Zwift’s January 21st update added steering for the Wahoo KICKR Bike, but Wattbike Atom riders were surprised to discover it also added a steering bug to their setups!. If you want to take it a step further, look for a smart bike who has shifting exactly like a road bike, instead of pressing a button. The U.S. Olympic Training Center, for instance, has a fleet of the machines. For example, I came up 1cm short in trying to replicate my position on a 56cm bike with a 120mm stem. The third option on the app is to measure your height, inseam, and position on the bike. You’ll barely notice the fly wheel is even there. For adjustments, you can move the handle bars, saddle, pedals, and display holder. Smart bikes are the latest category of interactive training tools. Access member exclusive content + more benefits → Similarly, ride feel when free riding or racing inside Zwift is smooth and predictable. Go ahead and spin out your legs and push the limits on the bike. The flywheel system is very smooth and quiet. While they sync to the bike easily, they don’t work well. Be sure you buy a bike that fits your needs. At the cost of a good outdoor bike, the Kickr Bike is the only one on the market to offer automatic elevation changes to mimic gradient undulations on Zwift courses. Right on the handle bars, you have controls that are accessible and easy-to-use, which makes it seamless to get through different gears. To remedy this, Watt bike can send you a new seat post if this happens. This means that you can connect any device you want and there won’t be any problems. If you wish, view videos of the bike in action. To help get you set up on the bike, there are Peloton 101 demonstration videos and there are also videos explaining how to get the most out of your bike. Some riders even go far as to say it is easier to set up than a Tacx smart bike. As the Kickr is quite new, the reliability of that unit has yet to be proven. KICKR HEADWIND pairs to the Wahoo Fitness App on iOS and Android mobile devices via Bluetooth ®, or connects directly to ANT+ enabled heart rate monitors like the Wahoo TICKR, speed sensors like the Wahoo RPM Speed, and trainers like all Wahoo Smart Trainers or other ANT+ enabled third party trainers.. Bluetooth Devices: Apple iOS devices on iOS 10 or newer The display has two programs. It works with most training apps such as Sufferfest, Trainer Road, Strava, Zwift, and Rouvy. Most triathletes who train with power meters or heart rate monitors don’t need a back-up to ensure they’re getting the correct data. If you prefer, you can put your aero bars on the smart bike after it is assembled. The three main metrics recorded are resistance, cadence, and power output. The saddle height and position, handle bar height and position, and seat tilt can all be adjusted to your liking. If you look between the crankset and the wheels for moving the bike, you’ll find the actuator for the CLIMB feature. Felt like a grocery store ride. Power measurement is reliable, and the ERG mode keeps you on track for structured workouts but is forgiving. In terms of stability, the StagesBike is rock solid and yet easy to wheel around. Let’s assume that the bike fits at least one rider in your multi-rider household. Also, there is only a single bottle cage and, due to the moving nature of the bike, nowhere to put your tablet or phone. It depends on what you need from a smart bike and if it will support your training goals. It’s been 3 years for the reason that Wattbike launched their first genuine indoor clever motorbike (with app-controllable resistance), the Wattbike ATOM. Ideally, the bike will mimic the initial “sprinter’s burst” and then you’ll slow down to a manageable pace as you’d ride outdoors. Gear, Run, Swim. The bike tracks these metrics in real-time and can display your average and best. Some may argue the new Atom has merely caught up the Tackx and Wahoo smart bikes in this regard, but Wattbike has said that its electromagnetic system is … It doesn’t support all the necessary metrics and training apps that most triathletes would like for winter training. So, its newly designed smart bike should be meet its brand’s standards. Or, use the app. Each company has the same adjustment options, which makes it easier to compare and pick the one right for you. And, the drop in price doesn’t cut the quality of the bike. The dual-sided power meter built into the crank arms measures the power while you’re on the bike. The flywheel is quite large and massive at 50 pounds which gives it the most “real-life” feeling you can get on a smart bike. Some smart trainers will essentially seize up on you, as they take the ‘power=rpm x torque’ formula very literally. 0. Wahoo Kickr is another option to the Wattbike. Bike, Gear, Run. I’ll describe how this works in full detail in the product review section. The Atom does not come with a head unit as standard, all control must be run through a compatible smart device such as an iPhone or Android device able to run the Wattbike Hub app. You’ll need to phone a friend especially if you need to lug it up a flight of stairs. ... Another notable competition for the new Atom is the Wahoo Kickr Bike which offers similar – if … He focuses on helping them select appropriate goals and guiding them towards achieving them. The display holder can fit whatever device you use on your trainers. Like the Kickr smart trainers, the Kickr Bike will hold resistance eerily smoothly (okay, there is a smoothing algorithm employed here) during workouts. To shift on this bike, you’ll do it on your handlebars like your outdoor bike. I also did this test in reverse (22 to 0, and 14 to 10), and found the results were the same. Stages, while known for their power meters, does stack up against the competition. The only benefit of the Wahoo was the climbing feature but I think it may just be that a feature and probably one that I suspect maybe more of a gimmick than anything else. Then, a fellow biker sprints past and you want to catch up. Both good products, but I preferred the Tacx after trying both. Pros: Excellent stability, best-in-class frame clearance and easy adjustment, integrated tablet holder, tray and USB chargers, Cons: Shift feel is vague compared to Wahoo and Tacx, no gear indicator. And, you can rely on this bike for years to come and the price might be worth it. At the front of the bike, you have the bike’s console where it has its display, small tray for storing your phone, food or anything else. Pros: Surface treatments, realistic shift feel, integrated computer with gear indicator, good stability, Cons: Short, wide frame causes rub at many riders’ legs and cockpit too short for some riders. This is crucial if riders’ bodies are drastically different. To adjust the bike’s set up, you can either do it manually or use the control buttons. Once you have the bike out of the box and set up, you’ll want to take a few notes on the bike’s components. The Wattbike Atom is the closest comparison you will get to the KICKR Bike, ... and also in your training routine? You can see your apps from there instead of hooking up your bike to a computer monitor. Just follow the directions. The Tacx Neo Bike was designed to be silent, accurate, and realistic. I hope this buyer’s guide and product review is helpful to you as you shop for your smart bike. Triathletes who have bought the bike like it because it is essentially set up as soon as they open the box. The only components you have to attach are the pedals, power cable, and aero bars if you wish. Once out of the box, the bike is already assembled and everything is already installed, including the seat post. The look of the bike resembles the Tacx’s smart bike, which means it’s an electromagnetic piece of equipment. Don’t think I will get the option of testing the units unfortunately. A smart bike is an indoor bike that has a built-in resistance trainer. But it’s in an L-shape. The main downside to the Kickr Bike – beside the price – is that it is the least stable of the four smart bikes. Tacx Neo Bike — Best Smart Indoor Training Bike. The brakes actually stop the flywheel and if they try to pedal, their power meters record the data accordingly. Most triathletes have issues with the sizing and adjusting. The KICKR Bike sets up in slightly less time (about 20 minutes for me), whereas the Tacx Bike was closer to 30 minutes. turbo vs wattbike. If those cons don’t deter you, then this might be your top pick. You’ll have to adjust the bike between riders. You’re not going to knock the thing over, but it’s not too hard to initiate a little rock. And, it’s very quiet while you work out on the bike. For starters, the smart bike makes things simpler for you. If you use a different training app such as Zwift, Training Peaks, or Strava it is most likely compatible. Riding the bikes feels very similar to being on the road. Are you prepared to help me make a decision on the Tacx Neo Bike Smart Trainer or Wahoo Kikr Bike? Additionally, the adjustments are clunky. If you value the climb feature, go for the wahoo. In the same spot, you’d shift on your outdoor bike, which is indicated with two black nubs. On the bike, shifting is pretty good compared to Wattbike Atom, but can’t compete with Wahoo KICKR bike. The seat post doesn’t hold the correct height which means waiting for a new piece to ship. Adjusting the bike to your body is really innovative and simple. Quiet so you can work out any time. It is adjustable like other smart bikes. Triathletes who have bought the bike like it because it is very easy to set up and really mimics riding outdoors. Hi Ryan. The main bummer of the Neo Bike is the frame; at 6cm wide, the seat tube rubs the inside of many riders’ legs, and the saddle support beam can also chafe. As this is the first generation smart bike, there are factors that triathletes don’t always like. This section is an extension of the fit and adjustment one earlier in this article. For power reference, I, Access member exclusive content + more benefits →. Or, you can put your own handle bars on if they fit. It slides down after a few minutes into a workout. So it’s to be expected that many things are improved from its predecessor. That's more accurate than many power meters and trainers – the standard is +/- 2% – and exactly the same as its two direct competitors, the Tacx Neo Bike and Wahoo KICKR Bike. Let’s clear the air and be sure we’re on the same page. Thanks. Wahoo Kickr Bike. I only do program specific training in ERG mode, so no need to shift gears bike lover, Wahoo KICKR bike, Wattbike ATOM. ... Others, like the Wattbike Atom… Yip, currently I have my single speed on the trainer. And, makes it easy to adjust if you have multiple users in the home. But you might run into fewer technology glitches. $3,499.99 BUY NOW. To shift on the bike, you do it as if you’re riding outdoors. I’d recommend this smart bike if you are looking for one that is very realistic and is compatible with any training app. So in some ways the company had a leg up on the competition for building a smart bike. ... Also like other smart bikes, the Atom is heavy at 44kg. The bike can be adjusted so it fits just like your outdoor road or triathlon bike. Wahoo Fitness specializes in indoor bike trainers, GPS bike computers, cycling sensors & heart rate monitors designed to optimize your cycling training. The sport can be expensive enough without high-end gadgets. And, the Wattbike App has limited workouts programmed on its app. The Wahoo Fitness app has instructions to guide you as you match your smart bike to your outdoor bike seamlessly. Is the Atom really a better option for purely indoor training compared to a Kickr or Neo. And, for those curious, the set-up time shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes. None of these smart bikes are inexpensive, but all are good training tools that integrate well with Zwift. The Neo Bike was the first smart bike, launched at the 2018 Eurobike trade show. Wattbike. And, there are virtual classes that specialize in hills, intervals, power zones, and low impact rides. You can get the most of your money for this bike. Gear. Over the past three winters I’ve tested a couple dozen smart trainers, and this winter I tested four smart bikes: The WattBike Atom, the StagesBike, the Tacx Neo Bike, and the Wahoo Kickr Bike. Smart bikes are a piece of equipment you might be familiar with. You wouldn’t need to take it apart like other smart bikes. ... Tacx Neo 2T vs Wahoo KICKR 2020. Tacx has done a great job designing that feature and  it shouldn’t be overlooked. Just be aware that you could get a little wobble when sprinting. The smartphone pad and tablet holder are handy for indoor riding, as are the two USB charging ports, and two water bottle holders. And the SRM bike costs more than twice as much. There aren’t any weird resistances or bumps in the pedal stroke. The Kickr Bike will quickly back off when you start to flail, then allow you to get back on top of the gear before it re-engages. As the triathlon world as observed, other companies such as Wahoo and Taxc have made smart bikes which are top-end. You’ll need to read the owner’s manual online or ask a dealer if you’re buying from a bike store. And, notably the most important feature, the power meter and, other meter accuracies are spot on. If you don’t have a GURU, Retul, or Trek bike, no problem. Pros: Excellent stability, good leg clearance, integrated tablet holder, Cons: One (170mm) crank length, no accessory tray or USB charger, Allen bolts required for many adjustments. Instead, smart bikes mimic those capabilities. Best Road Bike Pedals: top-rated clipless pedals. While riding, the bike provides riders with accurate power measurements with reliable data storage and analysis for every type of rider. Instead of buying multiple smart trainers, you can buy one smart bike to share. But it's a significantly more impressive piece of equipment than the Wattbike Atom, which is a lot cheaper. // Ride Review // Data Analysis (Part IV), WattBike ATOM Smart Bike: Unboxing, Build, Ride Experience, 1. The bike does offer workouts based on length (20 – 90 minutes) and category. Unfortunately, Stages doesn’t have a fit guide like other smart bikes or an app that will duplicate the measurements. ... You just link the Garmin to the Wattbike via ANT+ just like your own bike. The bike comes with pedals so you’ll need to have cleats that match it or buy the matching shoes with the bike. The bike has a 4.5-inch monitor that can show your data and is easy to set up. The Wattbike comes with its own app, which updates the firmware and has some structured workouts programmed onto it. Different than smart bikes, this one doesn’t connect with any training apps such as Zwift or SufferFest. The tablet mount is quite sturdy and is easy to use. Best Triathlon Heart Rate Monitor. Wahoo Kickr Vs Wattbike Atom. And, if you’re really particular about the shifting try to find a smart bike whose gears also mimic the vibration you feel when you shift. No hidden instructions riders have to figure out on their own. Each bike has a different set up to help mimic the movement of braking and steering, but I’ll address those specifics in the product review. However, the drawback for many is how well those new technologies work. It first started in the U.K. and is slowing expanding. You won’t be able to shift in aero as you’d do on your outdoor bike. There was a consensus among triathletes for things that could be improved. Also, in terms of noise, all four smart bikes are relatively quiet, in the 60dB range when doing 200 watts at 90rpm. The bike also comes with a few Allen wrenches so you can make adjustments accordingly. And now, from something a bit more normal, gear 10 to gear 14 (maintaining 90RPM): Wattbike ATOM original: 4 Seconds Wattbike ATOM 2020: About .75 seconds. To change the hill grade on the bike there is a button on the handle bars, which lets you learn how to climb hills more efficiently if you’re doing a “free” workout on the bike. The smart bike can accommodate clip-on aero bars if you wish to practice with them. This means many of the same applications offered by those companies’ smart trainers are also featured on their smart bikes.