Which turbo?

oola

Having discovered that my Elite Volare doesn't enjoy all out sprints (!) I need a new turbo now winter is approaching so looking for some real world experience from owners.

I would prefer direct drive. Noise is NOT an issue (I train in the garage). I don't need electronic adjustment as I don't use Zwift etc. My sessions are power based with 20 min efforts at a given wattage ...

The difficulty in choosing the right turbo is that as my sessions require constant efforts at a target wattage ... I had looked at the Elite Kura but without a way of manually increasing resistance and therefore effort and power, I can't see how I can sit at a consistent effort. Am I missing something?!

I like the look of the Kura because of its in-built PM which is my preference. I'm struggling to see why a non direct drive turbo and my P2M can't do the same job here ... if not needed, I'd rather not spend money on something that has no benefit to me.

StillGoing

I have the Kura. To increase resistance, you simply use the gears. What you'll find with the Kura, is that you'll spend more time in the inner ring than the big ring, the fluid resistance is that good. Your normal gearing for given speeds/watts needs to be ignored. The in built power meter is very accurate with any discernible difference between its figures and my P2M. The Kura is capable of 2,000 watts plus.

https://youtu.be/bA6iOQsCNzk

frisbee

If you want to train at a specific wattage, a trainer with erg mode could be useful.

StillGoing

See the Shane Miller link re ERG mode; more hassle than its worth.

SiFromBrewed

watching this thread to see what comes out best as thinking of investing in a direct drive turbo but want to find out more

frisbee

philthy3 wrote:

See the Shane Miller link re ERG mode; more hassle than its worth.

Except he doesn't say that, his conclusion was some will love it, some will hate it but he is using it.

I find it brilliant for targeting a specific wattage. I don't need to think, I just need to do.

StillGoing

frisbee wrote:

philthy3 wrote:

See the Shane Miller link re ERG mode; more hassle than its worth.

Except he doesn't say that, his conclusion was some will love it, some will hate it but he is using it.

I find it brilliant for targeting a specific wattage. I don't need to think, I just need to do.

I recall he says he prefers the free ride to maintain his power output over ERG mode, but, it is each to their own.

https://youtu.be/LbeliW8uObk

mamba80

philthy3 wrote:

frisbee wrote:

philthy3 wrote:

See the Shane Miller link re ERG mode; more hassle than its worth.

Except he doesn't say that, his conclusion was some will love it, some will hate it but he is using it.

I find it brilliant for targeting a specific wattage. I don't need to think, I just need to do.

I recall he says he prefers the free ride to maintain his power output over ERG mode, but, it is each to their own.

https://youtu.be/LbeliW8uObk

cheers, good clip, i understand it better now... but he says;

"i'm sitting on the fence... im learning to love it...expect to use it in much more in my w/o's..... "

the point is, that if you r going to buy a smart trainer, why not pay the extra and get one with ERG ? then you ve the option.

i 'm tied between Direto and Neo/Flux at mo, had good customer service from Tacx and their 5 year warranty, but the Direto just seems too good to miss.

StillGoing

Direto is brilliant bit of kit for the price.

mrb123

mamba80 wrote:

philthy3 wrote:

frisbee wrote:

philthy3 wrote:

See the Shane Miller link re ERG mode; more hassle than its worth.

Except he doesn't say that, his conclusion was some will love it, some will hate it but he is using it.

I find it brilliant for targeting a specific wattage. I don't need to think, I just need to do.

I recall he says he prefers the free ride to maintain his power output over ERG mode, but, it is each to their own.

https://youtu.be/LbeliW8uObk

cheers, good clip, i understand it better now... but he says;

"i'm sitting on the fence... im learning to love it...expect to use it in much more in my w/o's..... "

the point is, that if you r going to buy a smart trainer, why not pay the extra and get one with ERG ? then you ve the option.

i 'm tied between Direto and Neo/Flux at mo, had good customer service from Tacx and their 5 year warranty, but the Direto just seems too good to miss.

Where did you see a 5 year warranty advertised for the Flux? Only seems to say 2 years from what I can find on the website.

oola

philthy3 wrote:

I have the Kura. To increase resistance, you simply use the gears. What you'll find with the Kura, is that you'll spend more time in the inner ring than the big ring, the fluid resistance is that good. Your normal gearing for given speeds/watts needs to be ignored. The in built power meter is very accurate with any discernible difference between its figures and my P2M. The Kura is capable of 2,000 watts plus.

https://youtu.be/bA6iOQsCNzk

Great stuff, thanks for that ... I think the Kura could do the job and 2000w will just about do it. Next decision is do I use my P2M on the bike on a trainer or get the Kura with its own PM. For me to decide.

oola

Well decided to go for the Muin B + in the end and get a new power meter. Halfords had one at £290 - 10% BC made it £260 so a cheap way to train.

Had a quick blast the other day .... set up seems quite awkward ... wheel circumference needed adjusting as I managed 32,156 miles in 1:15 seconds when using the app. Tried using with my garmin and at at anything between 180 and 450w the speed remains approx 16mph. Found some info on line where the wheel circ needs to be /8.8 which seems to have sorted the speed issue out. Speed/distance isn't something that needs to be accurate so this should fit the bill.

Will report back with any frustrations.