JetBlack Victory In-Depth Review: What’s the catch?

[@ethanw9434]

Got mine a few days ago in Australia, amazing trainer. Recommend it for sure!

[@nopenope2695]

Same here! Cannot recommend it enough. The price was the only thing stopping me from indoor cycling, $750 ($790ish delivered) was well worth it with these features

[@jeffgaz]

Thanks! I’ve been waiting for your in depth review almost as much as delivery of the actual unit I preordered a few months ago! (Originally anticipated for delivery to me in the US mid october now sometime after thanksgiving)

[@Ricardo1030]

Just in time before the current preorders go out in December!

[@youngdave9976]

I passed on a new Kickr Core because I watched GP lamas review and joined the pre sale. However, when i thought about it and exactly as you mention the supply isn't guaranteed. I asked about a deposit, which gave me the option of not worrying so much about the delivery or having £100 tied up, IE it came when it came but they wanted the full amount up front. I'm reluctant to do that as we could have got to Spring and outdoors without anything to show for my £400 so reluctantly pulled out and will wait to see how it plays out. Great review as always Ray and essentially the same as GP lamas in that it's the best trainer to hit the market for years. So, for now I will continue with my much rebuilt Direto 🙂

[@altern8tive]

Thanks Ray. I'm now feeling even more screwed over by Wahoo and their Zwift virtual shifting incompatible V5 Kickr 🤬

[@neunzehn70]

Same her, ordered the victory already instead of upgrading from Kickr v5 to v6 Wahoo should have offered some replace program for their v5 customers instead of loosing them now.

[@piotrmielnik1404]

Really it's insane that any ERG trainer is incompatible as all that virtual shifting does is changing resistance which trainers already do.

[@BoxsterPB]

I have one arriving in December to move away from Wahoo, I can’t wait.

[@joneastwood]

That's why I've sold mine and got the Victory lol

[@kidsafe]

@@piotrmielnik1404It seems that Wahoo is pathologically cheap when it comes to BOM costs and will spec their hardware with the bare minimum amount of memory required for their firmware at time of launch. So while the KICKR Core had enough free space for virtual shifting logic, the KICKRv5 already had that space devoted to dircon. I’m still waiting for a virtual-shifting enabled trainer that is approved for elite eSports races not made by Wahoo.

[@BrianRPaterson]

Ace review. And my new policy is to play all DCRM videos ALL the way through. If I need to do something else, I'll just mute the sound, run it in the background, and catch up later. No skin of my rosy nose. Hopefully the algorithm gods can't tell the difference Cheers

[@cusebike5391]

Thanks, Ray. Mine is in the first shipment which is still somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I expect to have it before Christmas. I didn't want to give them all the money upfront without the product being somewhere close by but it was my only option so I bit the bullet and got on the first shipment. Looking forward to comparing it to my current Saris H3.

[@cbenson513]

Really impressive what they've done at an entry level price! I may need to get one. On a side note, why would Zwift want to open up virtual shifting to their competitors?

[@stuschwark511]

Thanks Ray! Impatiently waiting for my delivery - this makes me feel better about being an "early adopter"!

[@ALeagueMan]

Great review! I picked up my Victory as my first indoor trainer yesterday - got the last one in stock. It's summer here in Australia but I still think I'll get great value out of this. Just opened it and so excited to set it up and start training properly!

[@bcm1013]

Thanks for the review! Makes me happy I pulled the trigger and bought on the second round of Victory trainers. Hoping it will be here by the end of the year.

[@dekta4]

jetblack is gold standard when it comes to warranty and customer service. had my volt --->one time repaired and one time replaced. no questions asked no cost added, just needed to bring it to the shop i bought from.

[@leewiles3075]

I just watched your review and immediately placed my order. Jet Balck is estimating a Mid-January ship date to Virginia.

[@toadlguy]

I’m not sure I understand why a trainer company (or actually an app company) doesn’t make a clicker with an open standard. It’s not like there is any fancy technology in the clicker itself, it’s just sending clicks. In fact it could be configured to send the clicks to the trainer itself, and increase or decrease the resistance. The cog has no tech in it. Sure, Zwift will work better with their proprietary clicker, but how hard is it to swap out a clicker. What am I not getting here.

[@thedownunderverse]

I bought a Core recently because I wanted to control it with my Wahoo. That’s where the value add is I feel, in their ecosystem. It’s really well integrated with their computers

[@karanvaid]

Thanks for your video...Got mine 2 weeks ago in Vancouver. Have been enjoying using it but had to calibrate it and did a spin down using the jetblack app before it was accurate on zwift - (no resistance on climbs regardless of gears). They have them in stock in the shops here even though they cost Cad $799. No need to wait for pre-order in canada.

[@edsinofsky]

second batch, ordered and waiting! First wheel off trainer for me.

[@stevemurphyphotography9609]

I ordered mine two days ago when they opened orders back up (Round 3 orders) and it is supposed to ship at the end of December. I really am not anticipating it until January. I am definitely looking forward to receiving it in a couple of months and it will make my riding during Winter a little more enjoyable, for those days when I just don't want to ride outside or it is too cold (below 40 degrees F) to enjoy my ride.

[@PawnSacrifice]

I lucked out... saw your first look video and got an order in, in what appeared to be a few days window before they sold out. So, thank you! I now just need the captain of the shipping container vessel to put his foot down, although it seems that I'm not the only one waiting for a delivery in a couple weeks. Hopefully. And Zwift now seems to be selling the trainer fan at £30 off the JetBlack RRP.

[@recordednowhere]

Thanks for letting me know about this. Have no smart trainer yet, and I had no idea this product existed. 😮

[@HDSigningOut]

I am in the market to buy my first indoor trainer and based on your review I have to look no further. Hopefully I can get my hands on before the winter is over. 😀

[@ShawnIsBatman]

Awesome review. I run the original Zwift trainer and have no complaints, however, when/if I need to upgrade, this will definitely be the unit I go to. Given the supply delay, doing that upgrade for this indoor season (North America) probably won't happen and is not a 'need'. Hopefully by the time I go to purchase, a motion option will be available.

[@barrydimelow822]

Good info that the Zwift hub works with Trainer road - thanks for the review

[@hyperiez]

Thanks for the review Ray, really informative, ordered mine last month and am waiting patiently for it to arrive (UK) in December hopefully 🙏 ❤

[@redeux]

10:30. Preach it. And thanks for the video! Very interesting trainer! For $400 i was expecting less but it seems like a great option

[@dronetoulouse]

Great trainer. Only problem is that it is not available for purchasing.

[@Johioisforlovers]

Very excited to get mine! Thank you for the great review!

[@neunzehn70]

As always nice and crisp review! Thanks 🙏

[@fgoehner]

After this video, wait list will be even longer. Now how do I order one without my wife knowing

[@pretendisreal]

Saw my local bike shop had them in stock on their site this morning and based off this went and bought it. Excited to give it a go!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Lucky you! What region?

[@KoenMiseur]

Awesome, was looking into the Van Rysel D500, but this even a bit cheaper! Will probably get one next year, still using the Elite Tuo, good enough for flat rides that I mostly do!

[@werdsmyth]

Hoping for mine to arrive in early Dec, ready for the back end seasons of ZRL!

[@smithandshortdogs]

Ordered one as a Christmas present based on GP Lama's recommendation.

[@tpawlicki]

It's a minor gripe. But with the virtual gears it would be amazing to be able to hook up a track bike. Single speed drivetrains are so quiet compared to anything with a derailleur.

[@askmeaboutmattweiner]

Why can't you? Is it a horizontal dropout thing (I'm not super familiar with track bikes)?

[@ralfmimoun2826]

@@askmeaboutmattweiner A horizontal dropout should not make any problems. I Felt IA has one and fits eg. in a Tacx Flux S. It's probably a problem with the chain length: not much wiggle room to put the chain on the cog with that collar, and the chain lengh can also be a problem.

[@D1visionbyZer0]

Great video 💪🏻 mine is coming in a week. I'm really excited

[@zedaprime]

Smooth transition between the cogs! Way to play an A game.

[@karlj711]

I own the Wahoo V5 & the Kiker Core. One is for when im travelling & the other for a permanent set up at home. The V5 is getting swapped out for one of theses. Wahoo can KMA from now on. Not upgrasing the V5 to accept the cog is ridiculous.

[@Yamaha_Bolt]

How does $399 USD come to $799 CAD, yikes! At around $575 it would be an easy choice. For me, it's tough to pick this over the Elite Avanti at the same price point. Hopefully that review is coming. Thanks Ray. Btw, watched entire on KZbin TV but I can only comment on the iOS app. 😀

[@RetroracerDB1]

I asked JetBlack the same question. They replied that in the US they have a direct to consumer distribution model. In Canada they sell through a distributor who sells through retailers, each adding a markup. The marketing manager who made that decision is seemingly geographically challenged enough to not know that approximately 90% of Canadians live within 150 miles of the US. For me it’s 60 miles. I will have one shipped to a friend south of the border and pick it up next time we visit. We then won’t have to change bikes when my wife wants to use the trainer.

[@Phriday13th]

Saris H3 Plus currently on sale in Canada for about $560

[@TheLaxkev]

The business model US to CAD is different but also the duties and import system is different from the US. If you compare with the AUS dollar it is much closer to

[@VincentGauthier-o8d]

@@RetroracerDB1 Hi, I'm likely the person who replied to you so I thought I would post my reply here for everyone benefits. Wherever you choose to buy your Victory, I'm sure you will have a great time training with theis fantastic trainer. Out of the message below, I think that the 499$US to 899$CAD Wahoo Kick Core Zwift One hightlights the best that our pricing is clearly in line with what our competitors are doing and how the Canadian market is not strictly about exchange rate conversion when importing low volume. You might also want to look at duty and taxes you will pay if you properly delcare your purchase. We have been the Canadian distributor of Jetblack for many years. In the US, Jetblack is selling directly to consumer only (no sales through any dealers). They have certainly taken a very aggressive approach with their pricing. In Canada, we have built a large network of retailers that have been crucial in our development and offering the best customer service available. We intend to maintain that network of retailers since we believe this greatly improves the quality of service to the consumer. Other international markets are more aligned with the Canadian pricing. Also, there is more than the exchange rate impacting the cost of a product: • Custom charges vary from the country of provenance and can represent charges up to 20% and can vary in the USA • Shipping cost (since we import a lot less than the US market, we face higher cost per unit) • Distribution structure (direct, distributor, retailers, etc.) can impact the cost of a product • Overall cost of shipping in Canada is more expensive than USA and European countries. • Financing rates, etc. The closest competitor, Wahoo Kickr Core Zwift One sells at 499$USD but is 899$CAD in Canada. This is very much aligned the Victory pricing. Now you can imagine that Wahoo as a much larger production volume than Jetblack and will benefit from much larger economy of scale. The Victory also comes with 2 free months of Zwift (worth 50$). The Jetblack Victory is still the most affordable Zwift Ready model available on the Canadian market. Not to mention it offers unique feature (wi-fi connection, 10hz race mode, etc.). We wish we could offer a better pricing on the Canadian market, but our reality is different than other distributors.

[@rcdogmanduh4440]

My kickr core is on its 5th season ( got with your coupon just before covid) and thinking I should look into a replacement. Zwift cog seemed perfect. I've gone through two bikes and three shift groups, zwift looked to simplify maintenance. But I ride Rouvy so it's off the list!

[@frozenbean]

I was looking forward to this review! Hopefully I can get my hands on one.

[@Lacking_something]

Sold my Kickr Core One in mid October to buy one of these... Not realising the 6 week wait time. Currently getting fat (uk winter) whilst i await delivery 🤣

[@Astero87]

Been waiting for this 🎉

[@k1mfor]

Thanks Ray! Did it come with the correct thru axle adaptor for the new Aeroad? And what about other bikes, like an Endurace?

[@fwschnaar3179]

DC… You can see Wahoo responding to this with its new pricing on the Core, and free item (not a bad deal🤔)… How about a Side by Side comparison… Shoot Out so to speak 🤔👍🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️

[@ServusTrails]

First batch for Germany is said to have arrived this week and should ship out to customers ATM (mid Nov) Really excited to switch from the super noisy wahoo! 🤗 also, they lowered the price from initially 499 to 449 and immediately refunded the overpaid money but I think even at 499 it would have been a great deal.

[@franzs1]

Germany: Ordered mid-september - Victory was announced for 15th October - announced 3 week delay - requested a delivery update: it should have been in the harbor of Rotterdam by 9th November and got sent to customers past Tuesday/ Wednesday... But nothing yet.. not even a parcel number :( Not the best customer experience so far

[@michaelhansen5047]

Fik samme besked for en uge siden da jeg bad om en update.

[@ashleypeaker]

i got one of the first batches. if it didn’t have wifi connect i would have returned it as the bluetooth is a bit glitchy on mine. which means i have a turn block that i can’t use as apple tv doesn’t have enough connections. upside is i do enjoy the virtual shifting

[@DarynRod]

Wanted one. Got tired of waiting for pre orders. Bought a Core. The DAY it was delivered, JB pre-orders opened again... but with deliveries estimated for the end of december... too late. oh well.

[@barteksadaj4579]

Thanks Ray. As always great review. What about XDR cassettes? I know they claim S-Cog is compatible but it can't be (engineering)

[@VincentGauthier-o8d]

You would buy your XDR freehub separately to run XDR cassette but you would use the HG freehub on the trainer when running the COG. The switch of freehub on the Victory is very easy.

[@AndyRides]

At last trainers are getting affordable. Thanks for the review.

[@diaboloshaufulin9347]

I have ordered for what is now end of December. Let's see how it goes. How about the virtual shifting in non-Zwift apps using QZ app ?

[@lifeincycling]

1:20 Magic. Also 1:30 Hi Bobbie! Preordered as soon as I watched GPLama's review (Oct 8th) the only thing I didn't like was the additional £15 flat-rate shipping. According to a shipment update email they've sent on the 22nd, it's slightly delayed and will land around first week of December to the UK port. Planning to sell my KICKR V5 as soon as I set it up and no more Wahoo afterwards.

[@MrJhockley]

I got the same email, no new updates yet. Kickr V4 packed in last month so itching to get this installed.

[@nicholastopley7611]

Epic review as ever

[@kaveac]

$800 in Canada plus 13% tax, so $904 for me. $399USD plus $30 shipping + some US tax = about $645 Cdn. ( shipped to a US address) Two months of swift included in Canada Net difference about $100 more in Canada.

[@darinsteele7091]

the price for canada is crazy, i have the kikr core and it's great also wahoo support is fantastic.

[@davidstihler9689]

I bought one late in Oct they said delivery would be late Dec or early Jan. Trying to buy the front whoop turn platform but apparently they are out of stock

[@gCapt1]

Excellent review. How is the performance of Zwift cog with SRAM flat chains, any concerns?

[@Dcrainmaker]

No problem. All of my tests were 12 and 13sp SRAM drive chains.

[@michaelcox5682]

Am holding out for this trainer. Sounds to good not to and the current zwift hub is ok until October so can wait.

[@michaelnewman4302]

Mine is due to arrive in December. Anyone interested in a good deal on a Kickr V5? 😒 I'm surprised you make no mention of the Zwift Play Controllers, which I'll be using. I have a dedicated trainer frame so I'll be removing the SRAM derailleur and Wireless Blips to repurpose elsewhere. I have a chain tensioner that will replace the derailleur with the Zwift Hub.

[@PedroPrego]

Is it climb or rizer compatible? Does the axle pivots?

[@JustOneWolf]

impressive how quiet it is!

[@stephenbetley9596]

Put myself on pre-order for '25 though I'm happy with the Kickrv6. Just basically to have one dedicated to the cog. Also, wtf is happening with Tacx/Garmin? Do they even care anymore or is their trainer brand going the same way as Saris? Same to an extent with Elite. They're both playing catchup with the gen2 standards.

[@nilsalb]

Sick new Aeroad! How do you like it?

[@rednal4451]

@dcrainmaker: If you'd leave the same bike on the Victory permanently and 99% of the time do Zwift and ERG, would you leave the Cog on, or take the cassette from the rear wheel? I have the tools but am not used to such work (and I'm a bit afraid to damage the trainer in the process). Did you notice any noise difference? Mine is expected to be delivered next week... Really can't wait anymore now!

[@Dcrainmaker]

I’d leave cog on if doing ERG and Zwift. That’s what I did. Only reason to put real cassette on is for 3rd party apps. Sound for me and the non optimal casette (Shimano cassette with SRAM drivetrain), cog was quieter. I didn’t have an XDR free hub body handy to toss on a SRAM 12sp cassette.

[@rednal4451]

@Dcrainmaker Thanks a lot! The Cog it will be then 😊

[@YouNiqueAphex]

Nice review. Already preordered since they opened up again in EU. Is this compatible with the elite square smart frame?

[@Dcrainmaker]

In theory it should be compatible with frame, but in reality we’ll have to see.

[@YouNiqueAphex]

@Dcrainmaker ok thx, do you plan an in depth review of the elite square?

[@chrisc7930]

Curious - I didn't hear Ray indicate if the Victory is QR compatible or is is thru axel only?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Both included in box.

[@TheYondaime008]

Woah that cassette changed itself ! 🤨😱

[@Dcrainmaker]

It takes a lot of training to teach them that move.

[@GilbertTang]

That pesky KZbin award undermining your fun shot. 😁

[@miketoma141]

Thanks!

[@Dayom]

Hey Ray, how loud is the freehub? My current trainer one is super loud and that's basically what's preventing me from using it at night (it's next to my son's bedroom...).

[@Tarkov.]

I've been thinking about it, and I wonder if Jetblack was in talks with Zwift about branding this as like a successor to the hub... But Zwift has been struggling a lot lately, so maybe talks fell through? Or maybe the concept was there but Zwift wasn't interested in trying to sell more branded hardware.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Ultimately Zwift reached a very close partnership with Wahoo last year, and JetBlack became the 3rd wheel.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Ultimately Zwift reached a very close partnership with Wahoo last year, and JetBlack became the 3rd wheel.

[@jarretgosbee7717]

I have a first gen kickr. This is the logical upgrade, right? It's much better than a kickr core and $100 cheaper, and $200 cheaper than a tacx flux s

[@RussellAutosport]

Availability is definitely going to be the problem for a while. I would love to give them $400 for one, but am a little weary of paying $400 for a product that I won’t get until January

[@handlebard]

I'm curious about the overall industry volumes. However good this trainer is for a first time purchase, why would someone with an existing investment in TACX, Kickr, whatever purchase it. Are we anywhere near 'peak' indoor trainer volumes?

[@bondziobondzio8078]

What is the main difference between wahoo kick core cog and jet black...? Wahoo is available for 500 Euro and ot is on stock..

[@TheLaxkev]

Love mine !

[@ChrisDearing]

I tried to order but they don't deliver to Switzerland, WTF!

[@spishco]

ugh, $799 Canadian. Still want one though!

[@simonreitz6809]

Thanks, waited for the review. Can any1 comment on the comparison with the Kickr Core, as similar price range?

[@sebastiend.5829]

@dcrainmaker did you use AI in the video to change from the zwift cog to the cassette? if so it looks like the cassette need some more work ;-)!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Nope, good old fashioned editing. Dual camera shots and a simple split screen that switches between them. That’s a standard Shimano 12sp cassette.

[@jkotsche7035]

Ray, just to confirm, it is compatible with a 12 speed cog? It says it is compatible with 8-12 gears on page 4 of the manual. Thanks

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yup, that’s a 12sp cog I put on it. :)

[@AbelTyberghein]

Is this the same one as the decathlon one? D100

[@jeff_aurand]

If other platforms can do erg mode couldn't they implement their own virtual shifting? Just not using the Zwift button. But on a touch screen like an iPad the shifting could move there. Slightly awkward but it seems like that would work. Edit to add, taken a step further it wouldn’t be that difficult to make a Bluetooth button that increases or decreases the load the trainer is providing. That’s all virtual shifting is. Sign up for a year of our service and we’ll give you this cheap Bluetooth thingy.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Sorts. We see IndieVelo do it, but all the trainers with virtual shifting actually do it via special firmware at the trainer level that’s more optimized than simply increasing or decreasing resistance within the existing spec framework. Essentially it allows it to feel faster and more properly modeled.

[@BikeRunTech]

Boemmmm shakalaka boemmmm this will be my new trainer 🎉

[@Tomzzzzzz]

Did I hear/see correctly that this trainer also includes a power meter? Or is able to estimate power?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Correct

[@JakobThusgaard]

How come race mode isn't just always on?

[@AndiKoF]

Is it usable with the zwift cog and indie velos virtual shifting?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Technically, if you decide that using a keyboard to virtual shift is usable. Personal preferences differ on that…

[@MateHegyhati]

I replayed 2:02 at least 5 times trying to understand the background yelling, but unfortunately no luck 😀

[@Phriday13th]

Its a zwift "ride on!"

[@MateHegyhati]

@@Phriday13th thank you captain! I have to confess, I have never used Zwift. But now I can imagine how obvious that is to most of the people here 😀

[@MerlinMan1579]

I’m so over the …99 pricing, it’s $400.

[@noam3d]

Is it more quiet than Kickr / Core ?

[@darinsteele7091]

it's probably exactly the same, the hardware looks the same inside from the video

[@Dcrainmaker]

Same same

[@darinsteele7091]

@@Dcrainmaker thought so!

[@TheOkinawaBoy]

Does it worth to change my Tacx Neo 2 to this? I mostly train in TrainerRoad or MyWoosh. Don't like Zwift.

[@Akkordinator]

From what I gather you wouldn't gain anything in trainer feel, but you'd get more current technology and could probably sell the tacx for about the same as the jetblack costs new. If the tacx is old and worn I'd do it just from a risk of failure perspective.

[@ravocs]

No, ride feel is same, it doesn't have surface emulation. It's in theory less accurate (1 VS 2 percent). I don't see any benefit

[@TheOkinawaBoy]

@@Akkordinator Thank you. I was really annoyed when was tried to install on Tacx my recently bought Orca- apparently had to buy adapter which was not not available anywhere in my country. I will consider once JB is available in Europe.

[@jrkybreath7714]

Anyone know why he hasn’t reviewed Magene power meter cranks. I find it strange. Seems like an obvious review.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Honestly, you’re the first person to ever ask for one.

[@BikePappy]

Shane has a review. I bought one because of it. Works great and has been trouble free. I would not hesitate to recommend them.

[@mellowdrifter]

The catch is I'm still waiting for the damn thing!

[@Loky56]

Isn't Tacx made in Netherlands vs JetBlack's factories employ a low salary workforce?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Correct. But that doesn’t exactly justify a $2,000 trainer. Tacx made plenty of lower cost models for many years.

[@DeanPattrick]

Not really sure why you spent over three minutes on a cassette or zwift cog.???

[@Dcrainmaker]

Because as evidenced by countless other posts, people continue to be rather confused on the options they have (or don’t have). And for most people looking to buy a new trainer, this will be their first time encountering the Zwift Cog.

[@DeanPattrick]

@Dcrainmaker point taken, perhaps I have out grown this channel.