Trainers

I had another spin class last night and once again it was an excellent workout. The hour went by quickly and the sweat poured off me. Although I like going to them I have been searching for another way to "ride" in the winter and it seems computer trainers are the way to go.
After considerable research I have decided there are 3 worthy trainers that interest me. They all have their plusses and minuses and picking one will be difficult. The one feature they all have that I really like is if you are climbing a hill on screen the pedalling will get harder to reflect that and the reverse is true if you are going downhill. Very cool.
The first is the Proform TDF which is an entire exercise bike. It has it's own display screen which gives power output, calories burned and several training stats. You can also display this information along with this course you are riding on a computer or through the computer to a big screen tv. The ability to map your own rides using Google maps and then riding them in the basement is also possible.

Proform Tour de France
 

The second is the Computainer which you attach your rear wheel to like many regular trainers but this one also displays many different training stats through a computer onto a big screen tv if you like. You do need a computer though which hooks up to the handlebar mounted control module. It has virtual courses which are cool because you can set the power output of a virtual rider (Metal man) and then chase after him. It even has a draughting option. It also allows you to ride real videoed courses.



Computrainer


The third is the Tacx trainer which is a lot like the Computrainer in that it attaches to the rear wheel of your bike and uses a handlebar mounted control module to display through your computer onto a big screen. The Tacx has videoed courses of famous rides as well as the virtual rider option. Some models also have a steerer which your front wheel sits on so you must steer while going around corners or you will "crash". Some models, such as the Bushido power themselves through your pedalling which is pretty amazing.

Video ride from Tacx
 

All three of these trainers have their pluses and minuses and the biggest minus is they're not cheap. They are all in the $1500 to $1700 range so you would have to be pretty serious about training to purchase one. I have no doubt though that anyone training on one of these through the winter would be well ahead of the curve come springtime. If interested in one you should check out their web sites to get the complete story on each one because I have only given a brief synopsis of what each trainer is capable of.