Pro-form, Tour de France Trainer

[onekgguy]

Does anyone here have any time on one of these (http://www.proform.com/tour-de-france/) and if so what are your thoughts? I see it's getting some pretty good reviews. I have to admit the thought of using Google Maps and dialing in some of the more famous rides intrigues me as well as riding some of my own routes during the dead of winter.

Kevin g

[beungood]

I am kind of intrested in this but it looks as.though it will be big $

[firerescuefin]

1200 + shipping.....0 down, 6 months no interest financing....actually seems low to me when compared to competition.

[rice rocket]

It's $1300.

Doesn't seem more advanced than any other spin bike, other than the automated resistance knob and it'll make you queasier from all the tilting. ;)

Some people spend that much on high zoot spin bikes though, so maybe it is a bargain.

[thegunner]

It's $1300.

Doesn't seem more advanced than any other spin bike, other than the automated resistance knob and it'll make you queasier from all the tilting. ;)

Some people spend that much on high zoot spin bikes though, so maybe it is a bargain.

it also adjusts to the incline based on map... can't forget that.

[rice rocket]

That's what my queasiness comment was about. ;)

Unless you know the Col du Tourmalet like the back of your hand (or whatever maps they preload on there), it'd be like being on a rollercoaster, but blindfolded.

[MattTuck]

That's what my queasiness comment was about. ;)

Unless you know the Col du Tourmalet like the back of your hand (or whatever maps they preload on there), it'd be like being on a rollercoaster, but blindfolded.


A rollercoaster that goes up for a LONG time.

Although it is interesting, it suffers from a major flaw. It is a stationary bike. Yeah, it is slightly more interesting than a normal stationary bike, you'll still be bored, hankering for a real downhill, sweating like a hog, etc.

For 1300, you could practically pick up a winter bike and all the necessary gear to ride year round. and yeah, it might be cold out, but that is still so much better than a stationary trainer.

To the O.P.: You're in Tennessee! The winters aren't THAT cold. Edit: Whoops, I read that wrong. You're in MN. It IS cold there. My bad. You may have less option to ride outside than most.

Do you have another stationary bike set up? If you can consistently ride an existing stationary set up, then this product MIGHT ease the suffering of that experience. If you haven't ridden indoors all winter yet, I'd pick up a used stationary trainer from cyclops on the cheap, and give it a try. If you really dig it, buy this product next spring (won't be any more $, and will probably be cheaper heading into outside riding season.)

[znfdl]

I do not see how it could better than a computrainer with slocum stand and using ergvideo. Just my $.02

http://www.hscycle.com/Pages/computrainer.html

http://www.ergvideo.com/Catalogue.aspx

[93legendti]

I have this:

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1091630_-1_1559004_20000_400133

[oldpotatoe]

Does anyone here have any time on one of these (http://www.proform.com/tour-de-france/) and if so what are your thoughts? I see it's getting some pretty good reviews. I have to admit the thought of using Google Maps and dialing in some of the more famous rides intrigues me as well as riding some of my own routes during the dead of winter.

Kevin g

I thought the official TdF 'training bike' was something like this...


http://wheelworld.com/product/specialized-2011-roubaix-sl3-expert-compact-75140-1.htm

[firerescuefin]

If it does all it says it does...then it's a pretty good deal.

Many have no desire to train and ride in below 0 temps in the winter, and although I like riding in the winter, what training is accomplished is certainly questionable.

The idea of using google maps to train for a TT course or road race that you do (with power and wind profiles) is attractive to me. Honestly, if you keep good fitness in winter months or get in a quick structured ride while your kids are down.....works.

[BillG]

I do not see how it could better than a computrainer with slocum stand and using ergvideo. Just my $.02

http://www.hscycle.com/Pages/computrainer.html

http://www.ergvideo.com/Catalogue.aspx

How does the Slocum stand work? I'm intrigued.

[Dave B]

I dig it, but I still crack up the guy on it is wearing a helmet!

Makes me laugh every time I see it!

Looks almost fun though, throw in some virtual reality glasses and podium girls and I am all over it!

[malcolm]

I do not see how it could better than a computrainer with slocum stand and using ergvideo. Just my $.02

http://www.hscycle.com/Pages/computrainer.html

http://www.ergvideo.com/Catalogue.aspx

I have the exact same set up and I couldn't imagine a better trainer. Erg video is awesome and they have most of the famous tour climbs avail. The will also make a training plan for you, for free if you own the videos that integrates with the system so you just turn it on click your plan and the days ride pops up.

I also use a slocum stand and if mine is the same one it attaches the fork via a skewer and the rear wheel to the computrainer, very stable, I really like it.

Paul the guy that owns erg video is great, he will work with you to make sure your system works flawlessly. I've never had him not respond to email same day except weekends.

[dd74]

I dig it, but I still crack up the guy on it is wearing a helmet!

Makes me laugh every time I see it!

Looks almost fun though, throw in some virtual reality glasses and podium girls and I am all over it!
+1.

Not to mention the weather looks pretty clear outside. :rolleyes:

[dd74]

Are any of these trainers Mac compatible?

A computrainer and a Windows machine + monitor will be quite a dear investment.

Oh, and you can't forget an indoor helmet, LOL.

[malcolm]

Are any of these trainers Mac compatible?

A computrainer and a Windows machine + monitor will be quite a dear investment.

Oh, and you can't forget an indoor helmet, LOL.


When I started using the computrainer it didn't work with windows. The newest version of erg video completely bypasses the need for computrainer software and I think Paul has made a mac version, but not sure. Google erg video and send Paul an email and he will give you the straight story.

[rice rocket]

You can get a Nettop for $199 nowadays. Won't be powerful, but I bet it'll run the Computrainer.

[onekgguy]

A rollercoaster that goes up for a LONG time.

Although it is interesting, it suffers from a major flaw. It is a stationary bike. Yeah, it is slightly more interesting than a normal stationary bike, you'll still be bored, hankering for a real downhill, sweating like a hog, etc.

For 1300, you could practically pick up a winter bike and all the necessary gear to ride year round. and yeah, it might be cold out, but that is still so much better than a stationary trainer.

To the O.P.: You're in Tennessee! The winters aren't THAT cold. Edit: Whoops, I read that wrong. You're in MN. It IS cold there. My bad. You may have less option to ride outside than most.

Do you have another stationary bike set up? If you can consistently ride an existing stationary set up, then this product MIGHT ease the suffering of that experience. If you haven't ridden indoors all winter yet, I'd pick up a used stationary trainer from cyclops on the cheap, and give it a try. If you really dig it, buy this product next spring (won't be any more $, and will probably be cheaper heading into outside riding season.)

I ride outdoors all winter long down to -2f and also have TruTrainer rollers. The workout I get in really cold temps is less about working out and more about just being able to say that I was out there in those ridiculously cold temps. My heart rate simply doesn't get as elevated as when I'm on my rollers.

My interest in the Pro-form trainer is more about varying my winter/indoor routine and I'm curious to know how well this piece of equipment works.

Kevin g