I am thinking about getting one of these. I had a test ride on a mate's wattbike yesterday; he raves about it. Not as quiet as I hoped. The Tacx is supposed to be quieter. Has anyone got either of these and can share their experiences? I can get the Tacx heavily discounted but I saw the recall in 2024 due to a potential fire risk.
Thanks!
I have first gen Wattbike Atom which is occasionally used by all 3 people in our household, we have extra seatpost with saddle to ease adjustments for different riders.
From May to October it is mainly used as clothes horse. However, it is more compact than a bike plus trainer and there are no oily dirty sharp components anywhere on it. As a trainer Atom is not perfect as resistance adjusts slowly compared to most modern trainers. It is not really quiet either, old trainers were noisier but newer direct drive trainers are better in this sense.
Thanks for the comments!
I've got a Neo Bike Plus, Black Friday discount via work in 2022 ish. it was something like £1400 iirc
It replaced a Neo direct drive trainer which was beginning to show it's age - the rear spinny gubbins are mostly the same I think so I am wary that the bike may also start having issues with the bearing but it is serviceable.
The recall was just the box on on the power lead and mine was not in the recall.
Pros - It's always set up as I want it and no messing around taking bikes on and off, it's a lot more stable than bike plus trainer especially if you're giving it the beans, it integrates very easily with Garmin, Zwift etc. It makes a low hum but that is mostly the fan inside it, the fans on the front do make noise as you'd expect. Lots of adjustability including crank length. Can specify gear ratios, loads of options for resistance, it will simulate riding on cobbles, brick roads, gravel, wooden bridges either permanently or when the surface changes on Zwift etc. It has a stand for a tablet plus changing ports, can operate without mains power, but it won't coast.
Cons - it's a two person lift when it's built, but it does roll on the rear casters. if you have something like Zwift connected to it by Bluetooth it's not possible to go into the trainer app to adjust gear ratios or fan speed etc, it's possibly just not enough channels or whatever, the hoods are not the most comfortable compared to Sram or Shimano ones, but they're fine. Mine does creak a bit, but that could mean it needs a service as it's been used a lot. The integrated fans aren't all that great, I usually also use a stand alone fan.
For the money I couldn't get a Kickr bike or any other alternative and the stuff on eBay was similar money and I would have had to collect it. I'd buy another with the work discounts available on Garmin stuff.
I have first gen Wattbike Atom which is occasionally used by all 3 people in our household, we have extra seatpost with saddle to ease adjustments for different riders.
From May to October it is mainly used as clothes horse. However, it is more compact than a bike plus trainer and there are no oily dirty sharp components anywhere on it. As a trainer Atom is not perfect as resistance adjusts slowly compared to most modern trainers. It is not really quiet either, old trainers were noisier but newer direct drive trainers are better in this sense.
same. Two of us, two seatposts. The resistance change is supposed to be a lot quicker on the v2 (I bounpght mine used on eBay and it was a third less than v2 were going for. I don’t find it an issue in erg mode but annoying if racing I guess.
ive really never noticed it being noisy at all - I always have at least one fan (recommend the https://www.cleva-uk.com/products/vacmaster-cardio54-fan?) and usually 2 running and I don’t think I can hear the bike over those. And the music is usually on and turned up to drown out the fans .
The switch between intervals was something that concerned me so good to hear both your feedback. @b33k34 are these fans more powerful than something like a good quality desktop fan or a Dyson tower fan?
I have the V2 Wattbike Atom, I’ve just finished an hour on Zwift on it. Never noticed any slowness on resistance, and it connects seamlessly and instantly to iPad, iPhone, AirPods, Zwift and Spotify.
I rarely use the Wattbike Hub, only probably a couple of times a year if there’s a software update to get through. There is a very helpful FB group with all the answers to every conceivable question 🤪
it’s permanently set up for me, in an integral garage, and on rubber matting so no idea on noise. I have one of those remote controlled Vacmaster fans; it’s as loud as the bike I reckon.
The switch between intervals was something that concerned me so good to hear both your feedback. @b33k34 are these fans more powerful than something like a good quality desktop fan or a Dyson tower fan?
On intervals theres a lag, but I don't worry about it - on a really short interval you just lag by 10 seconds or so at the start and the carry over the next. (and on the V2 it's supposed to be much faster anyway - I've stripped mine down to have a look at the insides. The resistance is magnets on the flywheel - on the V1 there a motor that moves the position of the magnet, on the V2 I think it's an electro magnet and it changes the power to it/strength of the magnet IIRC - someone may correct me)
Yes, the Vacmasters are much more powerful than a desktop fan. No idea about a Dyson. They were a big upgrade from the tower fan I was using before but if you've already got fans try what you have.
The remote is useful as well - I vary the power through a workout. Remote is strapped to the bars, and will control more than one fan.
Right, I think I am in for a Wattbike. Now just the question whether to buy an updated 2025 version or a half price V2 off ebay.
Bought a wattbike proton the other day, mainly to get over an injury through winter. Giving it it's maiden 'journey' later today.
If it makes any difference to your thinking, there was a Black Friday promotion and more importantly ten months of interest free credit available. Delivery a few days later was efficient
updated 2025 version or a half price V2
as far as I can see, there is little between them.
They are not really home serviceable, but Wattbike contract out the servicing, our local guy is great, he does mine every 18 months. It’s about £200 if done through Wattbike…
Service includes new chain, sensor roller, batteries in levers etc. these are all very fiddly jobs with much potential to go wrong so worth paying for someone who is doing it all the time IMO.
I was convinced I wanted a smart bike (probably the Neo) last year to replace my ageing Neo turbo setup. Spent ages looking into it, reading reviews & user feedback and came to the conclusion that - for Zwift anyway - unless space is at an absolute premium any smart bike choice would actually be inferior to a Zwift Ride frame & a top tier turbo (like a Neo 2T) on a rocker. Especially considering the price of the newest ones!
If there are multiple household bikes of common axle length, the Zwift Cog and Click V2 coming with many new smart turbo trainers makes swapping between various speed bikes much simpler.
No more having to swap out cassettes and virtual gears in Zwift (and unofficially in some other apps).
They are not really home serviceable, but Wattbike contract out the servicing, our local guy is great, he does mine every 18 months. It’s about £200 if done through Wattbike…
Service includes new chain, sensor roller, batteries in levers etc. these are all very fiddly jobs with much potential to go wrong so worth paying for someone who is doing it all the time IMO.
How many hours use are you doing over that 18 months? I took ours apart as there was a noise that worried me a little and actually I thought the reverse - it really wasn't that fiddly at all to strip it down but the chain is huge and should last a really long time given its' running with a load of grease and completely enclosed in a clean environment. We not heavy users - maybe a few hours a week each over winter. none in summer. So I was just planning to ride it until something broke.
I probably use mine for about 5 hours a week, most weeks of the year.
updated 2025 version or a half price V2
as far as I can see, there is little between them.
The Proton is interesting as it has all of the adjustments doable without an Allen key (you can add an aftermarket part to the do the reach on the V1/2 and presumably 3 but the saddle fore/aft still only seems to be on the Proton.
HOWEVER, that's only relevant if you ride the same saddle as the other users, else you're going to want a second seat post.
the other v2-v3 changes seem pretty minimal (claimed further improvements to ERG mode)
I have a proton, multiple users so the adjustability is important. Saddle was bought to suit my wife, I don't mind using it too so all really easy.
It is quite noisy though, have to crank the music up quite a bit.
Never crossed my mind to get it serviced or open it up, use until something breaks is my approach. Although usage isn't as high as some on here.
I'm underwhelmed by my Wattbike Atom V2. I wish I'd used it a bit more before selling my kickr.
I got it for a decent price second hand so that was nice and got a decent amount for the old turbo. I would have gone back had I paid full price.
Its ok, but doesn't feel like it would justify full price. The ride feel isn't as nice and I find the gears and erg mode a little slow. It is a lot more compact, neat and clean than a bike on the turbo. Given the choice again I'd go for a standard turbo and a bike. If I was spending a couple of grand I'd want a go on one.
I set my DiretoX up again using my 2013 Niner RDO hardtail and quite like it again. I ordered some cheap tri extension bars with arm rests off eBay and bought a vacmaster fan recommended here and will give that a bit more time before taking the plunge.
Given the choice again I'd go for a standard turbo and a bike
I think a direct drive trainer is always going to feel more authentic. The benefits of a purpose built trainer are -
- smaller
- cleaner (enclosed drivetrain)
- lower running costs long term
but the main one for me was that you can easily have multiple users.