VR Trainers

CycleDrummer

I guess like a few people on here, I bought myself a TT (Elite) to try and keep the wheels spinning during the dark nights and poor weather. However again like a lot of people I struggle with it, I find myself getting bored, switching off etc and managing at most 30mins. I've also seen some of VR TTs on line, like the Tacx iMagic that may keep the brain engaged and was wondering what people think of them?

Are they useful?
Waste of money?
Do I need to think/plan differently about my Elite TT?

All advice and comments gratefully recieved.

borisface

I bought an elite realtour a couple of years ago. I really like it because it is very smooth and roadlike. However, I tend not to use the VR function all that much TBH. I find that although it is fairly lifelike after you've done in a few times, well you've done it. I probably use it once a week at most. I know that the elite axioms have a function where you can download a route from your gps and it recreates it.
What I do like about my trainer is that it displays you speed/power/Hr and for me that's what gives me the motivation. I do at least 4 hrs a week o the turbo and I have learnt to love it.
The power/speed measurements are not that reliable. It underestimates speed and at times overestimates power. The power does tend to get more accurate the faster you go. I have used it in conjunction with my powertap which I have recently acquired.
What I would do if I had my time again is buy a powertap that way you have reliable access to all the metrics and can use it indoors or out.
The secret I think is to have a definate plan written down and you can tick off when you've it. That way you actually have a feeling of satisfaction and can learn to like the turbo. Like you I used to hate mine.

scapaslow

The motivational aspect of Tacx VR trainers are their main selling point. Plus you can do whatever a standard trainer does. Obviously you pay a premium for this.

But if you can't hack the boredom like me it might be a good option for you. I actually look forward to going on the turbo and spent my last session (2 hours) cycling the new Danube route with some great scenery and challenging terrain.

The new wireless Bushido with PC option seems to retail at a similar price to the imagic and may be a better buy.

fortytwosixteen

i've got a Tacx Fortius with a steering frame. I think it's great. I've owned regular turbos but cant face more than 20 mins. where as with the fortius the longest i've managed is 2h20min so far (and it wasn't boredom that stopped me). I find the VR terrains more fun than the RLV, devising new routes and then racing myself around them, using the hiily sections to do hill reps etc. but either provide me with the motivation to keep going and push a bit harder. the RLV's are still ok and still way better than staring at the wall (i've only got the alpine classics DVD at the mo).

plus you can do power or gradient based training - intervals etc

The feel of the resistance is very realistic on the fortius, apparently more so than the imagic, and it can generate massive resistances, i'm in my 38x25 going up Alpe d'Huez

Not cheap tho, I got mine 2nd hand off ebay for £500

CycleDrummer

Thanks everyone