So it helps reinforce, in my mind, DC’s rant that they are overpriced. You can’t have unlimited movement, but it seems that Wahoo saw what Tacx/Garmin did with those ‘plates’ and ripped it out of the park with their Moven system for the Kickr. Ouch…
I guess I do like the idea of the Tacx ‘plates’, but haven’t bought into that because it seems like it’s just not ready for primetime. If they were $99.99, okay… $199.99, I’d pause, but maybe get them, but $299.99? And hard stops in a relatively short distance? Wow…
I use my Neo Smart (as soon as I get clearance) almost continuously, but have been thinking of mixing it up, but with such a cobbled/hobbled/pricey product? Looking at those ‘hedgehog’ things. I don’t think I can talk myself into a Wahoo Move trainer, but feel like I need to do something.
EDIT: The Kickr Move says 8 inches of movement, and the Tacx plates say 2 inches. (Is it 2 inches forward and 2 inches back, for 4 inches total?) It looks like it has more than 2 inches of travel, but the Kickr Move looks like it’s just an insane amount of movement in comparison.
Those look great. I tried the E-Flex together with the new Zwift trainer but wasn’t really happy with either. Returned both, fixed my KICKR core, and I’m back on the hedgehog pods.
It’s been working wonders for my hamstring tendinopathy, but I’d love to give a slightly more stable solution on try. The hedgehogs definitely are a bit on the wobbly side.
For me it wasn’t SI pain but I developed proximal hamstring tendinopathy from too many and too long static trainer sessions. Tried the E-Flex system but finally settled on the $20 hedgehog pods from Amazon under my KICKR. Works great, hast lean and F/A movement and doesn’t irritate my tendons even on 2h+ rides.
I would strongly look at seat height. I had the same issue because my saddle was 5mm too high. Since lowering all my saddles (trainer, gravel and MTB bikes) I’ve had zero problems. This is coming from a guy who spends 16+ hours a week on the trainer for 4+ months straight.
Unless the fitting missed the mark. I had a fitting, and the fitter didn’t change anything on my bike. He said I had dialed it in really well, yet I continued to have lower back/hip flexor issues. I was going to head for a fitting the day of a Green Day concert, so I could get it done, and pick the bike up on the way back, but that didn’t work out (Covid).
For sure it’s a possibility that I’m not fitted correctly. That said, by now I’m about 90% recovered, did an Olympic Tri a couple of months ago, and will head out to a 70.3 this weekend. So far the PHT is not bothering me on either my road-or TT-bike. So fingers crossed.
That said, I’m not happy with my TT fit, but that’s more related to the cockpit than the saddle.
Are there any good aftermarket/third party solutions out there that mimic the Tacx Neo Motion Plates for an Elite Direto? I’ve seen people experiment with tennis balls, but generally want to move away from a big rocker plate.
Nothing quite that streamlined as the Tacx option. The closest I can think of is the TrainerTweaks rear rocker. It has the most cleaver and simple fore-aft motion design I’ve seen coupled with a rear-only lean rocker.
I built a rear wheel rocker plate a few years back - the plywood, vibration dampeners and rubber ball design. Its worked great with my Kickr Core and bike, with the front wheel of the bike resting in a simple riser block on top of a wooden block.
I’ve now picked up a Zwift Ride Frame which I intend to use for all indoor training. Has any one seen or can suggest a solution for the front foot of the Zwift Ride Frame, so that I can keep using the rear rocker. I suspect the front foot as it is won’t pivot very well with the rocking motion.
Is it normal to struggle to balance yourself on a plate? I just bought and set one up today, tried it for the first time today and I keep tipping to one side.
Yes when you first get it - you need to learn to engage your core.
Most you can also regulate via putting a bit more air into the balls. I had to do that on my Turborocks plate when I got it as it will be weight dependent (rider and trainer) and I am heavy ish and have a kickr bike.
What rocker plate?
What does it use for leveling springs?
I have a setup guide that can help, if you haven’t seen it.
Leaning to one side can mean the trainer is not centered properly and/or the leveling springs arw off, or you’re lacking a counterweight. Just need some more details to give some specific suggestions.
Yeah, there is some skill to balancing a rocker, especially if you run a lower pressure in the leveling springs. It takes active control of the handlebars as the primary lean action control. Really focus on the forces at the bars since that is where your true leverage exists.
I have some info from me and a few others that may be helpful
For riders new to motion, I recommend starting with a higher pressure since the action is new and not the same as outside. You can get used to the motion & control with more help from the springs, and then reduce the pressure over time if you want.
Get off the trainer and see if your trainer plus bike wants to tip to one side. Try pushing it each way and seeing if it takes the same force in each direction.
If not, add some ballast to the side that tilts up
