Tacx Fortius

Does anyone have any up to date information on this, based on actual, real life usage? Does anyone have any experience of having upgraded an I-Magic to a Fortius? How much better (if at all) is the real Fortius than an upgraded I-Magic?

Well, this question is a surprise to me as I have been waiting since last March for the highly tauted vapor-ware Fortius. I specifically asked if I got the available I-Magic system could I upgrade to Fortius and was told there was no upgrade path. I am still waiting for Fortius to become available anywhere in the U.S. If anyone knows when it will become available or where it is now available in the U.S. please let me know.

Bill

As I understand it, the upgrade is half hearted. The fortius will simulate climbs up to quite a steep gradient, and simulate the descents (the motor spins your back wheel for you).

The upgraded I-Magic can simulate a 6% gradient. After that, it doesn't put any more load on the rear wheel; it simply reduces the on-screen speed. Andit doesn't simulate descents at all - you pedal to go downhill.

I did read somewhere that about someone having sourced one from Australia, and being impressed. Can't recall where though. Try tritalk.co.uk or veloriders.co.uk or weight weenies (google it - the URL isn't memorable).

HTH

According to the Tax forum (http://www.tacx.nl/phpbb2/) it will be available in Mid-Nov to early December. There were some problems with it, which lead to deliveries being suspended. In Europe quite a few people seem to have had them. The problems have apparently been resolved. So far I have only heard good things, and the videos (samples available on the site) look great. It seems alot better than the RealAxiom.

I am seriously looking at getting one to alleviate the tedium of my trainer.

There is alot of difference between it and the i-Magic, as noted aboce the i MAgic only siumulates to a 5 degree gradient. The Fortius goes to 20. Given that some of the videos are big alpine climbs, the i-Magic will not do them justice.

Worth waiting for the teething troubles to abate I think.

And the teething troubles are there.
I have an I-magic, had a Fortius on order for more than 6 months before I got tired of waiting.
There are software problems which are continually being updated by tacx but still there are problems. That´s the software which you also can use on the "old" I-magic and that the closest you come to upgrading to Fortius, ie sotware upgrade only.

Hardware. The Fortius features a motorbrake. All the Fortius owners I´ve talked to has experineced breakdown of the motorbrake (although quickly replaced by tacx). The delay of over 1 year of the release date of Fortius is due primarily to this motorbrake which apparantly still fails.
When it works (I´ve tried one) It can simultate climbs up to 20% the old I-magic can simulate 5%). Training wize the I-magic is as good as the Fortius unless you love riding uphill. If I was getting a new trainer now I would buy the Fortius providing they work out all the bugs... maybe in 2 years time or so. Elite has made a similar product which I have not tried. Check it out.

mrowkoob, I though you have a Fortius? or is it an i-magic. can you give us some feedbacks on the ride quality of both?

Also, I thought the problems of the Fortius motorbrake have mostly been resolved. it's mostly software issues that some people have. Some, did not have any issues with the trainer at all.

I have an I-magic. When it works (software trouble) I love it.
The Fortius has the same feel when on the bike. But when you go down a hill it ads free wheel speed (which I dont need) and uphill it simulates a higher gradient (which makes it tougher and more realistic this you can do yourself by riding in different gears). Basically to get the full potential (all the changing gradients) out of the rlv´s you need fortius. Training wize I-magic is a good as Fortius (for my needs). Still If i was buying now I would get the Fortius (when they work out some of the bugs), who can resist the latest high tech thingie... ;-) ?

Ive had a Fortius for a while now but my opinion is obviously very biased.

If you want a real cycling simulator that will really get those riding out side thoughts flowing then a Fortius combined with a real life video set to full screen (perhaps with a beamer) is as close as you can get.

The Fortius is able to spin the wheel which in effect is a huge advantage to those that want to keep their road legs. Chain tension is removed if your slightly under geared so you have to really spin to catch the wheel speed up. Its extremely realistic & it leaves your legs feeling like you have just been outside rather then that dead feeling of riding a normal trainer. The key is to stay slightly under geared as there is a top speed for the motor. Going up is harder & if your out of condition like me you may start swearing (like in real life if you run out of gears at the foot of some giant climb). I would prefer the easier i-magic when condition is not so good. I can then simulate running out of gears if 'I' choose

As for the teething troubles, they seem to be sorted out now but the delay has caused a backlog of orders that need to be filled before it reaches the shops. If your in the US I would seriously consider the i-magic for this winter if you do not have a Fortius on order.

An i-magic combined with the same software is the second best option & both will give you equally good workouts as the poster above said. Mostly trainers are used for intervals because of the boredom associated with looking at nothing for long periods. The Fortius is really aimed at riders that hate trainers (like me). Those that need to feel like they are cycling when on a bike not watching TV or listening to music but cycling. For me cycling is seeing the countryside pass, tackling hills/Mountains with the thought that a nice easy rewarding spin will follow, riding through villages & generally letting my eyes take in the details. I have raced 20years (13 in Belgium) & cycling or training has always had to have a level of enjoyment that I do not get looking at a wall for 60minutes.During the winter I like to do mostly endurance rides, these would be totally impossible for me, the boredom of watching tour repeats would kill me this is not cycling. The memory's of the 'trainer session' will haunt me & I would end up skipping training if the weather was bad, or I would go & have a almost equally miserable time in the rain & dark. I now do my intervals on a indoor velodrome, my 3hr plus distance rides in France,Italy or Majorca & my LT sessions are done on the Galibier,d'Huez or ventoux....& do all this in my garden shed!

__________________
Phil Stone

www.tacxvr.com
www.tacx.com

>>If your in the US I would seriously consider the i-magic for this winter if you do not have a Fortius on order.

I have been on a waiting list since last March or so. Are you pretty sure those of us who are waiting will still not have a Fortius for most if not all of the Winter? Do you know that for a fact? If so, maybe I should consider the i-magic. I just feel if I get the i-magic, the Fortius will then come out and I will feel like I should have waited.

Bill

The Fortius are supposed to be in the USA in a limited quantity late this week. So it depends on when you placed your order and with whom. If you're one of the first few at your store, then you'll have the Fortius, If not, well... you'll have to wait until the next shipment arrives, and there's no telling when that will be.
The store where I placed my purchase, has 6 coming in and there are a few people in front of me. I have a feeling I will not be receiving my unit this week. It's already toward the end of November, december is here next week and I don't have a trainer. I've decided to purchase a Tacx Swing to get me by this off season while they work out all the kinks on the Fortius. I got a good deal on thw Swing. I just can't justify purchasing both an i-magic and a Fortius later on. That's just too much money to waste.

Tacx Fortius sounds great but expensive. What are the video cycling like, are they worthwhile option. I use Tacx speedmatic. Also does anyone know where to buy these videos in Australia? Thanks

I'm seriously thinking of getting a fortius myself, but I'm still very interested in hearing more you guys who've had a chance of riding one for a while.

Does it make so much noise that you need to place in your garden shed to avoid waking up the kids/neighbours etc ?

Is it worth the money spent, and do you have to be an IT-geek (which I'm not ) in order to install the software and make it run properly?

Anders

Well, its now early December and I'm still waiting. I did call Lick bike in Chicago and they did get a delivery in November but those higher on the list than me snapped them up and so I continue to wait. I signed up on their list last March so I hope I'm next in line for the next shipment they receive.

Bill

I to am waiting for the Fortius...and I'm also on a waiting list which doesnt look as if it'll have my name on it. Hopefully by the time when mine arrives, they'd worked out all the bugs.

I have had my Fortius for about 1 week already and have had nothing but problems. It worked for about 2 days. I must say when it works it is great. Real Life Videos are very good, software is great and easy to use. My problems started with calibrating my tires. I had a carbon rim tubular and for some reason it would give me errors everytime I tried to calibrate. I switched to a clincher and for some reason it start working. I was getting some slipping on the climbs from the Real Live Videos and decided to switch to a Conti Trainer tire. I changed my tire on the clincher rim and the trainer has not worked since. To me it appears it is the power box that everything is connected to. With the box connected I cannot pedal without the brakes locking on me. The calibration menu is greyed out and I can't use Real Life Video's.

From what I'm finding Tacx support is very bad, probably the worst of any company I have seen. I found someone with the same problem as me and is waiting for seven weeks for replacement. For me this does not work. Winter training will be half over before I fix this. My next two days are dedicated to getting a replacment part fast from the US service center or some answers. If it takes too long for replacment I will have to return this trainer. I wish I can keep it but I need to "Train", not troubleshoot.