My New Indoor Setup - The Saris H3 Direct Drive Smart Trainer Review and Unboxing for Zwift

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

This is a long one so these timestamps are for your viewing pleasure. Unboxing and Decision: 1:00 Features: 3:23 Installing a Cassette: 5:22 Mounting a Bike: 8:59 Connecting to Zwift: 11:11 Riding the Trainer: 12:16 Riding Impressions: 13:00

[@davidkelly4400]

I love my H3 and have used it both on Rouvy and Zwift. An amazing piece of kit! After putting your bike on the H3 it becomes completely transparent. You don't hear it and you aren't aware it is there. Just be ready for bike riding like you have never experienced. Ride On!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Awesome. The H3 is terrific!

[@cx4130]

Nice! I love my original Hammer from 2017. Still works like a charm. Never a problem. Have fun with your H3!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks, yeah they make great stuff

[@billyhazelden]

Thank you , inspired me to buy one !

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@BestAudiovisualTricks]

Thank you for showing the cassette installation as well! Cheers to your success! 😎👍🏻👍🏻

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Sure thing enjoy the peddling

[@drewsenthused6079]

For when you want to put wear on your bike while not having fun 😉 just joshing, good review!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Lol, at least it can be ridden. We got hit with fair amount of snow last week and more to come.

[@lawor8]

I noticed you did not mention the calibration process. Can you describe briefly how easy or difficult the process was. Thanks

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Using the Rouvy app makes it easy.

[@rico2ocho889]

So I have a sram rival 12 speed cassette how do I get it on there

[@djeber3]

You remind me of Wilson from Home Improvement

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Lol, I'm dying

[@geo617]

Excellent video

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thank you!

[@TheNovaNorm]

Is the H3 still the right choice? I'm considering this or the Kickr but I can't overlook the price difference.

[@tabathajensen2460]

Question. Would this be compatible with other apps such as les mills or peloton?

[@genefichte2823]

Nice informative review. Considering an off wheel trainer after almost 3 years on a Cyclops Powerbeam Pro. This video helped push me over the edge since I've owned a couple of Cyclops trainers and they have been very solid, no issues and are well made. Hopefully the Saris H3 will be just as reliable. Any suggestions on cassette gearing? Run an 11x28 Ultegra on my bike now, so I assume the same cassette would work ok on this trainer.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Yeah just run the same cassette as what is on your bike. That way everything will match up nicely

[@onlykewal]

@Jamesthebikeguy great informative video. Planning to get an H3, question - does it come with Skewer ? Do I need to get one?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

You re-use the skewer from your bike/wheel. Enjoy the trainer, I love mine!

[@onlykewal]

@@Jamesthebikeguy thanks James, just ordered mine! One more question- how long does it generally takes to spin down?

[@onlykewal]

@@Jamesthebikeguy and does it matter if I get 11*28 vs 11*30 cassette? I ordered the former.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

11-28 should be perfect. (Does not really matter so long as the largest cog is the same or fewer teeth than what is on your bike currently

[@perryfrancis604]

Thank you for this video, very informative, did not know you had to install your own cassette. I have a Cannondale 8 speed, do you know if will work with this trainer?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Yes, sure will

[@jimdou4617]

@@Jamesthebikeguy I have an older (1993) Trek 2100 with a 7 cassette. I am worried that there will be too much space or gaps since I only have 7 with the added spacer. What do you think?

[@ooscrewdriveroo]

James ... i wanna ask your long term impression about the saris H3 after you have used it a lot - positives and negatives ?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

My experience is only been positive with it. I'm amazed at how much I've actually used this trainer previous ones I've had such as the wheel on version of this the original Magnus I didn't love. But this H3 has been a game-changer because the resistance feels a lot more real and it's so easy to put the bike on and off that I have less excuses for not using it

[@danieldeitch3826]

James - Great review. Question: I have a Specialized Reboux (bought around 2004) with a quick release skewer axle and rim brakes. (I didn't even know what a "thru axle" was until recently.) My local bike shop warned me that the H3 probably would NOT be compatible with the quick release skewer; based on your review, as well as a video posted by Saris, looks like there's no problem or issue using a standard quick release skewer. Am I correct? Thanks!!

[@danieldeitch3826]

@Nick Maclachlan Well, we're talking about a South Florida bike shop - not exactly the cycling capital of the universe. It was odd in that the guy made me feel like an idiot (and a dinosaur for even having a quick release skewer). And, yes, meant the Roubaix -- once used as my reliable Tri bike (back when I wasn't a dinosaur of course). Greatly appreciate the quick response. Ordering an H3 from REI today. Be well.

[@danieldeitch3826]

@Nick Maclachlan Years ago I had the old Saris Fluid - never again with that kind of trainer! My H3 arrives Friday. So psyched. I'll try to find you on Zwift when I get set up. peace!

[@danlyle4]

James, are you still using this? If so, are you still a fan? Thanks!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Still using and still a fan. Easily the best indoor purchase I have made.

[@danlyle4]

@@Jamesthebikeguy thanks so much! Ordered! You've got a great channel, keep up the good work!

[@snafujag100]

My kickr core has failed twice now. Shop has offered me the H3 as a final replacement. How has it been for you?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

It has been awesome. I use mine 3-5 times a week for now almost 2 years (Summer excluded) and so far no snags just a reliable trainer.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Same here and I didn't realize how such poorly engineered the Kickr units are. Just pretty awful really for the price they charge on them. Don't really want to "kick" more money to them.

[@snafujag100]

@@oldtwinsna8347 The H3 has been flawless so far. Apart from an App issue where I had to download the app again to get everything working! The response of the H3 is much faster than the Kickr core. The road "feel" is IMO better and the unit is so much quieter. Overall I am very happy with the change, actually I think it's an upgrade.

[@carlraynham8547]

Great video 👍 How is the H3, still performing well ?

[@snafujag100]

@@carlraynham8547 Still very happy with this trainer. No problems to report except 1 drop out mid ride. I am riding it 5 times a week for an average of 200-250 km’s.

[@voxmarsh6458]

James I am not familiar with trainers, does the trainer come with a heart rate sensor or is that separate? Also when you were going up hill on Zwift did the trainer automatically increase the resistance? And what about cadence and power rates, are they read through Zwift or do you have sensors for them?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Good questions I didn't cover. HR is separate. The H3 is a smart trainer so it varies resistance based on the topography of whatever course you are on. The trainer also picks up cadence and measures power

[@JimmyB643]

Just asked the wife. 🥺 She said no. ☹️

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Did she ask when she brought home those new shoes?

[@martinflibotte9857]

Really? « Ask the wife » come on! Be a man! You want something, you buy it! It’s that simple!

[@carlraynham8547]

Great video 👍 How is the H3, still performing well?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Still great, I love it.

[@carlraynham8547]

Thanks for reply they are down to £600 in the UK which is a really good price (around 800 USD) probably a H4 on the horizon 👍

[@mwinner101]

That is cool. Not sure about $1000 cool but it’s cool.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

1k for what it does is a bargain. My old Powersync 6years ago went for almost double and this trainer is waaaay better

[@mwinner101]

Jamesthebikeguy as long as you feel it’s a good buy, then that’s all that matters. 👍

[@MrNat916777]

I'm so early the video hasn't even processed yet, I'm watching it in 360p xD

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Hell yeah. I'm 2 hours late, and normally have them processed the night before.

[@JitinMisra]

Can this be used with a hybrid bike?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Yep

[@qazyman]

The climb is nice in some situations, but going up a 10% incline, the position of the bike is the last thing on my mind.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

👍

[@BestAudiovisualTricks]

I have one question: my H3 is shipping right now. I have an 8 speed mountain bike. This is going to be my first trainer. What gear would recommend me to leave my bike on, if I just want to ride it in one gear and never change it? Thank you so much for another amazing video! 😊👍🏻👍🏻

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Get a 8spd cassette on it and shift like a regular bike. Beauty of a smart trainer is that it feels like the real world

[@neilcoles1780]

Nice review- to confirm-does it definitely come with the spacer for 10 speed cassette included? By the way even a cheap yoga mat could save your nice wood floorboards and help slip (as you can see in the vid) and noise.

[@majkl20]

Yeah, spacer gor 8-10speed cassete is included

[@michaelhinchey]

Day number 1.... received and unboxed my trainer. Need a cassette that matches my bike. Day2: coronavirus attack... day 69. Lol. not me but Usa . Day 3 go out and get cassette. .... mount cassette. Tty hooking up to pc....nope.. need a freaking dongle. .a dongle in 2020? Wow. How about at 1000 bucks you include one. Day 3 need to buy a dongle ..... I guess I'll be waiting a few more days. Ugh

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

No dongle needed if you are Bluetooth. Not Saris' fault of you are trying to connect an ANT+ device to your computer.

[@TheLAKERSareGodsTeam]

You didn't weigh it!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

That's true. Disclaimer was in the first minute or so, lol