I'm thinking of buying a Computrainer- the prices are really low this time of year. My question is this:
How does the i-magic compare to the computrainer? I'm aware that the power readings on the i-magic are a bit dogy, but how bad are they?
Do the graphics really make a difference? Has anyone got one, and can tell me if they genuinely spend more time training indoors because of it?
I can only manage an hour at a time on the turbo, and that's a bit of a stretch!
Thanks in advance.
Lindsay.
PS. I have a PowerTap, so the power thing is not quite so much of an issue; however, I don't want to spend the whole winter putting even more mileage on my poor, overused PT wheel!:-)
can't do more than an hour on the trainer? what's wrong with you! i did a few 3 hrs sessions this winter on mine! and someone i coach (elite) did 5 hrs. :-)
not sure what the i-magic is like, and only have limited experience of the CT, but Power Tap do a nice electronic trainer with graphics etc.
Originally posted by ricstern get a PT training wheel then?
can't do more than an hour on the trainer? what's wrong with you! i did a few 3 hrs sessions this winter on mine! and someone i coach (elite) did 5 hrs. :-)
not sure what the i-magic is like, and only have limited experience of the CT, but Power Tap do a nice electronic trainer with graphics etc.
ric
It takes a special kind of madness to sit on a turbo trainer for 5 hours!;-)
Do the graphics really make a difference? Has anyone got one, and can tell me if they genuinely spend more time training indoors because of it?
I have an i-magic, and I now spend a LOT of time on it. In fact, I seldom go out on the roads any more. For example, I can go out and do a local '10' tonight, but it might rain, there is safety to think of (a couple of accidents and a death in a few TTs last year shook me up a bit), the kids need bathing, and my wife wants to go out. So instead I'll hook up the i-magic at about 10pm (after the kids have had a go and are in bed), download an opponent off the web, and race against him. So the key thing for me is not the graphics, but the ability the i-magic gives you to take part in a league and race against others. Check it out:
I have a PT Pro & a CT 3D, and a fairly rigid training plan. I have not bothered w/ the CT graphics, I'd just as soon watch a TdF video or DVD. The only feature of the CT I really use is the load setting. This makes intervals so much easier(?). Infrequently I will use the spin scan, more for entertainment than serious analysis. The PT comes in handy on the road of course, but inconjunction with the CT in the basement can give good info on the intervals - avg cadence during each interval for instance.
I have used both the i-magic and the computrainer 3d. What is best depends on what you want out of it. I found the i-magic had good graphics and courses, etc, so was entertaining but have never used it again after I got the computrainer. The computrainer has much better wattage calibration and if you are serious about racing/training, this is what is important. I don't use the programs on the Computrainer, but rather set the wattages to the zones my coach has set for the days workout and ride.
For example a ride could be a 90 minute Z1 ride (aerobic) at 180 watts or a zone 3 ride (lactate training) intervals session of 4X 5m minutes up at 295 watts and 5 minutes down at 275 watts to train right above and below lactate threshold.
Typically i now just ride outside with friends socially but do all my real workouts on the computrainer...best investment i ever made in cycling (including any bike I bought to lose weight for climbing!!)
Originally posted by Paul DeVries I have used both the i-magic and the computrainer 3d. What is best depends on what you want out of it. I found the i-magic had good graphics and courses, etc, so was entertaining but have never used it again after I got the computrainer. The computrainer has much better wattage calibration and if you are serious about racing/training, this is what is important. I don't use the programs on the Computrainer, but rather set the wattages to the zones my coach has set for the days workout and ride.
For example a ride could be a 90 minute Z1 ride (aerobic) at 180 watts or a zone 3 ride (lactate training) intervals session of 4X 5m minutes up at 295 watts and 5 minutes down at 275 watts to train right above and below lactate threshold.
Typically i now just ride outside with friends socially but do all my real workouts on the computrainer...best investment i ever made in cycling (including any bike I bought to lose weight for climbing!!)
I ended up upgrading my trainer to an imagic, as I have a power meter already. It seems that the computrainer isn't all that accurate either, in spite of the manufacturers claims, so it seemed to me that there was no real advantage as I already have accurate power monitoring.
