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Hi
All sorry if this has been done already.
Any recommendations for a smart turbo trainer to run with Zwift for about £300?
Looked at the Tacx but reviews on CRC wasn’t good.
Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+ FE-C works well for me.
The correct answer to this for a long time was the Tacx 2240, http://www.halfords.com/cycling/turbo-trainers/trainers/tacx-flow-t2240-smart-turbo-trainer , which until this year could be had for ~£160 with BC discount.
But now it's £200 with BC discount... And technology is moving on, with higher gradient simulation etc.
Plus you will probably want to buy a mat; a mini sweat saver to stop dripping sweat all over the drivetrain; a training tyre; a trainer quick release skewer (if you have for instance a bolt-thru rear axle).
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/turbo-trainers/trainers/elite-novo-smart-turbo-trainer looks interesting in terms of price, it's an exclusive Halfords version of the Novo Force.
I've been driving myself insane the last few days, wondering whether to pay extra for an Elite Direto (~£630); Cyclops Hammer (~£675 via CycleRepublic and BC discount); or perhaps a halfway-house Bkool Smart Pro 2 https://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/BKOOL/Smart-Pro-2-Turbo-Trainer-with-Floor-Mat/GEVP (Black Friday Deal £374 including mat)
Had a Tacx Vortex for a year now and it has been fine. Clearly, I've jinxed it now.
The Qubo looks a good option.
A friend has had the vortex with no problems.
Does the Bluetooth work ok on the Vortex?
I've just picked up my 2nd 2240. For the money, nothing can touch it. And as said above, only £200 is you use BC membership discount at Halfords.
Simon's Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+ FE-C is also excellent for the money, and supports FE-C, so could potentially be a better long-term bet. They both simulate gradients to about the same level.
Note that the Halfords deal comes with a front-wheel riser. I bought a mat too- £40!! but helps with the noise.
I also have the Vortex, not broken it yet but it can be really finicky to calibrate (starts off under-reading, ends up over-reading. 4iiii power meter suggests that it's within 5-10%.
Fairly good fun with Zwift / Fulgaz, but obviously max slope limited to 7%. Same power output needed, you just go slower in-game, and it can do short sprints above 1000W with no issues.
It absolutely sucks on Trainerroad if you try to use the powermatch feature.
My Vortex is fine with Powermatch on TrainerRoad these days. Was a bit flakey a year or so ago, but lately good. Much prefer to use that than just to rely on the Vortex's virtual power, which is very temperature sensitive.
Tacx 2240 here also - got it for £146 from Halfords 20% off sale 18 months ago plus 10% BC.
It does the job, and gives good resistance feedback on Zwift - very impressed for the money.
PS no mat here as it's in the garage, but I really should have bought a sweat catcher. Didn't bother and it caused some minor corrosion to the underside of the vintage 653 Ribble road bike. Fortunately, I spotted it and sorted it out. I wipe the bike down after every turbo session.
I have a T2240 and its ok but is limited to 400w.
If I had £300 I would get the Vortex for higher watts or possibly save up a few more quid and get a Kickr Snap.
T2240 is still available in store at most Decathlons, £190.
T2240 does 800W not 400W.
Only in certain circumstance, something like 40k plus uphill.
On the flat its 400w(maybe 430/440) max. Its the brake thats quite a limited older design, thats why its cheap.
Weird, I can regularly get around 500W on the flat on my 2240.
I've been driving myself insane the last few days, wondering whether to pay extra for an Elite Direto
I have an Elite Real Turbo Muin and see you can pick them up cheapish now:
I don't use Zwift but like the Real Software with all sorts of training programs, fitness tests and video rides.
TACX vortex good enough for my standard. Been flawless over the last 2 years. If your fast elite rider Id go for direct drive TACX Neo. Check out DCrainmaker for good reviews
Wilburt - thats rubbish, yours is either broken or you are not trying hard enough. I regularly race and 400w can easily be attained with gears to spare. In fact i am looking to upgrade as my sprint is larger than 800w so its actually limiting me (current max watts recorded on zwift with mine is 796w).
Is this one any better for the higher price: Elite Turbo Muin Smart Turbo Trainer
I like the fact its quieter than most but want to use it for zwift etc so needs to be compatible
Does Zwift control the resistance on:
Elite Turbo Muin Smart Turbo Trainer
£290
[img] http://i1.adis.ws/i/washford/298775?$imageZoomRetina$ [/img]
I thought it didn't!?!?
"Integrated one way smart technology communicates with training apps via ANT+ & Bluetooth"
Edit, it doesn't, what a shame as that'd be a right bargain!
I used a Tacx Vortex paired with a 4iiii PM, I'm on my second unit.
Tacx Vortex here, wprls great on ant+ connections. Bit glitchy on standard bluetooth. Great with trainer road.
@nathB - Looked at that myself and went to a Cycle Republic shop to check. They were adamant it did but when I read the description online carefully I realised the resistance was based on how fast you are pedalling and is not controlled by the software. I believe it just sends data but doesn't respond to anything coming back (hence the "one way"). For that you need the Elite Real Turb Muin, on offer at £500 [url= https://www.cyclerepublic.com/catalog/product/view/id/52761/s/elite-real-turbo-muin-fully-smart-turbo-trainer/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlonrlpfd1wIVCRIbCh0HTg8uEAQYCSABEgJbr_D_BwE ]here.[/url]
I think I should report back on my 400w limit.
I sent a note to Tacx who asked me to update the software and hey presto 600w bursts on the first interval, appears I was wrong.
Just giving this a bump...
The Tacx Flow and Elite Novo Force are both on sale for around £180. Any views on which is the best one?
I have a laptop and ANT HR, speed and cadence sensors so assume I just need a dongle to make it all work?