Tacx Virtual Reality Trainers

griffin100

Has anyone got one of the Tacx VR trainers? Am considering getting this one:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=9749

Anyone got any experience of this re. setup; software issues; extras that you need to buy with it; whether its worth the extra money over a standard trainer; etc.

Cheers.

Ryaner

I've the Fortius and have a pretty comprehensive review of it http://blog.stephenryan.ie/2009/09/tacx-t1940-fortius-review/

Overall Turbos are boring but I did find it much better with the video ahead of me. I need something to push me on and having the hills roll ahead def does it.

Haven't used it in the last few months as I've been out on the road more and if you can, you'll get much more benefit from that. Unless you can leave the turbo setup, a hours cycling takes about two hours with cleaning the chain and swapping the wheel etc.

Quigs Snr

I have one but don't use it much preferring to get out on the bike instead. From what I have seen though its pretty damn good and Ryaner picks up a lot of the points in his review.

The real life videos are great. I find the VR terrains to be nice, but don't really go near them much whilst the catalyst Software is great for monitoring your progress over time.

The trainer tyre is a must, regular tyres get destroyed very quickly. I must confess that my trainer tyre which is the same as Ryaner's did not fall apart in the same fashion. Perhaps you have the roller on too tight ? Or perhaps you just produce savage amounts of power !

Setup is a pain. I used to put the bike on, connect the cadence sensor, drag down the laptop, change the wheel and as Ryaner says, make sure the drivetrain is clean (otherwise your walls will get splattered). It used to put me off using the thing.

Nowadays, I have a dedicated desktop PC plugged into the trainer at all times (got a good one cheap on Ebuyer), I also have an older bike permanently on the trainer. This means that if I want to ride, I just go downstairs, press the on switch and off I go. That makes a huge difference.

I have the steering rack for it. Don't bother though, its only useable in the VR Terrains and even at that a slight twitch makes your man do a full 180 turn. Its just a needless distraction. Do get the riser block however though, if there is any slope on the machine you will find it hard to stay seated so the riser is worth it.

Get yourself a couple of standing fans too as you will sweat like crazy and either get one of the bike net covers or just throw a towel on the bike so the salt in your sweat doesn't eat your components.

I did get the HR to work with a cheapo Decathlon HR strap from a 12.99 watch, also a bottom of the range non-coded polar one and finally one of the Bikemate things from Lidl (but not all of these are compatible in Ryaners experience so careful there).

The most important accessory to get is some RLV discs because they are what will keep you interested in the machine.

Finally, software - installation on windows xp is a breeze, Vista, less so and I am having a nightmare getting it to work on Windows 7. Their instructions simply do not work (and you have to trawl their forums for them). Their website is a little poor also. For example there used to be updates for the RLV's. These are now missing etc....

Beasty

I know one or two posters on here are not great fans of the virtual reality courses. I find the steerer that you can buy a waste of time and money, and there are very few courses available. However they do add one element which the videos don't have - the weather. You can choose wind direction (which has a realistic impact on resistance), and whether it is raining or not (which can cause you to crash if going too fast round bends!).

It also introduces a "virtual opponent", which is another on-screen rider who typically goes past you, encouraging you to go faster, and overtake him/her. You will then be overtaken again and this will continue throughout the ride - I find racing the "virtual opponent" a real plus with the VR courses

griffin100

Thanks for all of the quick replies.

I plan to use my second bike on the trainer so the constant swapping shouldn't be an issue.

I need to do something to keep my winter training interesting and this could be the way!!

I might wait until after christmas and see if there are any on sale.

Beasty

griffin100 wrote: »

Thanks for all of the quick replies.

I plan to use my second bike on the trainer so the constant swapping shouldn't be an issue.

I need to do something to keep my winter training interesting and this could be the way!!

I might wait until after christmas and see if there are any on sale.

I leave my Trek hybrid on the Turbo (although that may be going following the recent arrival of the new fixie), so I don't need to worry about changing (I also have a garage, so no damage to decor either)

In terms of where and when to buy, mail order from the UK is normally cheapest. There have been some good weekend offers at CRC recently (10% off), and Slane Cycles in Belfast may be able to do you a good deal (they have a new website, and are offering 5% off orders over £500, although this may be for existing customers - I drop into their shop whenever I am up north, and always get a very good deal, so it may be worth speaking to them directly).

Bear in mind UK VAT goes back up to 17.5% from 1 January, and the 2 retailers I mentioned above may have to increase prices accordingly (as they charge UK VAT on sales to Ireland)

Ryaner

Beasty wrote: »

In terms of where and when to buy, mail order from the UK is normally cheapest. There have been some good weekend offers at CRC recently (10% off), and Slane Cycles in Belfast may be able to do you a good deal (they have a new website, and are offering 5% off orders over £500, although this may be for existing customers - I drop into their shop whenever I am up north, and always get a very good deal, so it may be worth speaking to them directly).

Use code BNA5 to get the 5%. Nice one though. Will be ordering a frame from them shortly

jefferson73

I purchased a Bushido from this crowd in Germany Link, delivered in five days. Fatastic service.
Setup was easy, and as it's wireless storage and regular use are not an issue.
Mostly use the Catalyst software but with regard to RLV these are fantastic and most of all free.:)
Also purchased the TTS 2.0 software and that includes 4 months of multiplayer, ideal for opponents etc.
Use this for downloading GPS profiles and Google earth files, great for TT's from the Tour or Giro, but also has many of the mountain stages, these can be edited to suit if needs be.

Stokolan

Quigs Snr wrote: »

Finally, software - installation on windows xp is a breeze, Vista, less so and I am having a nightmare getting it to work on Windows 7. Their instructions simply do not work (and you have to trawl their forums for them). Their website is a little poor also. For example there used to be updates for the RLV's. These are now missing etc....

I couldnt get it to work with windows 7 so I went back to vista. It seems the fortius software dose not work on 64 bit vista or windows 7. I decided to buy the New software to see if its any better.

sportbilly2008

i bought an i magic in november 08 and still cannot get it to work.i spent a few days initally trying to set it up, then snapped my cadence sensor cable and gave up.tried to sort it out last month, bought a new cadence sensor, updated the driver and finally got it to load properly.ran the system test and there was no response from the pedal movement and the motor brake mechanism.all connections are working.
13 months later and 550 euros lighter it still sits in a corner.i have basically given up on it.