can you manually set the inclination % with the thinkrider app? I don't want to depend on zwift only and want to be able to manually change resistance.
No - not in the app... This app is only for updates and calibration. For the manual set up and tests, I was using myETraining from Elite - this is what I did use to test the slope reaction - at 10% it stopped to react. There was firmware update - but unfortunately no solution for max slope. Not a big issue when you plan to do workouts only.... but if you think about the mountain type of rides on Zwift - this is an issue.
It is... true. If you use the one where you need to put the bike on the roll... or rolls - this one would be like extra quiet. If you have children - small - sleeping around - this is the way to go. Direct drive trainers are in general quiet. But - the one with heavy stone are the quietest and those are giving you a kind of real cycling feeling. But - I think - the best are interactive rolls - like Elite Nero... a lot of fun... risk... and a little more noise. I own previous model Arion Smart and love those...
I think you mentioned the one for tablet.... This is my own design and then printed in 3D. But you can find some on Amazon for around 25 USD/EUR - those are used for tablets where on training. Decathlon has some as well... If you have 3D printer - I can share the design - I have a second one as well which is more stable... I have two bikes...
No - of course not. They did upgrade something in firmware, but not the incline. So, you have max 10% from my tests. Then - it stays on the same level. They made a mistake in construction of the magnets. Therefore, you can now find an updated version of this one on AliExpress - but I never had chance to check the new one. And - it is a good machine at the end for daily trainings. My wife's favorite (we own as well Elite Suito). I think if you plan to buy - look at the latest version and reviews for the newer model. I think, it is with improved resistance. Not a big problem - but if you have construction mistake - then you can't just change this with firmware.
Hi, My bike has a built in potentiometer and the cadence is not engaged when I train or in Zwift; but if I connect the watts. My gps is the Wahoo element bolt.
Thanks... About fix - I can't answer. Maybe somebody who own new version could help. I would expect that yes... but it is China. I can say about quality - so far so good. We use it regularly and for us 8-9% seams to be fine. And it is nice to ride - much better than my second Elite Suito. I'm really happy with this system. Hope it would survive a few more years.
I have used this one anrancee cycling Store a.aliexpress.com/_mOGGUAL with shipping from Poland. So no extra tax on top. I think the cheaper one is closer to Elite Suito. I have as well this one... but Thinkrider is much better. The wheel weight is the key. Plus X7 can move a little from the nadir - which is great for sprints or climbing. Save some money and go for X7....
Other than the known issue with resistance up to 9-10% - no issues. It is used now daily again... with resistance up to 400W (my wife is using this one) and all is as it was. No vibrations, no issues with the belt, no issues with bearings... and no issues with electronics. But - you know - we have no issues - there is no warranty that every model is good. But this reflects to all products, I think. I had issue before with Elite - which finished with replacement. I would say like this - would I buy this again - the answer would be yes - of course the latest model with resistance fix... But you must take decision by yourself...
:) This is always a risk. But - I owned ELITE smart trainer - 1,5 years - died. Now I got second as a replacement - new Suito - if you compare quality - there is no compare - I do not think Suito would survive longer (I could be wrong). And - technically - this trainer is very basic from a mechanical point of view. Of course - there could be always a problem with electronics. But mechanical parts are easily accessible and easy to replace. So far - after 3 months - regular usage every 1-2 days - it works still perfectly as before. My son (11) does not want to use SUITO... the feeling is not so great when you ZWIFT. Thinkrider is much more realistic. But as mentioned - there is a risk. Ali guarantee - forget. There is an EU shop - maybe they are willing to repair? Personally - I think it would last for long.
This is actually my concern too. I contacted the manufacturer to see if they have any service places in Europe but no, theh dont. He said he would send any spare part for free if something broke but which such complex system I cant imagine fixing it myself. Price is really good for such parameters, comparing to wahoo or taxc which are 1200eur for such model. But these well know brand trainers are very vulnerable for failures therefore Im very hesitant to buy it. How many kms have you riden so far?
I've contacte the sellee to see why the price is that high now ans he says they have few more pieces left in the Poland stock foe this price and then the new set of 100 pieces delivery will again have the price of 500Eur. It doesnt make sense though why the price is dependent on the stock pieces.Let me reply to him asking if he can reduce the price for 2 of us so can order for the lower price. For 750Eur I rather order tacx flux2 with full warranty.
@@dreamersbike i do confirm it works also for disc brake frame, i got it 2 days ago.. Do you find it very accurate? I tried it twice and it seems not very accurate, on a slope of 9% i didnt even used the 36 wheel...
Did you calibrate? Both? And - keep in mind that at the certain % of the slope (around 9%) it would stop to increase. If you use the same model as mine. There was a bug in the construction which they were not able to fix with firmware.... so slope 9-10% is max what you would get. But - for normal workouts it should keep the power.... I use SRM and have no issues... so far.
@@northernlightay I normally calibrate this from time to time. The power meter which they use is bad... for sure - not very accurate and there is no firmware control. It is nothing to compare for example to ELITE smart trainers - which are not the best (and difficult to calibrate sometimes), but more accurate if you are lucky to have this calibrated. In general - I use in ZWIFT my own power meter from bike. So the system use only FE-C to modify resistance - so to control the trainer. This works fine and I have no issues - for workouts it is perfect, for rides - you know - there is the issue with max slope which is around 10%. Trainer is smooth in work thanks to the big stone used in the freewheel. So - I would suggest to use external power meter if you can. If you can't - in most software you can add/mod the power level - adding for example 10% in resistance. But first I would start with calibration. But as I mentioned- I would not expect too much from this power meter. Better to use real one. And - it is used now daily and after those few years there was 0 service needed. For what we need with my wife - it works perfect. For more pro - I would jump into other brand.... happy riding....
@@northernlightay when we tested this - the difference was around 10-20W - actually in my case the trainer was showing more. But as I use a power meter (real - not calculated) - this was not a big deal. I heard the newest models are better - and do have more resistance on slopes - not just 10%.... But to be honest - if you run sessions with controlled power and you use bike power meter - it is not a big deal. And - after 3 years of use (a few times a week) all still works as expected. We still love this one (I use as well ELITO Suito) and actually Thinkrider is much better to ride... thanks to high weight wheel ... but I would not trust too much the power measurements. You can calibrate this to get better results... in the app.
Hi. Sure - it is quite fast. Look for the app on the Chinese thinkrider website - there is an app for Android. There is one on Google Store - but that one is not the latest... unless they have updated. The one on Google was not connecting... Download this apk and install on your phone. It is in English. Then start the app and there is Raceration calibration button... whatever this means. It would guide you through the process - this is the same procedure as for most of the direct-drive smart trainers. You speed up to defined speed - then you stop and you wait for the trainer to stop... If I remember correctly. Then you should re-do this every month... to have the 2.5% accuracy. Hope it would help...
@@dreamersbike you helped me a lot, it's just like that, the app from the google store does not find the device, and only the program from the site sees it. I apologize for my English, I use a translator, greetings from Russia. Thank you again.
Yes... It is great. I got now as well Elite Suito as replacemnet for my Qubo Digital Smart+ - and the difference is hudge. Elite like Elite - not so smooth delayed in stabilisation of the power in ERG mode etc... Thinkrider - smoth, nice and resposive on Zwift. ERG works great. And the 5deg movement on every site is helping lot when clmbing. So far - great investment. Unfortunately my wife would use this one most - I have to use Suito... :(
@@dreamersbike :-) So, would you say that it is better than Suito?? (I own a Suito-T, and my girlfriend is going to buy her own, and we are between both another Suito or a X7)
Hi, I asked the same thing, unfortunately, I did not hear the answer. Just I received my Thinkrider, as I check, I will unsubscribe here, but it may take time.
a good number of users of this train have a slope simulation problem. There is clearly a software problem above 8%. There is an ERG mode where you can define at what power you can work and it works. So from a Hardware point of view the trainer is able to simulate slopes well above 8% but it is not practical and it is not what one expects from a home trainer and applications such as bkool or swift. He contacted Thinkrider directly and is in contact with them. They are aware of the problem. Also on the Zwift forums a lot of people encounter this problem: forums.zwift.com/t/thinkrider-x7-smart-trainer-problems-with-slopes-higher-than-8/514612 There is a slope simulation problem on Zwift, no more than 8% encountered by many uses. I would like to know if Thinkrider will fix this problem by updating the firmware.
Check the model. There are two models. This one can easily give you much more than 1000W resistance (max what I did was 1700W... for a short moment). There is cheaper version which is with small resistance. So far - we had no issues with all Zwift slope levels. And we tested the power output with Stages and 4iiii single side power meters... very close to reality. Let me knowo what you use to control the ERG mode? You can try with FE-C Ant+. I saw some users were complaining - but in my case - we had no big issues. I use Tablet with Bluetooth controll. Android based.
Hello, thank you for your answer. I haven't received it yet, it should arrive in a few days. It is the 7x 3 generation thinkrider, the latest model, the most powerful it seems. But it's weird all these reviews you are the first and the only one to say that this device has the 20% well, even some sellers say it has a problem with this trainer to simulate the slope up to 20% on Zwift. When you use it on Zwift, do you set the simulation to 100 or 50% realism? I really wonder when I receive the device to try to return it to China and get a refund.
Btw,thanks for sharing this review,it is really helpfull
can you manually set the inclination % with the thinkrider app? I don't want to depend on zwift only and want to be able to manually change resistance.
No - not in the app... This app is only for updates and calibration. For the manual set up and tests, I was using myETraining from Elite - this is what I did use to test the slope reaction - at 10% it stopped to react. There was firmware update - but unfortunately no solution for max slope. Not a big issue when you plan to do workouts only.... but if you think about the mountain type of rides on Zwift - this is an issue.
Its very quiet, nice!
It is... true. If you use the one where you need to put the bike on the roll... or rolls - this one would be like extra quiet. If you have children - small - sleeping around - this is the way to go. Direct drive trainers are in general quiet. But - the one with heavy stone are the quietest and those are giving you a kind of real cycling feeling. But - I think - the best are interactive rolls - like Elite Nero... a lot of fun... risk... and a little more noise. I own previous model Arion Smart and love those...
Hi Great review , does it do power speed and cadence ,cheers, and has any updates fix issues for 2021
Where I can find your little monitor with stand?
I think you mentioned the one for tablet.... This is my own design and then printed in 3D. But you can find some on Amazon for around 25 USD/EUR - those are used for tablets where on training. Decathlon has some as well... If you have 3D printer - I can share the design - I have a second one as well which is more stable... I have two bikes...
Did the firmware ever get sorted on this to allow the advertised 20% incline in Zwift?
No - of course not. They did upgrade something in firmware, but not the incline. So, you have max 10% from my tests. Then - it stays on the same level. They made a mistake in construction of the magnets. Therefore, you can now find an updated version of this one on AliExpress - but I never had chance to check the new one. And - it is a good machine at the end for daily trainings. My wife's favorite (we own as well Elite Suito). I think if you plan to buy - look at the latest version and reviews for the newer model. I think, it is with improved resistance. Not a big problem - but if you have construction mistake - then you can't just change this with firmware.
Hi,
My bike has a built in potentiometer and the cadence is not engaged when I train or in Zwift; but if I connect the watts.
My gps is the Wahoo element bolt.
Nice video, has the gradient issue been fixed on the X7 Pro v4 ? thanks
Thanks... About fix - I can't answer. Maybe somebody who own new version could help. I would expect that yes... but it is China. I can say about quality - so far so good. We use it regularly and for us 8-9% seams to be fine. And it is nice to ride - much better than my second Elite Suito. I'm really happy with this system. Hope it would survive a few more years.
Which shop on AliExpress did you buy it from? And would you also recommend the cheaper version Thinkrider power?
I have used this one anrancee cycling Store
a.aliexpress.com/_mOGGUAL with shipping from Poland. So no extra tax on top. I think the cheaper one is closer to Elite Suito. I have as well this one... but Thinkrider is much better. The wheel weight is the key. Plus X7 can move a little from the nadir - which is great for sprints or climbing. Save some money and go for X7....
Hw was the trainer so far? Any issues?
Other than the known issue with resistance up to 9-10% - no issues. It is used now daily again... with resistance up to 400W (my wife is using this one) and all is as it was. No vibrations, no issues with the belt, no issues with bearings... and no issues with electronics. But - you know - we have no issues - there is no warranty that every model is good. But this reflects to all products, I think. I had issue before with Elite - which finished with replacement. I would say like this - would I buy this again - the answer would be yes - of course the latest model with resistance fix... But you must take decision by yourself...
is the handle removable?
You orderd on ali. What will you do when it will damage in the warrenty period?
:) This is always a risk. But - I owned ELITE smart trainer - 1,5 years - died. Now I got second as a replacement - new Suito - if you compare quality - there is no compare - I do not think Suito would survive longer (I could be wrong). And - technically - this trainer is very basic from a mechanical point of view. Of course - there could be always a problem with electronics. But mechanical parts are easily accessible and easy to replace. So far - after 3 months - regular usage every 1-2 days - it works still perfectly as before. My son (11) does not want to use SUITO... the feeling is not so great when you ZWIFT. Thinkrider is much more realistic. But as mentioned - there is a risk. Ali guarantee - forget. There is an EU shop - maybe they are willing to repair? Personally - I think it would last for long.
This is actually my concern too. I contacted the manufacturer to see if they have any service places in Europe but no, theh dont. He said he would send any spare part for free if something broke but which such complex system I cant imagine fixing it myself. Price is really good for such parameters, comparing to wahoo or taxc which are 1200eur for such model. But these well know brand trainers are very vulnerable for failures therefore Im very hesitant to buy it. How many kms have you riden so far?
Thx for your answer. I tried to order it but the price for me in germany (770€) is much higher. An idea why?
I've contacte the sellee to see why the price is that high now ans he says they have few more pieces left in the Poland stock foe this price and then the new set of 100 pieces delivery will again have the price of 500Eur. It doesnt make sense though why the price is dependent on the stock pieces.Let me reply to him asking if he can reduce the price for 2 of us so can order for the lower price. For 750Eur I rather order tacx flux2 with full warranty.
Milan do you have any news?
Does it work with disc brake frames? Do you need any sort of adapter for that?
There is adapter added - so it should work well...
@@dreamersbike i do confirm it works also for disc brake frame, i got it 2 days ago.. Do you find it very accurate? I tried it twice and it seems not very accurate, on a slope of 9% i didnt even used the 36 wheel...
My x7 give 10% less of power metter SRM... do you know why?
Did you calibrate? Both? And - keep in mind that at the certain % of the slope (around 9%) it would stop to increase. If you use the same model as mine. There was a bug in the construction which they were not able to fix with firmware.... so slope 9-10% is max what you would get. But - for normal workouts it should keep the power.... I use SRM and have no issues... so far.
Did you know how to fix it? I have a same problem, around 10-20watt less than my power meter
@@northernlightay I normally calibrate this from time to time. The power meter which they use is bad... for sure - not very accurate and there is no firmware control. It is nothing to compare for example to ELITE smart trainers - which are not the best (and difficult to calibrate sometimes), but more accurate if you are lucky to have this calibrated. In general - I use in ZWIFT my own power meter from bike. So the system use only FE-C to modify resistance - so to control the trainer. This works fine and I have no issues - for workouts it is perfect, for rides - you know - there is the issue with max slope which is around 10%. Trainer is smooth in work thanks to the big stone used in the freewheel. So - I would suggest to use external power meter if you can. If you can't - in most software you can add/mod the power level - adding for example 10% in resistance. But first I would start with calibration. But as I mentioned- I would not expect too much from this power meter. Better to use real one. And - it is used now daily and after those few years there was 0 service needed. For what we need with my wife - it works perfect. For more pro - I would jump into other brand.... happy riding....
@@dreamersbikein your case, may i know how much the different between power meter on your bike with power meter from smart trainer?
@@northernlightay when we tested this - the difference was around 10-20W - actually in my case the trainer was showing more. But as I use a power meter (real - not calculated) - this was not a big deal. I heard the newest models are better - and do have more resistance on slopes - not just 10%.... But to be honest - if you run sessions with controlled power and you use bike power meter - it is not a big deal. And - after 3 years of use (a few times a week) all still works as expected. We still love this one (I use as well ELITO Suito) and actually Thinkrider is much better to ride... thanks to high weight wheel ... but I would not trust too much the power measurements. You can calibrate this to get better results... in the app.
How is the translation to English on it
Hi, can you tell me how to calibrate it ? Thank you in advance
Hi. Sure - it is quite fast. Look for the app on the Chinese thinkrider website - there is an app for Android. There is one on Google Store - but that one is not the latest... unless they have updated. The one on Google was not connecting... Download this apk and install on your phone. It is in English. Then start the app and there is Raceration calibration button... whatever this means. It would guide you through the process - this is the same procedure as for most of the direct-drive smart trainers. You speed up to defined speed - then you stop and you wait for the trainer to stop... If I remember correctly. Then you should re-do this every month... to have the 2.5% accuracy. Hope it would help...
@@dreamersbike you helped me a lot, it's just like that, the app from the google store does not find the device, and only the program from the site sees it. I apologize for my English, I use a translator, greetings from Russia. Thank you again.
@@dreamersbike If you could do a video on this whole process it would be helpful
you still like it ?
Yes... It is great. I got now as well Elite Suito as replacemnet for my Qubo Digital Smart+ - and the difference is hudge. Elite like Elite - not so smooth delayed in stabilisation of the power in ERG mode etc... Thinkrider - smoth, nice and resposive on Zwift. ERG works great. And the 5deg movement on every site is helping lot when clmbing. So far - great investment. Unfortunately my wife would use this one most - I have to use Suito... :(
@@dreamersbike Thanks !!!
@@dreamersbike :-) So, would you say that it is better than Suito?? (I own a Suito-T, and my girlfriend is going to buy her own, and we are between both another Suito or a X7)
Hello, I would like to know if this trainer simulates slopes of 20% or not? On aliexpress people say it is not, no more than 8%.
Hi, I asked the same thing, unfortunately, I did not hear the answer. Just I received my Thinkrider, as I check, I will unsubscribe here, but it may take time.
a good number of users of this train have a slope simulation problem.
There is clearly a software problem above 8%. There is an ERG mode where you can define at what power you can work and it works. So from a Hardware point of view the trainer is able to simulate slopes well above 8% but it is not practical and it is not what one expects from a home trainer and applications such as bkool or swift. He contacted Thinkrider directly and is in contact with them. They are aware of the problem.
Also on the Zwift forums a lot of people encounter this problem:
forums.zwift.com/t/thinkrider-x7-smart-trainer-problems-with-slopes-higher-than-8/514612
There is a slope simulation problem on Zwift, no more than 8% encountered by many uses.
I would like to know if Thinkrider will fix this problem by updating the firmware.
Check the model. There are two models. This one can easily give you much more than 1000W resistance (max what I did was 1700W... for a short moment). There is cheaper version which is with small resistance.
So far - we had no issues with all Zwift slope levels. And we tested the power output with Stages and 4iiii single side power meters... very close to reality.
Let me knowo what you use to control the ERG mode? You can try with FE-C Ant+. I saw some users were complaining - but in my case - we had no big issues. I use Tablet with Bluetooth controll. Android based.
Hello, thank you for your answer. I haven't received it yet, it should arrive in a few days. It is the 7x 3 generation thinkrider, the latest model, the most powerful it seems. But it's weird all these reviews you are the first and the only one to say that this device has the 20% well, even some sellers say it has a problem with this trainer to simulate the slope up to 20% on Zwift.
When you use it on Zwift, do you set the simulation to 100 or 50% realism?
I really wonder when I receive the device to try to return it to China and get a refund.
@@dreamersbike Do you mean X7 pro gen3 and X7 gen3 or X5?