I've owned a Computrainer for about a year now, and here are my impressions:
General overview
Basically, RacerMate's CompuTrainer is a computer-controlled resistance unit that attaches to your bicycle. There is an optional Nintendo (which I have) that interfaces the CompuTrainer's microprocessor to a TV. This allows you to ride complete courses that include hills (% grade), headwind, and the like and see them on screen.
You can also ride against the computer (one of your previously saved rides or a phantom opponent with a set power output) or ride against another person riding another CompuTrainer (CT) unit. Your opponent appears as another cyclist on the TV screen (!). The computer can be set so that it retains your performance on any of the simulated courses, so you can in effect race against yourself. If you do ride against an opponent, you can even take advantage of drafting when you're close enough behind him/her.
There is also an optional PC interface for saving spin-scan results (spin-scan shows you how smooth your pedal stroke is). I did not purchase the PC interface, so I can't comment on it. IMHO, it's really not necessary.
Things I like:
1. I find myself riding anywhere from 50-100% longer on the CT than I could on my old Minoura MagTurbo. For example, with the MagTurbo, I would usually do about 40 minutes. Now my usual workout is an hour. Workouts of up to two hours are not too much trouble.
2. It's very motivational. If it weren't for the fact that you can max the load unit out (see note 1 under dislikes), it would be the ideal sprint training tool. For example, I set the CT up so that it saves my best performance over a 1/4 mile sprint. I can then sprint against myself, always racing against my last repetition! Try that for motivation.
3. The ability to ride custom courses is nice. I have programmed in some strength and power workouts that I could never bring myself to do on the MagTurbo.
4. The spin-scan feature allows me to smooth out my pedal stroke. I think that rollers would probably be better for this, but spin-scan is nice (no skid marks on the carpet). Plus, you can see the power output for each leg at each point in the pedal stroke.
5. It's good for those easy days you're supposed to take. We all know how difficult it is to take an easy day on a group ride. I just set the CT up for spin-scan, and do half an hours worth while listening to my favorite Barry Manilow tape (just kidding - the Pixies are my choice for ideal training music). [MK Note: boy is he kidding ... the Pixies are not for kiddies ...]
6. The unit is reasonably quiet. Much more so than the MagTurbo and a lot quieter than fan-based units.
7. I no longer get too worried about the weather, because I know I can do an indoor workout that is very nearly as good as a road ride.
Things I don't like:
1. When sprinting, it is not too difficult to max the load unit out. You also get some major tire slippage. I understand that RacerMate now has a pro load unit available that will go above 750 W (which is the current limit) all the way to 1500 watts.
2. The unit could be a little more user friendly, like saving the name and/or date of your performance.
3. There are wires and cables running everywhere. You need to to connect power to the load unit. Run sensor cables for the crankarm sensor, run a cable from the load unit to the computer on the handlebars. Run a cable from the computer to the nintendo, hook up the Nintendo, etc. You probably would want to leave the CT set up, and not try and put it away after every use. I would recommend just dedicating a bike to it and leaving it hooked up. Note that all the cables have connectors on them, so they can disonnected temporarily.
4. The crankarm sensor attaches with rubber bands, zip-ties might be better.
5. Price $$$.
Overall, I am very happy with the unit. It's very motivational - plus my wife likes it too :-)
Robert Pawlak, c/o mlkienholz@aol.com
Note from the wife: I'd highly recommend the CompuTrainer as well, especially if you have a competitive streak in you (and no one your level against whom to compete). It's actually somewhat entertaining to watch someone riding the CompuTrainer, too. So odd to see a cyclist standing on the pedals to get up a steep hill against a stiff headwind indoors ... or to hear the groans of a bursting spleen in an all-out sprint. - MK