Chinertown
Other Resources => Component Deals & Selection => Topic started by: Willos on August 28, 2025, 02:58:40 PM
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Hi all,
I’m looking for an indoor trainer and wanted to hear your experiences.
I noticed Magene also makes trainers (sometimes even manufacturing for the big brands), which look like a good value.
For those who’ve tried different setups: which trainer do you think offers the best balance of price, reliability, and features?
Thanks!
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I'd wait and see what the new Wahoo Kickr Core v2 due on September 1 brings before considering any Chinese devices. The Zwift Cog and Click is also a feature not yet offered by any Chinese trainers, consider whether you want that.
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Any info on the wahoo kickr core v2? Sounds promising
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in terms of costs, it depends a lot on where you are, due to shipment, taxes, etc..
Thinkrider has some good offerings, low cost and seem to be positive reviews overall. There are a lot of models being continuously released, which is kind of bad since the reference changes a lot (models reviewed by GPLama for example are phased-out by now), but it's also good because it seems they're mostly improving them.
if I'm not wrong, there's a topic in here about the brand..
I have a Cycplus T2 which I've been pretty satisfied through the last 5 months. It's very silent and works really well, and although GPLama trashed it some years ago, through research I found they've released new versions and improved significantly - the model remains as 'T2' only but mine is like the 3rd version, and there's already a newer one in China.
bonus for the cycplus is that they offer a wireless control that can raise or lower the resistance. I still have to buy it to try it.
and there's Magene, which is a big brand doing a lot of stuff and seem to be doing well, but the price is normally a bit higher which is related to the brand name being more known.
regarding the zwift cog+click and everything... I've been using MyWhoosh with virtual gears for some months now and I pretty much stay in the same physical gear on all rides. I gotta reach for the mouse or keyboard to change virtual gears, but it's not that much of a hassle. And I plan to test a macropad and set it to control the gears, see if it works well for riding
it seems like a similar solution while at a much lower cost.. although I never used the zwift cog, so I don't have personal experience
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I’m looking for an indoor trainer and wanted to hear your experiences.
Depends on what you are looking for. I have the "dumb" trainer Thinkrider A1 I bought for roughly 190 USD locally. No ERG mode, nothing, apparently it is set to feel like a constant 3% gradient or whatnot. I use it as a Zwift trainer for steady efforts just to survive the winter time. I did not want to invest in anything too expensive. Magene is not available in Europe and Cycplus are just as expensive as other Western-branded trainers. I was thinking about purchasing the new JetBlack Victory, but as it was always sold out, I scratched the idea. Currently thinking about purchaseing the ThinkRider X2 Max, seems to be a good deal and the reviews are somewhat positive.
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Just ordered the Thinkrider XXpro for 260, with all coupons etc. Will give u a my opinion once i used it for same time. It's my first Indoor Trainer though. Hope I made s good decision, also felt little overwhelmed with the offerings and what's better and actually necessary.
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I've been using a Kickr Core for nearly 5 years now and it's been faultless so Magene can clearly make decent smart trainers. I've set up and used friends Jet Black Volts that were purchased cheaply (~£200) and they're also working perfectly a couple of years later and feel pretty similar to ride. In the UK there's plenty on the second hand market that were bought during covid and barely used so if I was buying myself I'd look for one of them locally.
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Anybody tried the cycplus r200:
https://www.cycplus.com/products/r200-smart-trainer
https://road.cc/content/news/has-cycplus-mastered-affordable-turbos-315951
The specs look way way too good to be true, so I'm a bit skeptical. It's basically a neo 2t at less than a third of the price.
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In 2021, I purchased the ThinkRider X5 NEO Smart Bike Trainer. It has been fantastic! No problems. I have used it every winter connected to Rouvy.
It was the top of the line model and I paid about $500 for it.
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+1 using van rysel D100. Works great. But im only using last 3 or 4 months, so cannot talk about reliability. But with decathlon and europe 3 years warranty, should be no problem. If you dont plan racing, the 600W max power limit should not be a problem
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what about the jetblack victory, specs are similar to the kickr core 2.
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what about the jetblack victory, specs are similar to the kickr core 2.
Lots of reported hardware QC issues (at least in the Escape Collective Discord channel). Hopefully they're able to get it sorted but you'll be hoping you're one of the lucky ones.
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There is also the new Van Rysel D500 (https://www.decathlon.cz/p/domaci-trenazer-van-rysel-d500-s-%22zwift-cog-and-click%22/_/R-p-301243) trainer. Very similar to Kickr but for a very competitive price. Not sure about other countries, but in Czechia it retails for 9 999 CZK (≈ 412 EUR). Comes with Zwift Cog and Click and 2 months Zwift trial. Pretty good deal imho.
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There is also the new Van Rysel D500 (https://www.decathlon.cz/p/domaci-trenazer-van-rysel-d500-s-%22zwift-cog-and-click%22/_/R-p-301243) trainer. Very similar to Kickr but for a very competitive price. Not sure about other countries, but in Czechia it retails for 9 999 CZK (≈ 412 EUR). Comes with Zwift Cog and Click and 2 months Zwift trial. Pretty good deal imho.
It's cheap, but you really get what you pay for:
Max 600W
+/- 5% accuracy
No Ant+
600W?! I get that most people don't push extreme watt, but 600W is a very low max!
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It's cheap, but you really get what you pay for:
Max 600W
+/- 5% accuracy
No Ant+
600W?! I get that most people don't push extreme watt, but 600W is a very low max!
That's the D100 - the D500 is 1500W +/- 1%
As far as I understand Magene actually manufactures the Decathlon ones.
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That's the D100 - the D500 is 1500W +/- 1%
As far as I understand Magene actually manufactures the Decathlon ones.
Ah. Sorry! I ended up on the specs on the wrong one. I was just in shock when I saw the max 600W I forgot to breath and double check.
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That's the D100 - the D500 is 1500W +/- 1%
As far as I understand Magene actually manufactures the Decathlon ones.
yes magene manufacture them for Decatlon, they are identical to the magene range of product.
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Max 600W
+/- 5% accuracy
No Ant+
That is the D100. I am talking about the D500.
1500W max
2.5% accuracy
15% slope simulation
BT, Ant+
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As far as I understand Magene actually manufactures the Decathlon ones.
Yea, I believe that’s why you cannot get Magene in Europe directly.
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So I stumbled across this trainer, the Cycplus R200 (https://www.cycplus.com/products/r200-smart-trainer).
Found it on Aliexpress (https://a.aliexpress.com/_EyTWcKs). The price floated between 310 and 325 USD, managed to snatch it for 285 USD (coins + discount code). I was in the market for a new trainer anyway, so I said why not and bought it. Let’s see how it is. Apparently it supports virtual shifting (proprietary controller from Cycplus for 30 bucks extra). Let’s see what that is about. Should arrive in a week or so, shipping from Germany.
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So I stumbled across this trainer, the Cycplus R200 (https://www.cycplus.com/products/r200-smart-trainer).
Found it on Aliexpress (https://a.aliexpress.com/_EyTWcKs). The price floated between 310 and 325 USD, managed to snatch it for 285 USD (coins + discount code). I was in the market for a new trainer anyway, so I said why not and bought it. Let’s see how it is. Apparently it supports virtual shifting (proprietary controller from Cycplus for 30 bucks extra). Let’s see what that is about. Should arrive in a week or so, shipping from Germany.
I just got one of these in the mail last night for review. I've already been using the Cycplus T2 for over two years now, that I sold off my Wahoo indoor trainer stuff. Very accurate stuff.
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I just got one of these in the mail last night for review. I've already been using the Cycplus T2 for over two years now, that I sold off my Wahoo indoor trainer stuff. Very accurate stuff.
Oh nice! I know you have the T2 unit and I know that Cycplus is a reliable company, so I hope we won’t be disappointed haha
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T2 at 225 before coupon, shipping from US:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mrVw6Tb
With current coupon available, that’s a sub $200 trainer at your door!
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Been using I just found this on AliExpress: C$664.13 | New ThinkRider X2Max Smart Bike Trainer MTB Road Bicycle home trainer Built-in Power Meter power meter Compatible
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqU8U0l for 7 weeks now. It is solid
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Been using I just found this on AliExpress: C$664.13 | New ThinkRider X2Max Smart Bike Trainer MTB Road Bicycle home trainer Built-in Power Meter power meter Compatible
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqU8U0l for 7 weeks now. It is solid
which app are you using it with? zwift, rouvy, mywhoosh? others?
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which app are you using it with? zwift, rouvy, mywhoosh? others?
Mywhoosh and zwift, at the time I didn’t not see r200, and other units didn’t accept hub boosting that’s why I got this one. The accuracy is very good to my XCADEY power meter which I tested with h3 Harris in the past.
The only problem I have with it, is that when calibrating it, it cannot be connected to another device otherwise it will not show up on their app. Also if your unit is inaccurate, this model cannot be adjusted with their app. So you would have to use another app, but I don’t have this problem.
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I just got one of these in the mail last night for review. I've already been using the Cycplus T2 for over two years now, that I sold off my Wahoo indoor trainer stuff. Very accurate stuff.
Oh I've been waiting for any info on the R200 since it was released, will monitor this thread then thank you :)
On paper the specs are just insane, I doubt it will perform as well as a neo 2t (seems too good to be true to have the same specs for a third of the price) but maybe it's still a very decent unit.
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On paper the specs are just insane, I doubt it will perform as well as a neo 2t (seems too good to be true to have the same specs for a third of the price) but maybe it's still a very decent unit.
Well let’s see. It will be my first "smart" unit, so I guess it will still be a step up from my dumb trainer.
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Which one would you guys go between Cycplus r200 and thinkrider XXprO?
Specs seems to be somewhat aligned
Cyclplus r200 - 240$ with coupons
Power 2200W
Torque 80Nm
Accuracy */- 1%
Slope 19%
Self powered
Virtual shifting
Thinkrider - 270$ with coupon
XXpro
Power 2500W
Torque 85Nm
Accuracy */- 1%
Slope 25%
Self powered
No virtual shifting
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I have the XX pro, and it's solid and good. Haven't tried the cycplus, but their app seems a lot better integrated. The thinkrider app is completly useless as far as I can see. No idea how to calibrate it or anything.
If they were the same price I'd pic the cycplus, you rarely go above 19% climbs and 2.2k watts are probably plenty ;D
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Thanks for the feedback. For sure the max power is not my biggest worry
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I have the XX pro, and it's solid and good. Haven't tried the cycplus, but their app seems a lot better integrated. The thinkrider app is completly useless as far as I can see. No idea how to calibrate it or anything.
If they were the same price I'd pic the cycplus, you rarely go above 19% climbs and 2.2k watts are probably plenty ;D
I use the thinkrider app all the time, and re calibrate before each ride. It is called thinkrider tools, I click on raceration calibration > selection device and once I click on my device I go back and click again on raceration calibration. (no device can be connected to your trainer tho, otherwise it won't detect your trainer)
However, I would stay away from XXprO because appareantly it slips or there was a russian video about it so I just bought thinkrider x2 max which was $230, but Cycplus r200 looks way better tho, so you should go with that.
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So my Cycplus R200 arrived yesterday. Looks pretty sick. Haven’t fully tested it yet, only paired it with Zwift for a quick spin, everything works well. Freewheel and the unit itself is pretty quiet. For the 285 USD I think this is a no-brainer of a deal.
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I use the thinkrider app all the time, and re calibrate before each ride. It is called thinkrider tools, I click on raceration calibration > selection device and once I click on my device I go back and click again on raceration calibration. (no device can be connected to your trainer tho, otherwise it won't detect your trainer)
However, I would stay away from XXprO because appareantly it slips or there was a russian video about it so I just bought thinkrider x2 max which was $230, but Cycplus r200 looks way better tho, so you should go with that.
Aah that makes sense, I was wondering what the hell that option did. "Raceration" didn't give much clarity ;D
The app is still a bit mysterious, when I downloaded it from google play store, it was all translated to spanish, and couldn't switch?
Then downloading the apk from their web-site gave me an english version, but with 3 extra chinese options, which I have no idea what they do.
I haven't noticed any slipping, only some odd sensation when climbs are over 19% and I'm in low gear, but that seems common with motor driven trainers.
It does smell a bit burned after you do a hard sprint on it though, that may be the motor brakes?
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So my Cycplus R200 arrived yesterday. Looks pretty sick. Haven’t fully tested it yet, only paired it with Zwift for a quick spin, everything works well. Freewheel and the unit itself is pretty quiet. For the 285 USD I think this is a no-brainer of a deal.
Hoping to get it for 240ish during 11/11…
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Hoping to get it for 240ish during 11/11…
I don’t think we will ever get such price here in Europe. Was considering waiting for the 11/11, but I am a bit afraid the price might go up for the event.
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We are close in US, 265$ incl’shipping, 20% coupons available and 8% state taxes. Could get a Little cheaper is discountés by another 5-10$ for 11/11
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wondering if a zwift cog and click can be installed on it.
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Well it’s going to be impossible to say no to that offer, if the additional 20% coupon works it’s a steal at $210
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Well it’s going to be impossible to say no to that offer, if the additional 20% coupon works it’s a steal at $210
Yup, saw that price reduction for the 11/1. Well could have saved 30 bucks, but whatever. :D
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wondering if a zwift cog and click can be installed on it.
You probably could use the cog, but the click won’t work with the R200. Cycplus has their own virtual shifting thingie you can get for extra 30 bucks or so.
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Well it’s going to be impossible to say no to that offer, if the additional 20% coupon works it’s a steal at $210
Which coupon?
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In this thread:
https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,6201.0.html
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I don't know how you guys manage to get it so cheap to your country, shipped to Canada even with coupons is 950CAD and that's probably before import duties, which at this point is more expensive than say a jetblack victory or a kickr core, and with lot less proven mileage...
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I don't know how you guys manage to get it so cheap to your country, shipped to Canada even with coupons is 950CAD and that's probably before import duties, which at this point is more expensive than say a jetblack victory or a kickr core, and with lot less proven mileage...
Prices vary country to country, for Canada you are better off getting new lower end garmin trainer price wise, but if you really want a good deal, you need to look at the used market. Sometimes they jack the price since they don't want it to be shipped to that country.
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No decathlon in Canada? Could be your best option. 11/11 may bring some good discount?
I ended up not buying as the PayPal discount went away as I Was filling my mat cart…
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Any feedback from the new owners?
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Any feedback from the new owners?
Had some initial issues with accuracy with the R200, thought it’s a faulty unit, but I guess it needed some calibration (apparently it’s automatic). Now it works well. Also received the virtual shifter clicker thingie. But since I’ve done 2 sessions in ERG mode, haven’t had the chance to properly test it.
Also Patty is about to drop a video review on this unit soon.
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Received the r200 today and set it up. That was easy. Put the gravel bike on it and rode it for a 50 mins interval training session, just linking. I am Lacking any good reference so take it with a grain of salt, but I found it to be stable and solid feeling. I think I will have to play with spacers on the back of the cassette (mtb 11-52) to have it perfectly set up so it shift smooth and is quiet like on the bike. Next is to find an app for the surface tablet to make things a bit more entertaining. I don’t think I would ever be able to do 3-4h on that thing, but 1-1h30 could be manageable and the long ride outdoor on the weekend
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No decathlon in Canada? Could be your best option. 11/11 may bring some good discount?
I ended up not buying as the PayPal discount went away as I Was filling my mat cart…
we have one. D 100 with click is $490.
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R200 or Thinkrider X2 Max; which one will you go with?
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I went for r200 and very happy with it.
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I went for r200 and very happy with it.
what made you choose the r200?
I can get the X2 max for 211Euros and the R200 for 243Euros
then I have to add the cassette for the R200 and I can buy the sort of zwift and cog for the X2 max https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005010630634537.html? (https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005010630634537.html?)
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I got it for $198 delivered, it had a slightly better accuracy and higher wattage rating (although at my level of power I think it’s irrelevant). I don’t think there is much to distinguish them to be honest.
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wow, these are $600+ cdn
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Hi,
I purchased the ThinkRider XXPRO interactive home trainer.
It's my first experience with home trainers.
I wanted to ask your opinion.
I can't figure out if it's normal and correct for the pedaling to feel very hard and resistant; for example, I struggle to get the 50/11 gear ratio to turn, and even with a more agile gear, such as a 34t chainring, it doesn't seem so easy.
Can you please tell me if the feeling is correct or not, and how I can fix it?
Thank you.
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I can't figure out if it's normal and correct for the pedaling to feel very hard and resistant
What do you use to control the trainer? Any app?
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Hi,
Thanks for your reply.
I'm trying to connect it with mywhoosh.
Hi