IB15: Kinetic Smart Power Trainers debut w/ free (and paid) app-based Sufferfest training

Kinetic is calling these “smart” trainers, and I guess they’re entitled to make up whatever definition of “smart” they want, but these are really nothing more than their last generation trainers with the inRide power estimation units preinstalled.

Which seems pretty lame, compared to the next generation of actual “smart” trainers from Bkool/Tacx/Wahoo/etc. that provide resistance based on a programmed power level you set with your bike computer/smartphone app/Mac/PC, so the trainer provides a steady level of power resistance based on whatever workout you’ve programmed.

With an actual smart trainer, if you’re doing 250 watt intervals you get 250 watts of resistance for that duration no matter what gear you happen to be in.

With the Kinetic inRide you only get a power readout, it’s up you to get to — and maintain — 250 watts for each interval.

Also interesting that Kinetic hasn’t added ANT+ support, especially since there’s an actual ANT+ FE-C standard for trainer control from Garmin, etc. computers. The rumor is that Kinetic is going to a proprietary Bluetooth protocol, where app developers would have to pay Kinetic for access to their SDK if they want to connect with the inRide data. Pretty much the polar opposite of where every other trainer manufacturer is today.

I have the kickr and the Kurt road machine. Imo the best combo is the road machine and a real power meter. The kickr watts are too high and the resistance changes are annoying. It’s a better feel to just shift into a higher gear on a liquid trainer.

@John,

“Also, I had many connection issues between the KK trainer and InRide (the Bluetooth connection would fail to hook up or would drop when doing the spindown calibration). I gave up on it.”

I had the same issues. I tried a few different Bluetooth devices, changed the battery, tried re-syncing, and even went back and forth several times with folks at Kinetic, but could never get the InRide to maintain a stable, consistent connection. So…I have one connected to my trainer, that is essentially a paperweight…

I want to clear up a few things, and I apologize for the lengthy response. First, with regard to our proprietary SDK (software development kit) – our development team has indeed written a proprietary SDK, and with very good reason. The current open BLE spec does not meet our requirements, there are both stability and accuracy issues. It also does not define a calibration process, something that is critical to our sensor and app. We have made this all available to the third-party developers that had been working with us previously, as well as to some new partners like Zwift. (at no charge) Openness is not inherently positive, especially when the current open standard does not meet your development requirements.

We absolutely embrace openness with regard to data ownership, privacy and control. We will continue to allow our riders to take their workout data to whatever platform they want: Strava, MapMyFitness, TrainingPeaks, Garmin Connect or any other platform that works with the open FIT file definition.

With regard to the connection issues with the inRide sensors, we have addressed that with new firmware on the sensor pods. (all of the new trainers come with the updated firmware) We will be replacing sensors with the old firmware at no charge. (if you have an inRide now, you have the old firmware unless we have replaced it in the last couple months) Everyone using one of the old sensors will receive a notice through the inRide app shortly. If you are having problems you can also submit a customer service ticket through the app now for an exchange.

Finally, we will be launching the Android alpha version very soon. (before the snow flies here in Minneapolis) Sign up for notification here: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.kinetic.fit

The Kinetic Smart trainers provide the best hardware and software required for someone to get started on power-based training at a fraction of the price of the electronically-controlled trainers.

Thanks,
Jason