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Bought a Tacx Flow smart turbo a while ago, quite like the tacx android app, like being able to follow previous GPS routes i've done. however I can only do this on my smartphone and don't have a compatible tablet (with ANT).
I do have a small windows laptop and an ANT dongle, which works with the Tacx training app, but thats different from the phone apps as it's more a follow the videos type affair.
I'm not that interested in joining group rides and I'm not sure if a turbo is for me (I've had a few over the years), but I could do with some way of becoming and staying fit that doesn't involve getting soaked and freezing late at night.
Not keen on commiting to a subscription until I know whether i like it or not, and the 7 day trials may not to be enough as I know I'll sign up, then not touch the turbo for 2 weeks!
Ideally looking to see if any of the providers have something free and basic. Something to test FTP, and some moderate to difficult routes to follow.
There are lots of public routes on Tacx, but it's a minefield knowing what to select as it's not easy to filter, plus the videos need to be downloaded and at a couple of Gb each can take a bit of time.
if anyone can advise, or anyone recommend Tacx routes to me that would be much appreciated.
cheers
Just sign up to Zwift and give it a go. I could never be arsed with the turbo but Zwift was/is a revelation. Plus you don't have to enter your CC details & the trial period doesn't start until you turn the first pedal so you can drag your arse as long as you like!
In my experience the trial period for zwift was strictly time-limited even though it was quoted as 25km and I never so much as turned a pedal (I did log in and watch a little). 13 quid a month is way too much for me, I was only ever going to use it very occasionally. Is there anything cheap/free that is worth trying?
Looks like it works differently for iOS and Mac/PC although still claims for both it doesn't start until you start riding (unless logging in & viewing counts as "riding")
https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/articles/210210043-Zwift-Free-Trial
I could do with some way of becoming and staying fit that doesn’t involve getting soaked and freezing late at night
Unless you set your turbo up somewhere freezing,(like my detached garage in the north of Scotland in winter with the door open) you will end up soaked with sweat.
Unless you set your turbo up somewhere freezing,(like my detached garage in the north of Scotland in winter with the door open) you will end up soaked with sweat.
+1
There isn't really a turbo trainer alternative to the social mountainbike winter night ride. It's just a place to go and thrash yourself into a sweaty mess a few times a week in order to get some training done. If you think it's going to be fun you're doing it wrong.
I quite liked sufferfest and trainerroad, but my trainers aren't smart so just use virtual power which suits the dots/graphs of trainerroad better.
cheers for the responses so far.
Unless you set your turbo up somewhere freezing,(like my detached garage in the north of Scotland in winter with the door open) you will end up soaked with sweat.
I've the turbo set up under an open cover outside. I'll sweat, but I'll not be 'indoors training sweaty'
maybe I should just start on trainerroad or sufferfest and seehow it goes. Zwift is a touch pricey for me too.
Slightly geeky but if you just want to follow (the altitude profile of) a gpx can't you just hack something together?
ful gaz is offering to let you ride the last 30km of each of the TOB stages to the end of sept (i think) for free.
Slightly geeky but if you just want to follow (the altitude profile of) a gpx can’t you just hack something together?
that works for free on the Tacx android app, but not on the windows app, which is irritating.
I'll have a look at ful gaz. 🙂
EDIT:fulgaz is apple only....:-(
Is road grand tours still free to join?
once it goes through the update, I'l try out road grand tours, thanks.
had a brief razz on zwift. I can see the appeal, but I'm not sure I'm keen.
I quite like just riding my bike, albeit turbo trainer videos or gpx routes are ok. Any accidental structured training is a bonus I guess...
🙂
Ref your original post mentioning ant+, the flow smart does bluetooth too. I've only ever used it with bluetooth.