Jet Black’s new Z1 Pro model is the successor to the Z1 and gets the largest stock flywheel ever at 6.6 lbs, more than triple what it was before. There are heavier aftermarket flywheels out there, but they say this is the heaviest one that comes standard on any trainer. A heavier flywheel gives it a much longer coast down times for a more realistic feel.
It’s a fluid trainer, so it’s quiet, particulaly with it’s oversized gel roller, and gives you less tire wear. Beyond the flywheel and gel, the closure mechanism is all new and rather nifty…
Zach’s been testing the Z1 with the same Hydrogel roller and been very happy with it.
The axle lever has switched from a side mounted version to a rotating one that’s integrated into the frame. It’ll work with anything from track bikes to thru axle.
It uses a linchpin to make big width adjustments, then the non-drove side makes the fine adjustments via the usual dial. Once that’s done, it simply closes down to lock the bike into the trainer.
Both the M5 Pro and Z1 Pro get the new closure. The Z1 Pro retail is $369.
Their new Whisper Drive is aiming to be the quietest direct drive trainer on the market by swapping the usual fan for a magnetic resistance unit. At $699, it’s on the lower end of the direct drive trainer price range, and it’ll fight your efforts all the way up to 1,200 watts.
It’s very stable with 700mm wide legs that are pushed forward more under the rider’s body mass. They fold away for easy transport or storage, as shown on bottom of image.
It’ll work with 130/135 and 11×142 axles by swapping included end caps. Comes with SRAM/Shimano freehub body but no cassette. Campy and XX1 freehub bodies available separately.
The new JetBlack Training App comes with purchase of a trainer (or you can buy it, price TBD). It’s a training tool that can pair with any of your existing compatible Bluetooth or ANT+ Sensors (power, cadence, HR, etc.) and provide sessions from an Olympic level coach. The sessions last from 45 minutes up to about 1.5 hours and have audio/visual cues to tell you when to go harder, faster, stand or whatever. The music’s beat is synced to the effort and cadence to keep you going full steam. ANT+ sensors will require and ANT+ dongle for your tablet.
Since it’s preprogrammed with the resistance of the trainer, once it’s reading speed from a speed sensor, it can figure out your estimated power. It has threshold and other fitness tiers to determine your baseline training zones. When done, it’ll upload your data to Strava or TrainingPeaks. Look for bundle packs of ANT+/BT speed/cadence and HR sensors.
