This product has been discontinued by the manufacturer. It's been replaced by the Tacx NEO 2T Smart, you may want to check out that review instead.
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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Wanna save some cash and support the site? These companies help support the site! With Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with either the coupon code DCRAINMAKER for first time users saving 15% on applicable products.
You can also pick-up tons of gear at REI via these links, which is a long-time supporter as well:Alternatively, for everything else on the planet, simply buy your goods from Amazon via the link below and I get a tiny bit back as an Amazon Associate. No cost to you, easy as pie!
You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
In Depth Product Reviews
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
Have some fun in the travel section.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
My Photography Gear: The Cameras/Drones/Action Cams I Use Daily
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds (including drones & action cams!)! It’s a nice break from the day-to-day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2024 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
Hi
My cheap dumb trainer is cheap and dumb, so this would be greatly appreciated!
A good replacement for my BKool trainer
Yes please:)
Yes! Trainer please!
Yes please
se la regalaré a mi marido
Smartypants
Smart trainers are the best!
vortex replacement- won’t wake the kids. #twindadproblems
Direct drive trainer yes please
Amazing. My Tacx Flow is obsolete.
I’ve been eyeing this trainer for a while now…
This would be a huge upgrade from my leaking CycleOps Fluid 2!!!
So, the winner get cupcakes too?
That, I need !
I would have a reason to ride inside beside teaching spin!
Family commitments resulting in a lot of indoor training even in the hot Texas summer. Hence a state-of-the-art trainer would be excellent.
Great way to get on my bike in the winter.
Spin it
Get me out of this heat. Just kidding. Wouldn’t have it any other way
Yes, please!
I need that.
I’d use this.
Been looking for a smart trainer for a while this would be an amazing get. Thanks!
Uhh I could definitely use this in the winter
Yes Please a must have ?
Hoping I don’t have to settle for cupcakes and pasta
Zwift has become my life.
Yes please!
Me, please, please, please!
If I win, a fresh batch of cupcakes will be on your way :)
Yes please :)
Sign me up!
This would certainly help through the winters!
Maybe this will make me a smarter rider.
don’t really have a proper winter in Cali, but I hate riding in the rain anyway. Which we have sometimes. For a couple of months.
Okay, that cobblestone thing sounds awesome. And I need a way to work off all of those cupcakes!
Boo-boo yah, boo-boo yah, boo-boo yah, hah! Boo-boo yah, boo-boo yah, boo-boo yah, hah!
Sweet!
There can be only one!!!
Thanks Ray!
Awesome!
Free stuff now!!!
trainer!
oh yeeeah
That’s the one I need!!!
Trainer!
I’m in…
Smart
Yes. Must have!
Holy moly
es una pasada
Woah! NEO!!
Need this. Flux broken.
Just what I need for my training!
I’m in, my zwift rig needs an upgrade
oh man, cupcakes or trainer?? I dunno it’s tough but if you can provide the trainer, I’ll bring the cupcakes!!
would be a great addition :)
Me!
For my own pain cave!
Entering competition
Yeah
Yes please!
I didn’t even know about this! Would really love this one instead of an excuse not to go out.
No wammys, No wammys, No wammys, No wammys
I would like to feel more pain from cobbles
Sounds good!
I’m in!
Super
I’ll give this prize to my brother, who needs to join me on zwift.
Oh yes please, I need to make gains through winter rather than losing fitness like other winters
waaaant
I’m in.
Yes pleaseeeeee :D
I could use this for my excuse to buy a new bike!
Yes please!
Here we go! Fingers crossed!
Perfect to train on winter, and give Zwift a try
Thanks
This looks great for riding along while watching the Vuelta soon
No whammy!
Thats an incredibly cool prize, given the awful weather here in the UK I could really do with it.
Yes please :-)
Oh yes!
Seriously man you need to stop with these giveaways. Are we twins, cake and turbo trainer? Sounds like my life
Smart or not, the place to start.
Yes please!
Perfect for my garage sale next month. #unleanpavement
Training
I love it!!!
Crazy!
que bien se entrena
Please
Brilliantly
Wet,. Cold trainer weather is already here in the UK
Desperately need! :-)
Yes please
This would be great!
Perfect for rainy days!
Sounds awesome count me in