Tracx VR Turbo etc

[333]

Hi all

I'm in the market for a turbo trainer and want to make it as less boring as possible during hard sessions, I've been reading about these VR turbo trainers specifically the Tracx ones and the BKOOL.

I really like the look of the Tracx VR model (although I think this model is quite old now? if so what was its replacement) has anyone got one if so what model and is it worth the investment?

I assume to use one you need:

Laptop / PC
Internet
TV / LCD

How do you view your VR rides? Plug the laptop into a TV via HDMI??? I've actually got a projector which I'd really like to plug this thing into (it has HDMI).

Be really interested in hearing from someone who has one what they think, being a total gadget freak I like the idea of them.

Cheers!

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I have a i-genius multiplayer which is hooked up to a flat screen, its OK you can race other people on it but in many cases the competition is limited due to time zones and other things. A couple of my mates have it so we race each other during winter.
I would not put it in the same bracket as a turbo trainer as you do not use it in the manner, you ride on the VR and train on the Turbo.

On my turbo I use 3 legs cycling videos and think they are really effective.

I could live without the VR far easier than I could my Turbo

 

[333]

Hi Mr H

Thanks for your reply mate, I was hoping you'd come in here as I noticed you had one when I was running a search.

You're not really selling it to me lol and I had a look at the Tacx forums, it is full of problems which totally puts me off tbh, if I'm going to drop almost a grand on a TT I definately don't want a defective product, software issues sure thats the 21st century of internet dominated endless patching/updates but not actual hardware issues.

I've decided to skip the Tacx and look at the BKOOL TT and the Elite RealTour Elastogel, I quite like the idea of the Elite as its a solid company from what I can tell with solid hardware but I know there is a BKOOL TT thread on here, so that must be good too.

Don't suppose anyone has a Elite RealTour???

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

VR trainers are not serious training tools imho and are positioned to those who want a entertaining way to pass the time on a trainer.

DC Rainmaker has a reasonable review of the bkool

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2012/12/bkool-wireless-ant-trainer-in-depth-review.html

 

[333]

Thanks for your opinion, I'm basically looking for:

1. A turbo I can train on with the aim of benefitting my fitness and cycling ability in terms of power and speed on the road.

2. Rollers so when the weather is terrible, I can still get some sort of base aerobic miles in.

3. I'm also looking at clipless pedals (I know out of the scope of this thread), I have settled on Shimano Ultegra 6800 SPD-SL Carbons with blue SPD cleats, still deciding on the shoes though!

For the turbo I am looking at the BKOOL, but I don't want it purely for entertainment I need it to improve my fitness, speed, power on the road primarily and it needs to be built well, I don't want it to be breaking of failing after a short time which is what it seems with these interactive turbos......

For the rollers I quite fancy the Elite V-ARION Parabolic Intertial Rollers, they look a solid build and have some basic resistance.

What do you think?

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

If you want to make turbo training more interesting before spending big money on a VR trainer have a look at sufferfest and 3LC cycling as a training video may suffice for your needs. (I'm a big fan of the 3lc videos)

The only way I ever use my VR is basically like a games console to race against other people.
I'm yet to see a VR trainer that does structured training well enough to really improve your performance unless your starting at very low place performance wise to start with.

I have the rollers you mention, I think they are outstanding and you can learn a lot on them about balance and bike control. Not everyone gets on with rollers though but I really do and can bunny hop on and off them.