Dgas Posted January 8, 2014 Share Recently I bought a Tacx I Vortex trainer. ( I had a Tacx Fortius for a few years). - had anybody got a I Vortex ?- what is your opinion on it?- do you think that the wattage displayed is realistic?- when going downhill I get some ridiculously high speeds displayed, do you also get that?- what watts do you ride at in the mountains?- I have downloaded 2 of their videos which videos do you have?- for training I use the videos, what do you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatek Posted January 8, 2014 Share I have the I-flow. I think its better than normal trainers assuming you do your FTP test on the trainer and training with power. Tacx calculate the downhill speed that's why it is so high. I have the following software:•Col du Tourmalet 2010 •Training with Cadel Evans •Training with Milram - Switzerland •Training with Rabobank 2010 - Spain •Training with the Schlecks - Luxembourg •Argus •Honister Pass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomo Posted January 8, 2014 Share - for training I use the videos, what do you use? I find using Catalyst (this may be outdated ito of the new trainer models) to be more beneficial.You can design the session according to your needs (intervals, recoveries etc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkie 2 Posted January 8, 2014 Share I had a I magic and just always changed the resistance myself to ensure I do all my intervals at the right wattage....made me strong as hell! I have sold my trainer and I do regret it, it's the best possible training as all your measurable parameters remain the same everytime. It takes commitment though to remain motivated to train Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rouxtjie Posted January 8, 2014 Share Wish I had the moola at the moment for a turbo trainer, tossup between...pro's and con's for each Tacx BushidoTacx VortexWahoo kickrCycleops Powerbeam Pro with Joule Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marq001 Posted January 8, 2014 Share Im keen to follow this topic, would really like to find out if it is all worth it. gpcar and Big Wheel Cycles 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rouxtjie Posted January 8, 2014 Share Im keen to follow this topic, would really like to find out if it is all worth it. mmmmm worth it I would say sure....but its depends on what you put in. Its not like a new set of wheels or frame where you will feel the difference immediately. These advanced turbo trainers give you access to two things FTP number(the magic number you will use in power training)Power to weight ratio....the holy grail ito performance measurement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dgas Posted January 8, 2014 Share I have downloaded - Les Calanche Di Piana- Cote de Puget I have been riding the Cote de Puget video for the last 2 weeks, my legs are dying. I hear what you are saying about using Catalyst but sitting on the training bike for a hour a day is bad enough, at least with the video's there is something to look at. With catalyst there is just a graph. How many hours a week do you ride on the trainer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andymann Posted January 8, 2014 Share Recently I bought a Tacx I Vortex trainer. ( I had a Tacx Fortius for a few years). - had anybody got a I Vortex ?- what is your opinion on it?- do you think that the wattage displayed is realistic?- when going downhill I get some ridiculously high speeds displayed, do you also get that?- what watts do you ride at in the mountains?- I have downloaded 2 of their videos which videos do you have?- for training I use the videos, what do you use?We use Vortex trainers for testing - they seem fine, although we haven't connected them up to the PC yet.I wouldn't really concern myself about the accuracy of the Watts - the most important thing, is to try and do all your power training under constant conditions on the same trainer. So if you do your FTP test on your Vortex, and your value is 200W, then you train at 200W on that specific trainer. The problem with realistic values comes in when boys will be boys and we all try and compare our max power output - then my 200 Vortex Watts will not be the same as your 200 Cyclops Watts for example. mrbaker 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dgas Posted January 8, 2014 Share mmmmm worth it I would say sure....but its depends on what you put in. Its not like a new set of wheels or frame where you will feel the difference immediately. These advanced turbo trainers give you access to two things FTP number(the magic number you will use in power training)Power to weight ratio....the holy grail ito performance measurement Stupid question what is a FTP number?I use mine quite a lot, had the Tacx Fortius before the Vortex. I live in Four Ways area in JHB, no chance of riding on the local roads, the only option is the Cradle on the weekends or Kyalami during the week. I have ridden both so many times it's almost as bad as sitting on a trainer. Kyalami is actually worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rouxtjie Posted January 8, 2014 Share We use Vortex trainers for testing - they seem fine, although we haven't connected them up to the PC yet.I wouldn't really concern myself about the accuracy of the Watts - the most important thing, is to try and do all your power training under constant conditions on the same trainer. So if you do your FTP test on your Vortex, and your value is 200W, then you train at 200W on that specific trainer. The problem with realistic values comes in when boys will be boys and we all try and compare our max power output - then my 200 Vortex Watts will not be the same as your 200 Cyclops Watts for example.Yea with powermeters it seems there is sliding scale between price vs accuracy & consistancy Accurate and consistant...SRM as an example....big $$$$Not 100%(damn close though) accurate but consistant....turbotrainer...mid range $Neither accurate nor consistant...Strava's calculated power...free Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andymann Posted January 8, 2014 Share mmmmm worth it I would say sure....but its depends on what you put in. Its not like a new set of wheels or frame where you will feel the difference immediately. These advanced turbo trainers give you access to two things FTP number(the magic number you will use in power training)Power to weight ratio....the holy grail ito performance measurementCouldn't agree more - Power to weight is the most important thing we strive for - my wife's FTP of 250W seems pretty measly compared to my 290W. But her power to weight ratio of 4.2W/kg absolutely destroys my 3.6W/kg rouxtjie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rouxtjie Posted January 8, 2014 Share Stupid question what is a FTP number?I use mine quite a lot, had the Tacx Fortius before the Vortex. I live in Four Ways area in JHB, no chance of riding on the local roads, the only option is the Cradle on the weekends or Kyalami during the week. I have ridden both so many times it's almost as bad as sitting on a trainer. Kyalami is actually worse.Functional Threshold Power...its a big word for how much you can hurt for 20min(avg watts of 20min period) or like some put it your 60 min TT avg power less 5%-7% . You have to do a FTP test to determine said number....plenty online. That is the base number that determines your power zones for training. Very very very cool number to have...for training purposes of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newboy Posted January 8, 2014 Share Wish I had the moola at the moment for a turbo trainer, tossup between...pro's and con's for each Tacx BushidoTacx VortexWahoo kickrCycleops Powerbeam Pro with Joule I have a Cycleops Powerbeam Pro. I used to use it with the Joule but the new iPad interface is the best thing ever. You can free ride (set your own wattage), build your own interval session before hand and you can download some virtual reality rides. All you need is the Ant+ dongle to plug into your iPad. The Cycleops agents are also amazing to deal with, they sort out any issue very quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rouxtjie Posted January 8, 2014 Share Couldn't agree more - Power to weight is the most important thing we strive for - my wife's FTP of 250W seems pretty measly compared to my 290W. But her power to weight ratio of 4.2W/kg absolutely destroys my 3.6W/kgBoom!!! and that it why its the holy grail....eat less(carry less weight).....train more(up your Watts). All that cycling really is, is moving X weight from Point A to B edit.....feck...4.2W/kg...koot, you have a strong lady there. Edited January 8, 2014 by rouxtjie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rouxtjie Posted January 8, 2014 Share I have a Cycleops Powerbeam Pro. I used to use it with the Joule but the new iPad interface is the best thing ever. You can free ride (set your own wattage), build your own interval session before hand and you can download some virtual reality rides. All you need is the Ant+ dongle to plug into your iPad. The Cycleops agents are also amazing to deal with, they sort out any issue very quickly.I am seriously considering the cyclops powerbeam with joule....their headunit seems to be a cut above the rest. Its just that they are moer expensive. But hey, in for a penny, in for a pound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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