RevBox Erg Review - June 2016

Inertia. Let's talk about that right at the start.

"a property of matter by which it continues in its existing state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line, unless that state is changed by an external force." - Wikipedia 

Let's say someone throws you a balloon. It's easy to catch. It weighs next to nothing. Now have the same person throw you a bowling ball. That takes a little more effort to grab and slow down! That's the difference between riding the RevBox Erg (the balloon) and almost every other ergo out there (bowling balls!). The RevBox Erg flywheel is extremely light and comes to a halt within a few seconds when you stop pedalling. More on what this means later... 

The Unit 

Closely modelling the BT Advanced Training System, the RevBox Erg does things smaller and lighter, and sheepier (first and last NZ joke, I promise!).

Weighting in at only 9.5kgs with a cassette is a welcome change from having to haul 20kg+ around the workshop for reviewing purposes.

The overall build is what I'd call industrial looking. Fitting for the purpose of it being a training tool rather than a showpiece (Neo, I'm looking at you and your flashy lights!).

At 645mm high and 670mm wide (the feet) it isn't overly portable. Although the feet do come off making the unit only 120mm wide (and as wide as the axle at the maximum point). The rear axle sits at 330mm, the same as the Wahoo Kickr and LeMond Revolution. 

As-is the RevBox erg itself has no sensors or electronics. It's a standard trainer, or 'dumb trainer' to use market terminology. There's an add-on sensor kit for an additional cost (covered below).

This unit I have was purchased around 12 months ago and has had approximately 90 minutes of use. There have been minor revisions in the latest models - all cosmetic I believe. 

The RevBox Erg is listed at NZ$1,380 (US$964) as a base unit with no cassette. 

The Background

According to KickTraq, RevBox failed to meet their goal of raising NZ$50,000 in their Kickstarter campaign, reaching only 33% of that target in the required 45 day timeframe. 

Admittedly the ergo space will never be an easy market to enter, going head to head with well established global players such as Tacx, Wahoo, Elite, who all have an array of trainer choices.

The Kickstarter video comes across as a little over-scripted, with a number of quotes I'll follow up below... 

RevBox does have a unique value prop though, the low inertia 'windbrake' flywheel.

The Ride

After the first few pedal strokes I experienced exactly what low inertia meant. In an low gear the crank will accelerate and decelerate through the pedal stroke as the flywheel changes speed. This was definitely a change up to the normal muscle firing patterns I'm accustomed to on ergos and out on the road.

It took a few minutes for me to smooth out my pedal stroke as I took it for a spin around virtual Richmond on Zwift. 

I found sprint efforts on the RevBox are different to sprinting on the road, track, or other ergos. Normally when you hit out in a sprint you'll wind up the RPMs throughout the sprint effort. The RevBox will to peg you bang on your peak power for the duration and won't spin up higher cadences. You'll never get 'on top of the gear' or spin out on the RevBox.

Note the initial spin up with lower power than a standard 'kick' sprint, and a very flat-line cadence. 

Standard spike and gradual rising of the cadence as the gear winds up.

That's the effect of an 'windbrake' trainer. It feels like trying to walk forward with someone pushing back on your head. This is good for keeping the power to the pedals, maybe for building strength, but is a very different to sprinting as I know it. The video below might demonstrate this better.

So it's hard work, is it better work? That's a rabbit hole I won't chase. There's a ton of science both supporting low inertia and equal amounts saying the results are inconclusive. 

The Pitch

The noise. This up there with the LeMond Revolution to when it comes to banging out the decibels! On a scale from 1 to 10, this unit sits at 11.

Now the other pitch. One quote I'll have to pull out from the Kickstarter promo video is that the RevBox provides a "more constant and realistic cycling motion". My experience is the opposite. The pedalling motion feels inconsistent and the low inertia isn't anything like cycling outside. 

Let me explain visually...

That wave along the bottom is the audio track from the sprint video. The 'windbrake' resistance means more noise = more speed. So there was change in speed on every crank push during my sprint efforts. This is not smooth. Let's call it what it is - bloody hard work! :)

This isn't a criticism of the unit. Just a clarification on exactly what this unit does under load. 

RevBox Power App 

RevBox have a free app available for Android (IOS soon) that when paired with RevBox Bluetooth sensors gives you stats from the unit such as power (estimated power based on calibrated speed curve with quoted accuracy of -+5W). Along with the stats there's a swag of training features we've come to expect with similar ergo apps.

The app is a nice value add for the unit. Having to buy their specific speed and cadence sensors (NZ$199) and HR strap (NZ$129) is going to be one hurdle too high for some. Especially given the installation of the sensors and magnet isn't all that easy either, requiring a 14(!) image installation guide. 

My thoughts on this? They need to open up the app to allow any Bluetooth sensor. You're already a RevBox customer if you're loading the app. If not, maybe you'll love their app and use it for training. That's a win-win, well close.

BT have allowed more user flexibility with their ergo by supplying ANT+ sensors and USB sticks for use with third party software such as TrainerRoad.

Ideally I'd like to see RevBox take the same path as LeMond and produce a "WattBox" that did all the legwork and sent an ANT+ power figure to whatever app/head unit you liked. This would remove the virtual cuffs and universalise things a little more. User choice is a good thing!

Note: Estimating power based on speed curves means peak power during acceleration may not be within the specified accuracy estimates (-+5W). With strain gauges it's a no-brainer getting peak power values. With speed curves and estimated power, it's a mathematically difficult problem to solve (sensor frequency into play... another rabbit hole).

Support

The team replied to all my queries during this review in no time at all. This might have been a benefit of them being only a short hop over the Tasman Sea in New Zealand. Regardless, two thumps up there. 

Summary 

I see this unit as a training tool with specific application. Be that rehabilitation after accidents and injuries or maximal power low cadence sprints if that's what you need to work on to beef up your cycling. 

If you're looking for an everyday trainer that replicates real-world riding, there are smart trainers packed with technology in the same price bracket that will outperform the RevBox Erg for that task.

As always, let your legs decide and try one yourself.


www: http://www.revbox.co.nz



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Changelog

June/8/2016
- Initial publication.

June/9/2016
- Unit age/usage information added.
- Owner requested this unit be put For Sale, has no use for it ongoing.

July/24/2016
- Unit sold!
- DCRainmaker has a pending review of the RevBox coming...