What turbo trainer?

[boybiker]

I'm after some help getting a turbo trainer. I want one which can display and record my heart rate, cadence , power output etc. I have seen ones which record onto a laptop I like the idea so I can track my progress as well as see power output / hr during a training session. Some of them allow you to put your own routes onto the turbo trainer or follow a famous route. Is this a good way to keep your turbo training varied through the winter months?

There seems to be so many products on the market all doing slightly different things can anyone give me some real world experience / advice on what one to go for?

Cheers .

 

[oldfatfool]

If you have the ££ then I would recommend a VR trainer, had the Tacx Fortius for 18 month now and use it daily when not out on the road.

 

[400bhp]

I spent quite a while looking for one and in the end went with the Elite Qubo Digital Wireless Trainer I wanted something that gave a reasonably accurate power reading (at least a consistent reading) and, importantly, one that I could train at a particular power level.

I waited about 2 months for them to come in stock and luckily managed to get a reconditioned unit from Wiggle at a good price.

Very happy with it.

 

[boybiker]

If you have the ££ then I would recommend a VR trainer, had the Tacx Fortius for 18 month now and use it daily when not out on the road.

I did look at the fortius but it's not compatible with 64 bit operating systems. I would have to put another hard drive in the laptop and dual boot however I do like the idea of using goggle maps to be able to do a race routes without actually going their before which is not always possible. Just found it a little confusing what hr monitors and cadence sensors etc were compatible with the system.

I spent quite a while looking for one and in the end went with the Elite Qubo Digital Wireless Trainer I wanted something that gave a reasonably accurate power reading (at least a consistent reading) and, importantly, one that I could train at a particular power level.

Thanks I will have a look into that one .

 

[oldfatfool]

I did look at the fortius but it's not compatible with 64 bit operating systems. I would have to put another hard drive in the laptop and dual boot however I do like the idea of using goggle maps to be able to do a race routes without actually going their before which is not always possible. Just found it a little confusing what hr monitors and cadence sensors etc were compatible with the system.



.

Depends which version you buy, the old pre 2010 software tts1.x, and 2.x with the green controller won't work, the blue controller and tts 3.x and tts 4.x work fine, mine is on 64 bit no problems.

 

[Rob3rt]

Kurt Kinetic and an ANT+ stick for use with a Garmin!

 

[HLaB]

I spend your money on a garmin or other gps and some sort of power hub, that you can enjoy on all rides of the bike not just the turbo trainer.

 

[boybiker]

Depends which version you buy, the old pre 2010 software tts1.x, and 2.x with the green controller won't work, the blue controller and tts 3.x and tts 4.x work fine, mine is on 64 bit no problems.

All the packages seem to come with the blue controller but must be bundled with the old software ? They all state they wont run on 64 bit. I cant see them giving a free upgrade so will have to see how much the newer software is to buy?

 

[oldfatfool]

Just had a look at mine, the software is tts 3.5 (that upgrades free of charge to 3.xx, though doing so looses free google maps interactive as this now needs a license) The spec on the software is windows xp sp3, vista sp2 or windows 7. the only proviso is that the i-magic 1902 controller only works in 32 bit, my controller is the Fortius T1932

I see whinstanleys is flogging the unit at <£600, I would be tempted to take a punt and see what turns up, Worst comes to worst a new t1932 is around £150 and ts4 is around £100, t3 £70

OR avoid the risk and get a discounted Genius at £800 http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/TRTAIGENM/tacx_i_genius_multiplayer_vr_trainer

 

[boybiker]

Cheers for the input everyone .


I saw the Genius for £850 here with TTS4 advance and the race licences for a year etc. I think I will go for that package as I know what I'm getting and dont really want the hassle of sending it back. It will be on hold for a bit now anyway as I got knocked off my bike on Wednesday on the commute home so I need to see how badly damaged the bike is when I'm feeling better.

 

[jdtate101]

Or.....you could get some rollers like the Real E-Motion:

http://www.elite-it.com/real-e-motion/

Which allow for power readings and resistance.....