Wattbike Atom or Smart Trainer

SPG · 21 Aug 2019 at 12:47

So debating the above, anyone have a wattbike atom and a smart trainer. Just semi planning winter in my head atm due to the nights drawing in again

and thinking one or the other.

Or should i just save my money and use the standard wattbike in the Gym and suffer the embarrassment of making a swimming pool underneath me.

mrthingyx · 21 Aug 2019 at 13:26

I have used the original Wattbike and it is pretty good... And from what I have seen the Atom is even better... However:

My preference would be to have a really nice Smart Trainer (Tacx Neo2 or something) so I can use the bike I actually ride to make my training as relevant as possible...

Shadowness · 21 Aug 2019 at 13:38

Wattbike Atom owner here....

I have had no issues with the Atom at all really. The convenience of having an all in one unit that fits comfortably at the side of my lounge is great. No faffing about with putting bikes on/off etc.

Not sure what the 'relevance' comment above means. If you're wanting some serious training workouts, then it's just as good any turbo, at the end of the day you're riding to power, s it does the same job. The ERG mode workouts in Zwift or on the Wattbike app are great, and really make you work for it.
The fact it doesn't have gears in the normal sense can take a bit of getting used to, but riding in Zwift etc, again I've had no issues and the resistance kicks in when you would expect it to.

If you have a decent desk fan reasonably close to you, you won't sweat as much as you might think, although I still have a towel and bits to mop up the excess!

I can't think of many cons really, aside from the price maybe, you have to think of it as buying another bike essentially. But the convenience of it was a really big factor for me. It takes up much less space than a normal bike/turbo setup (but it is quite heavy!)

SPG · 21 Aug 2019 at 14:05

Guess that should have another question the general riding position as I only really ride for Tri events as an age grouper and will not be going out in the depths of winter for sure

on a bike unless its the odd commute. I could spend the cash on a TT bike and face the depths of winter and just use the GYM and a IPAD for the wattbike at the gym. Options options atm (still need to buy a IPAD though)

They are only in Nottingham so might pop over at the weekend.

Shadowness · 21 Aug 2019 at 14:16

I'm training for triathlons too. I've tried to set the Wattbike up to a similar geometry to my TT bike. It has the TT bars as well as the normal drop style ones, so you can have a normal road ride, or switch to TT mode - so to speak.

SPG · 21 Aug 2019 at 18:04

Thankyou, might be an expensive month

xdcx · 23 Aug 2019 at 13:57

I used a gym wattbike from October-May just past for my sessions. I had a few people ask if I was OK or if I needed help at the state I would be in some times... after a while they establish you are that mental bloke who tries to kill himself on the bike so they soon stop bothering about the sweat and noise.

I use a Kickr at home with my road and TT bike. I wouldn't have a Wattbike at home to be honest. Think it is a better balance to use gym Wattbike when you require it but use your own bikes on a turbo at home. I guess it depends on gym membership costs over time versus getting yourself a Wattbike. I personally MUCH prefer doing indoor sessions on my actual bikes on a turbo than on Wattbikes and I've been using Wattbikes for 3+ years.

SPG · 23 Aug 2019 at 15:43

The other downside of having the wattbike at home is no sauna or steam room

So undecided atm, will wait till the weather turns cack and just use the gym bikes upto xmas and see how i get on with it. Need to make some big gains in cycling this winter as i have neglected it to a degree as getting back into running is took a great deal of work.

SPG · 8 Jan 2020 at 14:47

So took the plunge...

All the wattbikes in the gym are now knackered & Nuffield health Derby seemingly have zero interest in repairing them (or the rest of the site for that matter), Ended up with Elite Suito which is more than enough for my middle aged knees/needs from Halfords of all places, 10% off with Briitsh cycling and Xmas work voucher it ended up being jut shy of £350 notes. Ideally would have wanted Kickr Core but the price of the Elite swayed it.

mrthingyx · 9 Jan 2020 at 06:30

SPG said:
So took the plunge...

All the wattbikes in the gym are now knackered & Nuffield health Derby seemingly have zero interest in repairing them (or the rest of the site for that matter), Ended up with Elite Suito which is more than enough for my middle aged knees/needs from Halfords of all places, 10% off with Briitsh cycling and Xmas work voucher it ended up being jut shy of £350 notes. Ideally would have wanted Kickr Core but the price of the Elite swayed it.

Lovely! Enjoy!