TACX I-Magic trainer

After my bike, its the best investment I made:

It's quieter than a wind trainer, so I can sit in front of the TV and train (without hooking it up to the PC)

It records HR, speed etc and (its version of) power, so you get a training log.

You can race against other riders in a virtual world, taking some of the boredom away.

The best thing though is that we have a league:

http://www.i-magicleague.com/.

There have been many times when I have not felt like training, but could not resist the urge to download a rider who was beating my time for the round by a few seconds, and got on the i-magic and went that bit harder than I would have done on a normal trainer.

If I had not bought it, I would not be as fit as I am now.

Have you had any problems with the i-magic trainer at all?How many courses does it have?Last I checked it only had 3.Last of all ..how does the league work?Do you have to be online to race?

It has three terrains: track, Capricorn village and an MTB demo. Within each of these are several set rides, and the ability to ride wherever you want if you purchase the optional steerer. You can also buy additional terrains.

Within the league a new ride is created every two weeks. Thus I now have a store of about 50 rides. I have heard some people complain about the lack of variety, but personally, I am only ever concerned about the rider in front (or hopefully behind!) that I am trying to beat.

Thus in the league:
1. A new ride is created every two weeks.
2. You download the ride (takes 30 seconds) race it, then e-mail your ride back.
3. The best thing though is that as the results stack up during the two weeks, you have a selection of different people's rides that you can download. The trick is to download the ride of someone that has posted a faster time than you have (or expect to post - you get to know the names of the people at your level), and then race against them. This is all done offline, but as you can see this recorded rider in front of you, you really are motivated to race hard!

I've had no problems with the software etc and the basic trainer, although the opional steerer did break so I need to send that back. Personally I would not recommend buying the steerer, although I know some people claim it is essential. Depends if you want to ride hard like me, with autosteer on, or admire the scenery and do some long rides and steering.

Shibumi said:

It has three terrains: track, Capricorn village and an MTB demo. Within each of these are several set rides, and the ability to ride wherever you want if you purchase the optional steerer. You can also buy additional terrains.

Within the league a new ride is created every two weeks. Thus I now have a store of about 50 rides. I have heard some people complain about the lack of variety, but personally, I am only ever concerned about the rider in front (or hopefully behind!) that I am trying to beat.

Thus in the league:
1. A new ride is created every two weeks.
2. You download the ride (takes 30 seconds) race it, then e-mail your ride back.
3. The best thing though is that as the results stack up during the two weeks, you have a selection of different people's rides that you can download. The trick is to download the ride of someone that has posted a faster time than you have (or expect to post - you get to know the names of the people at your level), and then race against them. This is all done offline, but as you can see this recorded rider in front of you, you really are motivated to race hard!

I've had no problems with the software etc and the basic trainer, although the opional steerer did break so I need to send that back. Personally I would not recommend buying the steerer, although I know some people claim it is essential. Depends if you want to ride hard like me, with autosteer on, or admire the scenery and do some long rides and steering.

Hi!

Have you tried the netathlon software with the I-magic?

/Regars Philip