Trainer: tacx vertex smart, opinions and alternatives

[D.P.]

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.

 

[D.P.]

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.

 

[D.P.]

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.

 

[D.P.]

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.

 

[D.P.]

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.

 

[D.P.]

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!).

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.

 

[D.P.]

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.

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.

 

[D.P.]

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.

I know diddly squat but I think over a workout you probably wont be doing more than 200-300watts average. you can definitely sprint for 30S at sovereign like 1000w but that isn't particularly useful training IMO. As long as you can do intervals a of X minutes at a high heart rate and intensity then there isn't much of an issue.