Triathlon - Bicycle treadmill thoughts?

Wonder if any of you have heard about this bicycle treadmill (http://www.insideride.com ) . It's a treadmill made specifically for bicycles. A sports club here in Portland OR just starting giving demos on it. I'm friends with the guy that developed it and it would be very helpful to us to hear what you guys think about it.

Imagine being able to program in an upcoming course and train on it beforehand. Or, being able to get the exact training ride you need...no red lights, barking dogs, flat tires...and in any kind of weather! The amazing thing about this treadmill is that you're 100% free to ride naturally, you're not restrained in any way.
...and it feels just like being out on the road.

any thoughts?

I love the music for the video :).

It looks very interesting but I would imagine its price is too high for the average joe to own one.

I love the music for the video :).

It looks very interesting but I would imagine its price is too high for the average joe to own one.

You're right...but this thing is not for the average joe to buy. We're thinking more along the lines of having it at a training center or sports club where you can use it as part of a membership...kind of like they do with Spin Classes. Or, you would pay as you go for evaluations with a certified coach that would include video analysis and power/heart rate analysis and other things.

Neat gadget. And I wish you well with it, SansCar, as you seem to be promoting it. But here are my thoughts: it looks like a gee-whiz solution to a problem that doesn't exist for most riders. I don't see it providing many benefits that I couldn't otherwise get from rollers, fluid trainers, or spin classes.

And anyway the whole purpose of riding a bike is to get outside where the dogs, traffic lights, and rain are. Even if I were training for a specific course, it'd be far better to actually ride the course since a road is more than elevation changes, it's the type of pavement, the corners, the sight lines.

Neat gadget. And I wish you well with it, SansCar, as you seem to be promoting it. But here are my thoughts: it looks like a gee-whiz solution to a problem that doesn't exist for most riders. I don't see it providing many benefits that I couldn't otherwise get from rollers, fluid trainers, or spin classes.

And anyway the whole purpose of riding a bike is to get outside where the dogs, traffic lights, and rain are. Even if I were training for a specific course, it'd be far better to actually ride the course since a road is more than elevation changes, it's the type of pavement, the corners, the sight lines.

thanks for your thoughts caloso...keep in mind, this treadmill is not for recreational riders or the occassional racer...it really benefits and is intended for serious triathletes (and others) that are looking to get the most out of their training.

the main difference from rollers, trainers and spin classes is that you're actually riding naturally, using the exact same muscles (and your own bike) in the exact same way as you would on the road. This means all of your data..heart rate, power, etc...is more precise and your training improves. Also, it is impossible to develop full power on any existing indoor riding device...try accelerating out of the saddle on your next roller session...not to mention they're quite brain-numbing to ride. For riders in places that have harsh winter weather (like Portland, where it was developed)...this thing can keep you riding and improving your form during the important base miles period. And in a coach/rider setting, it allows for more hands-on input and more thorough analysis. When Chris Carmichael saw it at the recent Discovery Team training he instantly understood how his riders could benefit from it.

Another problem is finding just the right terrain for completing certain specific workouts. If you need to do intervals of a certain length at a certain heart rate or wattage, you can input the exact ride profile needed to achieve this.

riding outside is of course essential and I would never ride indoors exclusively.

If anyone out there is near Portland OR and would like to try it out just let me know.

that is a sweet invettion or what evere you wanna call it but what happens if ou slow down do you fall of?

I'd like to see a conversion kid that the average joe could use to convert their treadmill into one of these. White stripe down the center and all. I hope you guys do really well with it.

Not bad! Now add the fatigue-inducing rumble and jar of a real road and you've got.. hey, a real road! :)

Not bad! Now add the fatigue-inducing rumble and jar of a real road and you've got.. hey, a real road! :)

Don't forget potholes, manhole covers, and storm drains. Oh yeah, how about a barking dog now and again :).

Why not a VR headset too. :)

that is a sweet invettion or what evere you wanna call it but what happens if ou slow down do you fall of?

the belt instantly responds to whatever you do. if you slow down, it will slow down with you. It has many safety features built in...including infrared beams around the entire unit that stop the belt if you veer too far in any direction. The belt also stops when you touch the railing. There's also a "learner" mode that senses any spike in speed (up or down) and brings the belt to a stop.

Ok, somebody put me out of my misery, how much is it?

Ok, somebody put me out of my misery, how much is it?

$35,000

http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/daily-news/article.php?id=3808

WOW...that would be cool. 35K...mercy...that'll buy a kickin bike and a trip to Paris to break it in!!

$35,000

http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/daily-news/article.php?id=3808

...remember though, it isn't intended for individuals...it's for use in performance athletic centers, high-end sports clubs, R & D facilities, etc...

rather ride outsidesave an savethe 35 thou. u could almost buy a house for that. well only if u invest well