if trainerroad adds zwift cog functionality I’m in. that and saris needs to update the firmware for compatibility as well but that seems likely at some point
- Never. Without physical steering, it would last about 5 feet max before they fall over
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Now the real question for those who are getting one: are you waxing your chain?!
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I’m very pleasantly surprised at the pricing. My only “wants” would be:
- Split stay as @mcneese.chad indicated to allow the use of a belt drive (or better, come with a belt drive as standard to remove needing to lube the chain and reduce noise)
- Someway to be able to use this with the InsideRide E-Flex
- Similar Kickr - not the Core - bundle
- Ability to “shift” with any app, not just Zwift
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I don’t think I’m the target market for this, but I kinda dig it. If I could get the standalone frame and the cog to put on my existing Kickr, I’d get one just so I can share it with my spouse (even though it’d mean having to sell my Kickr Climb). Hell, I wish I could get that handlebar setup on its own to put on my trainer bike, it’s kinda neat.
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My thoughts exactly. Belt drive paired with a Kickr v6 I’d pick up one for this winter without a second thought.
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I totally get why Zwift ditched physical steering, but that is a bit of a killer for my preferences. I am an outlier here, but love the motion I get from a free steering input. I used a swivel plate even on my old rocker plate when it didn’t really do anything. But with the E-Flex, it is directly connection to the motion and I would miss that greatly.
So not a solution for my taste, but this will likely be great for the vast majority of users. It will still work well on a typical rocker plate so people can get lean & fore-aft via the regular rocker designs.
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Got to do it for the content and memes now!
And am I the only one who waxes their chain on their dedicated indoor bike? I usually lay down several Hefty bags flat under the drivetrain after a waxing for a few rides to catch all the stuff that flakes off.
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- Insert aintnobodygottimefordat meme.
I just run the wet Silca lube with a wipe and reapply about 1x per month on our indoor bikes. Minimal hassle and I fail to see enough benefit to waxing in this use case to justify the wax associated work.
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The other big limiter I see as of now for this taking over smart bikes is the virtual shifting. I get why it is that way, but smart bikes all offer open app & shifting use, so that may be an issue unless opens it up down the road.
The minor issue on single-length crank on the Zwift frame is a potential limiter too, but that may be addressed by Zwift or add-ons in the future.
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My process is a combination of using the Silca Hot Wax every ~1000 miles and the Silca Wax Chain Lube every ~~200 miles or so.
More or less comes out to reapplying the wax lube every 1-2 weeks and dipping in the hot wax every 1-2 months depending on miles rode.
Doesn’t mean some dyot won’t try it for the clicks… 
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I’d disagree, mostly because
That’s a huge selling point to me. Otherwise the price is great, it looks good. But man, the chain drive is a big con after getting used to silence and no maintenance.
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I do wish they had done something to easily allow belt. Split frame does add cost and complexity. Elevated stay is essentially free but I can understand the cosmetic aspect at the very least.
Just starting some research, but one (rather costly option) does exist for split belt and normal belt path
Here’s hoping that @gpl might take the plunge if we find some decent option that isn’t overly expensive or difficult 
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I think another underrated plus, for me, is the aesthetic: it looks like a nice aero bike on a trainer. That definitely helps with the immersion factor and whole “look good, feel good” dynamic.
A lot of the top smart bikes look like spin bikes and or something that doesn’t really resemble a road bike.
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FINALLY someone did this!
I am perplexed it took this long to push this to the market…
I mused with this idea (probably many other did as well) for years…
HOLLY F!
the price is trainer AND frame! insane! this is an absolute market changer!
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For the life of me, I can’t remember the name or find via search, but there was UK seller that had a simplified and adjustable frame for trainer use. It used a regular drivetrain since virtual shifting wasn’t part of the equation as one key difference here. It was also rather expensive IIRC and more utilitarian look vs this polished version. All part of coming from a very small maker, but there was an option that actually went for sale.
Found it: - New 'Zwift Ride' Smart Frame (June 12, 2024) - #76 by mcneese.chad
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Disappointments:
- Non-standard square taper bottom bracket? Why? Why not go with a standard T-47 bottom bracket that would allow users to swap to any crankset / change the crank length?
- 42cm wide bars
Why not changeable width bars like Canyon has gone to? Or at least something more realistic like 40cm bars - still too wide for me, but better than 42cm bars
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Where did you get this info?
- Lama mentioned he planned to dive into that and I have not seen specs elsewhere.
$$$ - I have not seen an adjustable width road bar that is anywhere close to the likely sub $30 cost they have into this option.
- As to the 42cm selection, this parallels what I see on most stock 54-56cm bikes. Right or wrong, this follows that trend.
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@dcrainmaker article in the Riding with it section:
That said, for those with enough bike wrench geekery in them, you can technically swap out the crank arms which are square-taper, however the bottom bracket isn’t standard, thus Zwift highly doesn’t recommend doing so. But again, that’s beyond most people. [bolding is mine]
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