Recommend a direct drive trainer

[roadman]

Hi, not sure if anyone has tried either (think both are released in the next few months), but are there any initial thoughts on the new direct drive turbos being released soon?

I am looking at either the Cycleops Silencer or the Elite Muin price bracket.

Thanks

[quattrings]

Currently in the same predicament as you.

I was thinking of getting the Elite turbo muin but it just looks flimsy in comparison to the cycleops. On top of that the Elite only has 1 year warranty vs the Cycleops' lifetime warranty.
The only thing that could really persuade me to go with the Elite is if the noise level is significantly lower than anything else. I have yet to see a third party give some sort of review about the Elite.

[roadman]

Yep, looks like the Muin is out in mid-November at the earliest.

I think the main difference is the Muin is fluid resistance vs the Silencer being magnetic.

Also, the fact that I'm on Android and don't have an ipad means the Muin's data output will be pretty much non-existent...

I think I will go for the Muin in the end anyway

Cycleops Silencer noise level: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB8oxqjZU0s

[JN2Wheels]

Wahoo KIKR, no doubt!

[airwise]

I just received my KICKR.

Superb. Truly excellent and built like a tank.

The only negative is that the Segments app is a POS right now.

But it's a such a joy to have a trainer that simply works after years of struggling with Tacx.

[Tinea Pedis]

Lemond got my vote.

Mate has both, prefers the LeMond (to the point of charting speed vs power on it). Doesn't find the kickr 'as' smooth.

[airwise]

I gather it's not as smooth.

But then the Le Mond doesn't have Ant +/ Doesn't have Bluetooth smart. Doesn't have resistance control. Doesn't have etc etc etc.

The only thing the KICKR doesn't appear to have is the risk of hearing damage

I would say however that Segments sucks big time IME.

[Tinea Pedis]

It's terrific you're happy with your choice airwise.

I was only pointing out if smoothness is a big priority, then the LeMond has that over the Kickr.

I'd also 'guess' that the lack of resistance control could be behind why one is smoother than the other.

[airwise]

I'd suspect the difference is between using air vs electro magnetic resistance in addition to the flywheel.

FWIW the most natural trainer I have ridden is the Wattbike (similar arrangement to the Le Mond), and the KICKR is not far from that. I imagine the Le Mond feels really good.

[jever98]

I'm also looking to making the switch to direct drive. Couple of questions that are playing on my mind:

- Does anybody know the maximum resistance on Kickr, Cycleops, and/or Elite? I ran into some limitations for short low cadence / high wattage segments on my Elite Elastogel in the past and would like to avoid that
- I like the idea of a direct drive but just want to double check my thinking - what's your motivation for switching to one? I'm hoping it will provide a more solid base, be good for my frame and wheels, and potentially be more quiet

Cheers
Nicolas

[stefanot]

I've been wanting to pick up a KICKR but the price is just past my threshold for a trainer. Warmed up on a friends Lemond at a race one weekend and really liked how it rode but it felt a bit unstable (side to side). Still a great unit.

[aaric]

Kickr goes to 2000watts supposedly.

if you haven't seen it: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/03/fitn ... eview.html

[spdntrxi]

I just got a kickr...It's pretty sweet so far.

[PoorCyclist]

Have been looking at the wahoo or lemond but decided to go for the cycleops silencer, seems middle of the road in terms of price, too much tech or too much noise!

does anyone know with the handle bar actuated cable to adjust 5 levels of resistance (plus 2x10 gears) can you get the flywheel to go pretty stiff to simulate a 350 watt climb?

[ghisallo2003]

Looking forward to direct ANT power measurement from the trainer. At this price it would be great if Cycleops (despite 'split' from PT) or Lemond could include this.