Training & Nutrition - Best Bike Purchase To Date! Tacx I-Magic Review

Well I just got my I-Magic over the weekend, and am really enjoying the riding experience it is providing.

So far the Cataylst and Real Life Video (RLV) are my favorite modes, although VR is a tough workout as well.

Catalyst and RLV seem to make the best use of resistance when going up a slope. VR seems to be a little strange sometimes, although I think some of this is do to me having the weather on which adds resistance when cycling in the wind.

Setup was very easy and the software installed and updated without issue. I am running it on an AMD 3200+ with 512 MB RAM and ATI 9700 Pro running Windows XP Pro SP2 attached to a 65" Mitsubishi HDTV 1080i Native

I also purchased a few RLV's from Cbike.com (Which was great btw). I bought Iron Horse Classic (http://www.tacx.com/producten.php?fl=true&language=EN&lvlMain=17&lvlSub=60&lvlSubSub=166&ttop=Iron%20Horse%20Classic) - and Tour of Flanders (http://www.tacx.com/producten.php?fl=true&language=EN&lvlMain=17&lvlSub=60&lvlSubSub=169&ttop=Tour%20of%20Flanders)

It is kinda strange getting use to the Virtual Speed since it bases speed on weight + power and when in red it is virtually creating speed and when it is black it is actual speed. I mainly see this when going down a steep hill where it will jump to 30-50 mph depending on the slope. They do this to make the ride as real as they can which the more I use it the more I like it.

I have only ridden the 1st Stage of Iron Horse Classic and here are the results from a great site called http://www.ownsports.net (http://www.ownsports.net/league/cgi/run.cgi?A=S&ID=838714672)

I would say it does a fairly decent job of actually feeling like riding outside, or at least it is better than a typical trainer :)

Here is the results I had from a 10 mile flat course I created in Cataylst mode holding my HR below 140 BPM. http://www.ownsports.net/league/cgi/run.cgi?A=S&O=P&ID=840320891

And here are the results from the Apollo Course in the Olympus VR. I will say I threw my chain on my bike so I lost about 5 mins and I had to stop as I'm use to riding nothing but flat roads and this fairly short couse had 1771ft of climbing at some pretty decent %''s, and being a fairly new cyclist didn't help too much! http://www.ownsports.net/league/cgi/route.cgi?A=S&ID=960747945

So far I haven't had too many problems importing my rides to CyclingPeaks WKO+ or OwnSports.net to review the ride.

Here are a few pics of my setup, I need to get a USB Cable Extender so I can move the PC Behind the TV.

http://host30.hrwebservices.net/~modernm/imagic/IMG_0741.JPG

Yup I ride for Team CSC on a Pinarello haha

http://host30.hrwebservices.net/~modernm/imagic/IMG_0743.JPG

Not the best picture I should take some screenshots but you get the point :D Notice the 12.2 Incline :eek: I was in my socks, but just wanted to get a pic of what rolling in the VR Mode looked like since I haven't found a lot of pictures and such on the web.

http://host30.hrwebservices.net/~modernm/imagic/IMG_0746.JPG

Now here is the RLV from Iron Horse Classic! This is the start of the climb that didn't look fun.

http://host30.hrwebservices.net/~modernm/imagic/IMG_0753.JPG

Front Fork Steering frame. To be honest the steering is not that useful although I do like the frame itself for holding the bike.

http://host30.hrwebservices.net/~modernm/imagic/IMG_0756.JPG

No I don't ride with the Dog there I put him in the other room, but he wanted to be included in a pic!

http://host30.hrwebservices.net/~modernm/imagic/IMG_0757.JPG

Well hope you find this informative.

Ryan

Looks great. I recently got a Real Axiom trainer from Performance. It is quite simular but it looks like your ITrax has more graphics than the Real Axiom. However the Real Axiom costs less. I have had mine for less than a month and love it. The computer controlling the hills so that it is not just a booring coarse and being able to race against your best time so that you have a goal to beat is great.

You are going to love it the more you ply around with the features

I wanna know what you carry in your seat bag for inside riding ? :)

I wanna know what you carry in your seat bag for inside riding ? :)

That made me LOL!

Looks great. I recently got a Real Axiom trainer from Performance. It is quite simular but it looks like your ITrax has more graphics than the Real Axiom. However the Real Axiom costs less. I have had mine for less than a month and love it. The computer controlling the hills so that it is not just a booring coarse and being able to race against your best time so that you have a goal to beat is great.

You are going to love it the more you ply around with the features


I debated between the Real Axiom and the I-Magic but went with the I-Magic. The online league has made it worth it. Nothing like getting my butt kicked by riders half-way around the world. :D

I debated between the Real Axiom and the I-Magic but went with the I-Magic. The online league has made it worth it. Nothing like getting my butt kicked by riders half-way around the world. :D

And nothing like paying more for the trainer than the bike...or any of your other expensive hobbies (ie computer, TV, Xbox 360, Audio stuff)....

lovin' it!!!

And nothing like paying more for the trainer than the bike...or any of your other expensive hobbies (ie computer, TV, Xbox 360, Audio stuff)....

lovin' it!!!


Hehe new bike is on the way :) I think the Trek 1000 Makes a wonderful trainer bike!
I bought the Trek 1000 to use to find out if I would like the sport and now i'm hooked :D

Great setup! You may also want to try a trainer tire. Normal tires seems to spray rubber flakes behind the bike where a dedicated trainer tire grips better and doesn't have this problem. Of course, if you ride outside at all this time of year, it would be a pain to change tires every time you wanted to get out.

Great setup! You may also want to try a trainer tire. Normal tires seems to spray rubber flakes behind the bike where a dedicated trainer tire grips better and doesn't have this problem. Of course, if you ride outside at all this time of year, it would be a pain to change tires every time you wanted to get out.

So far no problem with the stock Bonti's with the rubber flakes.