Trainer Advice - What Do I Need To Buy

The Archives Archived: General Discussion
1

So much confusion!  I am just about to purchase a trainer and I want to be able to have Zwift dynamically control my resistance so I know I need  “smart trainer”.  Seems like the Wahoo Kickr Snap would be ready to go, but quite pricey.  I was also looking at the Kinetic Road Machine/Smart T2700 and the Tacx Vortex T2180 Smart.  Do all of these connect the same?  I dont own any speed sensors or heart rate monitors, but what I really want most is the “automatic” resistance control.  Can you help me understand what I need to purchase?  Thanks in advance!

 

2

I know several people who use the Tacx Vortex and it is great.

Whether you’re riding in Zwift or doing a training session, the Vortex plus a HR monitor, something like a Garmin HR strap and a PC USB Ant+ dongle from ebay is all you’ll need.

3

I have a Tacx Vortex Smart and yes, it controls your resistance in Zwift without using a speed/cadence sensor.  I have had many Tacx trainers over the years, and the Vortex Smart is a good value.  You will also need to purchase a USB ANT+ sensor for your PC and if you want heart rate, an ANT+ compatible chest strap separately.  

4

Thanks for the advice guys - what about if I want to use a iPad instead of a laptop.  Does that work without having to buy the USB ANT+ sensor?

5

you can’t use Zwift with just an iPad, you 'll need a PC or Mac; you can probably run the iOS Zwift app on your iPad, for controlling settings during the game.

You’ll definitely need a USB Ant+ dongle. They’re cheap, less than a tenner.

6

Is this what I need?  I would think of a Dongle as a cable, but guessing this is it:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CM381SQ/ref=s9_simh_gw_g422_i1_r?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0JRZFHDY3QC5TAF7K2C1&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop

 

7

Yes that would be fine.

So would this, quite a bit cheaper
http://www.amazon.com/Docooler%C2%AE-Compatible-Garmin-Forerunner-011-02209-00/dp/B00KNQG7RQ/ref=pd_sim_422_6?ie=UTF8&dpID=31cWh5kuEhL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1BMAC81VEDYH44B1ZNVG 

8

I have a Tacx Bushido T2780 and it works great.  If you are going to use Zwift, you only buy the unit and a dongle.  There is no need to buy the Tacx Upgrade Smart.  The Upgrade Smart is just a Tacx dongle/cable and the version 4 Tacx software.  The Bushido was probably overkill, and given how it behaves by being able to simulate a 15 percent grade with correct speed, I would have gone with the Vortex.  I don’t like having to shift the front derail when on the trainer, so I adjusted the slider bar in Zwift that controls how the trainer behaves on hills.  It now goes into a virtual speed, just like a Vortex.  But the Bushido is self powering, so I can take it to races for warm up if needed.

9

I would also have a look at DCRainmakers post on trainers:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/11/2015-2016trainer-recommendations.html