Rocker Plate VS E-Flex for the Modern Smart Trainer
/Bringing Motion to the Modern Smart Trainer... Rocker plate VS E-Flex
The Smart trainer brought amazing innovation and visual realism to indoor training, but it did nothing for the basic experience of riding a totally rigid trainer. Rocker plates were an effort to bring a more physically engaging experience to the Smart trainer, but they have produced mixed results and very low adoption rates. Because of that, rocker plates have remained largely a DIY project with only a few commercial products available for purchase.
Rocker plates have their modern roots in the Kurt Rock and Roll trainer, formerly the only widely available trainer with built-in tilting motion. Today's rocker plates universally attach to most any trainer, but are otherwise very similar to the original Kurt. They have a pivot and springs to allow the bike and trainer to sway side to side.
Initiating and controlling the motion requires practice since it relies on different forces than outside riding. Because there is no direct control of the rocking action, they typically use fairly stiff springs to avoid excessive motion. The result: springy, rhythmic action that can get out of sync and end up being a distraction. Compared to outdoor riding (and rollers), the rocker trainer still has an unresponsive and disconnected feel. For all the attention rocker systems were getting the last few years, they clearly did not live up to the promise of a natural ride.
To address these issues, the new Flex system for the Wahoo Kickr was released in late 2019. It's an articulated design that provides two additional features not found in the rocker plate world. A steerable front end that directly controls the rocking motion, and a gentle forward and back gliding motion.
These two qualities are familiar to fans of Inside Ride’s E-Motion Rollers equipped with the Floating Fork Stand (FFS), so no explanation is needed there. However, where rocker plates are concerned, the Flex is a significant improvement in performance and control. It provides a much more realistic ride, without the possibility of losing control.
The articulated steering is the star of the Flex system. It recreates the steer-balance aspect of a real bike, so it feels connected and engaged, overcoming the disjointed and hard to control vibe of conventional rocker plates. The ability to use steering input to control balance and rocking motion (rather than springs) is a new thing in the trainer world. Add to that the forward and back gliding motion, and you have a full 3-dimensional and physics based ride experience in a compact and affordable package.
In summary, despite the appearance of being an emerging and transformative product, conventional rocker plates have now been overtaken by Flex technology. For the price of a typical rocker plate, the E-flex delivers a much more natural and functional ride and narrows the gap between rigid trainers and real riding, which appeals to a whole generation of Smart Trainer owners.
