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The Knowledge / Re: Smart trainer
« Last post by ravenbait on Today at 10:33:00 am »I have the same trainer and have used it regularly for about 2 years now. I tried out zwift using the trial code, but didn't like it. I use the Tacx app. It's very handy for me as I can ride along to a video or use it to do one of the workouts from my Garmin training plan, which automatically syncs to Tacx. Also, miles on Tacx count towards Garmin badges, and I'm a sucker for the badges. Tacx also has inbuilt training if that's your bag. If you have some other form of garmin that will talk to the trainer, for instance a Fenix or Edge, you can use it to control the trainer. You can even ride a course you've previously recorded on GPS, or a course you would like to do in future (not with a movie, though).
For me, the best bits about the trainer are:
I normally use my phone (Samsung S20FE) to control the trainer and play any tacx movies, and have the option of streaming a movie or something up on a telly on a trainer table. I don't have the space to have a dedicated set up with a laptop or tablet -- both my laptop and tablet are too old and slow to run the Tacx app, and connecting my PC to the telly is awkward. I have used Google TV to mirror my screen, but that tends to get laggy at the TV end because I have to set up so far from our router, so I gave up. When I first got it, I just used my phone and didn't have a table -- I listened to downloaded audio dramas on an MP3 player and had the phone sitting on my aerobars. You don't need a table and a telly, but they're nice to have.
Sam
For me, the best bits about the trainer are:
- Being able to ride when my asthma is playing up, so I don't worry about having an attack in the middle of nowhere and needing rescue;
- Being able to ride when the weather outside is so foul I'm more worried about careless drivers, or aggravating my asthma;
- Being able to do structured workouts like intervals without road conditions being an obstacle; and
- Having time to watch movies Mr Bait wouldn't want to watch while also doing something constructive.
I normally use my phone (Samsung S20FE) to control the trainer and play any tacx movies, and have the option of streaming a movie or something up on a telly on a trainer table. I don't have the space to have a dedicated set up with a laptop or tablet -- both my laptop and tablet are too old and slow to run the Tacx app, and connecting my PC to the telly is awkward. I have used Google TV to mirror my screen, but that tends to get laggy at the TV end because I have to set up so far from our router, so I gave up. When I first got it, I just used my phone and didn't have a table -- I listened to downloaded audio dramas on an MP3 player and had the phone sitting on my aerobars. You don't need a table and a telly, but they're nice to have.
Sam