Saris Utility

I have been using the magnius trainer for a little under a year. In the beginning everything worked well. Towards the 3rd quarter I started to lose connection with Zwift. To be in the middle of a ride and the system looses its connection to where you must restart and begin your ride all over again. This in my book is except able. I have made sure the firmware is up to date, calibrated, a good internet connection. I’ve used iOS and windows computer system with the same results. I’m still unsure if it’s the communication between the trainer or it’s the communication between Zwift and trainer or my internet connection for which I have added a WiFi extender and checked my WiFi router and it’s connection to the internet. Maybe if the people reviewing the reviews could pass this forward the problem can get fixed. Overall I’m happy with the trainer.

I bought a Saris indoor trainer that included the Saris sensor (cadence/speed), tried to set it up (many times already) with the utility but unfortunately the app does not connect to the sensor neither in cadence nor speed. I give this a 3 star rating because the sensor works with Rouvy… wished this could be different.

I use a CycleOps Magnus trainer. The latest version of this app does not function as smoothly for calibration. I’ve had several calibration attempts fail and hang. (I was also listening to music using Bluetooth headphones connected to my iPhone at the same time. This may have been a factor.) Further, the power measurements after calibration are much higher than before. I have been hot calibrating each virtual ride, so something seems out of whack. I’m not sure the power measurements are trustworthy. To be clear, this behavior started occurring when Saris reduced the required calibration speed from 24 mph to 22. If I could revert to the previous app version I would do so immediately.

I can’t be the only one a little annoyed with the slide bar. Why is (+10) on the decrease-the-power end and (-10) on the increase-the-power end of the “slide bar”. It’s bass-awkwards. Plus it’s not really a slide bar. While it looks like one could put their finger on the button and side it (as the name implies), a person can’t actually do that. So, it’s not actually a slide bar, it’s just a status bar. Which again, runs backwards in relation to the plus and minus buttons. Also, why not more presets in increments of 50 in two columns instead of one-hundred watts going completely across the screen? Such as: 50 | 75 100 | 150 200 | 250 300 | 350 400 | 450 Then you will have a well functioning, end-user oriented, intuitive app. But those are just the options of someone with a visual communication degree. :)

This review is based off of use with Zwift & ERG mode during a workout. Basically the ERG mode can’t keep up. Between cadence and watts the trainer can’t keep up. It takes for ever to adjust and communicate with ZWIFT. Worse off sometimes ERG mode will just stop working for no reason. The only way to combat this is to pause workout, get off the bike, unplug the trainer and then re-pair all my devices..... to say that is not ideal is an under statement.... word to wise if you’re spending $1,000 for a top end model... buy the top mode from the best companies... Saris is not. Selling my trainer when Wahoo comes back in stock.

I can’t say if I am just lucky or if a number of bugs have been recently fixed. But the Saris app has just worked flawlessly both for firmware updates and for calibration. (I have not tried it for ERG mode). I have a Hammer 1 Smart Trainer and am using Bluetooth connected to an older IPad. Embarrassed to say how long I was using the trainer before finding out it needs to be calibrated...

Thanks Saris for keeping up support, especially for older devices. One Q; I have a Hammer and did a FW update / calibration a couple weeks back. I now notice /feel compared to before the FW update, my in game (Zwift) output has changed - slightly dropped off. I feel like it’s more spin and less Wattage now. I changed nothing in Zwift. Only did the FW update and a post-FW calibration in the Saris app. Anything to this?

Overall, the app does what you need. Calibrates and performs basic erg mode control of your trainer. The UI is functional, but not pretty. Some ability to co trim the erg mode settings for when you need to would be nice. I would love to be able to set buttons for 350, 275w etc beyond just using the built in numbers and +/- 10w.

Love the app but one request. With the latest update, every time you open the app it resets to 50 watts. This has become annoying when I’m trying to build my wattage during a spin class and I switch back and forth between the two apps.

If you need to update the firmware of your older hammer trainer as I did, this works great. Simple to use and does the job in a couple of minutes. No issues what so ever Have not tried the calibration feature yet. Just FYI

Could you make the text bigger that shows the speed during the calibration, it is really small and when you are pedaling during the calibration it can be hard to read. Besides that the app has worked very well for me. Thanks.

Just installed the latest firmware and recalibrated my Hammer2 5 times and still watts are way too low when peddling with hard effort. Not the first time this has happened and makes me regret buying a Hammer from Cycleops. Thinking of just giving in and buying a Wahoo Kickr to avoid all this frustration, including ERG mode shutting off my trainer in workouts by putting it in sleep mode.

When opening the app it jumps to setting and I can only stop it by changing the location. Also with the latest update the watts go back to 50 if I check the app and I have to set it back to what I was doing before.

Latest update has everything working like it should. I believe it must have an issue with my iPhone 11 and it’s Bluetooth.

This app is an easy way to pair up with your trainer a control a few basics. I would like for this app to have more options to do a quick workout and see all performance metrics.

Sometimes I have to restart the app several times to get it to connect correctly. It eventually works.

App works fine. I’ve been using it for around a year now. Pretty sure all the one star reviewers are useless with technology. Pairs up with my trainer, calibration and firmware updates are pretty easy.

There seems to be notable lag time between when a resistance increase occurs and when it should occur. I also observe what appear to be incorrect resistance levels, completely out of synchronization with Zwift. I’ll try to calibrate. Thanks.

If you stick to the supported equipment, works flawlessly. Based on other reviews, most issues are due to user error or misunderstanding the purpose of the app. Thanks Saris!

After returning a faulty trainer unit to my LBS, my new direct drive is linked with the app. I was able to calibrate it and update the firmware. It would be great to have a feature that shows a dashboard with power, cadence, mph, and elapsed time.

Easy to update and use erg mode on trainer. However can’t have my garmin watch connected to trainer at same time or app does not find trainer and does not work. Using H2.

The Saris H3 trainer has recently suffered from an inability to maintain stable bluetooth pairings with Zwift and other apps. Saris Support has been unresponsive to voluminous customer complaints. If you would like to own a $1000 paperweight, then the H3 is for you; otherwise would advise that you consider other trainer brands. For further information, check out “Bugs and Support” threads in Zwift forums.

Been using magnus for zwift and everything was fine until the latest update- erg mode disappeared! I can toggle it so it should be working but i have to consciously maintain my power with cadence and gear now vs having it done for me. Please address this zwiftly.

I would rate a 5 except I have to stop to calibrate even though I did that at end of last ride. Seems I spend a lot of time stopping to recalibrate.

I previously left a review stating that the app didn’t work. Since 1.0.58 was released I am happy to say I can now calibrate my H3.

Some time in the last year Saris’s app stopped supporting the Cycleops Powerbeam Pro smart trainer. Owners can no longer calibrate their trainers for Zwift or RGT. The developers should make available the legacy app to allow us to continue using our trainers.

Very easy to use. The calibration process is quick.

The current and target watts number disappeared from the screen. Cadence still appears. I contacted Saris support weeks ago but still no response. I even followed up but still no reply. Come on, how busy could they be?

Software is been working up untill today. What happened?? Can’t select trainer. Works fine in zwift... with Quarq pm and magnus controllable .

App worked great. Now it kind my Hammer after latest update. Very irritating. I cannot calibrate trainer. Cmon. You guys heard of Beta testing? Or Is release beta testing? After spending so much $$ on this trainer you’d think this would’ve been thought through.

Please add cadence and heart rate options. Please make the adjustment buttons for increasing or decreasing watts bigger or customizable presets so it’s easier to do during a workout.

This app does OK calibrating and updating firmware, but with ALL that screen real estate available, why oh WHY are you using an 8 pt font?!? UI design 101 guys....

This has to be one of the most unstable and generic apps available. Pretty disappointed. I don’t know if it is updating the firmware on my trainer or froze up. Close and open the app ti try again with different results. Junk.

After only two uses I am unable to connect to my Saris M2 trainer. This results in me being unable to recalibrate or update the unit. Very disappointed in both the app and the product

New trainer is now home and overall pretty disappointed with instructions and how the trainer spike power to the point it’s not usable

A smart trainer that costs $1,000 yet an app that looks like a middle school intern made it. you seriously need to get on Wahoos level of interface design. This app is basic and clunky.

While trying to update the firmware on my Magnus , it hangs at “accessing control point”. Any ideas? -Matt

My M2 smart trainer has developed Bluetooth connectivity issues. It won’t stay connected long enough for calibration to complete.

Using an H3. I can find my trainer, update firmware, and use ERG mode, but nothing else. Pics show the expected mph and other live data, but other than watts in ERG mode, there is nothing. It doesn’t look like the screenshots.

I use the trainer with ZWIFT, Rouvy, and other apps. However, the Saris app will not find sensor. Have tried installing multiple times with no change. Very disappointing.

Very disappointed I wish I never bought this trainer. I can’t get it to calibrate properly because the app doesn’t recognize the trainer.

This app makes it easier perform calibration.

Keep the good work!

Constantly dropping connection on Zwift. Paid too much money for this kind of issue. Very disappointed.

The trainer works well, but the app is mostly useless. The wahoo app is much more useful. Hopefully there will be some new features added soon.

Nope. Even after latest update, it still lists my H3, but won’t connect. All other apps connect to H3 just fine.

The app doesn’t see my H3 trainer, still trying to figure it out. Works for Zwift on the same phone the app is on...

Did a couple updates of firmware, but for over a year no Bluetooth connection. I did upgrade to iPhone 11?

My Joule down button has gone dead so I cannot change gears! I assumed this might help but it doesn’t solve the issue. Won’t connect.

Product won’t work - blue tooth doesn’t see the sensor. Tried to update software, tried to reach out for support. This is my Christmas gift and I’m super bummed that I can’t get it to work.