"Turbo Trainers" with computer interface

[David A]

As gadgets are a top priority, I'm wondering what the cheapest "turbo trainer" or equivalent is that you can connect to a pc and ride along with a video i.e. your pace is reflected in the video and/or resistance is affected by the gradient in the vid etc.

Cheers

Dave

p.s. appreciate there's the get out and ride it approach too

[matt-ITR]

Have you thought about just using something like a Sufferfest video?

[David A]

matt-ITR said:

Have you thought about just using something like a Sufferfest video?

Yeah but isn't quite gadgety enough I am suspecting once I find out the price then the next question is going to be "whats the best turbo type trainer to use with the sufferest vids!

Dave

[anonymous-user]

about £500 for the tacx i-magic, their trainers are good and this model has good reviews but i have no first hand knowledge of what the vr bit is like. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
sufferfest is imho far more engaging and satisfying compared to vr stuff

[matt-ITR]

I had an i-magic when they first came out. They might be very different now, but the novelty soon wore off.
Personally I use a Cyclops Powerbeam Pro. Probably way beyond what you are after though.

After turbo trainer with variable resistance will be fine to use with sufferfest. Fan type tend to be noisy, magnetic tend to be a little un-road like. The fluid trainers are probably best, a little more money but depends how often you use it really.

[dangerousB]

My Fortius was about 800 quid (bought it 2 months ago or so).

I haven't used the RLV (video stuff) as yet, but I can say the VR does take the edge off the boredom - setting up virtual opponents or "multiplaying" over the net.

I use the catalyst software a bit more than the VR though - pre set all my interval or TT sessions, jump on and ride logging HR/cadence/output/speed/distance - I can then track progress by checking out the previous weeks session (or last months, etc).

It's certainly no powertap and there's plenty of other options to have a look at for indoor training, but personally, the sessions are consistent and the only variable is me, so there's no hiding from the truth! Added to that there's absolutely no excuse not to train!!

What I must say though, is don't be put off anything like this because of the price . . . do factor in the (rather massive) convenience, especially if you're aiming to rack up heaps of k's during the winter - mine's been worth the purchase price already and winter's barely started.

[Chicken Chaser]

I have a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine with a Pro-Flywheel. Its extra heavy, but it does replicate the road almost perfectly. Its about as close to the real thing as I've found and thats by trying Magnetic trainers, the Cycleops Fluid II and the Kurt. Havent tried the Fortius though.

[option click]

I have the Tacx i-magic too. I only use the real-life videos (RLVs) which I quite enjoy - it certainly helps with the boredom factor.

In contrast to the poster above, I haven't bothered with the VR - it seems a bit clunky and the graphics don't look great.

I managed to get my i-Magic brand new for ~£350. Not sure I'd want to be paying much more for a trainer.

[matt-ITR]

If you want something to replicate the road then the Lemond trainer is supposed to be great but also very loud.
The Kurt looks good too, better compromise between noise and realness perhaps.