Trainer: tacx vertex smart, opinions and alternatives

D.P.

D.P.

D.P.

Caporegime
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
32,650
After nearly being hit by a car twice, running over a stray dog, wiped out on a grit covered corner, nearly hit by a falling tree and the accompanying power line, and pelted with marble sized hail in the last week of cycling, I'm kind of scared to go outside on my bike. Pretty much every time I get drivers over taking me on blind corners and cutting in almost pushing me off the road, or riding right behind me honking on their horn.

So I'm thinking of cycling in the safety of my living room more often. This is especially useful with a new baby on the way, the white noise will calm it while I can lever the mother rest.

Don't want to spend a fortune at this stage but a smart trainer sounds fun. Tacx vortex smart caught my eye, recommended by DC rainmaker.
Anyone own one, or can recommend something better in similar price range?

I will probably try out zwift but also some more serious trainer road programs.
 
Definitely worth trying to force yourself back out on the road as much as possible but I can completely see why it's a daunting prospect. The baby on the way makes it a more difficult undertaking too.

I've not used the Tacx but a friend has one (I also saw the DCR article and recommended it to him based on that). Noise-wise it's not more terrible than your average fluid turbo (i.e. very loud) and the smart settings apparently work well with Zwift and the like. At the price point it's at it's pretty hard to recommend anything else I think.
 
Trying to get out but its just plain scary sometimes. Did another 26 miles this morning, at times it was fantastic fun but then a car would scream past me almost brushing my elbows etc. there is a dedicated cycle path not too far form me 52 miles or so one way, so when i have time i want to head out there for long rides in peace. I also found a quiet business park with really wide 2lane avenue, plus some roads that lead to dead ends that could be used for intervals.

The thing is I am mostly a runner that wants to do some triathlon training n top for a future IM. So when i have time to get outside I'm going to be running. When i can't get out then a cycle trainer seems like it would be a good choice Laos I understand that doing structured training like intervals on a trainer is much easier than outside with all the traffic lights, stop sighs, etc.
 
The issue you may have (at least from the triathlons and such I've seen around here) is that when you get out for a tri you'll be on the road with traffic anyhow - at least for part of the time. It's also far worse when you're not used to things (or have had a bad brush with traffic semi-recently). Once you're comfortable with the average behaviour of local drivers it all becomes much more zen. Or at least...you suffer anger rather than fear. That's my experience anyhow :p

As I'm sure many in this particular forum are, I'm mostly a cyclist that wants to get into running so I can work up to triathlons and one day IMs. It took me a long time to feel comfortable on the road and it was really all down to regularly dealing with it. I still run into people seemingly trying to kill me but now I can take it in my stride for the most part. For me, the idea of running regularly is a daunting one due to the leg pain and slow recovery more than anything.
 
I have to say i've not seen too many triathlons, what I have seen is they tend to close off one lane of road but it probably varies a lot by event. I'm not going to stop cycling on the roads, I jut want to have better options for workouts without having to worry about the traffic, and better still without having to leave home. I can get about 90 minutes a day leaving the house, i tend to spend that running or swimming right now. Adding a trainer will let me do a decent workout in the evening while I watch over the baby and the wife rest , or if an afternoon thunderstorm kicks in.


For running, make sure you run slow enough (and properly fitted shoes obviously). It took me 1 year of focused running to go from casual 4 mile jogs to doing a 3:14 marathon a few weeks back. The people i know doing triathlons don't seem to run much at all TBH, often frequently (6days) but very short runs, or longer runs but only 3 days.

i want to use the trainer for some hard interval session, getting HR up to 9%Vo2max but without the impacts on the joints that come with running that fast.
 
Yes, apologies if I sounded like I was coming across as nagging/saying "just get out there". I know there's more to it than that. In fact, I had a similar conversation not long ago about chain gangs vs turbo sessions.

Some of my running issues are absolutely down to pushing myself too fast as cardio-wise it feels like it's pretty easy (just because my legs don't work in that way yet). Another part of it is that I simply need to run more frequently, even for shorter distances. I'm the classic person that gives running a try, finds that it hurts, then makes excuses for ages before repeating the cycle.
 
try being more pre-emptive when riding on the road, look over you shoulder as the car is in overtake region (typically they will give a wider berth and 2nd thought to their maneuver, apart from the older drivers imho) and riding too close to kerb gives you problems with debris and them a false impression of available space ... sorry if this is obvious, but when driving maybe <10% of cyclists show an awareness they know a motor is approaching - bright clothing too - fluorescent bandolier even at daytime so motorist cannot claim in the inquest they did not see you :) as opposed to a dead fashion victim
 
Good points that I should be more defenseive. Buy I found I got a lot more abuse when I didn't cling to the edge. I did realize today that keeping off to the shoulder can be quite dangerous when the shoulder ends and.I have to merge back into the lane so probabky won't do that again

I always try to wear neon colours.
 
I think showing an awareness and riding defensively are key. In dangerous spaces if you leave cars room to pass they will try. Bare in mind a large proportion of drivers don't read the road ahead and having not cycled UK roads themselves don't expect you to weave around potholes and the likes.

I'd like to think I'm a courteous cyclist but I don't put myself in harms way for the sake of letting a driver pass. If I can see up the road or round a corner before them I'll wave them on as I'd rather not have them sat behind me unnecessarily.

If people are passing me too close for my liking then quite simply I will come out further from the kerb, not out of selfishness but for my own safety.

I still use the 'Lifesaver' check when exiting roundabouts or roads that I was taught when gaining my motorbike licence.
 
I went out this morning just being more defensive, not pulling over so often to wide shoulders and looking over my shoulder when i know a car is in close. It definitely felt safer but did lead to some more horn blowing on one occasion.

Was a good ride
https://www.strava.com/activities/580107986
30.3mi,1:48:01, 16.9mph. 1,138ft



Anyone, i bought the trainer, i'm sure it will be useful when I have to babysit and can't leave the house or I simply want to do hard intervals without the worry of traffic lights.
 
Never hurts to have a turbo for when you don't have time to get out on the road, if it's particularly wet & windy or you fancy some different structure to your training.

Would be keen to hear what you make of it as my only turbo experience has been my second hand £50 CycleOps Mag. Which got more than it's fair share of use last year!
 
maybe the best training for cycling is cycling, but with an inability to get out on the road as much as I used to in sunnier climates, I invested in a 2nd hand air rower, less noise/space/mess(?), easily accomodated even in warm living room, no hassle of not having your familiar bike to sit on - I have not researched benefits/detriments of cross training - but found rowing reasonably aesthetic.
 
I'll be interested to hear what you make of it. I have been considering the Vortex but sort of hoping for a price drop / wondering if 800w max will be enough (I think it will!).
 
I bought a basic fluid trainer in November and used Zwift ok, I just changed to gears to affect resistance for hills etc, but to really get the most out of Zwift you really need a smart trainer, which is also better for the structured workouts.

I then bought a TacX Flow smart trainer (their entry level one and was only available at Decathlon) and have been using it for a few months now and my cycling fitness has improved massively. Now that the weather is better I have been getting outside more but will still use the trainer and Zwift when I can't get out or if the weather is horrific.

I'd definitely recommend getting a smart trainer and Zwift, and you can't really go too wrong with the Vortex I guess. Don't forget you may also need an Ant+ dongle and speed and cadence sensors.
 
R0B75 said:
I bought a basic fluid trainer in November and used Zwift ok, I just changed to gears to affect resistance for hills etc, but to really get the most out of Zwift you really need a smart trainer, which is also better for the structured workouts.

I then bought a TacX Flow smart trainer (their entry level one and was only available at Decathlon) and have been using it for a few months now and my cycling fitness has improved massively. Now that the weather is better I have been getting outside more but will still use the trainer and Zwift when I can't get out or if the weather is horrific.

I'd definitely recommend getting a smart trainer and Zwift, and you can't really go too wrong with the Vortex I guess. Don't forget you may also need an Ant+ dongle and speed and cadence sensors.
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I saw that Tacx flow in Decathlon actually.. I was skeptical as I'd never heard or read about it anywhere else. What's the maximum watts?
Edit: ahh. 700w, not too bad.
 
Lethal` said:
I saw that Tacx flow in Decathlon actually.. I was skeptical as I'd never heard or read about it anywhere else. What's the maximum watts?
Edit: ahh. 700w, not too bad.
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The flow is apparently still available at Halfords

I believe it's 800w, but I'm not 100% on that. It's been plenty enough for me though. Unless you're a sprinting monster I doubt you'd need any more.
 
R0B75 said:
The flow is apparently still available at Halfords

I believe it's 800w, but I'm not 100% on that. It's been plenty enough for me though. Unless you're a sprinting monster I doubt you'd need any more.
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I actually have no idea of my power at all so just randomly guessing and hoping whatever I buy will be high enough.

I wonder what the differences really are between the Flow and the Vortex.
 
From looking at them both on TacX' site I think the differences are just the maximum capability in terms of watts, sprint and gradient. I've hit well over 1000w on Zwift during sprints according to my achievements. Not sure how Zwift records this, but it may use my HRM, cadence and speed sensor perhaps?
 
Lethal` said:
I'll be interested to hear what you make of it. I have been considering the Vortex but sort of hoping for a price drop / wondering if 800w max will be enough (I think it will!).
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It should arrive today.

I don't know much but I doubt I can sustain 800w for very long so I think it is fairly irrelevant.
 
R0B75 said:
I bought a basic fluid trainer in November and used Zwift ok, I just changed to gears to affect resistance for hills etc, but to really get the most out of Zwift you really need a smart trainer, which is also better for the structured workouts.

I then bought a TacX Flow smart trainer (their entry level one and was only available at Decathlon) and have been using it for a few months now and my cycling fitness has improved massively. Now that the weather is better I have been getting outside more but will still use the trainer and Zwift when I can't get out or if the weather is horrific.

I'd definitely recommend getting a smart trainer and Zwift, and you can't really go too wrong with the Vortex I guess. Don't forget you may also need an Ant+ dongle and speed and cadence sensors.
Click to expand...

Didn't realize about the sensor but I'm going to order a Gamin 520 with sensors today anyway.

Since making my opening post it poured with rain almost every day until yesterday, now it is a heatwave 31*C and crazy humidity. i'm guessing cycling n such heat is not as bad as running (i gave up and went o the gym to use the TM), but still think i can do a better hard interval workout on a trainer inside than out at the moment, and safer workings different power zones and hear rate levels without the worry of traffic lights or being run over.
 
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