Zwift also does their version of “Power Match” when you pair the trainer for “Controllable” and a power meter in the “Power Source” box.
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Kickr has that too.
Haven’t tried that and kinda like my simple setup. After hearing TR podcast talk about reducing cognitive load, I went all-in and made inside like outside with one user experience where my bike computer is the only screen telling my brain how to modulate power output.
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Cool. Didn’t know that. Perhaps all I really need is the Zwift Hub? (I have Favero Assioma pedals)
Though, from both @dcrainmaker and @GPLama it seems that something interesting is awaiting us in the smart trainer market this autumn.
So if you had to choose either the Hub trainer or an H3 which you can get now for $480, which would you choose?
Well, no one has ridden the Zwift trainer yet, but based in specs, etc, for me it would be the H3 hands-down. It is a $1k trainer marked down to <$500 because of mismanagement, not quality.
The Zwift trainer is a. $500 trainer for……$500.
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Guess I will need to look at some reviews of the H3. I do like that the hub is silent.
The H3 is 2019 tech though and didnt get a really positive review by Ray. The Hub is newer tech and Ray really seemed to like it, that goes a long way.
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Nuance is needed here. He actually really likes the trainer generally speaking, and places it at the top if you have an emphasis in using ERG mode for workouts. It is the known leader in performance within ERG workouts from him, others and I happen to agree in comparison to the half-dozen or so trainers I have owned or used.
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The H3 falls short in some people’s eyes because it is not as quiet as most other modern trainers. But the H3 is much quieter than the prior Hammer/H2 models, as well as all Kickr’s from V1 thru V3.
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The H3 also has only a single BLE connection vs the multiple on the V4 and newer Kickr’s. The Hub also has only one, but does include an HR sensor pass-thru which is a benefit in comparison to the H3.
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Ray places minor importance on ride feel, but the much larger flywheel on the H3 is a real difference compared to the Hub in particular.
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Essentially, the trainer is not bad, and is quite good depending on the actual price you pay. It happens to beat out the Hub in some areas, but that depends entirely on a person’s preferences.
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Again, that’s missing some details. Notably right now is the out of spec power data results he (and others) are getting from the Z created firmware. Ray and others expect this to get dialed and give good results considering the guts are essentially the JB Volt that did well in other testing.
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But it remains to be seen in the “official” sense. That is the reason Ray listed his Hub article as a “Hands On” and not his normal “Review” at this time. That will change once he gets the new firmware and related testing presumably proves out to give good data.
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I assume it was reviewed against its MSRP - not the current price? One main issue with the Saris trainer is whether the company is really going concern or what a new owner does with the product in terms of updates and warranty.
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Yeah, I actually took Ray’s Hub review as a red flag “don’t buy this yet” warning.
He seemed optimistic about it, and from my recollection, he said the prior FW he was using to test was fine. It was a recent update that stepped backwards to poor data results. So, if I got that right, and in light of the good results with the Volt, I think it’s a safe bet that Zwift will deliver decent results.
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I agree. But not “now”. I would want to see it fixed before I bought.
Sure, but it’s almost a non-issue “now” since the trainer isn’t available to purchase until Oct 3. I’d bet pretty hard money that Z will have this handled before then and assessed by Ray and others. At least that is an “ideal” case to have the seal of approval from the standard reviewers. 
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+1 on this. Trawling Reddit it seems the Hub has been given “Trainer of the Year” and is being recommended by a lot of people already. I have one sitting right next to me and there’s no way I’m recommending this until we see the data from it using the firmware it’ll ship with. Zwift have work to do if they want to improve the areas where the VOLT still falls short (even with the latest firmware).
imo, the best time to make a decision on the Zwift Hub would be around late January 2023. Let’s say they do release/ship on Oct 3rd 2022. The typical sources will review it. Maybe it gets an overall positive rating with a few edge cases where the trainer doesn’t perform well. People order it. There’s a few initial issues sorted with QA/QC, maybe a firmware update or two. Some units break and get returned. People post about that process. A another month goes by. More posts are made about the experience people have. Someone with a 4iiii single sided meter and 45/55 balance questions the power accuracy in a thread that becomes 200 pages long. And assuming there’s no complete and utter shit-hits-the-fan reason not to buy, it’d be a trainer to consider. Assuming there’s stock. And you’re in the UK/EU/US. Australia, get outside, it’s summer.
tldr; Let’s wait.
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Ahh, so just another Monday in the TR forums. 
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You say that like it is a bad thing…
More seriously, I don’t see anything new this year that is a game changer….and certainly not enough to warrant paying more than double the current price of the H3.
does anyone on this forum really care about a max wattage if 2300 vs 2000? I’d be shocked if more than a handful of people can even hit 2000, let alone 2300. Simulated hill gradient of 25%? Where would you ever need that?
The new Kickr has WiFi connectivity….uh, OK. Is that worth -$900?
We are in the era of marginal improvements, many of which are largely meaningless to the majority of users. Unless yur existing trainer has died, there is nothing in 2022 tech that is compelling or meaningful vs 2019 tech, IMO.
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Legit 12 speed compatibility is at least one consideration I can see.
And the WiFi sure can matter for some people with real connection issues. I have them on occasion and plan to test the WiFi but also get the Direct Connect so i can permanently ditch issues.
I agree the minor improvements in power and grade matter to almost no degree though.
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It’s why I can’t use my Kickr 2017 with a SRAM equipped Tarmac SL7.
That and the Volt or Hub will combine HR data with power/cadence and send to AppleTV where I run Zwift or RGT.
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Excellent point…thanks for adding that.
But jeez, having to buy a whole new $1k trainer after just getting a new 12 spd bike…ouch.
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