What Indoor Trainer to get for R7500

[scotty]

My indoor trainer cost R1200, spin for an hour watching Game Of thrones and never bored, HR increases when Daenerys appears.

[ibruegge]

I think my actual bike cost me that and takes me around the Peninsula in 3.5 hours.. :-)

[rouxtjie]

I think my actual bike cost me that and takes me around the Peninsula in 3.5 hours.. :-)

Sure.....these aren't cheap and cheerful tools... BUT if used properly they will be the best investment you can make in your cycling. More so than a new groupset or shiny wheels I can guarantee you that

[Jay_B]

Got to agree with Rouxtjie... Had my cycleops for a few weeks now and havent looked back, I didnt have the extra cash to get the R10k deal so got the JetFluid Pro and it works great, the interface with the virtual training is awesome and I find an hour seesion on the trainer watching google maps and the route profile is really alot of fun and passes time by quickly.

[Dinamic]

Besides that....I wouldn't get one even if it was R7500 or even half of that

 

Top end trainers you looking at Kickr or Powerbeam...

Bit Harsh. I have used tacx since 2005, imagic, Iflow, Genius and bushido. First to accept that the support is poor and that the old fortius software was buggy as hell, but had no problems since the move to TTS3 back in 2010. Run 6 systems and over 20 of my athletes use them without a problem. The real life rides are fun when the rain is coming down and catalyst is great for intervals.

[rouxtjie]

Bit Harsh. I have used tacx since 2005, imagic, Iflow, Genius and bushido. First to accept that the support is poor and that the old fortius software was buggy as hell, but had no problems since the move to TTS3 back in 2010. Run 6 systems and over 20 of my athletes use them without a problem. The real life rides are fun when the rain is coming down and catalyst is great for intervals.

Dead serious

 

I would rather buy a cheapy than go for their top end trainers. Their buggy software is one thing....lack of support the other. Then another which seems to be specific to the bushido is its brake....Lots of reviews and people that own them speak of the brake not being smooth ito ramping...say you go from a 0% gradient to 7% there are reports of the brake kicking in soo hard that you can turn the pedal over even if you are standing on it. They also lock you into their software, so thinking of integrating into other apps won't happen...you are stuck with TTS and its subscriptions. Now lets not forget that you need a very very strong machine to run online racing and virtual environment on for TTS. This is an expense that I am not interested in after spending already a boat load of money, over and above a certain hubber found out you cannot transfer licenses between machines so if you get the spec wrong....it seems the only way is to buy another license. Piss poor imo. Then the magical price point...now you would think with the flaws above they would at least try and be competitive to maintain some sort of footprint in the market but alas....you can get a top end cycleops trainer(powerbeam pro) for the same price as the bushido.

 

We also have a lekker community going with online racing and prizes, banter etc....not a deal breaker but a nice value add that just deals the knock out punch so to speak.

 

I can appreciate the fact the you are willing to deal with bad support and the above mentioned and if it works for you then cool. Me however...can't be bothered spending a cent with them and glad I did my homework before buying one.

 

PS...TACX didn't even make the DC rainmaker list of top trainers to have and he is quite thorough and impartial in his reviews...check it out

 

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/10/2013-trainer-recommendations.html

Edited July 29, 2014 by rouxtjie

[Harryn]

Bit Harsh. I have used tacx since 2005, imagic, Iflow, Genius and bushido. First to accept that the support is poor and that the old fortius software was buggy as hell, but had no problems since the move to TTS3 back in 2010. Run 6 systems and over 20 of my athletes use them without a problem. The real life rides are fun when the rain is coming down and catalyst is great for intervals.

 

True that. But Tacx have shot themselves in the foot by refusing to open their proprietary TTS4 software to enable their customers to race in the virtual community against users of other manufacturers machines, so this greatly reduces the ambit and the possibilities of the Tacx virtual community, and for what?

 

The phenomenal growth of CycleOps proves that Tacx no longer have the market dominance they once held, so they should release the grip they have on everyone's balls, cos its slipping anyway.I like my Tacx for all the reasons you mention, but if I am ever in the market for a new IDT, I would show zero brand loyalty.

 

If they would allow the transmission of power of their hardware to any open source platform, or open TTS 4 somehow to all and sundry, Tacx might become attractive again. I think they should do a re-think on their strategy. And, while they are doing the re-think, it would be good if they thought again about screwing me for 70 Euros once a year for GE and Multiplayer licenses, when i have already shelled out for the whole shebang.

[Dinamic]

Dead serious

 

I would rather buy a cheapy than go for their top end trainers. Their buggy software is one thing....lack of support the other. Then another which seems to be specific to the bushido is its brake....Lots of reviews and people that own them speak of the brake not being smooth ito ramping...say you go from a 0% gradient to 7% there are reports of the brake kicking in soo hard that you can turn the pedal over even if you are standing on it. They also lock you into their software, so thinking of integrating into other apps won't happen...you are stuck with TTS and its subscriptions. Now lets not forget that you need a very very strong machine to run online racing and virtual environment on for TTS. This is an expense that I am not interested in after spending already a boat load of money, over and above a certain hubber found out you cannot transfer licenses between machines so if you get the spec wrong....it seems the only way is to buy another license. Piss poor imo. Then the magical price point...now you would think with the flaws above they would at least try and be competitive to maintain some sort of footprint in the market but alas....you can get a top end cycleops trainer(powerbeam pro) for the same price as the bushido.

 

We also have a lekker community going with online racing and prizes, banter etc....not a deal breaker but a nice value add that just deals the knock out punch so to speak.

 

I can appreciate the fact the you are willing to deal with bad support and the above mentioned and if it works for you then cool. Me however...can't be bothered spending a cent with them and glad I did my homework before buying one.

 

PS...TACX didn't even make the DC rainmaker list of top trainers to have and he is quite thorough and impartial in his reviews...check it out

 

http://www.dcrainmak...mendations.html

Accept that what you say may be valid experiences of some people fortunately not mine, or those of most of the people I know who have used them. I recall dcrainmakers review of the bushido when it came out. "Without question, the Tacx Bushido raises the bar for computerized trainers." His summary of the genius was also as follows When the going is good – it’s really good and works really well. But when it’s not, well…" which I would not disagree with. Again my own personal experience has been that they work well.

[Dinamic]

True that. But Tacx have shot themselves in the foot by refusing to open their proprietary TTS4 software to enable their customers to race in the virtual community against users of other manufacturers machines, so this greatly reduces the ambit and the possibilities of the Tacx virtual community, and for what?

 

The phenomenal growth of CycleOps proves that Tacx no longer have the market dominance they once held, so they should release the grip they have on everyone's balls, cos its slipping anyway.I like my Tacx for all the reasons you mention, but if I am ever in the market for a new IDT, I would show zero brand loyalty.

 

If they would allow the transmission of power of their hardware to any open source platform, or open TTS 4 somehow to all and sundry, Tacx might become attractive again. I think they should do a re-think on their strategy. And, while they are doing the re-think, it would be good if they thought again about screwing me for 70 Euros once a year for GE and Multiplayer licenses, when i have already shelled out for the whole shebang.

Good points, no argument.

[rouxtjie]

Accept that what you say may be valid experiences of some people fortunately not mine, or those of most of the people I know who have used them. I recall dcrainmakers review of the bushido when it came out. "Without question, the Tacx Bushido raises the bar for computerized trainers." His summary of the genius was also as follows When the going is good – it’s really good and works really well. But when it’s not, well…" which I would not disagree with. Again my own personal experience has been that they work well.

Sure but the bushido review was done in 2011, his latest reviews of trainers in 2013 makes special mention that tacx has dropped the ball subsequently, like harryn says, their unwillingness to provide support and closed ecosystem are their biggest downfall...just like they raised the bar in 2011, so have wahoo and cyclops in 2013/2014 making TACX at this point in time irrelevant considering the price point they are playing in...They need to have a long chat with themselves and see where the market is heading. Get proper support system going instead if a forum hit and miss affair and relook their licensing model. Edited July 29, 2014 by rouxtjie

[Andymann]

I can't talk for the Bushido, but the two Vortex (Vortices?) trainers we have are brilliant. The only issue I had with the software is when I upgraded to the latest version which took an age (so that I could use the FTP test functionality), but other then that they are exactly what we need. And I think they are closer to the R7500 budget? The one recommendation I will make for any upper-end IDT is if you can buy a used laptop from a friendly IT guru for around R2k like I did, you can then leave the thing permanently plugged in and you don't have to boot up and connect every time you train - when you drag your ass out of bed at 4am to train, you will look for any excuse not to climb on an IDT.

[Wuzzie]

Tacx flow simple set up in front of a TV with Sufferfest

All the computer hook up stuff is gimmikie and odds are you wont use the technology.

Keep it simple

[rouxtjie]

Tacx flow simple set up in front of a TV with Sufferfest

All the computer hook up stuff is gimmikie and odds are you wont use the technology.

Keep it simple

Sure, if you don't see the potential or most probably don't know how to use the technology I agree...it will seem gimmicky.

[BB30]

Elite-it.com real trainers are by far the best imo. These are what the pros in Europe use. Available from your lbs. Or

enquire at evobikes.

[Dinamic]

I can't talk for the Bushido, but the two Vortex (Vortices?) trainers we have are brilliant. The only issue I had with the software is when I upgraded to the latest version which took an age (so that I could use the FTP test functionality), but other then that they are exactly what we need. And I think they are closer to the R7500 budget? The one recommendation I will make for any upper-end IDT is if you can buy a used laptop from a friendly IT guru for around R2k like I did, you can then leave the thing permanently plugged in and you don't have to boot up and connect every time you train - when you drag your ass out of bed at 4am to train, you will look for any excuse not to climb on an IDT.

Come on Andy when was the last time you were on a turbo at 4:00 AM? Your Mrs yes I agree. LOL

[Ratty]

Anyone know where I can get an attachment so that I can put my tablet on the bike? I am not allowed my training in front of the tv. Would love to be able to watch things on the tablet while training.