Fränk & Andy Schleck, Luxembourg 2009. Photo: Tacx
I am adding more info on the Tacx Bushido wireless ergometer. Here is a story taken from the Tacx Bushido website that I am quoting here in its entirety.
Not only do Luxembourg brothers Fränk and Andy Schleck play a leading role on the international cycling podium, they are also doing so in the new ErgoVideo by Tacx. In “Training with Fränk and Andy Schleck”, the top riders in Team Saxo Bank are taking Tacx cyclists with them on their favourite training tour in Luxembourg. But if it is raining, they are also happy to cycle indoors – on their Tacx trainer.
Fränk (29) en Andy (24) can often be found on Tacx trainers. “In the winter, certainly”, recounts Andy. The weather here in Luxembourg is not great during the winter and we spend a lot of time on the trainer.” Both brothers habitually “overwinter” in their home country. “If it is raining, it is a good reason to take a rest”, according to Fränk. “And if it rains for a couple of days in succession, then we jump on the trainer, it couldn’t be easier.” Now that the Bushido trainer can be hooked up to a PC and Tacx’s Real Life Videos can be used for the Ergotrainers, the world is naturally the Schlecks’ oyster. Where would they like to go training, setting out from their home? Fränk laughs. “I would like to go for a spin here in Luxembourg, really! Even though we have lived here for ages, I still set great store by the scenery that Luxembourg has to offer us. In think Andy agrees with me on that.” His younger brother nods. “We know the roads here like the back of our hands. We don’t need GPS, we don’t get lost.” Occasionally we go for an outing across the border. Andy: “When we do so we cross the river and look for a couple of steep climbs in Germany, if we feel the need.”By feel
Doesn’t that conflict with their training programmes? “No actually”, says Andy, laughing. “Like most pros we still ride mainly by feel.” But it is really rather nice if that if the feel is conformed by rock solid figures. That is why the Schlecks use the Ergotrainer regularly for fitness testing.Fränk: “It is most important that the power measurement be calibrated, as you want to be able to compare the power delivery from different trainers with one another.
That is why we are on the look-out for the Bushido. It features a calibration function, which you can use for each test. Calibration ensures that essential data such as speed and wattage are displayed as accurately as possible. In addition, I will shortly be able to reproduce the power from my SRM meter I use on the road, on the display of my Bushido computer. This uses the same Ant+ wireless transmission technology.” The boundless possibilities offered by the Bushido have surprised Fränk. His verdict on the latest Ergotrainer from Tacx is therefore short and to the point: “Awesome!”
Tomorrow I will write about the way to turn the Bushido into a Virtual Reality Wireless Trainer. Thanks for looking.
