Guys
Believe me I have done a search and seen lots of posts so apologies for yet another thread but could not see an anwer to my dilema:
I am in the UK, where Computrainers are extremely rare. No one I know has one, no shops have one to try etc
Given our climate I would think it would be a great tool in the depths of winter
I am lucky enough to have an SRM already, so the question is simply whether or not the Computrainer is a good purchase
I do seriously struggle to a) do trainer work at all and b) when I do to have any focus
Setting a specific wattage and holding it, and the new videos available for Computrainer really appeal
I am also very intrigued by SpinScan - is it very useful or a bit ‘gimmicky’?
Thus some real world feedback from users would be greatly appreciated
I purchased a computrainer this past winter. I find it 100008032489328509238x better than a regular trainer. I don’t use the spinscan and only sometimes ride the courses on it. Its just so much smoother and has a much much better feel that it doesn’t feel like I’m grinding rock against rock when riding indoors. I was easily putting 350km a week on the thing over the winter.
Another thing I liked, I could pop a movie in the TV ( usually old TDF videos), blare music and then ride a course so I constantly had something different to look at. It seems small, but you’d be amazed how nice it is to check elevation, power, time, distance, what songs are up, and watch the protour… time seems to fly.
its worth every penny.
+3
I’ll also throw in that ERG mode is awesome for automatic interval work. You simply cannot cheat. Build your interval workout (3 x 10’; 2 x 20’ at whatever power) and you’re stuck doing that power level for the prescribed time.
BTW, I don’t use SpinScan either. Never really investigated its utility.
Here is your guy in the UK: http://www.computrainer.co.uk/
Please tell Simon that RCVman sent ya!!
If you need to ride indoors yes defiantly get a Computrainer, worth every cent.
I am very excited by this thread. I just ordered one. I am going to kill my legs this winter.
Thanks for all the posts so far
Its sounds great
Are there any Ergvideos that are a ‘must have’ as well?
We bought two CompuTrainers when we moved from US to Sweden… if you think the winters are bad in UK, try 11months of that crap and 1months of just cold,but at least sunny (which is when all Swedes complain it’s too hot… might be in the mid 20’s (or lower 80’sF…)).
Seriously, one of the best investments we could’ve done is the CT’s. Winter training can be mentally challenging as it is, and the CT does make it bearable. I did notice a considerable difference, whether that came from just riding more (since it’s actually pretty fun being on the CT), or from the SpinScan (can get attictive…), who knows… but all I care about is that it does make me a better cyclist.
You can always buy a used CompuTrainer and buy a new 220V powersupply directly from RaceMate… should save you few £’s even with the quite expensive shipping costs from US
Best purchase for me.
And I’d think that with your SRM you could really dial in your power expenditures for racing…especially longer Tris.
My next purchase is a power meter for outdoor riding as I now think riding outside is more of a waste.
I just bought a used computrainer a couple months ago and love it! I’ve been using the ErgVideo 4 Man Team Time Trial. Like other have said in Erg mode you HAVE to output the power…no slacking. I’ve found that this definately helps during the higher wattage sections of the workout (of course) but what surprised me was how much it is helping me to learn to recover while not completely shutting down and just spinning easy. During the sections where I am drafting off of other riders (recovering, kinda) the wattage does indeed go down, but not by as much as it would go down if I was just doing sets on my own. I know that I could do this with any powermeter, but the fact of the matter is I didn’t. In ergometer mode, I don’t have a choice–if I’m turning the pedals, I’m at the wattage I had planned. It’s been a rude (and good) awakening 
As a recent CT purchaser, agreement with the previous responses goes without saying. ERG mode is great for doing intervals at specific wattages or using a pre-programmed interval set. CT software makes riding very interesting. You pay more attention to the course map and how much work you have left as opposed to the time you’ve been on the bike. The course video is an interesting concept - with all the other features available, I’ve used the course video only once.
I use my CT for week day training so the workout can be maximized for the time that I have available and have seen major gains on my weekend long rides which are outdoors. Good luck finding your CT. Absolutely worth the investment.
Luke and Julie talk with Simon at last years UK 70.3 about using CompuTrainer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lemwMxBoYHU
Ride the Ct 2x a week, the rollers 1x and get outside whenever possible and you are bound to see real improvement.
Riding indoors can be extremely productive and doesn’t have to be boring.
G
What Computrainer model do folks tend to get?.. I see the “Lab” model goes for ~$50 more for more accurate readings vs. the “Pro” (?) In this case, the extra $50 bucks doesn’t sound like a big diff since you’re already spending ~$1,700 MSRP… any comments on whether there’s a worthwhile difference between the Pro 3D and Lab 3D?
I currently have a Lab model, but previously had a Pro. I haven’t noticed any difference. I got the lab since at the time, I was a USAT coach, and they have a great program for coaches to purchase a single lab model. I believe the insides are all the same, the Lab versions just test to and hold a tighter tolerance. I ride mine religiously year around. I’ve thrown away a ton of cash on triathlon, but this is by far the best investment I’ve ever made. Likely doing intervals on mine tonight.