I think I get it, but I am guessing a bit based on the pictures and text since I have the original rear section design that differs a bit from the current one.
From what I have seen, the front and rear clamps that hold the center tube of the trainer are independent of each other. They are installed on the rubber vibration mounts without a connection between the clamps. As such, it is important to have each mount aligned and “square” with each other.
I believe the block step above is meant to align each section and make sure the trainer is evenly mounted, without any “twist” between the mounts. Does that make sense with what you have on hand?
InsideRide just added a formal response on Overseas ordering to their FAQ page:
Do you ship outside of Continental USA and Canada?
There is no overseas distribution and shipping individual units by parcel service is quite expensive. The best option is to use a parcel forwarding service to get your Inside Ride product sent to you at a reasonable rate. Simply visit their website to arrange service. We ship to their facility in the US and they send it on to your international destination. This method is typically half the cost of direct parcel shipping.
Here are three services that many of our international customers have used previously:
Very cool! At least there seems to be an option. No idea how that all workouts out with shipping and exchange rates, but that may be something at least. Thanks for sharing that!
Ah, I didn’t realize the rear section differs between the two. The clamps are installed on a bar that runs fore/aft so I don’t see a way to change them so that it’s square. I just angled the rear section so that the trainer itself is oriented straight ahead—don’t see that it matters if the base is askew. But strange that it’s in the directions if it’s not possible. I’ll email them about it: maybe I’m missing something.
Will do the next time I’m home. I emailed them just now, will report back if I hear anything.
I don’t think it’s about eliminating twist in the saddle mounts. I think it’s so that the Kickr’s center is aligned in the same orientation as the frame, so that the fore/aft motion occurs in a parallel sense. Currently with my base and trainer misaligned there would be some slight horizontal motion to the trainer as it moves fore and aft.
It’s just like this. The two distances marked in yellow are not equal on mine, so the Kickr ends up a bit askew compared to the frame. Directions imply you can fix this but I can’t see how.
OK, from what I have seen, the front saddle is attached to a rubber mount. The rear is also on a rubber mount. Each is separate from a “flex” perspective (allowing independent lean angle before attaching the trainer) even thought they are “connected” via the aluminum tubing.
As such, each saddle can rotate left or right a different amount. If this happens when you set the trainer into the saddles, the trainer will be “turned” a bit left or right. This is not ideal.
So, the blocking spacer step is meant to align the two saddles to the same lean angle, which is should align the trainer parallel to the main slider legs.
Makes sense (basically placing the trainer in the correct orientation and forcing the saddles to move to compensate) but I don’t see why the saddles won’t just return to center after some aggressive rocking. Will be interesting to hear what InsideRide says.
Presumably, if you tighten the wing nuts to properly clamp the trainer in place, there is enough friction to hold the trainer and ALSO resist “twist” at the clamp. The proper function of the device is clamps locked firmly to the trainer frame, with the rubber mounts as the only motion component for lean.
If the mounts twist at all, that partly defeats the purpose of the rubber mounts. Maybe if you are talking purely about the setup, that is different. But once you lock down the nuts, if the saddles twist on the trainer tube, something is wrong.
So, it’s best to align the saddles during setup and then lock it all into place.
Edit: what I wrote below is wrong: according to InsideRide the saddles shouldn’t be tilted. In my case the gap is less than the 3” that they spec for some reason, so the important thing is to make sure the Kickr is square (ignoring the actual gap distance). The gap was a bit less for the rear saddle so that saddle is tilted just slightly in order to have the Kickr mounted square, while the front is no longer tilted at all.
So you have to force the saddles to tilt enough that the trainer is aligned before you tighten down the wing nuts. Final install looks like this:
I finished my side by side video of the Inside Ride E-Flex & E-Flex PLUS units in use. Hopefully this shows some of the key differences between each one in use so people can consider which one might be best for them.
Let me know any questions you have that I didn’t touch on in the video. I added some expanded notes and info in the Description of the video too, so that is worth a look as well.
Thanks for making this. Makes me bummed they’re not offering the the fork upgrade separately for existing owners, but I console myself in that I do 99% of my riding seated in erg so I’m not sure I’m missing much.
Excellent video, just shared with some friends who are interested.
I’m jealous of your perfectly straight front section. Mine needs to be turned to the left for some reason, or else the balance is wrong. I’m using shims to make sure it’s level, and my bars are definitely straight, so I’m not sure what’s up there (although I just realized I haven’t checked if the rear section is level).
Thanks, glad you like the vid and hope it helps people consider both units.
As to your turning, how “level” is your trainer in the rear section with just the bike attached? Getting the Support Arm in the proper position (Soft vs Firm) is an important step, as is evaluating how even it sits with nothing attached to the trainer. Ideally, it should sit mostly “level” and allow easy lean to either direction.
If that’s not the case, it’s possible there might need to be more changes. I can offer some more guidance depending on what you find if you can do that test and report back.
It looks level to the eye (and I have it in the soft setting per V5 recommendation) but I’ll measure at the trainer with a level later and report back.
OK, that likely is fine then. Having the actual frames level is worthwhile, and sounds like you have the front set. I’d add some to the rear if needed, to give the best chance for even results.
Excellent video @mcneese.chad! Based off the side by side comparison, specifically in the sprint bit, the motion DOES seem more natural on the plus.
As a current owner of an e-flex CORE version I’m definitely interested in the upgrade. Has IR given a timeline when they might be selling it as an upgrade and/or provided a price point for it that you’ve heard? I’ve emailed them, but haven’t gotten a reply as of yet…
I am struggling to find the comment I saw from them, but “this winter” seems to ring in my head. I don’t have anything more firm than that for timeline and I don’t know an official price yet either.
I will be sure to share it once I learn those details. Hopefully IR will reply and get you that info soon anyway.
