Its great to see creative geeks hooking up computers to just about anything, including bicycle rollers. I'm not sure I will be to enthusiastic about the first computerized condom though.

I got a chance to demo one of these at a mountain bike show last fall. I'm almost ashamed to say, it was really pretty cool :D The one game they had going on a PS1 was pretty lame, just a downhill course, but the concept was totally fun. It wasn't quite the same thing tho- it was mounted on a real bike.

As soon as I saw it I wanted to play the Dave Mirra BMX game with it!

Um, yeah. The first thing some geek's gonna do is hack this so he "wins" the race.

Originally Posted by dissonance
Rollers and wind trainers both have adjustable resistance, though rollers are much more challenging to ride than a wind trainer. Balance on rollers can be tricky, but you end up developing a nice, round pedal stroke as a result, so I prefer them to wind trainers.

I\'ve had my rollers for a while not, but I don\'t remember paying more than a couple hundred for them. Depending on how hardcore you want to get, you may even be able to find a used set for cheap, but do be prepared to get a little warm riding indoors, and keep a towel handy just in case.

When using a fan, I\'ve always found that positioning it by a window, blowing cold outside air in really helps. At the very least, the air from outside is going to be more refreshing than recycled indoor air.

AG #15 again

whoa, i did miss the prices at the bottom of the page

oh well :D

[quote]BTW, do rollers come with adjustable resistance? and how much do they cost?[/quote]

norco distributes the japanese brand 'mimoura' in canada, they have models ranging from beginner to expert, but no prices are shown (i'm guessing you should ask your fav norco retailer/bikeshop)

http://www.norco.com/press/0301_minoura.htm

AG9 Here again...

Diss, I guess a fan would be the best idea for keeping one cool during a stationary workout.

As you know, in Vancouver, the temp rarely gets over 30, but even on those hot days during strenuous hill climbing when you barely break 10 KPH, just a little breeze helps tremendously in cooling you off.

I guess its just me but I find using a treadmill indoors to be far more stifling and uncomfortable than biking on the hottest days. Havent tried it with a fan though; that may solve the problem...

BTW, do rollers come with adjustable resistance? and how much do they cost?

Originally Posted by dissonance
AG9:

I know some people that use fans indoors, but mostly I just stick a towel by the bike and sweat it out. I used to live and train near Kelowna, where 35 degrees Celsius isn\'t uncommon during the summer, so I\'m used to be drenched during workouts.

right along the lines of "golf is a serious sport" and the segway scooter for lazy asses who don't want to walk

seriously, rollers are a good alternative for when its -25 C (like here, today) because excercising at such temperature can take the fun out of any sport, but biking in mild temp winter is no longer an issue with the proper tires and thermal underwear

There are a couple of trainers out there that hook up to computers, although they don't play "games". You can race or ride with others over a network, or even the internet. I have used computrainers before, and the amount of info you can get from riding one is amazing. Doing a Time Trial with 3 other people over a network is great, you never lose site of the people beating your ass!!

The downside? they are expensive.
http://www.computrainer.com/index.asp
http://www.tacx.nl/frameset.cfm?id=311&l=en

But if you are a "serious" cyclist, and are stuck inside for the winter, nothing beats them.
There is a cycle shop in my home town that has 4 Computrainers set up in the back, you can bring in your own bike, do a race, or just a ride. Or you can pretty much test for anything, including bike fit and setup.

Dammit I sound like a salesman

Dammit think I can find my passwrod anywhere?

I've thought about getting a set of rollers, but seriously dont know if I'd like them.

The idea of training indoors sounds great, I but I've tried treadmills and the thing I hate is that there is no wind in your face. You build up all that heat and you feel that you are broiling on the spot.

I imagine that the feeling on the bike would be even worse since you normally have a large amount of air moving past you.

How do you guys deal with that? Do you set up fans to cool you off, or does the whole aspect just not bother you?

BTW Diss, I live in the Vancouver area too. The drivers here legendary regarding thier ignorance of traffic laws regarding cyclists. I've had drivers yell at me to ride on the sidewalk, when that would be flat out illegal... boneheads

I remember a product like this for the Commodore 64 that sold in the mid-1980's.

Been done. At Epcot in the MetLife building.

And it's already been done before. Twice.

http://www.hypermax.com/exergame/presrel.html

http://www.gamersgraveyard.com/repository/snes/peripherals/exertain...

Ive been trying to find a decent set of rollers or something that doesnt cost an arm or a leg. And up till this autumn ive always hated riding in rain, but as ive now had lasik and dont have to do glasses anymore..... give me rain, i still hate ice though.

But yes... the real thing is always the best... although some way of staying in shape in an easy way on the winter would be good.

And this cyberthingy seesm like some gee wiz thing you buy... tryout... then leave in the closet for years to come.

Originally Posted by dissonance
I can stand mountain biking on trails in the winter, pouring rain, or otherwise uncomfortable or less than perfect conditions, but road biking is totally different. I had two flats today on my city bike in just 25k of riding to run some errands, all because the roads are covered in crap. And don\'t get me started on retarded drivers that don\'t seem to comprehend that a bike moves faster than a human being at walking speed.

Unfortunately, the combination of horrible drivers, persistent rain, traffic, stop lights that break your rhythm, and crap-filled roads (at least until the spring) makes winter road riding in Vancouver much less than pleasant.

bleh. Get outside and get the real stuff. Wind in the hair, fumes in the lungs, flat tyres to add to the suspense. Seriously, do you people honestly believe this won't get boring? Stay in 4 walls all day, then do that when exercising? No thanks...

...And CyberRider? I couldn't think of a worse name for it. I really hate that word 'cyber'...ugh.

Someone's gonna die on one of these and sue!

hehehe

and good tuesday morning to you all.