Smart trainer vs. Dumb Trainer | Does it make you a better cyclist or triathlete?

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Are smart trainers worth the expensive cost, or are dumb trainers good enough to make you a powerful cyclist or triathlete? That's what I'm going over today. Learn all about the differences between smart interactive bike trainers and dumb non-interactive bike trainers, as well as learning about whether erg mode is worth it for Zwift, TrainerRoad, The Sufferfest, or more. Specifically, taking a look at the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine and the Kickr Core.
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Trainers and gear discussed in the video:

This video specifically covers the difference between smart and dumb bike trainers, how much they really matter, whether or not you need a smart trainer, how much erg mode makes a difference in your cycling workouts, and what I ultimately recommend you buy.

JustinDoesTriathlon is dedicated to helping first timers, beginners, and intermediate triathletes meet their athletic goals on the swim, bike, and run! Follow along my training vlog as I train and race. Stick around for gear tips, gear reviews, and more! If you're a beginner triathlete looking to improve your swimming, biking, or running, then it's my mission to help you out! Triathlon can be super intimidating, but it's a great sport if you can get through that initial intimidation and get out there. Triathlon gear reviews, training tips, and my own racing vlogs are here to help keep you motivated and up to date in the sport. Thanks for following!

#TrainerRoad #Zwift #Indoorcycling
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Thanks for this video. I've been really hitting the bike a lot more this season than I have in the past and am looking forward to really focusing on doing some Zwift traning plans over the coming winter. My current set-up is a Kurt Kinetic RM 2 with an InRide Sensor, HRM and AppleTV running Zwift.
In years past on Zwift I was just out riding the varius routes and trying to get all the route badges and just to say "saddle ready" come spring (it really does make a huge difference). But, with my renewed focus this year, I was really thinking I needed to get a "smart" trainer and was looking at a Tacx Neo 2 (LBS still has one for $1100). After reading this, it sounds like I really won't get that much added benefit for the $1100 investment of the Tacx. Seems like maybe I should try my hand at some of these training plans over the winter with my current set-up and see how it goes and decide later if the "smart" trainier is really worth it...for the ERG, etc.
Thoughts? Any other hardware I need with my current set up or should I be good to go based on the above? Thanks!

rjbme
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I think you may have missed the psychological aspect of a smart trainer. I don't consider myself an athlete. I cycle for general exercise and for fun. When I had a dumb trainer, I couldn't stay motivated to ride more than 20 minutes on the thing. Even watching a movie didn't help. Once I picked up a kickr core and zwift it was easy to hit those 1+ hour rides. I even did an indoor metric century. The psychology of having to react to the resistance generated by the program in regards to the terrain shown allowed me to put myself into the ride I was seeing on the screen and stay motivated to keep going.

Whippet
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Thank you for the thoughtful, thorough video. I appreciate that you kept on topic, no feeble attempts at humor and made it very informative!

larryfinke
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Great video! Very informative. I bought a Kickr Snap a few years ago. Mostly because it was a smart trainer and a lot less expensive than the wheel off smart trainers. I love it and can't imagine spending the cake to upgrade to a wheel off smart trainer. I think the best trainer you can buy is the one that you will consistently use. Keep up the great content my friend.

ezrajordan
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What a concept! Someone who has real knowledge of something without all the fluff. I just started using a trainer when I can't ride due to rain (which is quite rare in SoCal). Thanks for the timely tips as rain is off and on till end of month.

elmerrichardson
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Nice and honest video. Helpful for somone like me who is just getting into training with a powermeter

Birkirrey
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The best unbiased presentation I’ve seen to date. Thank you.

davidbennett
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I'm training with Trainerroad and I do almost all workouts in ERG mode, so I can hit cadence targets and I feel that this way I have more quality workouts. And one thing you didn't mention is that I think that direct drive trainers are nicer to your bike than wheel on trainers. This is how I felt when switched from Tacx Vortex to Elite Suito. Btw, great channel.

ElPaho
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Plain and simple just as how everyone likes it. Honest and helpful great work 👍 many thanks!

jomeldemdayo
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Excellent video and I went for the solution that you sugested and haven't regretted it - a luid ("dumb, non-ERG mode) trainer for "feel", and then power meter pedals. I tried two smart trainers that have electromagnetic resistance (Tacx Neo and Saris H3) and couldn't stand them, they felt terrible in comparison

XX-isps
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Thanks Justin. I purchased my Tacx smart trainer this winter tho I still MTN bike in winter with studs. I've never ridden Advice on how to motivate oneself indoors would be amazing. Nothing beats a proper bush ride with obviously that's suboptimal to coordinate as is mother nature.

ebarr
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Well Said.
I’ve collected / used lots of trainers (mag, fluid & ‘smart’) over the years and the advice to use real power meter data that’s not derived via mathematical algorithms based of power curves is spot on.
The Kurt Kinetic is a great trainer. (Yes I have one)
The Tacx Boost is good for low cadence high resistance ‘strength’ training. (Yes I have one)
Ultimately the best thing to do is ride your bike…
Trainer or real life???
It doesn’t matter to me as long as I’m on my bike.

GM-vkjw
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Fantastic review, Justin. Thanks for posting.

RobBastien
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I rode a Kurk Kinetic trainer for years and loved it, but now the Kickr Core and Zwift is what I use daily. It’s accurate, smooth and as quiet as a mouse. Shifting and fan noise is really the only sound I hear. I also use the ERG mode most rides unless I’m going for a climb. I’ve improved my FTP by 13% in a short time. I don’t think I would have had the self discipline to do that on a fluid trainer simply because they’re so boring. I ride much more often and much harder on the smart trainer. The smart trainer keeps my attention as you really have to stay engaged in the game. As you pointed out, you can’t rest in ERG mode. You either turn the requested watts or get off.

dustdevil
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Thanks Justin! Think this is what I really needed to hear. Especially the bit about spending more money doesn't make you a better athlete. Just starting to get back in to cycling and I think I'm going to go snag a cycleops fluid 2 so I can get in a good workout while I'm home with the kiddo.

mr.alldredge
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This is a great vid. There is so much misunderstanding around non-interactive trainers. I've been Zwifting for almost 4 years using an Elite Chrono fluid trainer and not only does it feel pretty realistic to me, but when I compared a Zwift session to a real-world track session which is the closest thing to Zwift in real life, the distance and speed data was remarkably similar. I think as long as you get a half decent fluid or similar trainer, which is natively supported in Zwift and get your sensors (wheel size etc) and in-game weight configured correctly, then it's a very close to real-world experience and doesn't have to cost the world.

smithleon
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This is the best explanation I’ve found yet thank you!

blaquaman
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I enjoy ERG mode only because as a new rider, it really forces me to follow the structure and hit the targets that I need. ERG along with a structured plan (TR or SF) makes up for lack of experience. With the price of direct drives coming down, like the Core, they are an investment. I saved my pennies and got a Kickr Core and love it. In the end, as long as you are making circles, there is no replacement for time in the saddle no matter how you are making it happen.
Interesting video.

Try_n_Tri
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🙋‍♂️yup! I’m that person who does not have a trainer, but doing my research. I definitely want to maintain during the rainy season. Thank you for the informative video 👍

nebulouz
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Thanks for this video. Very helpful and informative. I have a fluid2 and was also thinking of getting a power meter so I can also use and benefit from it outdoors.

ryanviquiera