trends from all the comments I see – not based on cherry picking opinions from corners of the internet to meet a narrative. Wahoo just added support back in August, and Tacx already has it. Often with that slightly better road feel. These days in 2019 it’s less of an issue. That said, Wahoo Fitness’s unusual approach isn’t without some quirks. Wahoo only offers a one year warranty. I don’t know what is your interest on such denyal, but anyways here you go, your recommended trainer: link to youtube.com You know what’s missing from all of these indoor trainers, though? Not everyone has the same number of gears on their bike, right? Will that be clever training US only, or EU as well what with MSRP etc in Europe being different. Minoura Kagura DT (Not Direct Drive): While this almost made the cut for the mid-range trainer bucket last year, the accuracy was just a bit beyond the price point I’d expect. And in fact, it was only this morning that I finally got on a unit with updated firmware to get it tested on two rides. However, what is super common though is WiFi interference. First from a normal dealer and second was a replacement directly from Wahoo. I think the KICKR SNAP is probably the most robustly built of the bunch, whereas I think the Magnus/M2 is the most accurate of the bunch (plus it has up to 15% incline resistance, which along with the Bushido is the most of the bunch). C) Elite Zumo (same as 2T) B) Maximum wattage Is there a real issue? I’ve got a new version coming – shot all the photos a few weeks ago. Would be nice to hear from you or other KickR Core owners if their Core is doing the same. Helpful. If those are not quite enough for you than the Kickr Core or perhaps a used Tacx Neo 1 would be good options in my opinion for a quite and least expensive smart trainer. Decisions. The 800w piece probably isn’t too challenging for most people, especially triathletes, but the 6% gradient may be tricky (of course, if you leave defaults on Zwift, you’re unlikely to notice). They even took back a Garmin edge with a screen I scratched in a crash (not why I returned it). The SNAP has better road-like feel, while the Zumo has the convenience and accuracy of a direct drive trainer (in that you don’t have to worry about tire pressure. Luc, how’d this order go? Has anyone tested the current version of the kinetic Road Machine (T-6400)/Rock and Roll (T-6500) Control trainers, to see if they have the same problem measuring power in sprints as the R1 does? I find the Wahoo KICKR in that same camp. In other words: A company has to follow the well recognized standards to even be considered for this list. D) Flywheel weight. Realistically if you want the quietest of that group, it’s CORE. Buy some cross country skis if you’re in a place that gets snow (most, not all of PA, and not every year in the places that get it) to get outside in the winter. Is there any data on the top-5 trainers in terms of sales volume? I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been. I’d like to keep my #1 as it “just” contains a Kickr ’18 board instead of a Core board. Tacx confirmed this was the issue, but weren’t able to fix it. The kickr core is the other option. The MyETraining app would not run without workarounds as MacOS Catalina treats it as untrusted software. Max Power: 2,200 Watts. One more thing, I’ve heard that road feel is the best on Core – the biggest fly wheel – and you say the quietest one, so should be the best from this range I’m interested in. I wanted the KickR Core and thought after the issues last year it is a safe bet. Like all the trainers here, the Elite Drivo is equipped with LED status lights. Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? Folks can have all the disagreements with me they want to in the comments section as long as its civil. Is the Elite Suito internationally compatible? Thanks in advance. Everything goes back to Garmin’s own factories there (a rarity) and back through the assembly line. Elite: 2 years I still hope for a non faulty unit but if I will get 3 replacement units that were not ok, I will also ask for a refund. You flirted with that today above numerous times, despite that, I let you continue posting. I wanted to include the Hammer in that question… because that’s what I have. Waiting another 10 days doesn’t change that. The second tech said the problem will be resolved in the next firmware release in the near future, which to me does not seem plausible, since everything has worked perfectly for over two years using the Kickr SNAP, and the began immediately after the Wahoo Fitness app updated. Would just need the $100 through axel adaptor included above. The end-caps that adjust the spacing on the rear are super-easy to take off and swap to adjust rear spacing. I have beenusing tacx neo for two years (3 or 4 x week) without any issue and I am very happy with the progress I made using a home trainer + trainer road combo! Then there’s ones that are bigger beasts but have in-house: H) Oreka trainer/platform unit (have in-house, to unbox) Dang, I can’t make mine even hint at slipping – even as I try and throw down almost 1,000w. The second is not yours But I wonder if it’s related to production. They all also communicate wirelessly via ANT+, Bluetooth, and FE-C protocols for compatibility with a wide range of apps and devices. I could either A) buy a used KICKR snap for ~ $375 or B) purchase kickr 2014 for $450. I also have a vector 3 power meter so not so concerned about power inaccuracies in sprinting. When I saw they gave the same warranty as a new one after they fix and tested it, I knew that was the way to go. No trainers in the 2019 guide fail to meet this requirement, to me it’s considered a baseline specification. The first is simple broadcasting (one-way) from the trainer to the app/device that you’re using. I’ve then further confirmed this with a few other tire companies as well. But then if you go the whole hog why not consider the Tacx too? You can also create workouts (like intervals) in Garmin Connect and ride on the trainer. Unfortunately, nothing yet. – If yes, for how long do you plan on selling such crap? I have no affiliation, just looks like a decent deal. Eeks! This might lead to a trainer tire and than to an extra wheel or tire change which destroys the advantage of easy in and out. Still not a fan of the Kinetic trainer? It sounds like somehow despite never using a Suito, it’s really offended you. After all, there’s still a drivetrain of metal on metal. It uses soviet era tech and does the job, but you’ll return it…. Perhaps most impressive is the fact that the Neo Smart doesn’t even need to be plugged in to work. I actually nearly gave up because of the bewildering range. First smart trainer, and while I love the idea of have a Wahoo so I could one day add a Climb, I am happy for now. My ftp is around 180, so I need nothing spectacular. Yes think they have stopped making the original Flux. I have version 168 using the Elite Upgrado app. Of course, nobody is saying the Direto-X isn’t accurate. Is there an outcome on the Flux 2 Erg mode issues and the promised firmware fix? I was just going back and forth on Amazon. While I’m lukewarm at best right now (until I understand more) on purchasing reconditioned units that were obviously previously broken ones, at least they’re from Wahoo and have likely gone through some process to fix them. Or is there just a warehouse somewhere near Atlanta with a bunch of interns there fixing them? Wir haben sechs Modelle ab 799 Euro getestet. It has now shipped…and is the only direct drive left in my otherwise sold-out city. Just a heads-up regarding the Vortex Smart – you can buy it on sale at Chainreaction in the EU for 250€. Henry. For your CORE issue, it honestly sounds like there may be an extra spacer in the wrong spot on the trainer. seems to keep the respective trainers operating independently. Totally personal preference. The other companies will probably catch on down the road (like Assioma did with their pedals). What about generic rollers, any thoughts? $999 is priced perfectly. Isn’t any good? If your avatar starts climbing, so do you. My biggest issue is that my wheels are old and probably way out of true, not sure how much the 4iiii can really handle. But i am considering making a dedicated “pain cave” as a room in the shed instead of having a room in the house smelling real bad …. Thank you for your quick response. If you had told someone early last summer that they can buy a quiet KICKR for $300 less, albeit with no ability to adjust height – people would have scrambled for it. The claimed +/-3% power meter accuracy is the least impressive on paper, likely due to the fact that it doesn’t incorporate its own direct-measurement system (CycleOps says the unit is tuned at the factory based on known resistance curves). In many ways, the KICKR SNAP frame is the same way – as are the Kinetic frames too. I personally have had to return 3 Tacx trainers (2 x Flux and 1 x Neo 2T). That said, Tacx released a cool one that actually has a cell-phone holder built in (with a protective plastic cover). So ultimately, I’d say you can kinda figure out what you value here in terms of price to features. So let’s see if the H3 is more than just a name change in the Saris H3 review . Whereas the NEO 2T got substantially increased power from an internals standpoint. Would you prefer a smarttrainer or a smartbike? And finally, while the Hammer is very stable on solid surfaces, much of that stability goes away when it’s mounted on carpeting. These don’t have weight or size restrictions on the bearings like what is used on bike parts so those should last a long time. … Anyone have advice for me. This makes sense. Was torn between core and kickr. I don’t think I’ve seen any complaints on the H3 since around then. But again, either is great. Other tricks? Thanks. But there’s only a few units in this price range (again, looking at USD MSRP) that have ANT+ & Bluetooth Smart broadcasting of speed, power, and cadence…AND…control of the incline/wattage. If buying a trainer with an included 11 sp cassette, can the cassette be replaced with a 10 sp cassette with a spacer, typically like most 11 sp freehubs? It takes me 5 mins or less to take my bike on and off. – Flux smart (T2900) around 499€. DCR was fairly complimentary in his review of the recently revised by 4iii Fliiiight trainer unit here: link to dcrainmaker.com. They said they were going to get it by end of day yesterday, but I haven’t seen it yet. Good luck finding a trainer. What happens is that her trainer will be operating properly then suddenly it will increase resistance (as though the wattage is increasing) but without any change in the wattage numbers being displayed. Rob, Hopefully my unit is like your current one with 3k on it! Because I only get a new one after old one has been picked up. Hey guys, stop doing out of the saddle sprints on the trainer. Since it’s ANT+ FE-C controllable, you’ll be able to have 3rd party apps control it like most of the higher end trainers. But does it have a comparable Resistance mode? while on a trainer? I see the Neo2 for around a 1000€ in at least a couple of places now, very tempting. Like you said, not related to the common issues of last year/earlier this year. Instead, this list is to save me time answering the same question 327 times below for each trainer as to why I didn’t include them. This is because if you have a problem, you’ll be on the hook to pay for shipping of the trainer back across the pond for service. I currently have a Kinetic Road Machine “dumb” trainer. I have an original Kickr that I purchased new in 2014. I am looking for increased fitness/strength over time. One of my favorite posts of the year! Some electrical components eventually wear out, but the frame is astoundingly sturdy. It just works. It wasn’t an easy problem to solve, but it has made the KICKR one of the most accurate indoor trainers on the market – something we’re extremely proud of.”. Elite Zumo – $699 (if you’re looking for direct drive at this price bucket) If you can pick up a unit at like sub-$400, then definitely consider it. As noted above, it’s likely because I haven’t used it. It’s the heaviest of the lot by a fair margin, but that’s largely due to its more substantial flywheel and bulky aluminum housing. This is done for the following on trainers: ANT+ Broadcast: Power, Speed, Cadence The “roaring” one has serial 401xxxxxxxx. I have a similar doubt and I hope that some of the folks here have some experience with the Tacx Smart Flow. Do you use a trainer pad/mat (floor protector)? The Tacx Neo Smart’s very tall frame can sometimes be tricky to feed in between some frames. Finally, the accuracy spec is only +/- 10%, which is the least accurate unit of the entire bunch. Of course, some companies will give you a free subscription to their own app for a limited time, but if you want to use it for free permanently you’ll just have to use an app that offers what you need for free. Just ordered it thanks to researching it and your awesome review! Maximum claimed resistance is more than the vast majority of us will ever need at a healthy 2,000W, and CycleOps claims the Hammer will simulate an uphill slope of up to 20%, something plenty of riders have never even seen in person. Thus, you’re left with the Snap (or a discounted Tacx if you can get it). I have a tacx through axle adapter which I think will work on the snap. Debating. So I could invest my saved money to a higher quality smart trainer? but I’m no pro and I’m not climbing or otherwise sustaining 4 digit watts. Because mine wasn’t the refurbished, at least it was sold as a new one by the shop I ordered. It’s incredibly accurate. Inversely though, while the Tacx NEO series shell is made of plastic, directly under that layer is a metal frame. Really, there are. Ray: What is the distance from the wall with your 40″ screens to the back of the trainers in a typical setup.