ThinkRider A1 POWER Budget Direct Drive Trainer: Details // Ride Review

[@SimoWill75]

I was looking for a budget DD and briefly looked at these but ended up buying a used jetblack whisperdrive and a used lefty 4iiii power crank arm. Reckon I made the right choice after watching this. Still non interactive but atleast I get 'accurate' power and cadence, and the bonus is the power crank for real roads too.

[@nickcartman]

I would always go for an interactive trainer. Non interactive defeats the whole point of having a smart trainer. For example, I started with a used Tacx flow Smart and 4iii crank arm as well. Even with the 6% gradient limit, it was smooth enough to immerse me into the world of Zwift. No need to think about shifting gears and stuff. I could have gone with an used Elite Drivo but the reviews weren't good. But of course it is slow and now I'm looking for something more reactive and silent.

[@santibergallo]

Hi Shane!! I've been looking to get a trainer because of the horrible weather. I already have a pair of Favero Assioma Duo and two bikes (one could stay in the rollers for a month or two). In Argentina the availability of trainers isn't the best, but I found the following: Thinkrider A1 for $300 Jet-black Volt for $550 Tacx Flux S for $850 Elite Suito T for $933 I've seen your reviews and decided to comment on this one because it is the most recent out of the bunch. I'm inclined to go for the jet-black Volt. What do you think? Is the drift a big issue on that one? Thank you for your hard work pumping out these vids!!

[@akrakorab8897]

I got one new for 200usd so it was worth it.

[@deniscorrea3]

the best review!!!

[@TeacherNickoy]

Nice video shane. Just a question, im from a migoura dumb trainer, and i use speed sensor for the power and using it on zwift, it limits my efforts to 450-490 watts, would this a1 thinkrider be better for me than the migoura trainer? I’m no pro, i just like to exercise and spin and join pacer c.coco, 1-2 hours a day. Thank you in advance for your answer.

[@seakayaker20]

bomfunk mcs! not questionable at all.

[@nguyenloi290]

Nice video. So, will u choose this or magene t100 ? (they are both cheap price items)

[@ds6914]

I'd love one of these if it did ERG. Does anyone have recommendations for similar - direct drive, reasonably light - but with ERG?

[@kidsafe]

ERG mode is a type of resistance control. If a trainer has a resistance controller, then it’s also going to be capable of other interactive modes via software.

[@djmanahan9466]

Hi Shane, I have this power trainer, actually this video helps me decide to purchase it. So big thanks sir. I watch you vid again tonight and i noticed your using a front wheel riser. Do really feel that the A1 should use a riser? Website said no need. Thank in advance

[@gplama]

It’s a personal preference of mine to have the front elevated a little indoors.

[@djmanahan9466]

@@gplama thank you.

[@sabamacx]

Hm, I bought a barely used Tacx Vortex for $250ish. Would I pay nearly double to lose almost every feature? No.

[@andylow01]

Can this essentially be used as a “dumb” direct drive turbo? Just toss the bike on and go, no laptop or zwift etc?

[@michaelmechex]

Is this any better than a turbo trainer and a powermeter (that can be used outside as well)?

[@scotth3354]

NO. But, if you don't have a powermeter, it adds a PM for you. I use a KurtKinetic Road machine and let my Quarq interact with Zwift. The one 'odd' thing is that when 'climbing' on Zwift, instead of downshifting like you would in the real world, you have to upshift to get higher resistance/power to climb at a reasonable speed. I've tried 5 or 6 high end smart trainers and always return them, as none of them are significantly better than my KK, and certainly not enough to justify the expense, IMO.

[@mehmetogut9771]

İt is bad not to see the cadence despite the quite accurate power reading. İs there an easy way to add cadence reading on this traniner? Thanks for the review btw

[@Jesus_s_Real]

You could connect any cadence sensor and heart monitor through ant+ interface

[@existingdinosour]

Are you using other speed sensor?

[@oscarferrada6549]

Consulta a que se debe que siento super pesado usando un desarrollo 52-11,, se siente demasiada resistencia, por lo cual tengo que hacer mis entrenamientos con desarrollos mas altos, mínimo 52-23,, por que se siente en demasía el esfuerzo al pedalear.. ¿habrá algo mal ajustado en el rodillo? o son asi?

[@InfernoVolatil]

Ese rodillo tiene una resistencia fija del +3

[@piotrs7327]

Erg zwift works?

[@digamondvonn]

did you experience any BT disconnection while riding? if so, what could help mitigate it? thanks.

[@gplama]

To be honest, I can't recall if I used BLE on this unit. I'd check for firmware updates, battery levels, and switch to ANT+ to see if any of those resolve the issues.

[@punkandprovocation]

What're those snazzy white kicks Mr Lama?

[@gplama]

VeloKicks Flow Knit

[@punkandprovocation]

@@gplama any good?

[@gplama]

@@punkandprovocation Yep. I had to push out the sides a little where my foot bone sticks out a little (like I do with most bike shoes). After that 👌🏼

[@ndp2050]

does thinkrider supplied the front wheel support/wedge/pad thingy?

[@gplama]

I can't recall. There's one floating around the Lama Lab. It may have been from the other ThinkRider unit.

[@ndp2050]

@@gplama so basically it needs front wheel wedge to make the bike level?

[@vailo9076]

ThinkRider X2?

[@Philatlondon1]

Have you heard any reports of ThinkRider trainers massively under reporting power?

[@gplama]

I’ve reviewed another ThinkRider on here, I can’t recall the results. There’s not a lot of people with them, so I don’t see much discussion about results/performance of them.

[@jeffreyanthony7348]

are you going to do one one Kinetic RS power bike trainer. looking forward to see your assessment of this product.

[@gplama]

It's simply a Magene T-100 with Kinetic colors/branding. Here's my review of the T-100 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmKulmqfoteoY8U

[@Rcck.7282]

Found it secondhand for $120. Buy it or not? It's rainy season now, I just running in place inside. So I guess it's better than nothing. Edit : bought it, its dumb direct drive trainer with power meter. So better than nothing

[@InfernoVolatil]

Looks amazing, the 3% gradient looks amazing

[@brasso9393]

This over T100 anytime? T100 is cheaper tho

[@egibarata18]

Curious about this question as well

[@nitishsrivastava1496]

What if both are available at the same price?

[@paoloclinxr4022]

It looks T100 is more expensive.

[@BikesKomsCRO]

What the hell.. riding always at 3% gradient.. seems pointless when you can get a used kickr even from 2017 for just a little less and actually get a real experience on Zwift.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

agreed. the whole point of these is the variable resistance. else, might as well just pay $69 for a cheapo fluid filled wheel on trainer.

[@sambrown1779]

Unliked the video due to the Palmer ad at the start

[@gplama]

Nothing to do with me there. That’s all Google. While we’re here, Clive Palmer is an idiot.