| Discussion: Computrainer Thoughts |
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Subject: Computrainer Thoughts By: Steven R.
Written on: Wednesday November 04, 2009 Message: I recently purchased a computrainer and received
the Real Course IM Wisconson course. I'm pretty
pleased with the system so far. I think it will
help my cycling and take a little sting out of the
winter. However, it is not a take out the box
read a few instrutions and start training. You
need to put some serious time to get the full
benefits of the computrainer. |
Subject: RE: Computrainer Thoughts By: Jamie B.
Written on: Wednesday November 04, 2009 Message: Very good point!
I have been using this
for 2 years both for myself and my business (not
as much as I would like here though). It is a
pretty in depth set up and you have to be careful
that you set it up properly each time using too!
You really have to watch your tire pressure and
get under that 2.0 zeroing number too. You also
have to warm the machine up for 15 mins or so too
but the benefits pay off huge at the end! I
didn't use mine as much last year as the year
previous and still posted PR bike splits and
noticed my AVG watts were better too.
You could really ride this thing year round and
walk out your front door and set a PR and there
are a few pros who do that (Tyler Stewart female
IM bike split record holder). |
Subject: RE: Computrainer Thoughts By: john m.
Written on: Wednesday November 04, 2009 Message: Congrats- you just purchased the best bike
"add on" since areo bars.
All the
things that Jamie wrote are true but I have not
had the tire issue that seems to be common. There
are many possibilities available and it does take
time to become comfortable with all the features.
This is a sophisticated piece of
equipment.
The manual is full of solid
training ideas and programs to keep you engaged
during the long cold winter, rainy days in the
summer and any day you don't have a lot if time to
waste. You will become a faster cyclist. Train
on! |
Subject: RE: Computrainer Thoughts By: Jamie B.
Written on: Wednesday November 04, 2009 Message: calibration that was the word I couldn't think of
LOL
that is what I meant to say instead
of zeroing
If you have any questions on
this let me know I am listed as one of their
certified coaches as well.
Good luck
and enjoy the indoor riding! |
Subject: RE: Computrainer Thoughts By: Erin H.
Written on: Wednesday November 04, 2009 Message: I want one... |
Subject: RE: Computrainer Thoughts By: dennis l.
Written on: Wednesday November 04, 2009 Message: someday
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Subject: RE: Computrainer Thoughts By: Jamie B.
Written on: Wednesday November 04, 2009 Message: I would still advise a power tap first. You can
use it in and out doors and with a normal fluid
trainer.
That being said there are
nice parts of both. But if I had my choice
between the two I would take a power tap or power
meter just because it is more practical to be used
year round. |
Subject: RE: Computrainer Thoughts By: Steven R.
Written on: Thursday November 05, 2009 Message: Thanks ! The Computrainer was an easy choice for
me. Weather wise we typically get 3 months of
ideal riding conditions, 3 additional marginal
months (cold), and 6 months of deep snow. |
Subject: RE: Computrainer Thoughts By: Glen N.
Written on: Thursday November 05, 2009 Message: I want one so bad, I ask my wife every day for it.
|
Subject: RE: Computrainer Thoughts By: Aleck A.
Written on: Thursday November 05, 2009 Message: Jamie- is that certification framed above your
desk? |
Subject: RE: Computrainer Thoughts By: Jamie B.
Written on: Thursday November 05, 2009 Message: No it is in a folder somewhere, I don't have a
desk LOL |
Subject: RE: Computrainer Thoughts By: Jeff P.
Written on: Thursday November 05, 2009 Message: I have a computrainer as of the past 3 weeks and
absolutely love it! I have a powertap as well and
have been running both for the first 5-6 rides and
I have found that the computrainer accuracy is not
to bad. If the dough is there, I would get it. I
did a craig's list special and sold off a number
of my tools from my pre-triathlon woodworking
hobby days and raised anough capital to pay for
computrainer and a set of Erg Videos. Went to
Intellicoach.com and contructed a bike training
plan that utilizes the videos and computrainer
software to train with - really, really
neat!
Jamie, my impressions from reading the
manual is that the 15 min warm up is necessary and
the key to calibration is to be somewhere between
1-5(bigger, stronger riders should shoot for 3)
and make sure the calibration is repeatable. I hve
not had any tire pressure problems either and
again, the computrainer is close to the powertap
reading. |
Subject: RE: Computrainer Thoughts By: Jamie B.
Written on: Thursday November 05, 2009 Message: Let me back up and say that I do calibrate mine
higher for climbing courses but not above the 3
level. I was mentored by a Level 2 coach who
always told me to use the same PSI mainly to help
you calibrate. I have noticed some variation but
not much. He had 10 years of use and well over
3000 VO2 max tests so I went by his word. He would
always have people between 1.9 and 2.1 for the
tests. It might of been personal preference but I
do know that I can tell a difference when riding
at 110 psi over 85 or 90. Again some of that
might of been personal and I was just going by his
recommendations and pass them on to the people I
deal with.
I love the coureses and
being able to download personal rides from a
Garmin to. The spin scan is an awesome feature
too! Takes a while to set up but well worth it!
Hopefully this year I can use it more on the
business side as well.
good luck |
Subject: RE: Computrainer Thoughts By: David B.
Written on: Saturday January 02, 2010 Message: For what its worth, if you're a beginner, training
through the winter, I think your money is better
spent in spin classes than on a computrainer. I
have been a computrainer user for several years
and even with the great information that it
provides most people will find using it a real
chore after the novelty.
The group
dynamics of a class in the middle of winter are
going to push the average beginner harder than the
computer. Also, for 90% of beginners you just
need 'time in the saddle' - not high tech
training. Spin class is just fine for off season.
Particularly if you're training for a sprint/oly
distance race.
...the opposing view
point. |
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