Tag: Kurt

Train With Bluetooth

As summer soon will head to fall it means that riding on the trainer won’t be far behind. There are many cycle computers systems that pair with smartphones for riding on the road but now cycle trainer maker Kinetic (we like the name as much as we like their trainers) is set to roll out the Bluetooth Smart system that can be used with its fluid trainers.

The Kinetic inRide Watt Meter consists of a heart rate monitor, power sensor that connects to the rear of the trainer and an app for the iPhone 4S and new iPad. This system can measure speed and cadence while the user does the spin thing. The accompanying app can track power including current, average and max; heart rate, including current, average and max; speed; cadence, distance; and calories burned. Continue reading Train With Bluetooth

Hands On: Rock and Roll Trainer First Impressions

At last month’s Interbike we saw a number of products that were designed to help riders train through the winter season. These trainers came in a many varieties including stationary bikes, rollers and the basic rear-wheel trainer. The latter category has plenty of basic devices, a few even seem quite similar, but one in particular caught our eye at the show – the Kinetic Rock and Roll by Kurt. At first glance this trainer resembles the basic rear-wheel configuration where the back end of the bike is attached by clamps while the rear wheel is allowed to spin freely, rolling against metal drum that is attached to a resistance device, but the Kinetic Rock and Roll has more to offer.

It is a simple device, and has the benefit of being easy to transport, easy to store and easy to set up. Unlike a stationary bike it is compact, and lets users actually ride their own bike. Rear-wheel trainers tend not to offer the road-like feel that rollers provide, but unlike rollers there is virtually no chance of riding off of a rear-wheel trainer. This style of trainer is good in that it allows riders to mount their own bike easily and has the resistance device that rollers often lack, but a rear-wheel trainer does not have the road-like feel of rollers (especially while out of the saddle) or allow the rider to have the opportunity to ‘train’ their bike handling skills while getting a workout. Continue reading Hands On: Rock and Roll Trainer First Impressions