https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/11/wattbike-atom-in-depth-review.html
Ok my ten pence worth... a little long but maybe interesting for some.
He draws similar conclusions to the ones I have found in my relatively limited experiences.
In short, the Atom isn’t really ready for zwift unfortunately... Definitely not for racing type efforts I.e quick, sometimes multiple shifting. I don’t agree with DCrainmaker in that the shifter button does make a clear clicking action (He describes it as spongy and hard to discern), but the shifting is delayed by a second or two. And this is compounded by the fact there is no gear ratio indicator on th zwift screen as I mentioned earlier.
On zwift earlier I found myself spinning out widely at times. From putting out 300/350w and going at 90/100 rpm. I would suddenly find myself spinning out, hitting 140/150 rpm struggling frantically to make up watts trying to find the correct gear. It’s hard to judge and very easy to overcompensate, so a few seconds later you’ll find yourself grinding like mad as you’ve unfortunately hit an incline just as you realise you’re now in a very small gear. Again there’s no indicator to allow you to judge this properly.
There are positives. The unit itself is excellent. That’s my opinion and his. Very well built. Out of the saddle efforts feel good as the unit is rock solid and planted to the ground. I’m loving the bars and iPad holder. I’m very comfortable in my position and the fit is very good. It’s also much much quieter than the BKOOL pro. My missus can’t hear it from the ground floor at all. This is because as well as being quieter it also doesn’t send out the same vibration levels that used to really reverberate through the wooden struts of our old Victorian house. This is a massive plus for me as it means I am now permanently set up in my own dedicated space without the worry and stress of disturbing my family.
I’m very hopeful the zwift issues can be solved as I think both parties must be very motivated to solve the issues. Zwift must know that atom users will soon make up a large number of their potential users. And Wattbike must know any potential customer will expect to be able to use what is the most popular training platform. I’m going to persevere. It’s ticking too many boxes for me to abandon ship. If they don’t iron the wrinkles then I’d probably consider selling and buying a future equivilant such as whatever The competition bring out in s year or so time.
For now it probably means no zwift for me I think. Maybe traineroad. BigringVR. and possibly even BKOOL for my racing fix. Time will tell.