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Tacx Flow Trainer review

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$614.32

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Tacx Flow Trainer

BikeRadar verdict

4.5 out of 5 stars

"Delivers quality workouts, power-based training and feedback affordably"

2 comments
Mon 12 Oct 2009, 3:00 pm BSTBy

Shopping partners

Okay, let's get a major niggle with the whole Tacx range out of the way first – assembly. They all come flatpacked and require a considerable amount of Allen key jiggery-pokery, an extra pair of hands and extreme patience with the less-than-clear instructions.

Once up and running, the Flow is smooth and quiet, and the frame felt stable even when we were out of the saddle while simulating climbing and sprinting.

The handlebar-mounted computer is clear and intuitive to use, and the Flow offers full performance feedback including speed, cadence, heart rate, distance and power. It also enables you to see average figures for the session while you’re riding.

For power-based training, you simply enter the wattage required and the unit will automatically adjust its resistance to hold you at that figure.

It’s possible to fool it with sudden surges or slow cadence, but the system is hard to fault within normal training ranges.

The Flow also enables you to accurately calibrate the unit, guaranteeing consistency from session to session.

What's the score with BikeRadar reviews? You can find a full explanation of our ratings here.

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User Reviews

There are 2 reviews on this post

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 comments

  • Just bought one of these - very pleased with it.

    As stated - smooth, quiet & stable. Once up and running, it's a pleasure to use (for a trainer that is)!!

    Disagree with some parts of the setup comments. I found it straight forward. Only one pair of hands required and no "jiggary-pokery". Firstly, throw the bag of adapter bits to one side - don't need these for a road bike. Then just use the diagrams to roughly position the parts, after which it all makes sense.

    Only issue I've had is the computer - not as intuitive as it could be, and manual doesn't make it easy to work out.

  • After a few weeks use I'm still a very happy bunny. However, for the record I've noted a few niggles:

    1) The rubber handle bar attachments are too short for my "winged" bars, so I've resorted to using strips of Velcro to keep it in place - why couldn't they have used longer "laddered" rubber fixings?.

    2) The the computer & cadence sensor cable connection points are inconveniently located on the underside of the brake housing - WHY ???

    3) The connection point for the power cable is located in a prominent and consequently very vulnerable position on the brake housing - I am concerned that over time, this could weaken and eventually snap. NOT CLEVER!

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Specification

Name:
Flow (10)
Built by:
Tacx
Price:
$614.32

Features:
# Power: current, average, maximum # Pedalling Frequency: current, average, maximum, total number of pedal cycles per ride. # Speed: current, average, maximum, trip distance and ODO # Heart Rate: current, average, maximum # Stopwatch cycling time # Average Indicator # Visual Display of Brake Operation and Slope # Brake Calibration: guarantees acurate power measurement # Frequency and Tension of Electric Supply: 50 or 60-hertz

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