Turbo Trainer Advice

No other changes to the bike fit?
I'm surprised that its affecting your hip angle, even if the bike is now angled down a couple of degrees.
I don't think the Kickr is supposed to need a front wheel riser block, but a couple of magazines under the front wheel would be a simple way to test once you're hip is a bit better.

Are you sure the seatpost or saddle hasn't slipped?

My ancient Kickr had the rear axle at wheel height, no front block required. If anything it’ll be lower than the Tacx, think most other trainers are designed for a front wheel block.

I measured my Kickr Core: the rear axle is actually a few mm lower than front axle on a 700X28. I measured this after buying a wheel block, of course.

I don't get it though, the saddle to crank stays the same, it's just the whole bike tipping a few mm up or back right? So this shouldn't impact any pedaling mechanics. I could understand if you went EXTREME one way or the other you might notice arse pain or hand pain as your weight distrib might've gone piss but I can't imagine it for turbo swapping.

I'd be more inclined to put it down to more time spent at a desk at home (if it was me) but I don't know what else you've been getting up to.

My money is on the old trainer over measuring power output...

I'd be surprised if it was the turbo doing it. I had hip flexor pain once that initiated by running, the cause was muscle/flexibility imbalance caused by sitting with one leg over the other too much. I fixed it by doing a Reclined Hip Stretch twice a day.

ahem.

I think there are a few compounding factors - after doing almost no driving the last few weeks I have been doing a few long journeys visiting my dad to and taking him to hospital appointments. The kickr needs a slightly different pedalling motion, and the workouts have felt like more muscles are being used all over. With the tacx it seems it massively overestimated ftp and it felt really easy pedalling, kickr requires more effort and concentration to keep pedalling smooth. Plus the lower front end and it has just been enough to aggravate it the hip flexors. Also I installed an Iyengar yoga rope wall and have been doing a lot of yoga hanging from ropes and possibly some of this may have also contributed.

Taking into account the wheel block I had with the tacx the kickr is about 1.5cm higher at the rear than the tacx. Today I put the wheel block under the front wheel from the tacx and adjusted saddle to my old fit data. I just managed an hour recovery ride with no significant discomfort.

This

And a massive amount of this

I get some discomfort behind my right knee when doing extended sessions on the turbo but no pain or discomfort at all on the same bike on the road. Since I only ever do an hour at a time on the turbo and it's fine for 5 or 6 hours on the road, I'm not really bothered.
Probably something to do with the bike being fixed static, idk, csb, etc

I installed an Iyengar yoga rope wall and have been doing a lot of yoga hanging from ropes

And possibly this :)

those iyengar yoga ropes in full

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Yeah, not a bad shout.

I had very odd hip flexor pain on Saturday's long ride. I -think- (hope) it's not position related and probably more to do with hitting some steep stuff on the gravel bike hard but I dunno any more. Maybe it's just fucking old age. Fuckitall

I've seen loads of people walking around airports with those hanging out of their backpacks.

https://youtu.be/9JDzlhW3XTM

Damn, was fine after turbo session yesterday, but in the evening my hip was feeling tired and continued to get worse overnight. Back to rest, ice and non steroidal anti inflammatories.

Have started using a foam roller and tptherapy massage ball on the hip flexors. Almost nausea inducing discomfort but has made a huge difference in just 48 hours. I can walk up stairs normally again. Managed a 60minute gentle turbo session yesterday and wasn’t in agony upon waking today.

Keep working with the foam roller

Any interest in a tacx flow t2240 smart turbo trainer? Looking to sell mine as it's not getting used. Drop me a message if you are interested.

So I'm looking for some recommendations, ideally Wahoo

So this is my second winter with a trainer, I originally bought a Kinetic Smart 2, wheel on trainer - https://www.kurtkinetic.com/trainers-products/road-machine-smart-2 - it's been fine, no real complaints.

I've gone from fairly casual use, to 3-4 sessions a week, and I'm starting to see noticeable improvements, FTP increase, weight loss, etc... and I think it's time to step up to the next level for next winter, to just a better trainer, and a more immersive experience.

I use an Apple TV for Zwift, and I recently bough a Wahoo Headwind, and a Wahoo Tickr (to control the headwind, and also because bizarrely the Apple Watch I previously used for heart rate doesn't directly connect to the Apple TV)

As I'm already in the Wahoo ecosystem I'd ideally like to upgrade to a Wahoo trainer for compatibility, I'd need a strong reason to look at another manufacturer - I know ANT+ should work fine between them all still.

In addition the Apple TV only allows for 2 direct Bluetooth connections, anything else has to go to the companion app, which is not as reliable, so the less connections needed the better.

So that's my requirements, so I guess my options are:

Kickr Core
Kickr
Kickr Bike

For the relatively small difference in price between Kickr and Kickr Core, if I'm spending all that money I figure I might as well go with Kickr?

But then the real question is the Kickr Bike - is there any way that's even justifiable? for 3 times the price it really would have to be a lot better.

Finally does anyone have the Kickr Climb? is this just a dumb gimic, or does it actually make for a better experience?

If you had to choose Kickr Core + Climb vs Kickr what would you choose?

Finally, given all that, is it worth looking at any other manufacturers, is anything else that much better it would be worth the hassle?

When I recently went training shopping, I came to the conclusion that in the world of current turbo trainers you either buy a kickr core or go all in on a tacx neo 2T.

I guess it depends whether you want the extras of the Kickr and want to spend an extra 350 quid for them. I didn't and got a Core, and it's easily good enough for everything i've used it for.

Finally does anyone have the Kickr Climb?

I had a go on one. It didn't feel at all 'real' to me - a novelty I think. I'd probably get one of those balance board things first.

Wattbike gone. If I buy a Kickr can I run it with my SS belt drive gates bike, or is this a horrendous idea. Thinking ERG for the win. Anyone embarked on anything so foolish?

I reckon that'll be fine. You can just pop a Shimano freehub compatible rear sprocket on the Kickr and fill up the freehub with spacers. I think.