Watt Bike?

[zill]

How do Watt bikes compare to the Lemond or Kurt Kinetic trainers in terms of feel?

How effective is it training on them compared to the Lemond or Kurt Kinetic?

How effective is it training on them compared to real riding?

Are there any similar products out there? If so what?

[Alex Simmons/RST]

All those trainers are very good and have excellent ride feel, but each will seem a little different. The Wattbike and Lemond will have higher crank inertial load due to heavier flywheels but the KK isn't bad by any stretch. It's one of the best regular A-frame trainers.

One can do highly effective training on any of them.

The Wattbike is a dedicated ergo bike, while you fit your own bike to the other two. How closely you can replicate your own position on the Wattbike is a factor to consider (bars, crank length and Q-factor in particular will likely be different).

The primary difference between indoor and outdoor training is the lack of variability in power demand indoors, so the onus is on the rider to ensure they have sufficient such variability if they are limited in how much outdoor ride time they might get. In general, metabolic adaptations are readily developed via training indoors or outdoors, and these are the primary adaptations, while neuromuscular adaptations mostly benefit from some time outside.

There are scores of trainers, so yes there are lots of options.

As to what, you'd need to narrow down the features / type of trainer somewhat, as each of the units you've listed are quite different.

The KK is a standard A-frame fluid resistance trainer
The Lemond is a direct drive wind resistance unit
The Wattbike is a dedicated ergobike with power measurement and display

None of them provide for computer controlled variable resistance which is another type of trainer option.

[zill]

None of them provide for computer controlled variable resistance which is another type of trainer option.

What realistic trainers provide "computer controlled variable resistance" ?

[g-boaf]

Computrainer is one of them. You can use it with various software. The computrainers I use are run with this software:
http://perfprostudio.com/Studio.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You create your own workouts in that software. It's pretty good, if you've got a power meter, even better. Some more info about the software:
http://perfprostudio.com/StudioFeatureSheet.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(cadence control is an evil feature - hurt hurt hurt). After I'm done, I get a message in email with the data and it goes into my Strava account too.

It should be noted I don't own a computrainer, just use the ones in a cycling training lab near where I work.

[zill]

Computrainer is one of them. You can use it with various software. The computrainers I use are run with this software:
http://perfprostudio.com/Studio.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

How realistic feeling are they?

Where can you buy them?
You create your own workouts in that software. It's pretty good, if you've got a power meter, even better. Some more info about the software:
http://perfprostudio.com/StudioFeatureSheet.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(cadence control is an evil feature - hurt hurt hurt). After I'm done, I get a message in email with the data and it goes into my Strava account too.

It should be noted I don't own a computrainer, just use the ones in a cycling training lab near where I work.

How realistic feel are they?

Where can you buy them?

[g-boaf]

Not the same as riding on the road, but for a trainer, you can do a lot with them.

You can get them from here: http://www.computrainer.com.au/default.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He is the local distributor for them (some of you here will know him). They are not cheap either.

[zill]

Not the same as riding on the road, but for a trainer, you can do a lot with them.

You can get them from here: http://www.computrainer.com.au/default.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He is the local distributor for them (some of you here will know him). They are not cheap either.

What are some other similar products?

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Velotron
Wahoo Kickr
Lynx Trainer
Various Tacx trainers
Cycleops Powerbeam

All these trainers, along with Computrainer, provide for computer controlled resistance.

Different software, quality, robustness and levels of resistance consistency/accuracy. And of course prices, which can go well into 5 figures for Velotron.

No doubt there are others.

[zill]

Velotron
Wahoo Kickr
Lynx Trainer
Various Tacx trainers
Cycleops Powerbeam

All these trainers, along with Computrainer, provide for computer controlled resistance.

Different software, quality, robustness and levels of resistance consistency/accuracy. And of course prices, which can go well into 5 figures for Velotron.

No doubt there are others.

Which would you recommend for the most realistic feel and also comes with the capability for simulations?

[zill]

Would this be the ultimate for feel?

https://predatorcycling.com/product/ergobike/#reviews" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;