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Gymrail Momentum X1 aims to provide the most realistic indoor cycling experience possible. Unlike traditional rocker plates, it offers 4-dimensional movement. So naturally, when Gymrail contacted me to ask if I was interested in testing it, I couldn’t resist.
But that doesn’t mean I will hold back in my review of it. In my first email, I assured Gymrail that I reserve the right to write the good, the bad, and the ugly. So, how did it turn out?
KEY TAKEAWAY
I tested the Gymrail Momentum X1 for about 4 weeks during normal riding and Zwift Racing League races. Compared to a 2-dimensional rocker plate, it provides a more realistic ride feel close to the outdoors. MX1 is well-made and improves the overall riding experience by reducing saddle discomfort and increasing engagement. But you have to use it correctly.
On the other hand, its high price makes it more of a product for enthusiasts and professionals. At the same time, I have not been able to verify some of Gymrail’s bold claims, such as that the MX1 helps improve the pedaling technique. Continue reading the entire review for more info.
Gymrail Momentum X1 Summary
Here is a quick summary of the pros and cons of Gymrail Momentum X1 I found during testing.
Gymrail Momentum X1 Pros
4-dimensional movement makes riding more comfortable and engaging
Excellent build quality
Compatible with most trainers and bikes
Multiple levels of tilt
Multiple levels of side-to-side movement resistance springs
Gymrail Momentum X1 Cons
Requires dedicated training area
Claims about improved pedaling technique, higher power output, or improved core strength are not backed with data
The rear end swings too much from side to side when using soft springs and sprinting
High price
Unboxing and Setup
My very first impression of Gymrail was that the box was quite heavy. It weighed around 30 kg, so some of the shots from my unboxing gave me a hard time. See the following video. I recommend turning on the sound and watching till the end.
I won’t go into the details of how to assemble Gymrail here. They have a detailed video on that, and many steps are intuitive. I will only highlight the quality of workmanship and clever packaging so that the whole Gymrail now fits into one box (and not two, as was necessary before).
However, I encountered one shortcoming. When securing the legs, I found that I couldn’t screw a screw into one leg because it didn’t have a thread. However, I solved this issue by turning it around thanks to its double-sided design.
This is not a dealbreaker, but issues like this should not happen with such an expensive product. I had to loosen one whole side of the front of the Gymrail.
My Experience with Momentum X1
Naturally, I couldn’t wait to try the Gymrail in action for the first time. Getting on the bike was unusual as it was about 11 cm higher than usual. It also feels a bit unstable due to the movements in several axes. But you learn to trust it, as the front fork is firmly seated in the front end of the MX1.
My first ride was a taster. I didn’t even change into cycling clothes because I was in a hurry. I was surprised by the movement in all directions. The next day, I had time for a proper test ride when I rode a preparation race with my teammates.
Let me tell you, it was quite a ride. My legs were completely wooden from the gym and lacked recovery, so I didn’t use the Momentum X1 to its full potential. It was much more fun to ride than the fixed trainer, though. Fixed trainers result in the saddle acting essentially like sandpaper that your butt is rubbing against. However, the saddle moves slightly from side to side when riding outdoors, which means less discomfort.
That’s why rocker plates are so popular. Except for the added engagement, they also improve riding comfort. However, if you have a bad saddle or bike fit, a rocker plate won’t solve this. So, don’t have unrealistic expectations.
But back to the race. So, what was my overall impression of the ride? When riding from the saddle, you must use your arms more to compensate for the bike’s movement. Otherwise, the handlebars are fidgety and tend to twist.
I also noticed that the rear end allows for quite a lot of tilt. I wasn’t entirely comfortable with that, so I adjusted it by moving those “dampers” more outward. This made the platform tilt less and the ride more natural on subsequent rides. But I will talk more about this later.
While gathering information for the review, I also came across this video where Gymrail claims that the Momentum X1 will:
strengthens core muscles
improves pedaling technique
allows you to push more power
These are bold claims, and I would like to see detailed research or data on them. You indeed need to balance more on the MX1 than on a static trainer, so in theory, the first statement should be true.
However, what I’m not so sure about are the other two claims. I’ve spoken to a professional bike fitter, and according to him, bike rollers are by far the best for improving pedaling technique.
Does Riding GymRail Momentum X1 Affect Power Output?
Regarding the power output, I haven’t noticed that it has increased or decreased significantly (observed mainly based on my previous race results). Unfortunately, I haven’t yet figured out how to test this to make the data more meaningful. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
How to Use GymRail Momentum X1 the ‘Right Way’?
Remember when I wrote about the platform starting to move from side to side during sprints? This is not something that would be useful in longer sprints because once you lose sync, it’s challenging to push high watts. I notice this even as a climber who can’t get over 1000W peak power.
That’s why I’ve tried several settings and styles of sprints. I also tried soft and medium springs. Sprinting was better with the medium (orange) ones. By the way, be careful when replacing them. The whole system is loaded, so the wheel can shoot out as soon as you unlock the Seeger ring. That’s why it’s a good idea to do a two-man swap, with one person holding the wheel so it doesn’t shoot out.
I also contacted GymRail to ask what they think is the best setting. GymRail advised to play around with different positions of the dampeners. The logic is as follows:
When the dampers are far apart, the side-to-side tilt is stiff, and it will increase lateral movement.
When the damper rubbers are closer together, the tilt stiffness is softer, and it can also reduce lateral movement and “wobble.”
Based on these recommendations, I tried different settings. The medium springs with spring dampeners and the platform dampeners closer together, while having soft springs without dampeners in the front, fit me best. Here is a short clip from my Legsnapper sprint:
Remember also to compensate your trainer’s flywheel weight. For example, my KICKR v5 has a flywheel on the left side, so I moved the left platform dampeners a few millimeters out to make the tilt to the left harder.
My Verdict
After riding on Gymrail Momentum X1 for about 4 weeks and comparing it to other solutions, I can say this is the best and most sophisticated solution I’ve tried. It improves my riding comfort and makes the ride more realistic and fun.
However, it has some flaws. When using soft springs, the rear end starts to swing from side to side too much when sprinting. This is not ideal if you want to push the highest watts. Therefore, depending on your weight, I recommend buying the medium or hard springs and experimenting with the dampener settings.
The elephant in the room is also the price. But it really depends on which solution you compare it to. For example, the Saris MP1 Nfinity rocker plate costs $949.99 but only offers two-axis movement. Trainers with integrated forward motion, such as the Wahoo KICKR MOVE or Tacx NEO 3M, are about $500 more expensive than trainers without them. However, their movement is limited.
Considering the price, the quality delivered, and the function of Momentum X1, I think the price is reasonable. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.
Gymrail FAQ
The product for this review was kindly provided by the manufacturer. This did not influence my overall verdict or my opinion about the product.