zacster

I signed up for a ten week compu-trainer class and did the first class yesterday. The first thing I found out is that I'm almost 20 years older than everybody else in it. The group was split 3 men and 3 women and everyone else was training for a duo or tri, but I'm a dedicated roadie.

It was a good class. They have everyone wired up with variable computer controlled trainers, so you feel the changes, a projector showing the hill profiles and your position within the group with all kinds of stats.

I have a Cycleops Fluid II at home but I really liked this setup. On the cycleops you vary the effort by shifting, whereas on the computer trainer it varies it for you which is a much more realistic feel. It may even progressively vary the resistance based on wheel speed, but I'm not sure on that. This would add to the road feel because it wouldn't allow you to spin out.

Since this was the first session the instruction was to take it somewhat easy. But as you all know, the competitive spirit kicks in and nobody slacked off. What surprised me, and I think the coach, was how high my average wattage was over the course, the highest in the group even though I came in second on the ride. I didn't think I was that fast. Not too shabby for an old guy (I don't feel old and don't look it either). Neither of the other 2 guys came close, only the girls did. To be fair, they appeared to be more serious about it too.

I was leary about this, but I'm glad I'm doing it now.

slvoid

Just exactly how much are these classes?

urbanknight

I never got to use the computrainer in a group, just at my coach's home for testing. It was painful, but it did help when my brother and exchange student went the same day and we were trying to beat each other's watts/weight.

Remember, watts/weight = speed, not just watts. Our exchange student weighed 210 lb while I was 125 and my brother was 110. The exchange student had to almost double my brother's watts to get the same speed (which he exceded, though)

zacster

The class was $200 for 10 weekly sessions. I hesitated because I started thinking about what gear $200 would buy, but the gear won't do me any good if I'm totally out of shape come spring.

If you go directly through citycoach it is a little less. I went through Jackrabbit sports. You can also do individual sessions. They're at 5th St and 6th Av in Park Slope.

kensuf

We've got a sports clinic on campus (Univ. of Florida, aka Titletown USA baybe!) that offers computrainer sessions for $10 a pop. You can choose any course as part of the session..

msheron

SOunds like the Travel Trac Real Axiom with the actual courses on DVD that you ride to. Does the computer class you did automatically make it more difficult when you approach hills. In other words are the trainers hooked in to a PC that do this auto adjust of difficulty?

zacster

The trainers are hooked to the PC, but there is no video, although I wouldn't be surprised if that was an option. We see a graphical hill profile with everyone's position and stats. The difficulty is adjusted by the PC. After using a few trainers of my own, including my current CycleOps Fluid2, the computer based was much more realistic feeling than my own. You see the graphical hill and it makes it harder to pedal, and the angle of the hill tells you how hard it will be. When you hit the crest it eases up. It isn't perfect but it works pretty well. I think it also prevents spin-out by making it harder as the wheel spins faster, simulating wind and road resistance.

We can't choose courses individually as we all ride the same one. I've only done one session so I don't know if the coach has it all planned out or leaves it to the group to pick on occasion. There were lots of courses in the file directory.

slvoid

They should pit you against other people in like, tetris. So if he increases his wattage, your resistance goes up. If he gets like, a double tetris, your bike comes to a screeching halt and you fly off.

zipgunII

you can also buy 1 hour sessions one at a time for $20 a pop, or $150 for a pack of 10. you have to reserve a spot on the citycoach computrainer class reservation system:

https://www.citycoach-training.net/we...WeekSched.aspx

Try it, you might like it!

mezza

I know this is better than nothing during cold winter months. Plus it'd be good to blow out the cobwebs and do something different. But isn't riding for real better????

bluyak

We have a new indoor cycle training center here in Moline, IL. Donnie has 13 Cycleops Pro 300 and an 8 position Compu Trainer. While I haven't rode on it yet. Donnie gave me a complete walk thru of the system and software. You use your own bikes and they operate like a typical mag/fluid trainer. But thats were the simularity ends. The resistance drive is capiable of aplying 1500watts of resistance. You can load pre-programmed routes of major courses around the world. You can also make your own course. With GPX data and topo software you can import courses you have ridden with a GPS. You can program up to a 280 mile route. For longer rides. You just load in the next route. The program takes the elevation data to vary the resistance on the wheel. You can also enter in wind vectors to add to the resistance. The program has video output to show your possition onn the course. You can change the view much like a video game, first person, third person and overhead to name a few. The unit is montoring HR, cadance, speed, and watts. All the data is stored and can be displayed while riding. You can also compare yourself to other riders in real time. Just a wealth of information. You can save the ride to play it back. It very realistic. Donnie is VP of the local cycling team, DICE. The team uses the Compu Trainer. Donnie has indoor racing on weekends. He charges 15 dollar for an all day pass. 80 dollars for a month. As soon as my work schedule permits. I'll be using the Compu Trainer to monitor my training progress. I need to work on climbing and I think this will be a good addition to my training.

https://www.racermateinc.com/