TDF training bike...any good?

[redcard]

So do you pretty much just use it for virtual racing?

I think I read somewhere that you can race against your friends previous rides, so if they're not online you still have competition? I assume therefor that you can also race against your own previous rides?

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

So do you pretty much just use it for virtual racing?

I think I read somewhere that you can race against your friends previous rides, so if they're not online you still have competition? I assume therefor that you can also race against your own previous rides?

I use mine in the same way I would a PlayStation, its entertainment. You can ride against previous rides if you desire, I generally ride against friends or with a pro-team. Have a look on YouTube and you can find a lot of videos showing different functionality

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Have a look at one of the Tacx trainers; http://www.tacx.com/en/products/trainers/i-flow
You will need a powerful computer with a good video card, processor and RAM to run it well.
Even if you need to buy a new computer to run it, it might work out cheaper and have better features. You can use it as a basic ergo trainer with all the data you need plus resistance, or you can do VR rides which looks like a computer game and allows you feel the slope of the hills on the course, steer, and compete against 'bots', previous versions of yourself, and also other real riders whose data you can import. You can create or import rides then do them in Google Earth, including 'street view', again, the electronic braking will read the slope and apply resistance. You can buy tacx DVDs, of Mont Ventoux for example, and watch the route in HD whilst riding against the slope. You can ride against real opponents both live online, or by importing their data to ride against.

As an increasingly fair weather cyclist I found it to be an enjoyable and effective way of training over the past chilly winter.

Ok...I may be in a place where i can look at getting something like this soon. I am confused by their site though. So...I need the roller/turbo gizmo, a laptop (got a powerful one here) a stand and the software and the individual ride dvds or something right???


Let's say money was not a problem...for now..

what individual items would you order if you were me ??

I want to be able to ride my own existing bike inside, wired up to my laptop and ride some cool VR rides in as best quality as poss.

thanks for any help...i tried to figure thisd out but its all new to me and i dont want to make an expensive mistake.