I've never tried a Kurt Kinetic, but I rode a Blackburn fluid trainer at a local shop. My impression was that its resistance was somehow much "stiffer" than my Cycleops fluid trainer. As a result, it didn't freewheel as well and felt jerky to me. Personally, I wouldn't buy one, based on that test ride. Love my Cycleops and, if you have a Performance Bike store near you, they're blowing them out at $200 (in-store only). DH bought one so that we can train together during the winter