I’ve been using TR with a fluid trainer (Saris Fluid 2) for 2-3 years with my Favero Assioma pedals to measure power. I set up and put the trainer away every session. This takes maybe 2 minutes.
I’ve repaired my trusty fluid trainer several times (refilled with oil, replaced bearings) but now the spindle and bearing look like they are beginning to wear away some of the plastic housing, meaning that the spindle moves eccentrically. I think the end is near. It also produces various rattles, unreliable resistance while the fluid warms up etc. Essentially, I’ve accepted I need to replace or upgrade, but I don’t have experience of a smart trainer. So I have a few Qs I’d appreciate advice on
I don’t have space at home or in the garage to leave the trainer permanently set up. What are the implications of this for a smart trainer? Would I need to recalibrate each time? Is it a real faff?
Can I use my favero assioma pedals to ensure consistency in power measurement?
I’ve joined the JetBlack waiting list for an invite to buy a Victory. Any other recommendations?
Many of the newer trainers don’t need any user intervention to calibrate them - they do it themselves (usually, although there are instances where a “full” reset type calibration can be needed).
My wattbike atom is set up permanently in the garage all year round and doesn’t seem to mind.
You can use your pedals as the power meter instead of the trainer. It would be worth comparing the data from the pedals and the trainer to see how different the readings are.
If you are looking for a smart trainer, some of them fold up and store with a small footprint. Tacx comes to mind. I personally get lazy about adding any setup/breakdown steps (I try to take all excuses away for indoor training), but you’ll have to do a little setup regardless of approach if you don’t have a setup with bike already installed.
Another option to consider - rollers. Big footprint while being used, but most are easy to slide under a bed or lean against a wall and zero setup is required (no messing with wheels). I do all my indoor training on e-motion rollers, I don’t care for the feel of stationary trainers and I get uncomfortable with the fixed position. There is a short learning curve, but that passes quickly.
Regardless of what trainer you go with, having a powermeter on the bike is the best way to go for your power source (especially if it’s the same bike you ride outside).
Calibration wise, direct drive smart trainers are much better and easier to deal with than tire-on smart trainers. They are much less sensitive to calibration as they don’t have to account for the variable resistance of the tire on the roller (clamping pressure, tire pressure, tire wear, tire temp and warmup, etc…). My Saris direct drive smart trainer (going on 9 years old) has had essentially the same calibration result for the past 6 years moving between 3 different houses and setups. I also have three other power meters which I’ve compared to my trainer and they’ve all been within a few watts so I just use the trainer’s power when doing indoor workouts. I’m fortunate in that I can leave it set up all season with backup road bike on it. However, if/when I do put it away, it’s no more difficult or time consuming than a wheel on trainer.