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Post by Angie on Aug 4, 2009 9:51:46 GMT -5
Now in my 8th year as a triathlete I am finally thinking about getting a computrainer for this winter training. I wanted to get people's opinion on the pros and cons of this over a regular fluid trainer and training videos. In the past, I have gone to one of Pete Gladden's indoor workouts a week and done the rest of my riding using spinervals videos. Is the $1600 price for the computrainer worth it or is it just an expensive gimmick? What specific advantage does computrainer give you over trainer videos-- other than riding a specific course? Cause to me this is not worth $1600. Those of you who have one---- convince me  ANGIE |
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Post by kenb321 on Aug 4, 2009 10:36:26 GMT -5
I do not have one. E Banks does and loves it. It prevents him from cheating. The trainer compensates for when you are slacking.
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Post by karming on Aug 4, 2009 17:26:39 GMT -5
I think that it is the best tool for bike training especially for time limited people. Just the ergometer mode (where you can set a fixed wattage) is what I use. No matter the cadence or gear, the resistance should be the same. This is great for intervals and safer than outside where it is hard to find a distance to ride intensely without having to worry about cars or stop signs.
Another Cycleops Powerbeam Pro ($1199) which does the ergo and some courses (I think).
I have had my CT for about 4 years and have ridden a specific race course about 10 times during those four years.
Only con that I can see is that your tires can get shredded quickly. Had a conti gp4000 that shredded in 4 weeks but also a Vittoria Rubino pro that has lasted 1.5 seasons. go figure. Also not Mac compatible.
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Post by davemiceli on Aug 4, 2009 21:36:23 GMT -5
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Post by ebanks2 on Aug 5, 2009 6:35:59 GMT -5
Angie. As stated above. I have it...and really like it. As Kar-Ming mentioned erg mode is where it is at. You can really do some neat things with it and it 'forces' you to put out the watts. I put in some serious time on mine in the winter. You are more than welcome to give mine a try to see if you like it. I have some of the bolt ons of real course video and erg video as well.
PS. You can pick up very gently used ones in the $800-900 range.
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Post by johnnorris7 on Aug 5, 2009 12:56:39 GMT -5
Banks, Where have you seen used ones for $800-$900? I would not mind looking into it for this winter as well.
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Post by philjolliff on Aug 5, 2009 15:05:50 GMT -5
Banks, Where have you seen used ones for $800-$900? I would not mind looking into it for this winter as well. I don't know the reliability, but there is one on Ebay for $785 high bid right now. |
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Post by ebanks2 on Aug 5, 2009 15:24:08 GMT -5
I have seen them on ebay and slowtwitch. Now is a great time to look for one....come November thru the rest of winter, they get snapped up pretty quickly...and the demand drives the price up.
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Post by robreddy on Aug 11, 2009 8:22:51 GMT -5
using the CT for watts work is HUGE - all the other stuff is bells and whistles
So if you invest the time and energy into understanding training with WATTS i would say it is a FANTASTIC tool - if you just intend to run the race courses or play the video games - well that is an expensive option for little gain
r
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Post by Aussie Rob on Aug 11, 2009 10:15:44 GMT -5
I have an on board CU. When the readout (usually displayed as white spots or tunnel vision) reads "DIZZY!" or "VOMIT!" i know I'm in the correct zone. |
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Post by karming on Aug 11, 2009 10:43:32 GMT -5
Classic!!!
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Post by mgorris on Aug 14, 2009 15:23:22 GMT -5
Angie As Kevin Park once said on this forum, "It is only a waste of money [the computrainer] if you do not use it!" As many have noted, the CT is a great training tool. I find ergo mode to be the best because you can not cheat. If you plug in 200 watts, regardless of gear or cadence, in order to turn the cranks, you gotta put out 200 watts. The CT can build incredible power, you couple that with your road rides to build endurance and watch your bike splits improve. You can also test yourself on a regular basis to see how you improve. Tons of cool workouts to perform such as motopacing where you turn on the drafting feature and turn over a monster gear at big time watts to get the experience of doing a TT. If you are really disciplined, you can ride the courses and keep your HR in a pre-set zone....I am not quite that disciplined, but others are I use mine year round, even in summer. This year I performed 3 a week in winter. During my 12 week Steelhead build I did one a week, however, that one workout was a killer. Long intervals near LT, my legs were like rubber after 1.5 hours on the CT I really think that those workouts helped me on the bike at Steelhead. I only had 10 road rides of 30 -60 miles in my build due to time constraints yet I still had a very good bike split. Most important, I came off the bike feeling great and ready to run due to the feedback I received from those workouts. Problem was I used the TP roller one week before and ended up bruising my calf so I DNF'd due to a monster cramp on the run...but that is a story for another day.  I say go for it - and you can always join the CT Challenge in winter and I am always an email away if you want more info! Good luck |
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Post by davemiceli on Aug 22, 2009 22:30:58 GMT -5
6 computrainers on sale on Slowtwitch classified - $1000 each or all 6 for $4800
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Post by mgorris on Sept 4, 2009 15:32:20 GMT -5
The value of a Computrainer for the busy triathlete
I thought I would give a real world situation to those of you considering buying this fine training tool. Angie started the thread by asking if the ct was worth it and I thought I might share some insight as to why I think it is.
Hey, we are all amateurs [though some of you race like pros]when it comes to this sport and my assumption is that many of you are pressed for time. Trying to get in a workout with a busy schedule can be an exercise in futility.
Enter the Computrainer -
As the season winds down, I have a few shorter distance tris scheduled to try and soften the blow of the DNF at Steelhead. Problem is, this week has been a bear! I like to try and get in 3 good bike workouts per week, but this week I was having issues with trying to find time for 3. Saturday we have a birthday party for my daughter so my brick is scheduled to be a quick 30/3. I was able to get in a ct ride Tuesday, however, my other ride day of Thursday was jammed with meetings/my son's football game etc.
Wait a minute, I can train on the bike and never leave home thanks to the ct, right? So Thursday morning I was up at 4am ish and in the basement by 4:30 on the ct...the kids were all snug in their beds while visions of Dad suffering through intervals danced in their heads.
The workout
1:15
10' warm-up
20' at 90% of FTP [having the computrainer I can test myself on a regular basis to re-set my FTP as needed]
15' at 92% of FTP
10' at 95% of FTP
5' at 97% of FTP
3' at FTP
3 x 1:30 at 110% of FTP x 30" ez between intervals
Almost one hour on power with no cheating and hr at 8-12 below LT growing to LT and then surpassing
5' spin-cool down
The time spent above was very productive and as good as any middle distance road ride I could have done. Unrelenting and difficult, it served to make me better on the bike and did so in a palatable amount of time. Would I have liked to get out on Thursday and ride 40-50 miles? Heck yeah, who wouldn't? Funny thing is, certain aspects of life such as a job, a family and prior commitments always seem to get in the way...how dare they!
Consider buying a computrainer if you are "time challenged." The value of this piece of equipment is invaluable.
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Post by Tim Edwards on Sept 8, 2009 19:40:37 GMT -5
Angie,
I agree with all of the above comments. Aside from the wattage aspect of the CT, if you are disciplined you can do all the same workouts on a standard indoor trainer. I have used the CT but have chosen a standard indoor trainer for the winter. I have a whole quiver of workouts that I use for different results depending on what my coach (me!) has on tap for me. You can kill your legs or get in a nice recovery ride on a indoor trainer if you can visualize what you are trying to accomplish by getting on the trainer. I have seen many people who are lost as to what a trainer is for and end up wasting time on it. You have a good head on your shoulders and a coach so finding motivation and figuring out a series of workouts should not be impossible for you.
Just my 2 cents from the cycling world of Tim!
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Post by Angie on Sept 10, 2009 17:43:12 GMT -5
Well... I am going to get one. Count me in for the computrainer challenge this winter
You all convinced me.
ANGIE
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Post by Ed Slovenkay on Sept 11, 2009 15:06:55 GMT -5
Good move. Mark Gorris has been telling me to get one for a while. I finally made the plunge and from the brief time I've played around with it, it is well worth it. I participated in the computrainer challenge last year so I got my toes wet with it thanks to Dave Miceli. I'm really looking forward to the killer workouts this winter. I am one that is time challenged so this will be huge for me.
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