I will try to answer a few of the question.
For the cost of a Wattbike, you can get a power meter for your bike, a top notch stationary trainer on which to mount your bike, and have money left over for other things like bike components, bike clothes, DVDs of real bike races to watch while on the bike trainer, a fan to cool you off on the trainer.... As a bonus, that bike with a power meter on it can be pedaled outdoors and will go places, while the Wattbike goes nowhere and certainly doesn't offer the reward of a beautiful descent laid out beneath you as you summit a tough climb.
All true, but as far as road feel goes, the Wattbike will crush the trainers butts. Best road feel of any trainer I have ridden and when you do crank up the resistance it is very smooth.
I agree with the point made above. A couple of weeks ago I was at an expo and an exhibitor had a watt bike, a big bulky looking thing with old 80's pursuit style bars. I'd rather spend a lot less money on a power meter that pairs with my garmin and a couple hundred dollars on a decent trainer.
The pursuit style bars threw me for a loop too when I first got it. The bars however are wicked solid and can be adjusted to your liking. I think though it would be nice if they came out with just road bars as an option w/o the time trial extension. That way you would have more hand positions.
Watched the video of the WattBike and interestingly SpinScan was referred to which is the RacerMate system (CompuTrainer.VeloTron) system, also in the video I didn't like the need to be reaching down for the dual controls for the different types of resistance and I don't understand why 2 different sorts of resistance are needed.
My reference to Spin Scan was due to my use of the computrainer. I corrected that in the video comment section. It was my bad. Should have said Polar View, although the video text does say Polar View. I am not an actor and don't get paid for these videos.
It was a one take video, so there were a few inconsistencies.
I am not exactly sure why they have two types of resistance, but you don't have to use both. I believe the magnetic resistance is more to simulate hill climbing, while the wind would be more to simulate riding on the flats and descents. Both are extremely smooth.
I don't understand the statements about "better calibration" and "the Polar View being "more accurate" and I'd like to know the sources of that data. Certainly the CompuTrainer performs extremely well when ridden in conjunction with either a calibrated PowerTap or calibrated SRM Pro power meters which I have huge confidence in in terms of accuracy.
From my experience on the Computrainer, the calibration was always touch and go. I think a lot of it had to do with tire pressure and how much tension was on the wheel. I know there is a calibration procedure, but at least for me it wasn't always true. The Wattbike seems more consistent ride to ride than I experienced on the Computrainer. I also believe that the Wattbike calibration is as accurate as a PowerTap or SRM. British Cycling was involved in the development of the Wattbike and one of the key aspects was having a bike that was accurate.
The Wattbike is factory calibrated and does not need recalibrating, unlike the Computrainer. IMO this will mean more consistent calibration for each ride.
The Wattbike samples data 100 times a second and is recording data for each pedal revolution. It also measures and, in the software, records
39 different cycling parameters.
Here is a video comparing an SRM to the Wattbike
http://youtu.be/GwV2qdhCLXc
I am not exactly sure what is meant by Ergo Trainer?
I do agree that the Computrainer excels in the fact that it can be programmed to simulate a particular course. That is probably the only reason I would pick up a Computrainer again. It was really cool being able to simulate a course and have the computer adjust the resistance.
I haven't had a chance to ride the VELOTron, but it looks like an excellent product at a way too expensive price.
The WattBike cannot replicate outdoor training rides or sessions. Using a CompuTrainer and a power meter, both of which can be bought for the cost of a WattBike, this is simple.
I certainly will not suggest that the Wattbike be a replacement for an outdoor powermeter, but from my experience it does have certain advantages over the computrainer.. Being able to replicate a course however, is a major advantage and probably the biggest advantage the Computrainer has over most of the competition including the Wattbike.
The WattBike being a standalone unit as you say does not require a bike to be fitted to it but in my experience training on a bike that you will use on the road can be invaluable, a trainer/bike combination also does not require long term storage and can be put away during periods where it will not be used, a WattBike needs a permanent home.
It is true the Wattbike does need a permanent home.
The sucker is heavy, but for me that is one of the advantages in some respects. The platform is so much more stable and when riding it and the road feel is much more realistic over the Computrainer. I also can just hop on and start working out right away. I never had a dedicated bike for the computrainer, so it was always a pain to setup, calibrate. I also felt it wasn't exactly the best thing for the bike frame and certainly wasn't good for the rear tire.
My biggest beef with Computrainer is the fact that the trainer hasn't changed with the times. IMO Computrainer's RND department has really been lacking on the trainer side of the house. They certainly IMO could have come up with a trainer similar to say the new LeMond Revolution that would eliminate tire wear. I also think the VELOTron is way over priced for what you get and looks like something out of the 80's.
As far as price, the Wattbike is certainly expensive relative to other traditional trainers and that is where they are going to have trouble selling the units. That said, it is also commercial grade, which means it can take a ton of punishment. Most of your commercial grade products are traditionally much more expensive than consumer grade products.
And just for the record, I had the Computrainer for years and I had gone as far as doing 2 100 mile sessions, so needless to say I have had a ton of experience on the Computrainer. The Computrainer is a great tool for sure and certainly gives a great workout. If they updated their current trainer, I might be tempted to pick one up again.
