Thinkrider X5-2 SOLD OUT

[1Sigma]

28/FEB/2022
Last unit sold. Thanks everyone who participated  for making this a success!

02/FEB/2022
2 Left in Stock

13-DEC-21

First Impressions Review.  Yes I know I have a vested interest, but will try to be as objective as possible.

First off-don't bring a cross-over SUV to a pick-up truck party - stuffing 825lbs of trainers in my Hyundai Tucson was a feat of Tetris ingenuity.  It took me a few times to get it right.
Then I still had to unload them when I got home.   I felt that for a few days

In the Box
-Smart Trainer
-QR 135mm and TA 142/145mm adapters
-QR Skewer
-USB ANT+ Stick
-8-9 Speed Cassette Spacer
-European Power Plug (I let ThinkRider know, and they FedEx'ed me the North American adapters.  Fortunately they use the standard PC Tower/Monitor plugs, so I already had a bunch of those cables around)
-Front Wheel Stand
-Instructions
Allen Key

Build Quality
I couldn't fault the build quality of the unit.  Seems solid - no unexpected flexing, rattling, etc.
The newer leg design seems more rigid than reported on the Gen 1, although I have nothing to compare it too.
The unit is around 50lbs
The legs bolt on using 4 M5 (I think) bolts. 
As typical with Smart Trainers (like Tacx and Kickr), it doesn't have an On/Off switch for whatever reason.
Since the legs are fixed, they do not fold for moving.  This is not an issue for me, as it pretty much stays in the same place.

Using the Unit
I downloaded ThinkRider tools to calibrate the unit, and update the firmware
I tested the unit with Powerfun and heard from a buyer that it is compatible with Lezyne's stationary mode.  I train using Onelap
Bike hooked up to the unit without issues using the provided adapters.  The hub is compatible up to Shimano/Sensah 12-speed cassette.
Onelap immediately discovered and was able to pair with the ThinkRider using the USB ANT+ receiver on a Windows Laptop, or BT on an iPhone and Samsung Galaxy.
The unit is fairly quiet.  I use a waxed drivetrain, which proved noisier than the smart trainer.
Not sure what more to say here - it works as advertised.
I personally did not experience any stability issues with the trainer.  I am 188cm and 79kg. My sprint is a rather middling 800W. I also do not have the tendency to rock violently when I sprint.
The resistance seems to track well with the simulated environment. When in ERG mode, power adjusts to cadence smoothly, even if I try to mess with it by screwing with my cadence or shifting gears.

The Negatives
The first downside I am not sure if it is a problem of the unit or my power meter. With the power meter and trainer calibrated, my power meter routinely reads about 10W higher than the trainer. UPDATE: Assuming the trainer reads power at the hub, the discrepancy is in line with drivetrain efficiency losses compared to power at the cranks, especially since I run 1X
I have not been able to isolate the issue, and am tempted to get a pair of Assiomas to use as a tie-breaker.


No cadence sensor - it does not provide a sensor nor has a built-in sensor (like the TacX).  I use my power meter to measure cadence.  CONFIRMED with the latest firmware, it now calculates cadence (like the Kickr). 

All in all, I'm fairly pleased with the unit so far.  I'll keep logging time on it, and let you all know if anything changes.
I do still have some units left, as some folks backed down or couldn't wait and bought a unit. 

Chinertown price is $650CAD - which is just over $500USD

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22-NOV-21
Hi all! 
They finally arrived at the warehouse yesterday. 
I'll am expecting to pick them up on Wednesday, and can ship on Thursday (or even on the Wednesday).

I've already PMed those who are in.  If anyone else is still interested, let me know.  I still have a couple unspoken for

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17-NOV-21
Hopefully this will be the last update before these are ready to sell

The latest from the customs broker:
Hi Alan,

I don’t think there’s any holds. Have you paid their invoice? If not, you will have to pay this before you can claim your goods.

I just received an update that this shipment is expected to arrive in Toronto tomorrow, but it’ll take another couple days from there for them to unload it.

-------------------------------------------------------------
06-NOV-21
Ship has arrived in BC!
Hopefully it will clear customs quickly, then it's a 6-day trip to Toronto

-------------------------------------
25-OCT-21

Trainers shipped! 
On the good ship COSCO GENOA, departing from Shanghai
If you google it, you can track it's progress.   
Looks like it left Qingdao today

-----------------------------------------------------
21-OCT-21

ThinkRider officially posted the X5-2 on their site:
https://www.thinkriderfitness.com/products/thinkrider-x5-2-smart-trainer
MSRP: $799 USD/ ~$960CDN

-----------------------------------------------------
8-OCT-21 UPDATE:

Done!  Order placed!

Will have to see what brokers fees, duties, and taxes come out to when it hits Canadian shores, but unit price is expected to be between $600 to $650. 

A touch more than anticipated.   
----------------------

So, season winding up and I am thinking of getting my first Turbo trainer.

I am looking at the Thinkrider X5 Neo. 
Rather than buy one, I am thinking of buying 15 of them wholesale.
If I did, would anyone in the Toronto, Canada area be interested in buying?

I'd be selling them at cost, factoring in duties and shipping.

I reckon the price per unit would come in under $600 CAD, all-in.
For me that's better than spending $1000 plus tax

Anyone interested?

[carbonazza]

...Rather than buy one, I am thinking of buying 15 of them wholesale...

Interesting, how do you plan to ship them, by boat ?

[1Sigma]

Interesting, how do you plan to ship them, by boat ?

Correct,  they would come by slow boat.  Either they'd go to Vancouver or Montreal and move by ground, or they'd come direct to Toronto.
Estimated time to Toronto is about a month from the day it leaves China.
If I buy singular units, air freight is the only option, and is excessively expensive

[Snacks]

If you'd be willing to ship one to California, I'd pay for shipping of course, I would totally be in

[1Sigma]

If you'd be willing to ship one to California, I'd pay for shipping of course, I would totally be in

Cool. I’d be willing to do that.
I’ll be making a decision by the end of first week of Oct. latest.
I’ll let you know

[1Sigma]

Hi All,

Looks more and more like this is going to happen. 

I would be looking to purchase 15 units of the ThinkRider X5 Neo Gen 2
I would be including ANT+ receivers as well.

Upgrades:
Max incline increased from 15% to 20%
Max wattage increased from 2000W to 2500W (it can now handle 2 Peter Sagan's simultaneously?)

Other changes:
Looks like it is lighter by 1 kg - 22kg down to 21kg (for refernce, 1 kg lighter than Tacx Flux S, 2.9kg heavier than the Kickr Core)
Feet are now matte black instead of chrome, with a slight change in construction (looks like the new feet have less flex, potentially?)
Minor aesthetic changes

I've attached some info

[Irideslowly]

I am in montreal. I'd be interested after reading some more about the trainer.

[zaphodbeeblebrox]

I'd be interested in one as well. Also located in Ontario.

[1Sigma]

I'd be interested in one as well. Also located in Ontario.

Great! I'll let you know if/when I pull the trigger, and when the expected shipping date is.
You are Ottawa correct?  Not sure what the shipping cost would be.  I imagine Canadapost would be the best option

[Irideslowly]

When would they be delivered? I would need a trainer by mid November.

[1Sigma]

When would they be delivered? I would need a trainer by mid November.

To be honest, they probably would not be shipped until the start of November. 
Couldn't order this week, as it is Golden Week in China
They'd arrive in Vancouver by ship, and arrive in Toronto by rail. 
Not sure how much longer that would be, but I would reckon sometime in December.

[zaphodbeeblebrox]

Great! I'll let you know if/when I pull the trigger, and when the expected shipping date is.
You are Ottawa correct?  Not sure what the shipping cost would be.  I imagine Canadapost would be the best option

Yep, sounds good.

[1Sigma]

Done!  Order placed!

Will have to see what brokers fees, duties, and taxes come out to when it hits Canadian shores, but unit price is expected to be between $600 to $650. 

A touch more than anticipated.   

[Irideslowly]

i've sent you a private message with my contact info.

[Irideslowly]

Update the thread once you receive them.