The Best Budget Trainer for Zwift under $400 | Triathlon Taren
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 มิ.ย. 2020
- The Tacx Flow Smart Trainer is the best budget smart bike trainer for Zwift coming in at less than $400. Watch this video to see why.
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Just the video I needed as I'm looking at home trainers but I can't afford a high end right now. Also, Taren, thank you for all your amazing content. I'm just starting out in triathlon and I've been binge watching your channel over the past week. You've really given me so much great information and increased my confidence in getting into the sport.
I am a runner, but enjoy riding aswell, I have had one of these since late 2018, I haven’t tried anything else, but it does everything I want
I’ve been using it for a while now and love it. Simple and easy to use.
Great job!!! Have been on the fence about which trainer to get, specifically just for winter/super bad weather training for Zwift. Have an old mag trainer that does ok...not "smart" but still ok...so was looking at this and then the next level up for direct trainers. This helped alot...thanks man!
Good review TT.
Kim- thanks for filming. Nice work on your video skills. ✌️🇨🇦✌️
Hey there! Just stumbled upon your video about bike trainers, and I must say, your content is amazing. It's great to see someone so passionate about helping us improve our indoor cycling experience. The way you explain the different features and benefits is really insightful and informative. Speaking of innovative products, I recently came across a crowdfunding project for the freebeat Morph 2-in-1 e-Bike. It's truly a game-changer! The fact that it can be charged indoors, thanks to its dual modes, is simply mind-blowing. The brushless 750W motor and the 80Nm torque seem to provide an exhilarating ride. And those puncture-resistant fat tires and IPX5 Waterproof finish? Genius! Can't wait to see more about this e-Bike, and I hope you'll share your thoughts on it soon too. Keep up the amazing work!
Bought this trainer a couple of weeks ago, waiting for it to arrive this week. So excited. First time on zwift.
Sorry, don't work soo good on zwift.
Lot of disconections
Fernando Miralles Delgado I researched a lot and the connection problems are due to overheating. Its solved easily with a fan directed to the trainer.
@@jc74435 i try this and some times it help,but with the trainerroad app i never experience any problems. I hope zwift fix this , i think is a bug.
Thanks for your answer i Will give then another try.
Fernando Miralles Delgado just tried it for the first time. 25 km done on zwift with average power of 125W. No connectivity or overheating problems so far. Hope it continues that way 😁
Olá João! Que tal está a ser a tua experiência com este rolo de treino? Tens tido algum problema recorrente?
Thank you for a providing all the information that I needed.
Ooh! Thank you for doing this video. I have been feeling left out of the quarantine ZWIFT rides but can't justify a Wahoo set-up. Partially financial and partially just new to triathlon. Currently using an old-school mag trainer but would love to upgrade ahead of the winter. Maybe I'll be able to ride with all of the cool kids.
It's a valuable piece of machinery...I use it on RGT app, which is free...it records basic info speed, avg power, distance, ride time, heart rate (if you have a monitor)...I can't justify a power meter on my bike so I do the data driven workouts on this trainer
I'm trying to get back into racing after a couple of years off due to family time. I've had one of these bad boys for a while and to be fair it does what it needs to a reasonable extent. It's not perfect, but you'll get sweaty and a good blow on so ticks the boxes for fitness maintenance and improvement.
Agree with your review. I just bought this trainer to replace my fluid trainer and this was a nice upgrade. It allows me to use Zwift and interact with game. For the training sessions, the Candace was way off, especially when it requires the rider to pedal fast at a low power range. That did not work me. Zwift would tell me to pedal faster which led to more power and Zwift telling me to use less power. Luckily I had a Candace sensor on my bike that I used with the fluid trainer. Using the stand alone sensor fixed my problem. I think if you are a fast rider, I would get a more expensive trainer...but if you are slow this trainer will work.
Had this trainer now for two years. There is a known problem with the aluminium tube coming slightly adrift from the plastic core which rotates against the rear wheel. Super glue sorts it! Also, regarding power accuracy. In the end it doesn't matter as as long as you only compare your power data across this machine and do not include other power sources from crank or pedals then it's RELATIVE. You will see genuine improvement as you become fitter. I love my ' cheap' tacx trainer.
I have used this trainer for over a year, I find it great with all training software. It is entry level and I bet the direct drive expensive ones feel amazing. However, triathlon can be an expensive sport as it is so, this is great bang for buck. I take mine away with me on business and ride in hotel rooms. 🤣🤣 as long as you chainset is clean the noise ain't to bad!!
9:04 the front wheel chock/cradle has little recessed holes that lock in between the trainer's axle "clamps"...it becomes a handle. I bought this second hand for $200. It broke and Garmin replaced the power unit, free of charge. Their customer care is superb and my rep was down to earth. Best bang for your buck.
Pretty much bang on, I have the vortex, it's great for riding but not so good for racing. ehhh it does the job 😊
I am looking to buy my first trainer and this really helped
Great review Taren! I have used a Tacx Vortex trainer since day 1 and it has been completely adequate for my needs as a "middle of the pack age grouper" (well, depends on the "pack" :) ) In terms of wattage, I find that it is generally more "generous" compared to what my PowerTap P1's gives me. Did you find that to be the case with the Flow?
I got mine last week and I damn love it
lewis teale I just got order mines today can’t beat the price for $300
Got this trainer at sale for 150 euro and I can declare 100 of that with my employer. So this trainer costs me only 50 euro and that is a very good value for money I assume. Should arrive this week!!
I am still using an antiquated Tacx Fortius with Stages power meter, not controllable but the power output is accurate which is probably the most important parameter for Zwift races.
Thank you so much I order mine’s today for 300 bucks I’m new at indoor training so this is perfect for me❤️😍😜
Awesome review! Is this compatible with disc brakes?
I cannot tell you the frustration I have had with this device! After borrowing one, we both tried it with Zwift, disconnections, Bluetooth issues! My god, it’s destroyed my motivation for indoor training this last month....thankfully wahoo is back in stock and the Kickr is en route! Great review though Taren! Totally agree, decent but not quite great
This trainer was part of the reason I stopped traning. I didnt have issues with connectivity though, cos mine came with the bundle I.e tyre/ANT Device. When I tried Bluetooth i has endless issues.
I own the smart flow for more than one year and it's indeed a good buy for starter. The only tip I can give is to combine the smart flow with a power meter, so you can have a better power accurancy. Regarding the max 6% incline, that not really an issue, since Zwift's default trainer difficulty is set to 50%. I'm happy with it and will buy it again if I need to replace it.
Hey Jose. How often do you need to replace te training tires?
Have you compared this to the Kickr Snap? According to Wahoo, the Snap can simulate up to 12% gradient and goes to 1200w. I'd be interested to hear/see your impressions of that unit versus this one.
Can you do one of this videos on treadmills?
Air five to all the other trainiacs that spotted this trainer in recent videos!
Taren did you feel an issue with the stability? I have similar trainer and most of the time I am struggling because the bike is moving a lot or even some time it’s really difficult to but the bike straight and not tilt on a side.
My kinetic fluid trainer over heats so I stick a fan on it. My cadence & speed sensors work alright. I'm just no getting a high accuracy or that smart road feel. This looks pretty cool for the $$ though. Is it really worth dumping $400 over what I'm currently using? I ride Zwift all winter.
I wish you have talk about, if it is better to have a separate wheel with blue Tacx tire in order to train. I am new at this and I bought this trainer, but some people are telling me that this type of trainer can hurt the tire and wheel. Any recommendation?
Love the gloves!
What is your recommendations on a trainer to do a ftp test on? I’ve hired a coach and he wants the data. I’m thinking to get the Wahoo Kickr but not thrilled on the price 😵
I've been using this since late 2018 - it isn't perfect, but it is amazing value for the money :D
Hey there! As an owner of one have you had any constant issues or would you still buy this model today?
@@Curiosityxxi I have had some noise issues (which sounds like bearing issues perhaps), but they do go away after a while. Otherwise, I definitely still think this is one of three best value trainers for this price range!
Can you use it with disc breaks?
@@IronWill Thank you very much for your input, I went for it!
I have never seen much over 600 watts on my Garmin 830, so 800 watts on my indoor trainer will be fine while I'm getting stronger. I've seen my Flow register 11% gradient in Zwift. If it will only go to 6% gradient, how is mine showing (and feeling like) 11%? By that I mean 11% on the screen definitely feels harder than 6% on the screen. Has there been a firmware update since this review? I got my Flow in May 2022.
Can I just use the Bluetooth on my tablet/phone to connect to the trainer??
whats the most comfortable saddle for indoor training?
just a question cuz im considering getting an indoor trainer this year. Is it necessary to use a trainer specific tyre? I have normal road bike slick tyres and not sure if its ok to just put that on the trainer
Prefer the Wahoo Kickr Snap. Granted, tad more, but worth it. 1200Watts, larger fly wheel for nice inertia ride feel, 12% grade. 3% accuracy.
Do you know where get one in Winnipeg? Can I buy this one off of you when your done!? Lol
Did I need to buy some other sensors? Or I can use this trainer, my bike (without any Garmin computer). Pay Zwift and Race?
It has all the sensor it needs and yes you still zwift membership haha
@@Lutherman_edc even without power meter???
@@Noah11112 yea even without a power meter its pretty accurate for the price or i should say accurately consistent,
Finally, something my wife may approve. I am so tired of my spotty Speed and Cadence sensors on my bike and honestly I will never be a die hard rider but would like a bit more accuracy than what I'm getting now. Appreciate your review.
I’ve been using the tacx for about a year it’s great for racing. I can’t seem to hit the high watts but I’m improving in my category. You do need to download the tacx app and calibrate every month which is simple just go to settings and follow the instructions. You need to log out before going on zwift though as it doesn’t like being connected on two platforms.
how loud it is? couldn't hear with the music
Is this good for wight loss?
How you manage the heat from roller? Was the tyre melting or not?
I got this trainer a year ago, I'm really regretting it. It did work for few months and after that started with weird problems, like loosing connection, not showing the speed on Swift. I tried everything, connected to a PC, IPad, Android phone, etc, always the same result, one day works fine, other day doesn't even connect. When I do a climb over 6% randomly the trainer disconnects and you start spinning on the bike like pedaling in the air. Lately, the Tacx app doesn't work, as soon as the trainer connects the app crashes. In my personal opinion, better check other options, as this trainer is nice, easy to setup, but after few months will be annoying to use it and you will end spending more money on a new trainer
The FLOW is actually $700 CAD
Forget about the Zwift App, comparing this model to the Tacx Blue Matic; Whats the difference? Besides prices..
The sound tho
I own one of these....did my first half ironman training with this. It was good for a start, but I dont like it.... throughout its lifespan, I always been fiddling with it. So much so that the thought of it makes me not wanna get on the bike. So..... il add it does work, its a budget trainer.... but its too fiddly for me - I cant stand it anymore
the real question is how expensive is that tri bike. looks at least like 10 grand
Stick with a budget trainer with speed sensor and save your pennies until you can afford a direct mount trainer.
Hello Michael, good pint there, I have a Tacx blue matic, a "dumb" trainer and use it with zwift wthe the speed and cadence sensors. So it wpuld be really a waste of money to buy this one knowing my current set up? I was thinking of getting one because I'm kind of tired that with "dumb" trainers zwift won't let you go up 400w, but if the difference is not that much I better wait till I get the money to buy the Tacx Flux 2. What do you think? Thanks.
Had this trainer for about 6 month and its total pants! It keeps losing connection to any device I connect to it. Save your coin guys and buy something else..
For beginners the Flow is perfect. If your FTP is in the range of 280W+ this thing will overheat after 30 to 40 minutes of riding. Would not recommend this trainer for KOM-hunting. It is really frustrating when youre crunching up Alpe du Zwift and the trainer disconnects 200m before the finishline due to overheating...
i don't know about you guys, but i could not take my eyes off the ROKA wetsuits hanging on the squat rack....
Nah, the brand is not even visible
@@akiratablet2281 Yes i know, it was just a joke based on some previous videos and comments.
Just get a Zwift Hub nowadays.
watts this watts that what a bs !!!! did Eddy Merckx have power meter
???
Your shorts are see-through 🙊🙈
Nope. Magene T100.
guy barely can get 50k views wont even answer questions in the comment section
relax, Tyler.
does it wear the tire ,?