C2 v Wattbike Pro

[Marco73]

Hi, newbie looking for some advice.

I have just sold my 6 year old Wattbike Pro as the power was under reading by about 10%

I am a time trialist and have power meters on two outdoor bikes to verify my 20 minute power.

My 20 minute power is 390 watts, I used to just keep the Wattbike pro at level 10 and pedal ar around 90 cadence when doing a 20 minute effort, I didn’t use the resistance knob as I didn’t like the feel of it.

I purchased a Wattbike Atom next gen which confirmed that the pro was under reporting the power as I did a 20 minute Time trial on Zwift and it was higher than the pro. I didn’t like the electro magnetic resistance of the Atom, it has now broke (15 days I had the bike) so Wattbike are given me my money back.

I enquired about a new Pro but they are talking 16 weeks!

Which brings me to this forum, the C2 is the only other bike that I can find is similar to the pro as air generated power rather than magnetic of other smart bikes, are there other bikes like the Wattbike pro in the Uk?

Does the C2 have a comparable resistance to the Pro on level 10 setting as I don’t spin much above 90 cadence and do the two bikes have a similar smooth feel? I just couldn’t get on with the Atom, it just doesn’t feel natural and smooth to me.

Hoping the C2 is my bike for Zwift due to 40% cost of the Pro, also I wasn’t interested in all the gimmicks of a smart bike, just want a bike to give consistent accurate wattage, not interested in resistance on hills or ERG mode for training.

Thanks

[jamesg]

C2 has a 30 day money back offer:

https://www.concept2.co.uk/bikeerg/concept2-bikeerg

The power measurement system seems to be very robust with no zero, linearity or drift problems, needing to know only flywheel inertia and speeds and being able to self calibrate.

[Marco73]

Thanks for the reply jamesg, I didn’t know about the 30 day return, I am just about to order it

I was struggling with getting my head round paying £980 for the C2 against £2500 for the Pro, I thought the C2 must be inferior but from all the reviews online and on YouTube, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Just looking for accurate and reliable power, which this does.

[CaseyClarke]

I’m very familiar with both.

C2 BikeErg on a damper 10 (Drag 220-230) at about 90rpm is far stiffer than a Wattbike Pro on 10. Well in excess of 700w at ~90rpm.

Wattbike Pro would only be ~390-400w at air setting 10 at 90rpm.

But if you also use the magnetic resistance on Wattbike Pro and turn that up to 6 or 7, then that’s going to be stiffer than the C2 BikeErg.

You’ll also find the C2 under-reads a bit compared to the Wattbike and most other devices reporting power. That 390w Wattbike 20 minutes will likely translate as ~375w ish on the BikeErg.

[johnlvs2run]

I am a time trialist and have power meters on two outdoor bikes to verify my 20 minute power.

Here's a comparison of drag factor, cadence and watts <-- on the C2.
I'd be interested in how your power meters compare to the C2 watts reading.
The cranks on the C2 can't be changed, the power meters would need to be on the pedals.

[Marco73]

Thanks for the replies

Casey, I'm not too bothered about the underread, although not great for Zwift TTs but as long as it's accurate and repeatable once I get back into my training plan.
Level 10 on wattbike was fine for me, I just couldn't get on with the magnetic resistance but more than happy to find out that the C2 can handle the resistance with the damper.

John both my bikes have power2max power meters. I have ordered the bike today but it's saying 7 to 10 days after the 1st December.

Once I get the bike setup, I'll post up a 20 minute workout.

Thanks for all the replies, eased my mind and saved a lot of cash.

[Ernits]

Why not go for a smart bike instead? If you have Wattbike money, you could also afford the Tacx Neo Bike, Kickr Bike or Stages SB20 Bike.

[Marco73]

Hi Ernits, I usually check out reviews for tech stuff on DC Rainmakers website.

Every smart bike he has reviewed has had people reporting problems, I took the gamble on the Wattbike Atom, due to previously having the Wattbike pro. The main reason I actually went for a smart bike is because Wattbike have a 16 week wait for a new Pro or I would have purchased one.

I just couldn’t get on with the electro magnetic resistance of the Atom, I also didn’t like the additional resistance on the Pro via the magnetic resistance either. I am just wanting a bike that too me is smooth and that I can train on with air resistance.

I actually seriously considered both the Stages and Taxc, I get a good deal off Garmin through my work, I can actually get the Tacx smart bike for £400 cheaper than an Atom. The reason I never purchased the Tacx is because I came across the Concept2 bike, so I am willing to give this bike a try as the bike should hopefully have a similar feel to the Wattbike Pro.

[Carl Watts]

Every smart bike he has reviewed has had people reporting problems

Thats the problem with reviews in general. people are very quick to complain or report a problem but very few of the happy customers bother doing a review.

Its a also a bit like trying to get information on someone's max Watts power on the their bike trainer vs their C2 rower, suddenly there is silence and nobody is interested.

People will sign up to this forum just to get help with a problem with their rower but then you will probably never see them again.

[ArmandoChavezUNC]

Seems like you may have already made up your mind, but since this is recent I'll add my 0.02 cents.

I got into cycling last year and bought a road bike as well as a smart trainer (Wahoo). I also have a C2 ergbike. I can confidently say the feel is completely different and the watts are totally different between the ergbike and a normal bike on a smart trainer. The C2 bike is a great training tool and I have no complaints about it, but if you're a cyclist and want something that gives you a cycling feel the C2 bike is definitely not it IMO.

[Carl Watts]

Seems like you may have already made up your mind, but since this is recent I'll add my 0.02 cents.

I got into cycling last year and bought a road bike as well as a smart trainer (Wahoo). I also have a C2 ergbike. I can confidently say the feel is completely different and the watts are totally different between the ergbike and a normal bike on a smart trainer. The C2 bike is a great training tool and I have no complaints about it, but if you're a cyclist and want something that gives you a cycling feel the C2 bike is definitely not it IMO.

I would second that as I know someone with a Wahoo smart trainer and the way it integrates with Zwift its the only way to go.

[johnlvs2run]

I can confidently say the feel is completely different and the watts are totally different between the ergbike and a normal bike on a smart trainer.

What have you found the differences in the wattage to be?

[ArmandoChavezUNC]

Hard to put an exact number on it but probably around 20-40 watts less on the C2 bike. I think part of it is the difference between standard pedals (with cages) vs clipless pedals on my personal bike and the extra power on the upswing of each pedal cycle. The rest I think is just down to different mechanics of the way the fan works vs the way a smart trainer with chain works.

[Cant Climb]

Seems like you may have already made up your mind, but since this is recent I'll add my 0.02 cents.

I got into cycling last year and bought a road bike as well as a smart trainer (Wahoo). I also have a C2 ergbike. I can confidently say the feel is completely different and the watts are totally different between the ergbike and a normal bike on a smart trainer. The C2 bike is a great training tool and I have no complaints about it, but if you're a cyclist and want something that gives you a cycling feel the C2 bike is definitely not it IMO.

I'm a cyclist also (mountain biker to be exact). I have found similar. C2 Bike not exactly a comparable feel to an actual road bike or mountain bike but it is a great training tool. I feel like it builds more fitness and strength all around the leg/hip area through the entire range of a pedal revolution.

[Marco73]

Hi all, thanks for the replies and suggestions.

I just had my first go on the bike today, done a 10 mile TT effort on Zwift at 346 watts, I hadn’t cycled since 18th November and I was on the piss last night so probably should have been higher but I wasn’t 100 percent feeling it.

My TT on the atom was 367 for 10 miles before it broke, I was working my way back to 390 as I had let my fitness go a bit.

I am not really interested in smart bikes / intergration with Zwift, I just liked the feel of the Wattbike Pro air resistance, this was confirmed after trying the Atom. I more use Zwift for the visual stimulation when doing workouts although I do race sometimes. I done trainerroad for long enough before moving to Zwift.

First impressions are it’s just not got the same road feel as the pro, I think the chain drive on the Pro makes you feel more connected with the bike, especially if I stand up as the pedals seem to slip at the 6 o’clock position.

I am in between two height positions on the saddle, I wish you could micro adjust the height rather than just pulling up to the next click.

Also when putting down an effort there seems to be a bit of a lag between the watts showing on the Erg shown on Zwift, the Pro was instant.

The Erg is quieter though

I’m going to restart my training plan next week and see how it handles big changes in power when moving the damper.

I do think it’s a good bike and great value for money but I would buy another pro if they where for sale right now.