Road Machine Smart Bike Trainer

A lot of unsettling issues starting this trainer up, but it works OK after that. Assembly was fine, and their directions were pretty good. But getting it connected to their app (android in my case) was a bit of a nightmare. The instructions for setting it up basically say "use the instructions in the app." But their app doesn't really give you any instructions. It wants location services on (for no particular reason) and bluetooth, which makes sense. However, it totally didn't work at first.First problem - the battery they sent with it was dead. The instructions for installing the battery seem to be solely in the trainer battery compartment, and they're in a tiny font in a small hole. You're supposed to install the battery upside down for a few seconds, then with the positive side facing out. Luckily I had a new (CR2032) battery with proper voltage.But installing it gave a weird result. For a few seconds, I'd get an "Inride" device. Watching a few videos, I found out that that was probably the device. But then it disappeared without pairing. About eight times. They direct you to a support page that doesn't exist. kurtkinetic.com/support, and you get a not found error. In fact support seems to be just plain gone on their site.But after all those failed attempts, the app said it knew about the device. And sure enough, it works great now. Don't know what magic made it work, but it seems to connect to the in-ride electronics outside of the normal pairing, though it says you need to get it paired. Five stars for the thing working as expected (eventually), but a star off for the horrible instructions on the software, no support, and wasting an hour of my time.

I ride a lot. I've been putting off buying a new trainer for a long time as I enjoy 4 season riding even into single digits but the cleanup and wear stinks. Not to mention the risk of ice.This isn't the latest model of the trainer. However, it is the same hardware as the Road Machine Smart 2 minus the connection of the InRide 3. It comes with InRIde which is Bluetooth while the InRide3 provides both Bluetooth and Ant +. It is easily upgradable for less than 50 bucks for the InRide3 bringing the total price to less than $305 bucks for what I paid (256 + 48). I don't care for the apps so it doesn't much matter to me. I watch Netflix or Amazon Prime when I'm not suffering too much. I can see putting a month into Zwift but it becomes relative to my experience. I've read some troubles with buyers having problems mostly with the Android beta software and I can understand why considering expectations versus the reality of the vast performance differences of the devices and with so much old software smartphones might be running,THere a big thing to remember with this trainer if you want to know numbers and what speed means in watts This trainer simulates a 1% grade and wattage can be estimated quite accurately given all the information out there in the Internet sphere. Kinetic does provide a power curve chart on their website. https://www.kurtkinetic.com/kinetic-power-tech/. This power @ a given speed assumes a 1% grade of a 165lb rider with a 23lb bike. Others have made their power charts as well I posted a chart for reference. Knowing what I know after my first ride I'd say this chart is accurate within reason if not near dead on. Kinetic says their power chart is +/- 3%. My initial ride left me more than impressed by the feel alone as the trainer has a nice roll from the larger than normal 6.5lb flywheel. I 12lbs "pro" flywheel is available to add making the total flywheel 18.5 lbs. It would be good for longer sessions but maybe not so great if you were a powerful sprinter. Wheel slippage might be an issue with proper tension on the roller to the wheel. The devil is in the details.Set is very easy. Please read the instruction if you are not familiar with trainer setups. It comes with its own skewer to be used with the trainer. USE IT! Make sure the skewer lever fits into the slot. Understand how the lock works and READ to instructions if you don't get it by looking at it. It is easy and bulletproof unless there be user error. Make sure you properly contact the roller with the tire. The tire should be properly inflated to its recommended pressure. HOld the roller back and turn to adjustment know until the roller touches the tire then give it a full 2 to 2 1/2 full turn or 8 to 10 quarter turns if that is easier to do.I could say more but I think this is enough. Ill be sure to update if the experience changes.Just buy it unless you don't mind spending 2 to 5 times the money to something you have to plug it. This doesn't need electricity and it seems bulletproof.

I ordered this kinetic road machine because my nashbar trainer stopped working after 10 years of winter training. I loved that trainer, so I probably need a moment of silence to grieve its passing. I was a wee bit nervous about the bluetooth part, and I was a bit surprised by the wider stance of the trainer legs (I use a yoga mat to catch dirt/water/sweat while riding, and the legs don’t fit on the yoga mat. I also don’t like adjusting the tension on my tire, which is different than the one I had where I didn’t have much choice in how much tension to apply directly to the wheel, but I also didn’t think i would do something incorrectly. This one, I’m not sure how much tension to apply.At any rate, the trainer gives me a good level of resistance. The kinetic app (on an Apple iPhone) was kind of hard to sort out until I could figure out how to avoid their training plan. Now when I open the app, I click on a button at the bottom that says “workout” and then I choose “Free Ride,” and then I use my tablet to load the Peleton app (currently 12 bucks a month), choose a workout, and ride. The important words to remember “free” in free ride. I’m not sure what other options work without paying for their workout (i.e., money version) of the kinetic app. In the kinetic app, I set up the sensors by clicking on the sensor, turning the bike wheel on the trainer around once, and the Bluetooth option showed up. I clicked to connect the broken chain, (I’m interpreting the icon...who knows what its designer intended). I chose which things I wanted displayed (again at the bottom of the screen—where there are two lines signifying, i think, a “hamburger” navigation icon). I chose displays from the options, and chose what I wanted.I’ve done 3 hours of rides on it, without problems. I probably will end up increasing the tension on the wheel when I’m in better shape, and the app seems easy enough on the free end, if you are willing to give it some patience, and avoid the usability issues designed to try and get you to take up their plan. I like the Peleton app—before that, I was just using spinnervals and watching movies, but a friend talked me into trying their classes, and I’m hooked, at least until I’m out on the roads again. I’m hoping this trainer lasts as long as my nashbar one did.

Buying this item was one of the my worst Amazon experiences ever.Avoid buying anything by Kurt Kinetic and go for something that’s backed with reliable customer care.I bought this to replace my Tacx Flow because it ‘blew up’.That was a real smart turbo trainer that was controlled by the software.This ‘Smart’ Turbo trainer is not controlled by software to increase or decrease resistance like an ‘electro magnetic trainer’, it is a fluid drive trainer with a ‘black box’ that picks up on a magnet that’s embedded in the roller and links via Bluetooth to your iPad, iPhone or Android device to make use of a bespoke app; which is a crock of poo (sometimes)So...Does it work with Zwift? Yes.Does it work with Rouvy? Yes.Does it work with TrainerRoad? Yes.Can Zwift adjust the resistance on the trainer to simulate hills? No.Does this detract from the experience?Not in my opinion because you can still workout. It really is a ‘dumb’ trainer that’s got a black box that you stick near a magnet.The Trainer is thought to World Class.The ‘Smart’ bit is this trainer allows the use of software to link via Bluetooth and your heart rate monitor (not provided but is a good idea for you to use one) and the ‘black box’ cadence/speed/ power module which needs lining up so the line on the box lines up with the magnet in the roller in order to put the ‘virtual metrics’ on a screen.After an easy calibration setup the next step was to ‘road test’ it.Note you may not get the software to work again. See the pic showing my login attempt.Anyway using the trainer on Zwift was an ‘enjoyable’ experience and using the 1 months free trial dedicated software was a great option.Am I happy with the trainer? Yes. (Very)Was I happy with how the box it came in looked? No.Am I happy with Kurt Kinetic? Not really but in all fairness they responded to my questions and got they also got the website up and running but other sites offer a calibration option so work arounds are available.Is this a Smart Trainer? ERMmmm.,..You can draw your own conclusion on that based on how you define ‘smart’.It doesn’t have a power meter as such but uses some clever black box magic. It isn’t controlled by anything other than gear selection; a bit like riding on the road,The Kurt Kinetic Apps on both iOS and Android have more bugs than a Disney film about bugs but Kurt Kinetic do respond to stuff.All things being equal I decided not to return it because the Turbo Trainer didn’t show any signs of damage and I have had a couple of nice sessions on it.UPDATEThe Trainer is great and using Rouvy and TrainerRoad is fantastic.NO REGRETS!This Turbo Trainer is guaranteed for life and I can see why.Whether Kurt Kinetic would honour that here in the UK is another thing.The Trainer works and is simply rock solid. The Kinetic software is questionable but other software works.The only real ‘weak link’ for me is the battery in the black box, and I was lucky enough to have got a good one. This Trainer shouldn’t go bang.Anyway, I was initially happy enough to cancel my subscription with Tacx and subscribe to Kinetic but when I couldn’t log back in to Kurt Kinetic’s App I was equally happy to cancel that subscription.In short...Poor quality packaging (Amazon QC)Unreliable software and not that smart a Trainer took the shine off the whole experience for me.I was left feeling this was not that smart a move on my part really but it really is a quality Turbo Trainer.The thing that does let the unit down for me like I said is the Kinetic App and that’s needed to calibrate the trainer. (Other software like Rouvy can be used)The App worked once on my iPad and now I can’t get the App to work on my iPad or iPhone (iOS) or my Samsung Tablet and there’s quite a few disgruntled customers out there that have had similar experiences.On a positive note the trainer is supported by other software such as Trainer Road and even if it is only through Virtual Watts and a magic box I don’t care because to be honest I’m not a pro rider so it doesn’t really matter that much.Trainer Road, Zwift and Virtual Watts are ok for me because my body doesn’t care about the metrics; my body knows it’s been on a trainer.If you read all this then well done.I really hope it helped you because spending this much money can be a big decision.Good luck with your training and Ride On 👍

The PROS:Kinetic make solid trainers. This is the second I have had. Previously, I had their Rock and Roll trainer version 1, which was very expensive when I first purchased it, and which I sold recently, in order to buy the new "Smart" version. I didn't really enjoy the Rock and Roll function of my first trainer (the vertical bounce was very disconcerting, and the side to side sway doesn't really replicate the road feel, in my opinion). I was pleased that the new Road Smart trainer cost less than my original R and R (£149, reduced from the RRP). So, all good so far.The trainer is very easy to put together, is heavy, solid, bombproof. The fluid resistance feels very smooth, though I can never quite remove the tyre slip (same with the Rock and Roll), even though I am using a dedicated trainer tyre. This really only affects start-up or sudden sharp increases in power.Despite the hefty construction, the trainer doesn't make a huge amount of noise.Overall, the "trainer" part of "Smart trainer" is great - 5 stars.CONS:All the cons relate to the "Smart" bit. I can't get it to work! I was hoping to use this trainer on Zwift, but I can't even get it to work on Kinetic's own platform. The problem is that the black box (Inride pod) isn't being detected. I have now read tons of online accounts of this problem and hope I can find a solution, but until then, the "Smart" aspect of the Smart trainer gets ZERO stars. If I can manage to sort out the problem, I will update my review.[UPDATE: I have now got the Inride sensor to work, by making several changes. The main ones that I think made the difference were (a) putting a brand new CR 2032 battery in the Inride sensor pod, and (b) taking off the Inride sensor pod and re-attaching it closer to the drum/magnet, using double-side tape. When buying this trainer, the manufacturer or supplier attach the Inride pod and, unfortunately, they don't seem to always attach it directly in line with and close to the magnet.Now I have sorted this out, I am pretty happy using this with the Kinetic Fit app to calibrate the power meter, and with Zwift. Note that this type of "Smart" trainer does NOT change the resistance - but for this sort of money, it never would. When you hit hills on Zwift, you just end up going more slowly; it doesn't get "harder". If you want to make it feel harder, you have to change up a gear.Although I have increased the rating, I still only give 3-4 stars for the "Smart" functionality, because the tech seems glitchy. However, for the money I think Kinetic trainers are excellent value. I am now considering buying the T-6300 "Smart control" unit for this trainer, when I see one on sale.]

Le faltaba un tornillo, pero bueno, tenía en casa. Pero es lo de menos, es un gran equipo para entrenar en casa. Te inscribes en una app, y listo, a pedalear Con todo

Very solid construction. Really well designed. Comes with a skewer but not a front wheel riser (use a big book or buy one for a fiver elsewhere).After doing a lot of research I thought this looked the best option in its price bracket and I'm very very pleased. Its quieter than others due to the fluid resistance unit, but not by a lot because a fair amount of the noise is really from the bike tyre working against the turbo shaft. I leave my bike on third highest gear and the faster you pedal the harder it gets. Thanks to this there's no messing about with gears once you find the gear that works best for you.Note that with the usual magnetic resistance turbo trainers the resistance usually reduces when you pedal faster, meaning that your power output doesn't increase much when you pedal faster. So to adjust the power up and down you would need to either change gears or adjust the turbo resistance via a manual control on a cable (that you just know will get tangled in your pedals some day). So one great thing with this turbo is that they got rid of that manual adjuster - you increase your power output simply by pedalling harder (or you can change gears on your bike if you really want to).I motivate myself using a heart rate monitor and the 'myworkouts' app which adds up calories burned based as you go (much better than Strava), as well as music, and it provides a great workout. So so so much better than the crappy exercise bike which I bought and gave away.It has a power meter sensor which can connect with Zwift and it came with a spare sensor battery. One advantage is that when you hit a hill in Zwift you don't need to change gear, you just have to pedal harder. This also avoids the temptation to buy a £500+ electronically adjustable resistance turbo trainer.That said, I'm planning to use it with virzoom instead, and an oculus go, so I can ride with others in virtual reality, and again, this turbo trainer is well suited to that due to the resistance varying nicely with speed, and lack of having to worry about changing gears.The fact the fluid resistance unit can't leak is a big plus thanks to the clever magnetic coupling between the shaft and the fluid resistance unit (not to be confused with magnetic resistance unit). Its really good engineering.It was simple to set up and I didn't even look at the instructions, and its very sturdy and quite heavy (which is what you want in a turbo trainer so it's steady).In terms of how much resistance it provides, I am an average cyclist who copes OK with basic 'C team' club rides and I'm getting the resistance I need in third gear, so I'm clearly not even close to using all the resistance it can offer.Tip: Buy a decent sized fan on a stand and put it right in front of you so you won't be dripping with sweat.

If you use Android devices, look elsewhere. As of Feb 2023 there isn't an app for Android, despite it being advertised as compatible. You can download an old one but every time you want to use it, there is an absurd procedure just to open it. Once open, there's a good chance the data won't appear anyways.Despite the app issues (which entirely defeats the purpose of using a smart trainer), set up is easy and it's a smooth, quite ride.