New smart trainer from Australia - testing the new JetBlack Whisperdrive

Jet Black is an Australian manufacturer and dealer with its own model range. However, the term "Whisperdrive" is misleading. Even at medium speeds, the noise level is comparatively high. At high speeds, a low rumble is added to the loud whirring noise. The ride feel of the trainer, on the other hand, is fine. The brakes are rather gentle but effective.

>> 38 smart trainers in the test: everything about roller training

However, the associated app proved to be a buzzkill and ran hacky on a Samsung S7 smartphone running Android. Calibration caused numerous crashes and only worked on the umpteenth attempt. After that, the performance values were displayed comparatively accurately and invited users to explore the app's extensive training library. The device does not require a power supply; the energy is drawn from the calf power. A USB charging socket can charge small devices during training. On Zwift, the trainer followed the terrain with a delay of around three seconds.

Technical data of the JetBlack Whisperdrive

• Price: 999,50 Euro
• Weight: 17.9 kilogrammes
• Footprint W x L: 62 x 56 cm
• Storage dimensions W x L x H: 30 x 62 x 65 cm
• Max. power: 2,500 watts
• max. gradient: 16 per cent
• Volume at 27/40/66 km/h: 54/64/76 decibels
• Average deviation: 3 watts

Test summary of the JetBlack Whisperdrive

• PLUS: Accurate power display
• MINUS: choppy calibration, loud

How Tour tests roller trainers

We used all the devices in a normally furnished living room measuring just under 20 square metres. Firstly, the manufacturer-specific app was set up on a Samsung S7 running Android, if available, and the trainer's firmware was updated to the latest version. A calibration ride ("spindown") was then carried out using the app after warming up. We used the app in ergometer mode with Bluetooth to complete an interval programme. We also checked the accuracy of the power display.

An SRM system was used as a reference, which in turn was synchronised with other power meters. We limited ourselves to endurance performances in the range of 150 to 350 watts and also tested the control speed of the trainers during power jumps in interval mode.

Finally, we completed various courses on Zwift and tested the response behaviour of the brakes - the reaction time to changes in terrain - and evaluated the ride feel. We used ANT+ as the connection to the PC. The sound level was measured at a distance of one metre from the device at three speeds: 27, 40 and 66 km/h; at pedalling frequencies between 90 and 120 rpm. It should be noted that the sound level has a logarithmic scale. An increase of 10 decibels corresponds to a doubling of the perceived volume. Low frequencies are not adequately recorded by the level measurement, which is why we also describe these in the text.