My WAY COOL wife bought me a Computrainer for my birthday. Well, she didn’t actually buy it - she gave me an IOU, a kiss, and told me to order one. Holy crap talk about surprises…
Thing is, she was surprised too - she didn’t realize that the thing is supposed to be hooked up to a computer. Going out and buying a computer just to drive the CT isn’t an option so I’m going to have to pull something together with pieces of things we already have around. Question is, how much CPU power do you really need for the CT 3D software and scenery packs to work reasonably well? Racermate’s website says that a 233Mhz Pentium II with Winodws 95 will work, but somehow I just don’t quite belive it.
What say you ST? What processing power are you using for a CT with the 3D software etc.
(PS: I realize you can use the thing with the handlebar control module and no computer in “standalone” mode. But if I’m going to spend $1500, I want more than just speed, power and distance. I want the full list of capabilities - especially when January comes).
one thing to consider is ditching the 3D functionality and just using the free coaching software. You have all the functionality of the 3d software (with a few additional perks) and don’t have to upgrade your computer.
That’s what I do. I can’t remember the last time I used the 3D software.
If you decide to run the 3d software, get a lot of RAM and a good (compatible) graphics card. I’d stick with a windows XP box. It used to crash all the time when I ran it on Windows 98 with 1 gig ram.
I recall these things use to run off of an old Nintendo Entertainment System (the original). You don’t necessarily need to hook it up to a puter’, either.
CompuTrainer 3D, version 3.0, and Coaching Software 1.5
Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Pentium II, Intel Celeron, or AMD K6-2 class processor, 500 MHz or higher.
64 MB RAM or higher*(128MB for 98SE and 256MB recommended for Win2000/XP)* Windows 95/98/98SE/ME/2000/XP
One Serial or USB Port per CompuTrainer. (Note: use of a USB port requires a USB-to-Serial adapter) Microsoft DirectX 7.0 or higher. 16MB Video RAM, DirectX 7 or higher compatible Video Card.* *
(Video Drivers must be written for DirectX 7.0 or higher). CD-ROM drive(needed for software installation purposes only)
Not sure whether your computer meets or exceeds system requirements? Use the DirectX Diagnostics tool to tell you everything you need to know. Click here to learn how. Pro PC1
Minimum System Requirements:
**Intel Pentium or AMD K-6 class processor 100MHz or higher. ** 32 MB RAM or higher(64MB for 98SE and 256MB recommended for Win2000/XP) Windows 95/98/98SE/ME/2000/XP
One Serial or USB Port per CompuTrainer. (Note: use of a USB port requires a USB-to-Serial adapter) Microsoft DirectX 7.0 or higher ** 2MB Video RAM, DirectX 7 or higher compatible Video Card.(Video Drivers must be written for DirectX 7.0 or higher). CD-ROM drive(needed for software installation purposes only) Options to consider:
TV out video card ~or~ VGA-to-TV presentation device. Helpful if PC-to-TV display is desired for big screen display. TV out Video card example: NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti VGA-to-TV External device example: **AVerKey iMicro
Internet Connection (for downloading software updates, more courses, ranking etc.)
Quite honestly, I think you’ll tire of the 3d quickly and end up using the coaching software 99% of the time. The 3d has even less of a computer requirement.
i hear you - i rarely use the 2d software and mostly use Coaching software or sometimes just use it without the computer at all.
the coolest thing i have though is an erg video of the lake placid course - that thing is AWESOME. i can choose where i want to start on the course, choose my average watts for the ride and view a video of some dude riding the course while being the scenes my CS adjusts the wattage based on the wattage changes of the rider you’re following.
It’s not only a great workout (since you are forced to maintain the watts) but you also get a pretty nice preview of the course allowing you to note the turns, landmarks etc… this morning i rode from upper jay to the finish…
You really don’t even need a computer. I use mine in stand-alone mode all the time using just the hand controller.
EDIT
Ooops. just read your last line. Yeah… what the others say. Coaching software is better anyway. You can build interval workouts that target specific wattages using Notepad and use coaching software to display the information while you work out. I find that I watch TV more than the computer screen anyway.
I’ve used an old Windows 98 system with 128 mb of RAM without any problem. That’s about all I use that particular computer for, however. I’m not sure how well it would run if you had lots of other programs running in the background and making demands on the RAM.
I say NEVER, ever, buy a lousy computer, unless it is FREE. You will likely buy a new computer shortly afterward anyway, once your needs increase, and the whole industry is built to be sure your needs increase. Buy the best you can, even if it exceeds spec of your current desktop. In that case, use the new computer as your new desktop and move the current desktop for your CT.
Following t2k’s comment: “Some dude” is none other than Greg Reain, 2006 Canadian Cyclocross champ. Very fast.
We just finished a very cool motorpacing session with Glen Rendall, holder of 5 National championships on the track, and nationally esteemed coach Ross Knight on the moto. Release this fall. Ever see a guy pedal 85km/h in 53x12?? Now you will.
Original poster: you’ll need a multimedia-capable computer, the P2 won’t cut it if you want ErgVideo…and I hope you will.
I realize that day in and day out I may just use the coaching software, but the possibilities of following specific courses in the dead of winter is something that I’m really looking forward to. (Actually, I think my wife is secretly looking forward to it too).
I think for now I’ll give it a try with a 2.5Ghz laptop we have laying around. In a few months, I’m going to be replacing a 2.8Ghz Dell of ours so I’ll be able to upgrade the CT to that machine in the fall if I need to.
Not to hijack this thread, but I have had my CT since January and I just open up the desktop icon, pick a 3D course and ride. I race against the other dude on the screen that I think I programmed in to pace at a certain wattage. Anyway, what exactly is ergo mode? I have the coaching software as well. How do you use it?
Obviously, I have not taken a lot of time to figure all of the capabilities out. Sorry for stupid question. But, I have just been hooking up to computer, picking course and riding, but it sounds like I am not using to fullest extent.
I do not have any of the extra scenery packs, so I spend most of my time staring at the stats on the bottom of the screen.
I have never done intervals on the CT before. I normally ride a fairly hilly course for an hour and 15 minutes and try to maintain my average watts at 225. Care to give me a sample interval workout for an hour-15 or hour and a half to be used in the ergo mode. I will give it a try.
I’d post one I’m doing now, but it’s Rich Strauss’ plan, and I don’t want to post the details w/o his okay, but basically, it’s an easy warm up, including calibration of the CT and some spin-ups and short moderate intervals to get the legs ready to go. Next, I do a series of moderately long intervals in the FTP range with very short rest intervals. The remainder of the workout is steady spinning at about Zone 2 on the Coggan power scale.
You can create text files with “.erg” extension that will automatically set the CT to these power levels for the desired time.
The Coaching Software Manual (downloadable PDF link) gives you a breakdown of the .erg file format. See page 30 of the PDF. You simply open the erg file in the CT coaching software, hit “Start” on the hand controller, and do the workout.
wow, here I was thinking you were going to be scraping by with a PII 800mhz machine or something… I’ve run a Computrainer with the 3D going on a $50 laptop (1.3ghz…) I picked up. It had a busted LCD screen so I projected it on the wall with my home made projector… There is no way you need to replace a 2.8Ghz machine to run Computrainer
Unlike some of the other responders, I would die without the 3D software. It provides total feedback on many of the courses I have either raced or plan to race. I also use the ergo mode for drill work - intervals/one leg spinning - but the 3D keeps me going on long winter trainer sessions. For me, it is a much better workout than watching a movie with the ergo mode.
And the 3D courses are much tougher than real world due to the lack of downhill coasting momentum. For example, I could only manage 17 mph on the Hagg Lake USAT Nationals 3D course, but I did 21+ on the actual course.
We have a CompuTrainer set up in the store for people to try out. It is hooked up to a PII, not sure of the speed but it probably has 256 mb of RAM in it. All software runs on it fine. Maybe it’s because the PII has MMX technology!
People are surprised that it runs seemlessly with the coaching software, 3d with the latest updates, etc. and also gives them an idea of the minimum computer requirements for the CompuTrainer. Keep in mind that we don’t have any other applications or software loaded on this machine to slow it down though.
lol! yah, I was pretty skeptical when a friend suggested we build them… I had seen plans for homemade “projectors” which were obvious jokes/scams. Turns out you can make a pretty nice projector, fairly easy, and for about $400. The nicest part is replacement bulbs cost $40 as opposed to $300+ for commercial bulbs…
Sorry Iron Buckeye for straying from your original topic… I think Darrell’s post sums it ups best, they’re running it on a PII with 256mb of RAM, I don’t think you have anything to worry about… now just buy or build yourself a projector you can ride in front of…
I think Darrell’s post sums it ups best, they’re running it on a PII with 256mb of RAM, I don’t think you have anything to worry about… now just buy or build yourself a projector you can ride in front of… 