wattbikes at virgin - fitness test

[LeoKnight]

Do these bikes require to be re-calibrated, or do you guys know if they at least get serviced?   I use the one near Cape Gate (which have 3 of these bikes), generally I try and use the same one, but curious if there are could be differences in the measurement of the Watts?

[HBO]

Do these bikes require to be re-calibrated, or do you guys know if they at least get serviced?   I use the one near Cape Gate (which have 3 of these bikes), generally I try and use the same one, but curious if there are could be differences in the measurement of the Watts?

I assume it needs to be re-calibrated/ services often. I once exercise on a watt bike at VA and the watts was much lower at the same cadence and resistance levels I usually trained at. I brought it under the attention of management and the next time I trained on it, it was fine again. 

[Gravity]

I am getting back into cycling after a longish time off - 

getting unfit is fun while you are smashing pizza's and beers....getting fit again not so fun.

 

The wattbikes really are awesome - i did the 20 min test (after a 10 min warmup) and seriously it DESTROYED me. By the time i was in the last 5 minutes it was like time was frozen, my legs were so broken that i was all over the place (if i was on a real bike I WOULD HAVE CRASHED)

 

I am not going to post the results coz its just too embarrassing.

 

But jeez let me tell you that 20 min test certainly holds a mirror out for you to see the current state of your fitness. 

[dave303e]

take virgin active wattbikes with a pinch of salt, have had power hour averages of 110w and 250w in the last 2 weeks and both sessions felt like same intensity, the bikes aren't being maintained properly so its luck of the draw...

[allez]

Do these bikes require to be re-calibrated, or do you guys know if they at least get serviced?   I use the one near Cape Gate (which have 3 of these bikes), generally I try and use the same one, but curious if there are could be differences in the measurement of the Watts?

I used to use the ones at Cape Gate but not anymore. There is a hot spot with no sufficient cooling, and all three give different power readings on level 1 at 90 cadence. I have complained, with no feedback, and I gave up. Can't train like that. I rather use the power meter on my bike.

[Cheese]

I transferred my VA membership to the new VA Collection at Menlyn Maine and it's worth every sent.

 

There actually is a Wattbike studio and a normal spinning studio and then about 8 other Wattbikes not in the studio.

 

the normal VA at Menlyn is getting way to crowded.

What is the difference in costs

[HBO]

What is the difference in costs

R 2 100 for me and my wife, this with Discovery discount.

[LeoKnight]

I used to use the ones at Cape Gate but not anymore. There is a hot spot with no sufficient cooling, and all three give different power readings on level 1 at 90 cadence. I have complained, with no feedback, and I gave up. Can't train like that. I rather use the power meter on my bike.

 

That was my feel too, that the there was a bit of different feel between the 3, but as not sure if it was just in my mind (or rather legs).  

[allez]

That was my feel too, that the there was a bit of different feel between the 3, but as not sure if it was just in my mind (or rather legs).  

 

Neighter, its the bikes   

Maybe you should complain as well. 

['Dale]

take virgin active wattbikes with a pinch of salt, have had power hour averages of 110w and 250w in the last 2 weeks and both sessions felt like same intensity, the bikes aren't being maintained properly so its luck of the draw...

 

 

That's a big discrepancy 

Yoh

[EmptyB]

I've had nothing but major discrepancies on the watt bikes for exact same routines/workouts.

 

Do the same workout on a wahoo kickr and it's very consistent...don't even hop onto the watt bikes anymore!

[dave303e]

That's a big discrepancy 

Yoh

 

I do love the wattbikes, but I think the VA ones are just over used and abused, always have to scrounge around for a working in sound order one...

[LeoKnight]

Neighter, its the bikes   

Maybe you should complain as well. 

 

Just sent the mail, will not hold my breath, but maybe we are lucky

[allez]

Just sent the mail, will not hold my breath, but maybe we are lucky

 

Good luck. I complained to the staff and manager a few times. Some of the staff didnt know what the wattbike was.

[LeoKnight]

Got a call from VA Cape Gate, seems the bikes do get serviced (mechanical service, where they look at the chain, fan, etc), and if need be TechnoGym also sorts out stuff like screens that are not working.  

 

With regards to the question on calibration, seems that they do not do that, but they will follow up on that.  

 

If you do pick up something, it might just be best to pop them an email with the concerns you have (and they did get back to me in less than 2.5 working days)

 

Thing to note, I doubt those bikes were designed to be used as much as they are (I might be wrong).  

 

I used to use the ones at Cape Gate but not anymore. There is a hot spot with no sufficient cooling, and all three give different power readings on level 1 at 90 cadence. I have complained, with no feedback, and I gave up. Can't train like that. I rather use the power meter on my bike.

[mecheng89]

Went to my local VA and lo and behold, the one Wattbike decided to give an error - sensors not found. After several attempts it refused to work, so I hit the showers (at 5:20  ), got a smoothie and swore under my breath. Luckily when I went back at 5:30(pm), the bike was fixed. 

 

Best thing I've done for my training is starting on the Wattbike. No complaints yet about numbers differing between machines and/or workouts on the same machine.