The easiest way to master rollers is speed. When you’re riding at “high speed” things get stabilized. Then you get the drill and start to work on standing, low speed (very low if needed), etc.
Anecdotal Experiences here:
- My girlfriend has the Core, it’s bad. Slow to respond, values all over the place. Might be an off unit, and she does not mind it, but I would avoid the Kickr Core.
- I have the JBV, and my unit is fine. No issues, values are consistent, ERG Mode perfect. Road feel is alright, but not super. I do understand your doubts though, I have just my unit to comment on and saw many others with issues.
- I don’t have first hand experience with the v6, but in your place, with your emphasis on road feel, and if you can muster the extra cash, I’d go for the v6.
Cheers!
Perhaps one thing to consider is how the trainer will be used. A long time ago I rode rollers, but switched to smart trainers ~2010 on Computrainers. I’ve done simulation type riding (ZWIFT, Rouvy, etc…) but what I’m really interested and about all I do anymore is workouts, almost always in ERG mode. I want a trainer that does that well, responds to changes appropriately quickly, and closely holds the commanded power levels. I find having some motion really helps comfort, butt and otherwise, so use a full motion platform.
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Hey! I’m kind off in the same boat as you are right now. I hope I can join in here and draft 
. I’m also looking for a new smart trainer and road like feel is my top priority. I’ve been on the Tacx Flux S for over five years and liked it, but both of them recently lost their road like feel and ability to release resistance when going over power target doing erg-mode. I have purchased them on different continents, one of them got diagnosed with bad circuit-board and I got a new one (my lbs somehow fixed that even if warranty was long gone). The other one, local Garmin department is still arguing for it to be just as it’s supposed to be.
With that in mind I think I’m done with Tacx. I did like the Tacx Flux S, it’s also the trainer that I “learned” to ride trainer. And I actually preferred it in erg mode over Tacx Neo, because it gave a little more wiggle room with the wattage.
With all that said, I’ve been looking at the Kickr core. And I’d like to hear if anyone has experience with that on and Tacx Flux or Neo and can tell about the differences
Thanks for everyone’s comments.
Decided to move ahead with the Kickr V6 and the LBS sharpened the price on the Kickr as well to close some of the pricing gap.
Picking it up Saturday morning so will post my thoughts on it vs my previous trainer after a few sessions.
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So after a weeks use i’ve got to say I’m super impressed with the Kickr V6.
Build quality is excellent and WIFI connection is rock solid.
Now comparing ride feel to the Kurt Kinnetic is interesting. I’ve done all of my riding on Zwift so far and to me the KK felt a little more realistic on flat roads than the Kickr. Not to say that the Kickr doesn’t do an excellent job but the KK just feels a shade more realistic. However when we add some gradient the Kickr really shines and to me at least it does a fantastic job of simulating gradient. Which when combined with Zwift really adds a great layer of immersion.
The last thing i’ll call out is that I have this setup on a concrete garage floor and the flex feet really add a nice bit of wiggle to the setup which make doing hour plus rides alot more comfortable.
Only noticed one very minor bug in that the odometer value in the app hasn’t changed since setup, no big deal.
Appreciate everyone’s input on the purchase and overall very happy with it. To me the extra $$ for the Kickr v Core was worth it.
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