Tacx i-Magic

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Favorite Ride:
Bliss Road

Bike Setup:
Custom Ti Road Frame with full Dura Ace

Summary:
I purchased this trainer last year and have been riding it since then. The setup is simple and the software was very easy to install. There are three main programs video footage, virtual reality and something similar to a gym exercise bike. The trainer's magnetic resistance is smooth and increases with speed giving a true to life riding feel.

Strengths:
Many different options in programs and the exercise bike mode is fully customizable. This trainer is the closest to real road riding I have used. Resistance is more than I would ever need. Eliminates trainer boredom with goals and computer visuals.

Weaknesses:
Like any other trainer it eats tires. Colorado Cyclist sent the wrong trainer first time and it took a few weeks to fully resolve

Similar Products Used:
Tacx Swing, Cyclops, Elite Wind

Price Paid:  $720.00 at cbike.com

Favorite Ride:
33 mile loop afret work

Bike Setup:
'08 Trek Madone 5.1, Easton EA90 SLX wheels, Easton EC90 SL 44 handlebars, Fizik Arione carbon/ti saddle, Garmin Edge 705

Summary:
This has been a love hate relationship. My wife bought this for my b-day and when it arrived it was missing the USB interface. I waited over a week for the part and started installing the software on my primary PC at home. (I have 6 in the house between the kids, mine and my wife's laptop.)

Anyway, I soon found out that the software is very fragile and it requires your PC to be nearly perfect operationally. I spent over 10 hours trying to get it running on my PC. I kept getting an error when launching the app.

Finally I had enough and sent an email to cbike.com stating that this was a complete piece of garbage and that I wanted to exchange it for any other brand trainer. As I was boxing it up and to ship it back my 7 year old daughter begged me to try installing the software on her PC. In less than 30 minutes I had the thing up and running as advertised.

I've used it for 3 or 4 rides since and it's pretty cool. There aren't a lot of big hills where I live so I wanted it mainly to simulate a little climbing. While it doesn't appear to be like the real quite like the real thing it is a very good workout for when I cannot get home in time for my outside ride or when weather prevents me from riding outside.

Strengths:
It provides a good workout and appears to be made well. The real life training CDs are very nice.

Weaknesses:
The software can be a nightmare to load if you 1) don't know what you're doing and 2) if your PC has any issues.

Similar Products Used:
older fan trainers

View Comments (1)

Would you like to Comment?
Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.