ThinkRider X2Max vs KICKR CORE 2

[alfiomotrambo]

Hi everyone,

I’m considering buying a new indoor trainer and I’m undecided between the ThinkRider X2Max and the KICKR CORE 2.

The ThinkRider would cost €279, plus the price of a 12-speed Shimano cassette, while the KICKR with the Cog is currently €399. The price difference is not huge, so which one would you recommend?

Are there any important factors I should consider before buying?

I would be using MyWhoosh as my training software.

[Dan S.]

The ThinkRider would cost €279, plus the price of a 12-speed Shimano cassette, while the KICKR with the Cog is currently €399. The price difference is not huge, so which one would you recommend?

I might be wrong, but I believe the ThinkRider has electromagnetic resistance, something like my Cycplus R200, and the Kickr has the old ass belt drive thingie. For that price, you might also get the Van Rysel D500, which is a rebranded Magene trainer.

[patliean1]

I’ve been using the Cycplus T2/R200 electromagnetic trainers for almost 4 years. And I will never go back to belt drive trainers like Wahoo again.

[Ludo]

I might be wrong, but I believe the ThinkRider has electromagnetic resistance, something like my Cycplus R200, and the Kickr has the old ass belt drive thingie. For that price, you might also get the Van Rysel D500, which is a rebranded Magene trainer.

very happy with my cycplus R200

[Willos]

I’ve been using the Cycplus T2/R200 electromagnetic trainers for almost 4 years. And I will never go back to belt drive trainers like Wahoo again.

What are the differences?

[patliean1]

Electromagnetic trainers

Pros:
-Lighter
-Smoother overall pedaling resistance and power delivery
-Offers a better "kick" when sprinting
-Can be used without a power source
-Accurate, and can make micro adjustments of the resistance in the mobile app. I use this feature to match the 1-2% data discrepancy from the power meter on my bike.
-the R200 can be paired with it's in-house virtual shift remote control.

Cons:
-Quieter than a belt drive, but there is a constant "whining" noise. I run 2 fans anyway so I don't hear anything.
-At higher gradients ie: above 14% the drivetrain can feel super muddy if you aren't at a cadence of like 70 RPM or higher. This is the single most obvious advantage with a belt drive system. But I run my trainer difficulty in Zwift at 50% so I never run into this issue.

I don't have any plans to ever stop using Zwift. But something about being locked into the software with the latest Kickr Core 2 with the Zwift cog just to use its virtual gears, is unsettling.

[srf0638]

What are the differences?

I had a first gen Tacx Neo (electromagnetic motor) and now have a Kickr V6 (non-core).  I didn't like the Tacx--the resistance would slip at high torques (relative, not absolute--like a 900w dig would elicit noticeable slipping) and at high cadences with modest power (spin-ups at 120-135rpm and 200-300w). It would also get worryingly hot with use. It's possible that the basic Cycplus is better than the top-of-the-line-circa-2016 Tacx, but I think it still lists a relatively low max torque. The resistance on the Kickr feels more natural under high load, though it does have a heavier flywheel than the Core, so I can't speak to whether the Core shares this trait.

I'd probably go with the Kickr for better customer support but ymmv depending on country.

[JakobM]

I don't have any plans to ever stop using Zwift. But something about being locked into the software with the latest Kickr Core 2 with the Zwift cog just to use its virtual gears, is unsettling.

The zwift clicks work perfectly fine in MyWoosh with the BikeControl app.

[Merry]

Electromagnetic trainers

Pros:
-Lighter
-Smoother overall pedaling resistance and power delivery
-Offers a better "kick" when sprinting
-Can be used without a power source
-Accurate, and can make micro adjustments of the resistance in the mobile app. I use this feature to match the 1-2% data discrepancy from the power meter on my bike.
-the R200 can be paired with it's in-house virtual shift remote control.

Cons:
-Quieter than a belt drive, but there is a constant "whining" noise. I run 2 fans anyway so I don't hear anything.
-At higher gradients ie: above 14% the drivetrain can feel super muddy if you aren't at a cadence of like 70 RPM or higher. This is the single most obvious advantage with a belt drive system. But I run my trainer difficulty in Zwift at 50% so I never run into this issue.

I don't have any plans to ever stop using Zwift. But something about being locked into the software with the latest Kickr Core 2 with the Zwift cog just to use its virtual gears, is unsettling.

Now I'm interested. I'm starting out with a dumb trainer for now, but how accurate is the power compared to say, 4IIII / Favero / Stages etc?