Upgrading from Spinning bike to IDT

[Spirog]

So, I've had a spinning bike for a few months and get up 3 or 4 days a week and train for an hour or two. I use the Sufferfest training videos which are addictive.

 

There are a couple of TacX IDT's on offer on the hub.which look quite interesting.

Questions:

1. Would I get a better riding experience on one of these IDT's?

2. I want to use the Sufferfest videos, so what IDT software do I need to integrate?

3. Is it worth the upgrade, or am I just wasting money?

[Skinnyone]

Before splashing on Tacx, have a look here.

 

http://www.thehubsa....aining-cyclops/

 

Every Tuesday and Wednesday night there is a race - better than Sufferfest videos...

 

The guys selling their Tacx machines are doing so because of various issues explained in the thread.

Edited July 15, 2014 by Skinnyone

[Spirog]

Before splashing on Tacx, have a look here.

 

http://www.thehubsa....aining-cyclops/

 

Every Tuesday and Wednesday night there is a race - better than Sufferfest videos...

 

The guys selling their Tacx machines are doing so because of various issues explained in the thread.

I like to train early mornings. I'm not concerned about racing yet (maybe later). Is the actual Cyclops trainer better than the TacX?

[Skinnyone]

The CycleOps Trainer software has a lot less bugs than the Tacx the local back up is quicker, read thru the thread, and even though you may not do the online racing in the evenings you can still challenge the course using a training partner...

 

The software subscription will allow you to download and ride an infinite number of routes worldwide including SA for a nominal fee (R65-150pm). the nice thing is that you don't need to buy the top end PowerBeam to use the software (it has more features - like controlled resistance) you can use a basic CycleOps trainer with a speed/cadence sensor to operate the software...

 

Like I say, read the thread and make up your own mind.

[Spirog]

The CycleOps Trainer software has a lot less bugs than the Tacx the local back up is quicker, read thru the thread, and even though you may not do the online racing in the evenings you can still challenge the course using a training partner...

 

The software subscription will allow you to download and ride an infinite number of routes worldwide including SA for a nominal fee (R65-150pm). the nice thing is that you don't need to buy the top end PowerBeam to use the software (it has more features - like controlled resistance) you can use a basic CycleOps trainer with a speed/cadence sensor to operate the software...

 

Like I say, read the thread and make up your own mind.

Sounds like good advice. Thanks.

[JGR]

The online and software stuff only matters if you get a top end (R10k+) IDT. Normal IDT or Ergo work great with sufferfest. Sufferfest isn't linked to any brand/software and it always your perceived effort - ie it will say 7/10 90 RPM ... Ive recently upgraded to a taxc flow from a regular run of the mill trainer ...although I am a bit jealous of the online racing.Rouxjie is the resident expert and thee are some threads already going

[JGR]

Before splashing on Tacx, have a look here.

 

http://www.thehubsa....aining-cyclops/

 

Every Tuesday and Wednesday night there is a race - better than Sufferfest videos...

 

The guys selling their Tacx machines are doing so because of various issues explained in the thread.

I just bought mine because they upgraded to the new taxc IDT which were been run of special by CWC not because of software ... only the top end use software so it is really dependent on your budget imo

[Skinnyone]

I use my basic CycleOps Fluid2 (R3800) trainer for the online stuff and couldn't even finish Alpe du Huez on Saturday....its frikken tough! The Fluid2 has a steady resistance curve so at 30km/h its giving me +-300W worth of resistance so to ride uphill fast means you pedal harder and the resistance goes up!!!

 

So yes you don't NEED the online stuff but it adds a bit of variety to the pot I have ALWAYS hated IDT cuz its skull numbingly boring but now it at least keeps my attention going.

[Spirog]

I use my basic CycleOps Fluid2 (R3800) trainer for the online stuff and couldn't even finish Alpe du Huez on Saturday....its frikken tough! The Fluid2 has a steady resistance curve so at 30km/h its giving me +-300W worth of resistance so to ride uphill fast means you pedal harder and the resistance goes up!!!

 

So yes you don't NEED the online stuff but it adds a bit of variety to the pot I have ALWAYS hated IDT cuz its skull numbingly boring but now it at least keeps my attention going.

So, basic CycleOps Fluid2 plus my existing iPad or laptop and I'll have all I need?

I've got uncapped ADSL and a bluetooth connection to laptop/iPad - so data is no problem.

 

Do I still need a subscription to their software?

Are their training rides really more fun than Sufferfest?

Is it a much nicer ride than on my spinning bike?

[JGR]

I use my basic CycleOps Fluid2 (R3800) trainer for the online stuff and couldn't even finish Alpe du Huez on Saturday....its frikken tough! The Fluid2 has a steady resistance curve so at 30km/h its giving me +-300W worth of resistance so to ride uphill fast means you pedal harder and the resistance goes up!!!

 

So yes you don't NEED the online stuff but it adds a bit of variety to the pot I have ALWAYS hated IDT cuz its skull numbingly boring but now it at least keeps my attention going.

I was referring directly to using sufferest, as you stated. No software of link to IDT and really good videos.

[Skinnyone]

Yep pretty much! and a speed/cadence sensor, if you use iPad then you will need either a bluetooth speed/cadence sensor or a Wahoo key to plug into the iPad to pick up the ANT+ signal.

 

You will need an active subscription to utilize the software to its fullest potential, if your subscription is not active then all you can do is the workouts. The workouts can be setup (customized) in the software to replicate The Sufferfest viedos as well...But yes as a whole the routes etc can be more entertaining.

 

The CycleOps trainers are very smooth and in many cases better than spinning bikes.

 

Have a look at their website http://virtualtraining.cycleops.com/ and see the possibilities.

[JGR]

Yep pretty much! and a speed/cadence sensor, if you use iPad then you will need either a bluetooth speed/cadence sensor or a Wahoo key to plug into the iPad to pick up the ANT+ signal.

 

You will need an active subscription to utilize the software to its fullest potential, if your subscription is not active then all you can do is the workouts. The workouts can be setup (customized) in the software to replicate The Sufferfest viedos as well...But yes as a whole the routes etc can be more entertaining.

 

The CycleOps trainers are very smooth and in many cases better than spinning bikes.

 

Have a look at their website http://virtualtraining.cycleops.com/ and see the possibilities.

That's interesting - would like to know more about linking sufferfest as it consists of race highlights from various races

[Spirog]

Yep pretty much! and a speed/cadence sensor, if you use iPad then you will need either a bluetooth speed/cadence sensor or a Wahoo key to plug into the iPad to pick up the ANT+ signal.

 

You will need an active subscription to utilize the software to its fullest potential, if your subscription is not active then all you can do is the workouts. The workouts can be setup (customized) in the software to replicate The Sufferfest viedos as well...But yes as a whole the routes etc can be more entertaining.

 

The CycleOps trainers are very smooth and in many cases better than spinning bikes.

 

Have a look at their website http://virtualtraining.cycleops.com/ and see the possibilities.

I've got a speed/cadence sensor and HRM for my Garmin on my bike. Will the laptop/iPad pick this up or do I need the ANT+ key?

[Skinnyone]

The Garmin products will work yes,But you will still need the Wahoo/ANT+ USB dongle.

 

All the requirements for the various options are posted on the website as well.