Tacx Flow Smart - a...
 

[Closed] Tacx Flow Smart - anyone use one?

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I broke my turbo last night and am considering getting the above to use with trainerroad and zwift. Anyone got one and if so, how are they as they seem pretty cheap.


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 9:57 am
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buuuuuuump


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 11:49 am
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Yes, but only since Thursday as an upgrade to a basic Flow. Used it twice with Zwift, can't see why I would want a more expensive one, only £180 with BC discount.


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 12:00 pm
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May be able to get this for a cheeky £162 using vouchers & BC discount 🙂

N


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 12:39 pm
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I can get it for 200 euros (which, I think is about 20,000 GBP these days 😆 ) which is only a little over what I paid for my dumb trainer 5 years ago.


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 12:43 pm
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I've got a vortex, which I think is fairly similar.

Its great with trainerroad, certainly improved my training over using a non-smart trainer.

Only issue with it is the 'range' it can adjust the power for a given gear / cadence and still remain smooth. Too low a gear and it gets 'choppy' and the rear tyre can slip, too high a gear and the wheel is spinning too fast for the turbo to keep the power low, and therefore your power output will be higher than what is being requested by the software. It takes a bit of fiddling, but you'll find a comfortable range of gears that work for your power profile.
The main issue I have with this is that when I'm doing VO2Max intervals on trainerroad I'm now often into my highest gear. I think there's still some headroom there but eventually may have to look at swapping my compact chainset for a semi compact at some point soon or going for a better turbo with I guess a bigger flywheel although i think that increases the cost quite a bit.


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 12:47 pm
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Pretty happy with mine (had it about a month). Erg mode in TrainerRoad is taking some getting used to, and I don't trust the cadence readings. Otherwise excellent for the price.

EDIT: you'll need to update the firmware for it to work correctly with TR.


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 12:52 pm
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[quote=GHill ]Pretty happy with mine (had it about a month). Erg mode in TrainerRoad is taking some getting used to, and I don't trust the cadence readings. Otherwise excellent for the price.
EDIT: you'll need to update the firmware for it to work correctly with TR.

I still use a cadence sensor in TR, the readings from the turbo are particularly random!


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 12:54 pm
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I still use a cadence sensor in TR, the readings from the turbo are particularly random!

Funnily enough, I'm looking at buying one. When I think about it, I'm not sure how the turbo could accurately calculate my cadence anyway.


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 1:01 pm
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I've got a cadence sensor already so that doesn't bother me much


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 1:16 pm
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Yep I've had one since last winter. Used it many times including over the summer recovery from a broken leg. I use it with trainer road or just general Tacx intervals. Works great with my iPad - as I dont have a suitable laptop.

It picks up my Bluetooth cadence / speed sensor too.

I also bought it with BC discount on a weekend when Halfords had a 20% special.


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 6:12 pm
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I guess I have my answer then. Off to Decathlon in my lunch break


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 8:16 pm
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Is the Halfords one not slightly better? T2200 in decathlon v T2240 in Halfords, plus order for delivery into store then get 10% off with BC membership.


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 9:42 pm
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Over here it's the T2240


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 9:51 pm
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To confirm, once the Zwift IOS app goes live this turbo trainer will work with the app and change the resistance via bluetooth?

Tempted to hit the buy button.


 
Posted : 25/10/2016 12:20 pm
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Nathb - doesn't look like it as there's no mention of the FE-C protocol that's required for device-trainer communication. Looks like that's one-way trainer-device communication only.


 
Posted : 25/10/2016 12:29 pm
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It picks up my Bluetooth cadence / speed sensor too.

Which sensor do you have?


 
Posted : 25/10/2016 12:36 pm
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Ah wait, apparently after an update it does! http://forum.tacx.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=25194

The old 22% off any purchase from halfords no longer appears to be working though http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/22-off-any-purchase-halfords-1603626


 
Posted : 25/10/2016 12:38 pm
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Not exactly positive feedback on it though?


 
Posted : 25/10/2016 1:15 pm
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Thing about manufacturer forums is that you tend to get a LOT of complaints. Garmin's forums would make you believe they make utterly broken devices that fail 100% of the time. Of course that may be true 🙂


 
Posted : 25/10/2016 2:56 pm
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Been waiting for Halfords to have a sale but think I am going to have to get one, still a lot cheaper than the next nearest similar spec turbo


 
Posted : 25/10/2016 10:17 pm
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@greentricky

Halfords flash offer:

Extra 10% Off Cycle Accessories

[b]Duration: 28/10/2016, 09:00 – 11:00[/b]

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-accessories?cm_re=mmcycling-_-accessories-_-Bikeaccessories


 
Posted : 26/10/2016 7:54 pm
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Thanks for the heads up, not sure if the turbos full under that catergory but looks good for the evening slot

Offer: Extra 10% Off Everything

Duration: 28/10/2016, 19:00 – 21:00

[url= http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/halfords-flash-sale-friday-different-deals-every-2-hours-from-7am-9pm-free-delivery-2534966 ]http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/halfords-flash-sale-friday-different-deals-every-2-hours-from-7am-9pm-free-delivery-2534966[/url]

Combine that offer with British Cycling and Quidco and its a bargain


 
Posted : 26/10/2016 9:01 pm
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What's it like for noise?


 
Posted : 27/10/2016 9:52 am
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Bluetooth cadence sensor - sorry don't know how to quote.

It's a Bontrager specific one (my bikes a trek) duotrap. Works on Bluetooth and ant + so pairs to my iPad and also my garmin.


 
Posted : 27/10/2016 8:37 pm
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Yep @greentricky the 9am one specifically says excludes turbo trainers.


 
Posted : 28/10/2016 9:06 am