This is why I bought a Wahoo Kickr. Mostly open platform, I can use it with whatever apps I want (Zwift, TrainerRoad, etc). And at a fraction of the cost.
Any suggestion for someone interested in the same stuff (Zwift, open platforms, etc), but who doesn't have a dedicated bike to hook up with a Wahoo Kickr? The Concept 2 Bikeerg[0] had my eye.
I don't know anything about the BikeErg. But, I do own a CII rower. The rower's data goes through CII's servers, then synced from there to Strava (or wherever else). No direct integrations (though I think the signal is open, just nobody has built an app apart from CII).
My recommendation, if you're a cyclist, would be a Wahoo Kickr Snap (wheel drive). Easy to mount the bike, wheels stay on, so easy to pull off when you ride outside. Then use whatever app you want (Wahoo's own, if you want basic stuff; Zwift if you want the social stuff and racing; TrainerRoad if you want straight up training programs with no fluff).
The Wahoo and Stages bikes both look really nice, but they're mega-$$$$ (more than the Peloton, IIRC).
They do have lots of integrations with other platforms so you can get at the data via what those platforms expose, but do you have a way to get at your data without going through a 3rd-party? I don't think Wahoo have their own public API yet, still.
I don't think the data goes to Wahoo at all. I'm not running their app (other than firmware updates) - the trainer's BT+ signal is picked up directly by the iPad/Zwift. That's the big difference - Peloton uses a proprietary signal, so nobody other apps can use it.
Maybe a fraction of the money, but you still pay for that cost elsewhere, mainly in terms of convenience. Of course with something so integrated like Peloton, you pay in lack of extensibility.
Not really. A Wahoo KICKR costs WAY WAY less than a Peloton. The KICKR Snap is even lower. The hardware itself has no subscription fee. They integrate with the training platform or platforms of your choice.
And the integration is super solid. You pretty much just turn on the trainer, and open up (eg) Zwift on your iPad, and you're off to the races.
Source: I am a serious cyclist, and use these things 3-4 times a week.
Well, you've got to pay for a bike as well, because the kikr doesn't come with it. Or use the same bike you're using outside for normal riding and faff around with mounting it each time you want to use it.
What I'm saying is that Peloton is a whole integrated experience which has, in some regards, more conveniences. Some people value that.
If all you want to do is ride inside, you can get an entry-level aluminum road bike for $900 new, or about half that used. The upgrades you get on nicer bikes are things that don't tend to show up for inside riding.
The entry level KIKR is $500. So, yeah, still WAY cheaper than Peloton, even with an entry-level bike, which was the original point.
As for mounting, the entry-level models are actually EASIER to deal with for this than the nicer ones. The higher-end KICKRs are "wheel-off" trainers that mount directly to the bike and have their own rear cassette. This is better for lots of reasons (stability, power accuracy, plus no need for a "trainer tire"), but mounting is more of a chore because you have to deal with the chain.
The lower end models are "wheel-on" trainers that have a resistance wheel that you spin with the real bike wheel. Mounting is a sub-1-minute operation. Most serious outdoor riders even up just keeping an older bike on their trainers, sure, and I mostly do that, but my wife also uses our KICKR, so there's still swapping to do. It's really no big deal. I expect it's only slightly more difficult than changing the adjustments on a Peloton between riders, to be honest.
...but my wife also uses our KICKR, so there's still swapping to do...
We did that for about a month. Then bought a second KICKR. We leave out cyclocross bikes mounted. I'll swap my road bike on over winter because the taller gearing is needed for Zwift racing.
Are you using a wheel-on or wheel-off version? BC I'd have to do the swap many, many times to justify buying another trainer in terms of either floor space (urban living, yo) or dollars.
One of each. Mine is a Kickr, wife's is a Kickr Snap. It is nice to ride at the same time.
It does take up significant room - our basement family room is more than half exercise equipment (2 trainers, 1 Concept II rower). The remaining space is barely enough for sofa, TV on a sideboard, and a bookshelf (which is half full of bike helmets and related gear).
In therms of dollars, yeah, it's pricey, but compared to gym memberships (now all cancelled), or the bikes themselves, it's pocket change.
The space is the bigger issue for us. If we lived in a typical suburban house with a basement, yeah, it'd be easy to do two. I have a friend here who lives in a much bigger home -- he's wealthy; former oil co. CIO -- who has a "dual KICKR" setup for him and his wife that includes custom built (by him) cabinetry and air bladders underneath that can be pumped up or relaxed to provide more realistic on-bike motion. Each is paired to its own computer for Zwift with a dedicated display.
It's also very, very obvious that he is a wealthy former engineer. In a charming and nerdy way.
the other "cost" is also figuring all that out. doing research, knowing your options, etc.
I was looking a lot at all this, as I was pretty keen on Zwift, and then i finally just threw my hands up, realised i couldn't be bothered, and just bought a peloton.
Curious, what part of Zwift did you find confusing?
The set-up is dead simple. You need a stationary bike of some sort, usually with some sort of BT speed or power sensor. Pair that to pretty much any standard tablet or laptop, run the Zwift software, and off you go.
Slightly less "auto-magic" than Peloton, but nothing particularly confusing either.
$900 for the Kickr direct-drive trainer (plus the cost of a bicycle, if you don't own one)
And then $15/month for Zwift.
Peloton is $2500 (if you want auto-resistance). And then a $40/month subscription. And if Peloton folds, or changes their mind on services, or obsoletes the device you purchased, you're SOL.
I have my Kickr set up in the basement. It's no less convenient than a Peloton - it's there all the time, and I run Zwift through an iPad (but it will run on a laptop, Apple TV, Android phone, etc).
