Looking to see if anyone has found information on upcoming equipment launches. I am interested in upgrading my indoor training setup for the winter and would think brands would be prioritizing releasing products entering the Fall/Winter. I am looking to get the Elite Square frame (if it ever comes out) and a new trainer. I’ve heard the Kickr v7 is close, but seen nothing official. I’d like virtual shifting capability for Zwift in a new trainer, which seems to limit the options. What trainers do people like? What is the trade off between the mid-range and high-end versions?
The JetBlack Victory is getting good reviews just now.
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The Square is trainer-agnostic, which is a huge plus in my book. Other than that, I find it hard to recommend the high-end trainers over the mid-range. Any trainer with erg mode should be capable of virtual shifting, all you need is a bluetooth connection to a remote. Now that doesn’t mean companies will implement it this way.
Apart from that, high-end trainers offer some features that I am mostly meh about. I’d consider an Elite trainer with an optical torque sensor if I had money to spare. My Suito was very accurate when it came out of the box and now wildly disagrees with my Quarq spider-based power meter (think 25–30 W at threshold).
Are there some features you are looking for?
No features in particular. I have a Kickr v5 right now, but that isn’t going to be able to do virtual shifting. I like the small bit of movement with the feet. Other than that, I don’t know that I have any desired features. Seems one of the things you get with higher end trainers is the ability to replicate steeping inclines beyond 16% or so. In practice, that isn’t a big deal though.
Have you done some research to see if the V5 will be Zwift ONE compatible?
The gradient simulation might be important for some, but not as much for me. I don’t think that really replicates the real world. Even Zwfit “out of the box” is set for 50% (I think, not sure). This means a 10% climb will be replicated 5%. So, don’t expect miracles. Also, 16% on a trainer is really heavy.
Probably not, but likely not for technical reasons.
Honestly, have a look at Elite’s line-up, it’ll give you a good idea what to expect. With exception of the power meter (that I didn’t plan to use anyway since I have a Quarq), I’ve been very happy. I was even able to use the XDR driver I bought for the ancient Elite Volano on the Suito. Without my Quarq power meter, I’d be unhappy. But since I don’t rely on the Suito’s power data, I’m very happy actually.
Their new Avanti looks very good:
- Comes with an optical torque sensor for < 1 % accuracy. Since it is an optical sensor, it is not influenced by temperature or relies on friction within the unit to stay consistent with its models.
- Auto calibration.
- Dual channel Bluetooth with support for data aggregation (important if you use e. g. an Apple TV, the trainer will collect the data from your heart rate strap, etc. and transmit it as a whole).
- A super neat drawer for bits and pieces. I’m serious. Every trainer should have this.
- Up to 18 % gradient.
- A 10 Hz measurement mode.
If you want to torture yourself harder, the Justo 2 goes up to 24 %. But it lacks a drawer.
I don’t think @dcrainmaker and @gplama have reviewed them, so I might wait. But I think Elite’s trainers give you an idea what you can expect. Plus they fit the Squaro perfectly.
It isn’t going to be able to do Zwift Virtual Shifting, but it will work with the Elite Square’s virtual shifting. These are two different methods of implementing Virtual Shifting, and the Zwift Virtual Shifting is limited to only specific trainers.
Wahoo originally said that VS would come to the V5. Delay after delay then they finally said it is not possible, so will not be coming (a couple months ago IIRC).
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Do you buy that or is there really a technical justification? As far as I can tell the biggest hurdle is to availability of software engineers.
I can’t say one way or the other with any certainty.
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Seriously though, the 3 year older budget kickr core is compatible but not its high end successor!? I cannot imagine any technical reasons for kickr v4+ not to be compatible
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My guess, having lived the issue with trying to update systems with old hardware, is that Wahoo didn’t update the PRAM / whatever it is using for firmware storage in the Kickrs until the v6. While the Core firmware storage is newer, and therefore larger, than the v1 - v5 kickr.
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