Computrainer or Tacx Fortius

I think it depends on your needs. Computrainer is a little more hardcore, with better multiplayer options, performance analysis (pedal scan) and multiple course options. The Tacx has the benefit of the Real Life videos and about $500 savings.

I have the Tacx, having gotten it for 2 reasons - I wasn't sure if I'd actually use it, so I was less willing to potentially waste the extra money. Second, I thought I'd like the Real Life video option.

In retrospect, I'd probably opt for the Computrainer. First and most of all, Tacx has had some issues with the software. I haven't been able to run it on my Vista laptop. It works well on my XP desktop, but still has a few quirks. Computrainer, as far as I know, has no issues with the software.

Having said all this, I use my Fortius just about everyday and love it. I doubt I'd gain much from having a Computrainer instead.

If you plan on using it on a Vista computer only, don't bother with the Tacx. Others have gotten it to work, but I gave up. You can check out the Tacx forums at www.tacxvr.com for other opinions.

For just maintaining fitness in the cold weather, you'll probably be happy with either.

The other thing with the Fortius if you are in the US (or other 110V power country) is that they've had issues with frying power supplies and also with the trainer being limited to a top speed of about 26 MPH going downhill. They claim to have solved the power supply issues with a firmware update, although the jury is still out on that one. As for the other, it appears to be a design flaw in hardware that they will not be able to surmount. They are pretending it doesn't exist, more or less.

The speed limit doesn't sound like much of an issue, and it isn't unless you plan to ride online with others via the new Tacx software (multi-rider capable), compete in a VR league, or ride online with Netathlon.

Don't forget about riding over about 6% grades get to be extrememly difficult. The ability to keep a good cadence is messed up and you pedal squares big time. Normally doing a climb that like is 80-90rpms for me since I spin more up hills. I can't go in the 39x25 and get much over 60 rpms when it gets around 9-10% no matter the distance.

Supposedly Tacx is working on these problems, but don't hold your breath. It's been an 18 month long problem that they don't seem to address.

Save your money on the Tacx, while it's close it's still not worth the expense.

What computer setup do you recommend? I see differing suggestions on various websites. Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM or more, 128 MB videa card or more? Suggestions?

In terms of a computer, I'd recommend something with horsepower - at least 1GB RAM, 256 MB video card. I have both and occasionally have issues with the graphics.

Thanks. I will be conservative and get a little more than is recommended on some store websites.

Anything good or bad about laptops?

The video adapter in a laptop is typically not as good as one found in a desktop PC of similar price. The memory the video card uses may be shared with the main system memory, and not as fast. You may want to consider a laptop that is intended for gaming of you go this route.

I think the specs for the PC went up recently when Tacx decided to "support" Vista, which is a bit of a resource hog when it comes to memory.

rjjasick said:

Don't forget about riding over about 6% grades get to be extrememly difficult. The ability to keep a good cadence is messed up and you pedal squares big time. Normally doing a climb that like is 80-90rpms for me since I spin more up hills. I can't go in the 39x25 and get much over 60 rpms when it gets around 9-10% no matter the distance.

The computrainer isn't any different - at least I find it to be that way. Even set up properly I find that around 6 percent my wheel starts to slip a bit.

That said I like the computrainer. We set it up permanently with an old used PC (we are a Mac houshold otherwise) that we got for less than $50 complete with enough memory, a good enough video card, and an OS. I really like that we can program in our own routes - transfered from TOPO even. I do think that it can be a little off if you are a very small or very large rider though. Big people get an advantage, small ones a disadvantage if you are using it to race (my husband kicks butt at indoor TT's, against people who always beat him outside, and I have a hard time keeping up with the pacer if I don't set him at really, really low wattage....). I love the pedal stroke analysis - I can really fine tune by watching it.

That the Computrainer company is almost around the corner from our house doesn't hurt either.

I think that the issue with the resistance with increasing slope is a function of the trainers themselves. While it provides the "equivalent" resistance (if this is the case), the biker position is very different from real life. I find it difficult to ride out of the saddle when hitting a steep incline, and end up grinding it out on the saddle. I think this is manifested in the observation that people notice a difference at 6%, while I see it at 12-15%. Not that I'm Lance Armstrong, but I think I'm a decent climber, and the unnatural pedal feel is very obvious when I'm in my smallest gear from 12-20% on sustained inclines. If you had a professional biker, he may not feel any difference in his pedal stroke.