Hi, I thought I’d share some impressions here from testing the Gymrail Momentum X1. It’s probably the most sophisticated (but also the most expensive) rocker plate on the market, as it offers 4-dimensional movement: side-to-side tilt + sway, fore and aft, and twisting motion.
Prior to testing, I had already experienced the standard 2-dimensional rocker plates or the viral hedgehogs. My first impression of the Momentum X1 was very unusual–the bike is about 11 cm higher and feels unstable. It took some getting used to.
I was surprised that I had to experiment a lot with the dampers and spring settings. Otherwise, the platform started to move too much when riding out of the saddle and sprinting.
Luckily, I managed to solve it, and overall, the riding comfort and engagement are better than with a static trainer. It’s well-built and will probably withstand thousands of hours of riding. But, due to its price exceeding $1000, I don’t think it’s a product for everyone.
Does anybody else have experience with it?
Below, I attach an illustration gif of the ride from the saddle.
If you’re interested in more details, you can read my full review here, where you’ll also find videos.
Being pendactic this isn’t 4-dimensions. It could be 4-way or 4-axis (even that is a stretch) or maybe 4 degrees of freedom. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself
I totally get that. As I said, I was being pedantic. I hate the whole adding extra dimensions, which comes from having been an engineer in the aerospace industry where dimensions and translating being different coordinate systems was critical.
@mcneese.chad diagrams are pretty good at explaining different axis systems and degrees of freedom
I like that they are pushing the ideas here, but not a fan of their implementation for a number of reasons. I also question some of their claims and their inability to offer real data to back that up. Add in the steep price and I’m not surprised it has a low adoption rate.
I’m a bit late to the party but I’m considering a rocker plate. I’m not sure if I need fore/aft movement, I think I would just benefit from a bit of side to side movement.
I’ve been riding indoor trainers since around 2015 when I bought a Kickr and started using TrainerRoad. Fast forward to 2024 and I’ve been using a Neo2T for about 6yrs (had one replaced under warranty)
I like the trainer BUT during covid I developed a very stiff SI joint, I’ve been seeing a chiro for about 14 mths and seen an improvement but I feel like things are off on the trainer, the Neo2T definately leans to the right and I feel like it is contributing to some asymmetry on the trainer, I’ve tried shims etc but not seen any improvement. so my question is a rocker plate likely to help in this situation. Outside riding is mainly ok and my issues seem to resolve when I ride indoors less.
Anyone have the same experience and seen improvements with the introduction of a rocker plate.
No guarantees, but I have seen more than a few people in my groups mention relief to issues like yours after adding motion. Specifically the main lean angle issue is one that can be resolved via rocker. It is best with a lower leveling force so you and the bike will naturally find the angle that works for you vs the rigid and asymmetric alignment that the Neo’s offer.
I have no data to back this up but my hunch is that fore an aft is just as important than side to side. I base this on watching riders ride these things. There is a constant small side to side and fore/aft action when someone is just steady state riding. But if you can add side to side cheaply, then that is still a win.
Motion rollers are another option for you. I found a set on FB Marketplace for super cheap.
Yeah, I didn’t touch on fore-aft, but I think it is very worth including along with lean. Each direction of motion offers something the other does not, and I would probably not like going back to lean-only.
I don’t know if the F-A is really the key for back SI issues, but it can’t hurt there and pays off for nearly everyone I have seen. The only common negative is those that like to sprint hard on the trainer and don’t come to terms with the motion. I am used to it as are many others, so I think the benefit it offers in the 90-95% of seated riding is worth it for a majority of riders.
Thank you for the replies, I am considering buying one rather than DIY, so I was wondering if the extra £150 for the fore/aft movement was worth it.
I’ll probably go for the more expensive one. Currently looking at the Turbo Rocks Real Plate react and the Omnirocker. Both priced the same but the Turbo Rocks is a slightly different design and a slightly smaller footprint.
I swapped my stock Ultegra Di2 rear mech for the clutched version, and no more banging. It was an easy swap too. If you pull a jockey wheel off, you don’t have to break the chain.
Hence my concern for the Neo Rocker Gizmos. How many people that have then end up slamming into the front and back limits. Is it as distracting as it would seem to be?
Definitely is disconcerting to hit the limits on the Neo motion plates; it tends to tip the trainer. Only happens during a sprint; they tell you not to sprint in the instructions, but what am I going to do, take the plates off when I’m doing a workout with a sprint?
I blindly took the wording from the official website.
