TACX  is an innovative and compelling cycling company with an incredible line of bicycle trainers and a growing line of accessories. The crazy name Tacx (pronounced "tax") comes from the founder, Koos Tacx.  Like many of us who are in this relatively uneconomic industry, Koos has been a bicycle fanatic his entire life. Apparently he wished to establish TACX as "an industrial company that enjoys a reputation for excellence with amateurs and pros throughout the world...investing in innovation and a quest for the very best quality ."  We salute Mr. Tacx because his company has in fact achieved his appropriately lofty ambition.  His equipment is excellent for the serious side we feed and the enthusiast that will always define us.

Tacx Fortius "Multiplayer" and Fortius

Recommended Computer:
Memory: 1 GIG or more
Hard Disk: ~1 GIG needed
Graphics: DirectX9 3D  with 128 MB of memory
Connections:USB Port; DVD player
OS: Windows 2000, XP or Vista
 

 

MSRP Multiplayer: $1530

MSRP Fortius: $1250 (also can do multiplayer)

Is this the best virtual reality trainer there is? Well, if it isn't it is still an exceptional piece of equipment and we believe an essential part of indoor training.  Alpe D'Huez or Galibier or any number of Pyrenees passes.  These rides are realistic and engaging.  We've ridden a number of these in reality and the realistically INTERACTIVE software makes you feel as if you are there.  This no Computrainer same screen the entire time ugh why am I riding indoors. To make the ride absolutely realistic, TACX invested heavily in creating a best-in-class computer-driven electro-magentic cycling trainer.  You can see it pictured on the left. It is marvelous. It allows you to glide realistically when you train.  Go ahead, push 600 watts -- it will handle that with ease.   Does that mean it never slips out when you are going up 10% hills? You can reduce that with the right training tires. But get in a rhythm in a VR climb on the Fortius and you can climb for 2 hours and enjoy it. We do it fairly often.

The only difference with Multiplayer and the "base" Fortius unit is that the Multiplayer comes with the VR steering mechanism.   Choose your flavor.  

To summarize, the Tacx Fortius is a tremendous piece of equipment. This is the trainer to get if you are able to climb 8% or higher grades. Or if you wish to get there.  We use these in our indoor cycling studio. This is so much more enjoyable than Computrainer we frankly do not know why anyone would ever again buy a Computrainer.  But heck come down and do a side by side comparison for yourself!! We've got them both.