We have been testing our studio hardware for about 9 months now. Some of you reading this will have helped, and are still helping. So this post will make you happy, and we do thank you all for the feedback so far.
We have tested the 2 market leaders in the direct drive trainer market. The Wahoo Kickr and the Tacx Neo. Both amazing training tools that you are going to love using. After much testing we will be using the Tacx Neo for most of our studio duties. This machine is incredible, it is smooth and quiet, and adjusts the resistance seamlessly. It is super stable and feels incredibly real. However, what we really tested was its accuracy, reliability, and compatibility.
Because the cassette is directly attached to the electronic brake there is no belt tension calibrations, or fluctuations with wear and tear. We are nitpicking here, but why shouldn't we?
As the studio is heavily dependant on ANT+ technology we found that the range and compatibility of the NEO has been exceptional. Leading to; less signal drop outs, and smoother 'in zone' power training. When you use the Tacx Neo with the Zwift virtual world software, it makes for a scarily addictive training ride! Gone are the days of boring training sessions.
As we build up the studio it will eventually feature 10 Tacx Neo, 2 Wahoo Kickr and 1 CompuTrainer. This selection covers all wheel and axle sizes and the computrainer allows us to further analyse your pedal stroke in one to one coaching sessions.
We are excited by this new project and we think you will love it too. A training studio that allows you to ride your own bike, and gives you all the data you can possibly imagine, if you want it.
With this element of the testing done, we move on to developing our workouts and training schedules. We are aiming to be open in Kendal as early as August, with the studio ready to roll in September 2016.
It will be located inside the new Lakes Cycles Store on the Westmorland Business Park. Follow us on Facebook for more updates