Turbo Trainer Advice

Yes there is a bit of wobble, but not to the extent of a rocker plate.
Maybe similar to the rubber feet on the latest gen Kickrs?

I use mine powered, because I can, and it adds road surface emulation and downhill emulation, but irrelevant for structured workouts.
It was my choice as it can work unpowered for race warmups.

The light goes red when you’re working harder, and illuminates the puddles of sweat and tears.

There's quite a lot of wobble, which initally had me googling to see if there was something wrong with it, but now I'm used to it seems like a huge improvement over other trainers in terms of feeling marginally more like riding a real bike.

Powered is generally better just because it totally cuts out the moment you stop pedalling and there seemed a slight delay for sensors reconnecting, etc. PLus as others have said you miss ouyt on the totally pointless vibration effect, etc.

The lights have always seemed a bit generous in terms of sensitivity to how hard you're working - they go red on mine even when not working that hard.

Basically what everyone else has already said and I'm only replying here because I'm putting off doing an FTP test.

Dibs.

srs?

Plz sell it to Damo, he really needs a proper turbo

Convince me:
Do I ? I mean. I have power on my cranks, why do I need another thing?

Do I? I don't like the idea of plugging in yet another device to pedal while playing a simulation of cycling.

(srs - sell it to me and then I might buy it)

ERG mode is fantastic for training, less mental energy needed to make sure you’re hitting your intervals, it forces you to meet them.

Zwift is more engaging with gradient.

Racing can be quite fun and ‘more realistic’

Convince me:
Do I ? I mean. I have power on my cranks, why do I need another thing?
Do I? I don't like the idea of plugging in yet another device to pedal while playing a simulation of cycling.
(srs - sell it to me and then I might buy it)

I'm in the same boat/bike. Is the main reason for a smart trainer its ERG function? I'm pretty good at meeting and holding power levels where I want them. If I want to change my cadence, I change a gear.

look at it as an extra bike storage that never comes off it

I recently switched from a dumb turbo and power meter to a Saris H3.

It does remove the need for me to find the right gear and cadence to hit a power target which makes intervals less mentally taxing. Sometimes on over unders or 10+ min efforts, the elastomer warming up meant I had to change gear or end up doing ~85rpm to stay on target.

I also don’t believe you can do a proper ramp test without something controlling the resistance.

On the other hand, it was nice to decide I was feeling good and aim for 10w over the target at times without having to lean forward and start jabbing at the laptop with sweaty hands.

As for ‘road feel’. You still don’t feel like you’re on the road. This is even more bollocks than wheels ‘spinning up well’.

It’s marginally better but not worth the £700 I spent.

£700

@Chalfie wont be spending that amount

As for ‘road feel’. You still don’t feel like you’re on the road. This is even more bollocks than wheels ‘spinning up well’.

Completely agree BUT I have actually never used a wheel on turbo.

When I killed my KICKR I went back to Computrainer. The most annoying thing was having to install legacy version of Trainerroad. But I do like not having to warm up and spin down the KICKR and it's quieter so I don't get a headache from playing music so loud and it's stiffer and weightier and probably has a nicer feel but when you're doing another VO2 who really gives a fuck

Using it outside. When it rains. Pls explain.

I thought the point in trainers is so that you can stay inside when it rains

I've used my dumb turbo outside in the rain, but that's generally having set it up to do something specific (race warmup maybe or openers) and it's rained during. I'm not going to cut session unless the unit becomes useless.

I'd not use a powered Smart trainer outside.

no chance with a smart turbo

Taxc Neo - No calibration/spin down/warm up required.
No cable to plug in.
Can take with you for TT/race warmups
Looks like a Star wars command shuttle

(also the priciest)

Very true

I have a FluidPro, Computrainer and KICKR. I won't be buying a Neo just so I can run it unplugged.

I was just pointing out that the Neo is a nice bit of kit, and would probably suit you well if you didn't have the others already.

No need for calibrating is pretty convenient rushing in regular workouts.

Do you use anything to track performance and training load over time? Something like http://www.intervals.icu will give you loads of tools to show if you are improving or putting yourself in a hole with training load

Some really interesting analysis in there, e.g. being able to filter down to just indoor rides, then classify your training profile (polarised, pyramidal etc.)

Turns out I'm still spending too much time in z3+4 on the trainer, despite choosing interval sessions that only go there in the warm up. 🤔

Yeah, I have given up on paying for training peaks and just using intervals.icu instead.

I wish the eFTP on there was close to correct or maybe I just need to push harder!