Saris Is In Too Much Debt, Forced To Sell: What Happened and Should You Buy the H3 Or MP1 Platform?

[@xj31]

I bought the H3 about a month ago. "Scratch and dent" directly from Saris for a $200 discount. I could not find a scratch or a dent, it came in a factory sealed box. So far, so good

[@valiantabello]

This is sad news, I am a Saris user (H2) and I have zero complaints. I hope this gets resolved quickly and in favor of the customer.

[@GoustiFruit]

Yeap, I was a CycleOps/Saris H2 user, as well as a Saris H3 user. They were very nice trainers. I easily sold them when I decided to switch to something else. In perfect state, because it's very sturdy hardware. I don't even remember *why* I sold them, I was probably in the need for a change. I think that I could really still be using them with no worry. If someone is looking for a new HT, you can get a Saris, we won't be disappointed.

[@r.d.vaughan4541]

I own a Saris H3 and for me it works great. As for noise a tip from another KZbin cycling presenter on how to quiet a number of well known trainers has made my H3 silent for all intense and purposes. As far as the "if I had it all to do over again" question I would have paid the premium and bought a more main-stream trainer ONLY as the add on trainer products (specifically elevation automation) is not possible with the H3 as it cannot tilt as those products require and definitely not supported by Saris. Other than that small limitation my H3 experience has been solid (purchased Sep 2020). Thanks for this video and clarification on the Saris company situation, those discounts make the H3 a steal.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Glad to hear your H3 is going strong. It’s a solid trainer for sure and should last you for a while. Thanks for watching 🙏🏼

[@mojuy11]

I’m seeing the H3 for about $600 USD right now and I’m in need of my first trainer. Do you recommend since you’ve had one for awhile??

[@FunkyFaulc]

Had the H3 for almost 2 years now. Got me through Ironman California training just fine ;). Had a KICKR Snap previously. This H3 is so much nicer.

[@Kreilis9]

Hi, Im thinking about getting one, recommend? All working as needed? :)

[@FunkyFaulc]

@@Kreilis9 No problems so far!

[@kumbatero]

This explains why their technical and customer support seems to be non-existent at this point in time. Still haven't got any response when I emailed them concerning their broken Android app. It crashes every time I attempt to upgrade the FW version of my H3 trainer. With that said, I'm satisfied with the H3 I'm bought more than a week ago at a discounted price. It's quite solid and stable, though I'm only 60kg. Power readings seems to be in line with my Assioma duo-shi power meter.

[@starlitshadows]

Did they fix the issue with the app and firmware download?

[@Bazza1968]

I got an MP1 Infinity Platform, arrived today, for £149 here in the UK!! Absolute steal and was expecting to be refunded, or it be damaged etc (The thing including box was about 70lb, rural delivery to Scottish Highlands must have cost them a fortune off of that too!). I'm not sure if the company (Winstanleys, great place to deal with, had many transactions) made some kind of error because now they are offering the H3 and MP1 as a bundle for £1699 ! Yet they are selling the H3 alone for £469 and now NOT the MP1 alone....?? Doesn't really make any sense.... Anyway, MP1 is up and running, almost identical footprint(when stationary) to the Lifeline I now have, err, spare...

[@bravodelta6883]

Sad to hear. I used H1 trainers for several years with no problems (that a little belt lube couldn't cure) until last year I made the switch to the new Wahoo Kickr.

[@chrispowers2736]

I had noticed something on their site a few weeks back, called to get more detail and talked with a great guy, but bottom line, they’re not recommending (supporting) 12 speed (and Campy 13) with the H series trainer. There’s a few different statements on the site, not easy to follow. They say it may work, but they’ve gotten a lot of support problems. Didn’t notice a comment on your video (or DCRs), is this just not viewed as a limitation / problem? I’ve got a H3 and love it, but the bike I’m building will be a 12 sp, so this is definitely on my mind.

[@DtEW]

I can tell you from 1st-hand experience that a SRAM PG-1230 (NX Eagle) cassette will fit, but you won’t be able to shift into the largest cog. But that was a given that I knew going in. That, and the bolt heads on the inside of the cassette actually protrude beyond the plane of the largest cog, leaving less than a mm of static clearance that will disappear and rub on the trainer body when you start cranking out the watts. So therefore I don’t recommend that setup. I have a Sunrace CSMZ90 cassette en route. It should do better since it does not seem to have any protruding bolt heads. We’ll see if I encounter more unexpected problems

[@lesliereissner4711]

Sad to read. I have an excellent Saris Bones bike rack, terrific product that actually was intelligently designed and effort was put into style as well.

[@mikebeattie976]

I’m thinking of buying either the H3 or the new zwift hub which are comparable in price now although the Zwift hub comes with a cassette while the H3 doesn’t

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Not an easy decision :)

[@neil78]

Have you noticed in your testing any lag when doing non-erg mode riding in a platform such as Zwift on courses that have quick changes in power and elevation such as with the rollers in Titan's Grove? I read somewhere about there being a delay that was enough during faster events like racing to be essentially pedaling a hill when others are pedaling a downhill. I'm not sure if this was an early problem or was ever fixed with firmware.

[@n22pdf]

Great vid.. could I ask where you got your TrainerRoad t shirt ?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Here you go: cottonbureau.com/products/3x10-indoor-cycling-shirt#/12913029/tee-men-standard-tee-vintage-navy-tri-blend-s

[@n22pdf]

@@SmartBikeTrainers awesome thanks ordered one in a small looks great

[@zaahierstanley955]

I bought an china manufacturee smart trainer. Had problems with the power accuracy so I ended up using my quarq d four as my power source and the trainer as control. No issues at all this far however as you say the market for demand is down and the use as well. My trainer is sitting there and prefer to ride outside now that I have freedom to move. Generally I would ride in the morning early or evening after sunset and might riding is popular. Sad to see companies go down like this ... definitely get the trainer if you can as you never know when you might use it more so when it is discounted. I paid between 400 to 450 dollars ...

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Not a bad deal at all. Enjoy your outdoor riding. Night riding would be fun but that’s something we try to avoid where I live. Drivers can barely see us during the day. Can’t imagine heading out there during the evenings.

[@churchofseabass9227]

crazy i just got the H3 plus for $350

[@GravelRacer1]

Oh no...I love my Saris H3. It has been trouble free since I bought it. I wonder which spare parts I should get my hands on.

[@FreddyF1977]

Can I ask you how long ago you bought it?

[@GravelRacer1]

@@FreddyF1977 almost 3 years ago

[@BillDubbelU]

I have (had?) an H1 and broke the belt and damaged the flywheel. Sent a contact message via their website. Followed up with 2 emails to which I received no response. Called them and actually talked to someone who said that I could send them the trainer and they would try to repair. He emailed via their support system and I responded with the requested documents. And they never responded again! So my limited anecdote would be that support is currently terrible! Stupidly I purchased an H3 because of the great pricing, as a replacement. Hopefully they survive!

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Sorry to hear about your support experience and hopefully the new H3 will last many more years for you. Thanks for sharing your experience 🙏🏼

[@oldtwinsna8347]

I see on their website an H4 model? Any news on that?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

The new model has slightly better accuracy claims (not tested) and auto calibration. The H3 at the current discounted price is the better option IMO.

[@bonn1771]

Love saris

[@stevol6282]

Is the h3 worth a buy in 2024 for $350 USD?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

For $350, I think it is. It’s still a solid trainer with really good specs.

[@jd7448]

I'm interested in getting an H3 ... now I see price at $400 ... should I get it?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

At $400, it’s a steal

[@jd7448]

@@SmartBikeTrainers ... AH ... sucks, I guess folks found out and they raised the liquidation price by $100 ... so today it's like $500+

[@OTBTBDA]

Good video production but I am trying to understand why reviewers such as yourself continue to test the accuracy of a wheel based trainer by comparing it to a pedal or crank based meter? How do you know the Assiamo pedals are correct? The power output recorded at the pedal or crank could never be the same at the tire contact point or at the rear hub. This is due to the change in load and torque at each point. When test cars, motorcycles or similar, they will state the data is collected at the crankshaft, drive shaft or rear tire. The data from each piont is never the same. But some how magically with a cyclist/bicycle combo some how the data outputs are the same no matter where the test point is on the bicycle. When reviewers see the data from the rear wheel matching that at the pedals it should be setting off alarm bells for fudged data. Also reviewers never talk about torque and load about. This is vital data and with it missing the so called power data is only worth a 3rd of its train value. The missing 2/3 rds are Torque and load. Did rider "A" produce a rate of 300 watts with a 15Nm load (at rear wheel) at a crank speed 105 RPMS (torque) or did they produce 300 watts with a 45Nm load (at the rear wheel) at crank speed of 85 RPMS (torque)? It is extremely concerning that manufactures do not provide real time torque and load data. The data must be there is there power data displayed is accurate. Powertap Hubs were the best because they provided real-time toque, load and power data.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Great question. Usually power data don’t match and I will see variances and that’s ok. Even when a manufacturer claims +/-X accuracy, I am not expecting that to be from my power meter. I do expect the numbers to be close however regardless of where the power is measured. The power loss from the pedal to the hub shouldn’t be that significant. As for my Assioma or any other power meter I use, I have tested them against a number of other power meters to ensure accuracy.

[@buttlesschap]

just got the h3 saris with the big discount delivered a couple days ago. seems to be working well so far. using a bike with shimano claris sized at 11-30T but the bike store sold me a shimano 8 speed 11 - 32T casette for the trainer. is this going to be an issue?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

If your bike is 8 speed, then yes it should be fine.