Tacx Fortius v Bushido

proto

Anyone got experience of both?

I've currently got a Fortius, but was less than in love with it, to be honest. The Fortius software is okay but not exactly user friendly. So I bought the TTS2 (Tacx Trainer Software), an upgrade, or so I thought, but it was hopeless. Nightmare to install, kept freezing the PC, and generally pretty poor. Even more out of love.

So, in a last ditch effort with the Fortius I bought the latest TTS4, and it's so, so much better, and I can now envisage me using the Fortius a lot over the winter, both with the Catalyst training programmes and the 'Real Life Videos'. Great biyt of kit, and my only complaint is that on steeper gradients in RLV, say over 7%, where the ride on the Fortius gets a bit choppy, not that realistic. Is the Bushido any better in regard to this?

The totally wireless feature of the Bushido is attractive too, makes its own electricity to power the sensors and meters, and wi-fi to the PC. Very quick and easy to set up, but does it have a similar, worse, or better 'ride' quality than the Fortius.

The Fortius is a bit of a pain to set up, with plugging into the mains, cadence sensor, head unit, USB to the PC etc., etc., every time, and in reality I think it needs to be set up and left set up if you intend to use it regularly.

I've sort of asked on the Tacx forum but all I really got back was buy a Tacx Genius, which is, I'm afraid, out of my price range.

So, anyone got experience of both?

neeb

I'd really like to get an answer to this too.

I've been using a Fortius every winter for years now, and while I've had occasional "issues" with it (or the software), it's really given sterling service all things considered. I now have a powertap which renders the rather inaccurate and inconsistent power readings on the fortius unnecessary, but I still like to alternate interval sessions with RLV climbs on other days, the latter are a godsend motivationally.

The big attractions of the Bushido for me are that it is supposed to be a bit quieter (I have neighbours to worry about), the lack of wiring, and the fact that it can be used without power so potentially could be used anywhere. I'd really like to get some feedback on the noise issue - although I've seen several comments online about it being much quieter, I've also seen others that suggest that it's not that quiet and/or gets noisier with use.

One thing I've heard is that while the climbing might feel smoother (I actually have no problem with choppiness on the fortius), the gradient simulation is not as accurate for some reason, and steep slopes feel steeper than they should do. This could be an issue for me as a big attraction of the fortius is reasonably accurate simulation of real climbs, in terms of the effort required as well as the video experience. It's a big motivation for me during the winter to climb Alpe d'Huez or whatever and feel that the effort and the time taken is comparable to the real thing, it's a great break from the usual 2x20s.

foggymike

I've had a fortius, bushido (briefly) and now have an i-magic. I would say the bushido is about he same volume as the fortius - that is bloody loud when you're giving it the beans - so that's not a reason to change. It is a bit smoother on steep inclines but I didn't find that a problem on the fortius myself. The reason I've now got an i-magic is I can use the same software as the others and it's MUCH quiter and smoother than either. Yes, it can't simulate such a steep incline but if you can climb what it can deliver on 53/11 or 12 you should probably be getting lottery funding. I'm nowhere near it's limits and race quite happily on the training it gives over the winter. I train with an elite guy who has world championship medals to his name who uses a flow which is the same brake unit. If you can get past the more expensive/newer must be better mentality you might save yourself a few quid

neeb

foggymike wrote:

The reason I've now got an i-magic is I can use the same software as the others and it's MUCH quiter and smoother than either.

Interesting! I just went to the tacx website and notice that they have updated the range just in the last few weeks - it looks like the fortius and the i-magic have been discontinued, but there is now an "i-flow" (perhaps effectively the same as the i-magic?) and also the i-vortex (not sure if this is just a new name for the vortex?).

Does the i-vortex and/or vortex use the same brake unit as the flow/i-magic? If so, and if it is significantly quieter than both the fortius and the bushido, this could be exactly what I need... It also has a wireless interface (but needs to be plugged in, unlike bushido).

The different options on all of the tacx trainers are bloody confusing, especially as they sometimes change the names too...

proto

I think the Vortex is effectively a Flow, with the same brake unit but with wi-fi head unit, and upgradeable to VR and RLV. So I'm guessing the i-Vortex is the complete package.

I had a Flow and from what can remember it was not much different in noise level from my Fortius. I also have a Tacx Satori and that is very quiet.

foggymike

The vortex has a bit more resistance than the flow/i-magic too - cheap at fudges at the moment which is a bit tempting! I've not seen or tried one but on paper it looks good.

I found the Sirius to be most quiet af all the turbo's I've tried (including fluid ones) - no bells or whistles though! I find the i-magic quite a lot quiter than the Fortius, Bushido or Satori.

proto

Even cheaper if you buy it from Germany. Save yourself £100

http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k1008/ ... stick.html