My Elite Direto recently died and my wife is kicking me out of the living room and moving my pain cave to the basement. So I’m in the market for a new direct drive trainer. My basement ceiling height is low at about 5’ 11" (180cm) so i’m looking for a trainer with an axle height that is the same as a 700c wheel axle. My Elite Direto is an inch or two above that and I tap my head on the ceiling if I stand up.
In addition to the height restrictions, I would like a trainer that responds quickly to changes in power in erg mode. I primarily ride MTB in Michigan which has very punchy short climbs. I felt my direto responded a bit to slowly for 30 second intervals and I could never replicate the single track in my area.
So I’m trying to compare all the mid/high range trainers like Tacx Neo 2T, Kickr 18, Kickr Core, Saris H3. What is everyone’s opinion on these trainers with respect to my issues I described? Sorry if this has been discussed in previous threads, if so just add a link.
Kickr18 is your best bet here. It’s height adjustable. If you need the exact axle height in the lowest setting, let me know and I’ll measure.
2 Likes
Oh right I could adjust it below a 700c axle height if I’m able to mount a smaller front wheel. Haha I just have to make sure my pedals don’t scrape the floor. I think I’ll be good with the Kickr in the 700c position but it’s nice to have the lower options. Thanks Shane!
1 Like
The Kickr Core is, if memory serves, ever so slightly lower than a 700c wheel with 25 mm tires. But you generally want a trainer setup with the front wheel slightly elevated anyway (there’s no wind to help take weight off your hands).
1 Like
why would you need a smaller front wheel? In fact, I’ve found that raising the front wheel a couple of inches is great for comfort on the trainer… so I don’t see any problem with having your ‘back wheel’ lower than your front…
- For the same reason he wants a low trainer, the low ceiling.
I’m a big proponent for the elevated front axle via the lack of wind and all that. But his height limits may lead to a lower front being as important as the low rear too.
Ah, true that @mcneese.chad, but I’m going to split hairs here and say that I picked-up on the ‘IF I’m able to mount a smaller front wheel’…
there’s theoretically no need to have both wheels be the same size, that said, a Penny-Farthing would not work with your low ceilings @ajmarecki 
Haha sorry the “IF” in that sentence gave it a few possible meanings. I said “if” because don’t know much about older and smaller wheel standards and if they would fit on my fork. I ride a 2013 Specialized Tarmac with my trainer. That’s obviously quick release but I don’t know if an old school 26in MTB wheel has the same QR axle width. But yes I agree with other, I prefer my front axle to be about an inch higher than my rear axle. I think Chad is right, it could be due to the wind resistance. Also, outside I only ride an XC MTB which has a higher stack than the Tarmac. So one configuration that could work well for me would be to drop the Kickr 1 or 2 levels below the 700c setting, then just have my 700c front wheel installed with no riser block. That will be about 2 inches lower than my current Direto setup and should solve my height issue. Thanks for the feedback everyone, I’ll probably go with a Kickr 18 and start training for Iceman! (crossing my fingers hoping that race isn’t canceled)
1 Like