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In Depth Product Reviews
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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!
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My Photography Gear: The Cameras/Drones/Action Cams I Use Daily
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The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
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“presenting the annual trainer round-up in the coming days!” – perfect! Looking forward to it.
Minoura still working on the software? But they already shipped Kagura about a month ago in Japan and some Asian country. Looking at the claimed specification, just remind me how Kurt Kinetic failed in smart trainer market. Both are well known in dumb trainer hardware but failed to catch up in software.
Yeah, I kinda had the same thoughts on the Japan shipping thing, since they mentioned that.
I’m interested in your full test on this. I’m going to say I doubt their 20% claim. The Magnus is rated at 15% it clamps so hard that the tire is half compressed to the rim. Despite that I still get wheel slip starting at 11%.
Are those really finger size holes? good for nail clipping. I would say make a new mesh around it.
Why/how would/could you put your fingers in there while riding?
Rug dwellers.
Wattage is hard for on bike power meters, but trainer indoors that has less other variables to deal with to get a wattage number
Ray
Little bit of topic but are there any new smart rollers in the New guide?
I saw elite made the Arion smart but it doesnt look better (less options) then there older real e-motion b+ (wich to me is still the best roller but pretty ik already)
Mine broke down so i am looking in buying a new roller or trainer but i prefer the rollers
Thnx
Any news???
Ray, I see that you say that the trainer supports a calibration process. Do you know how to conduct this process? I recently purchased one of these trainers and so far find it to be very user friendly and workable with Zwift, but I want to ensure I have the most accurate data and realistic experience before racing or performing group rides.
I haven’t been able to find anything online to point me toward a calibration process for the trainer and Zwift doesn’t support an in-game calibration yet. Any advice you can give would be awesome!
Update: Minoura informed me that the spin-down calibration functionality would be available by the end of January. So far, I’ve been using the trainer almost exclusively in ERG mode for the structured workouts. Normal free-riding is very frustrating – even out of the saddle in my biggest gear, I can’t get the watts above 180 or so…but then the moment I hit a hill it’s easy to get the watts well above that figure with relatively little effort. I hope the spin-down calibration functionality comes soon and fixes this problem because at this point I can’t recommend this trainer for any kind of racing – impossible to put out the requisite power on the flats and downhill.
:(
Yeah, I haven’t touched it till the calibration piece is implemented.
Hi Carter
I wonder if your Kagura came with a riser for the front wheel?
It did not. I bought a CycleOps riser and am perfectly happy with it!
Thanks Carter
Does this trainer have an Erg mode? Can”t find the details in your post or anywhere else online.
Yes, via ANT+ FE-C or Bluetooth Smart, to whichever apps you want to use.
Thanks for the prompt reply Ray.
I bought the Kagura as its the best trainer available locally and which has ANT+FE-C and Bluetooth Smart. I thought this would give me freedom to use with any app. However, I’ve contacted TrainerRoad and they say that this is not the case and that there “is additional development that needs to happen on both ends before the Kagura can be used with TrainerRoad with ERG mode.”
Hmm, that’s odd. I’m not sure why TR would say that, though, at the same time, I also know the TR test guys well enough to know that if they’re saying that – then it’s probably legit.
Meaning, Minoura may have some issue with not following the spec correctly (somewhat common the first time a company implements it). Given Minoura hasn’t resolved the accuracy issues yet, I could see how this may be considered lower down the totem pole. :(
I’ve contacted Minoura about this before I buy another trainer, as the main reason I bought the Kagura was to use in Erg mode. My understanding was if a trainer is F-EC then it should work with any app in Erg mode. If it doesn’t then Minoura should state this in their specs/marketing.
No reply from Minoura yet. It is interesting that TrainerRoad sent me 3 replies in 24 hours regarding use of the Kagura with their software. Very impressed with TrainerRoad customer service.
I have attempted to connect to the Minoura Kagura with a Garmin Edge 500 so that I can create workouts and control the trainer in Erg mode. However, the Garmin will not pair with the trainer when it is switched on and shows “No Indoor Trainer Connection.”
Just wrote a long update and then lost before I could submit! Short version: problem solved, Minoura were very good- great customer service from Takeshi Minoura! Trainer works in Erg mode with TrainerRoad via Bluetooth and is very quiet. Only one ride so far at low wattage but at the moment, I would recommend.
Hi Carter
I wonder if your Kagura came with a riser for the front wheel?
After getting a very noisy Kickr Snap, and seeing many similar complaints, I’m considering returning it and getting this instead. Has the power issue been fixed yet, and would it even be an issue if you use an external power meter instead?
It has not been fixed yet.
FWIW, I shot them a note the other day since I was interested in this trainer as well. The rep wrote back “We are still putting the finishing touches on the power calibration part of our firmware and don’t have an exact date for completion yet”
I think i will look elsewhere.
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Will using TrainerRoad’s power matching feature, along with an on-bike power meter, solve the calibration issue of the Kagura?
On a side note, does it make sense for anyone to make a controllable resistance smart trainer that doesn’t have a built in power meter, for use by those who already have power meters on their bikes? Just to help keep costs down on what is essentially just a very expensive hobby…
Not yet fix? Japanese engineers are known to fix these things immediately.
Hi DC,
Is the resistance accurate when you hit higher gradients?
I haven’t seen a general fix for accuracy at all, thus, I haven’t spent any time on it.
Thanks DC
Hi DC Rainmaker,
Any chance the Feb 1, 2018 firmware fixed the issue with Kagura?
Saw 2 update files (Sep 2017 and Feb 2018).
Attached screenshot from Minoura website.
Thanks!
-bet
Nope, Feb 1st, 2018 firmware didn’t fix it.
However, good timing. The company reached out to me in the past few days with a test firmware version that they hope will address the issues.
I’m travelling at the moment, but will give it a whirl when I get back.
Great! Will wait for your updated test.
It seems that a new firmware [nrf51422_Minoura_20180530 (June 18, 2018)] has been released publicly.
My minoura sits in the cupboard gathering dust – $ 500 and doesn’t work as a smart trainer..
I just got this unit and cannot connect anything to the Kagura’s bluetooth. It can be seen but will not pair. Have tried Andriod devices, Win 10 device and an ipad that does not even find it.
My question is how can I update the firmware without bluetooth
See my comment above. I can only use without electronic resistance @ approx 150 watts. If you can get your money back or exchange for a different make and model, then I would.