Recommend direct drive trainer

Equipment
1

I’ve been using my old Bkool pro trainer (bkool seem to have exited the market?) with variable success.

I am <90kg so not massive but not tiny either.

I get the occasional random connection drop outs which can be very annoying especially for VO2 intervals where the resistance might change every min or so.
The power has also been horrendous but I have Favero assioma single pedal and have been using power match and generally happy with it.

I just saw an offer on Elite Drivo but reading mixed reviews for it, especially on here.

So which direct drive trainers would you recommend nowadays?
I want something with reliable connection and a ‘smooth’ feel to pedalling that won’t bother my housemates too much.

2

I replaced this year the Elite Drivo with a Wahoo Kickr.
Best invest I could have made.
At the very end, the Drivo was very unreliable in setting the resistance correct.
The only thing where the Drivo is better is in noise production, the Wahoo is a little bit louder.

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3

A good starting point for recommendations…

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4

I second the DC rainmaker review recommendation. I replaced my Tacx Bushido with an Elite Direto X after reading his reviews. I’m very happy with my purchase.

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5

I purchased a Tacx Flux S from a friend and it’s been great. Pretty smooth and only a couple of connection issues. Very quiet and stable.

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6

Hi
Tacx Neo. I Love mine. Been pain free… well except when doing 4 minute VO2 intervals. lol
I have it set up in the pain cave, with an old road bike, 3 fans for cooling. Leave the ipad set up and Spotify play list ready to go.

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7

I have a Kickr Core and I love it. I did have to get it replaced in December due to electro-static discharge destroying the sensor (a major fault of the earliest models), but it was a completely free replacement and Wahoo had me back on the bike in about a week. It’s worked as expected and without any issue since replacement, but I know others have had different experiences that have not been great.

That said, I also recommend taking a look at the DC Rainmaker article. I used it for all my research before landing on the Core.

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8

I got bit by the Wahoo reliability issues so went with the Neo2T for the trainer that I ordered yesterday. @GPLama has been seeing some power discrepancies in some cases with the 2T, but if you already have a power meter that doesn’t matter much.

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9

What reliability issues are you referring to specifically?
I think Wahoo Kickr Core was probably on top of my list as only heard good stuff plus recently got a wahoo gps unit and been impressed with the app and hardware.

10

Some amount of units start making a ticking noise then stop making any resistance.

11

Here is a long running thread with comments at the bottom where people still report issues with the Kickr 18 and Core.

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12

Are there any particular trainers which may be better for sprinting? Possibly in terms of stability or stiffness.

14

Yeah… no. There continue to be Klikr failures posted in the thread I linked above and in the Wahoo FB group. I simply don’t buy the claim this is all “fixed”.

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15

Sprinting on a trainer is somewhat of a touchy subject. Rigid vs allowing motion (via Neo Flex, rocker plates and such) are all things that can be considered. I have my take (movement is better than fixed, even if it’s not a perfect match to what we do outside) and many others have a different take. There is not a singular answer to that question, unfortunately.

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17

Sure, and it was months ago, while we continue to see failures. I love DCR’s stuff, but the reality as of now is different than the promise that Wahoo made back then.

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19

I’ve personally seen 4 Wahoo Kickrs fail in less than a year, 2 of these units had been post “fix” and identify as 2019 models.

I’ve got a Tacx Neo 2T as a replacement and it’s been pretty awesome. Smoother and quieter than the Kickr ever was, and I never have to calibrate. The downhill simulation is maybe a bit silly but cool to have. My only complaint is the bike sits a bit higher and comes with a riser for the front wheel.

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20

Afraid not. Many of those failures have been on replacement units shipped directly from Wahoo.

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21

I get the vibe that all 3 main brands have had their growing pains (Kickr, H3, Tacx Neo). I guess if I was going to give advise I would buy locally where they have a great return program/support if you get a dud. Like REI or something like, I would even pay more for that protection than having to lug trainers to the post office, wait to get a new one in the mail, or trying to do some garage fix.

I have an original hammer purchased directly from Saris and other than snapping the cord (dumb location) its been good, but when I upgrade in the future I will purchase differently.

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22

FWIW…I’ve had a Kickr for about 15 months. It’s been replaced 3 times already…

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23

Just for some context, I have the cheapest wheel on dumb fluid trainer going that probably weighs around 8kg. I assume anything that is wheel off would be a big improvement.