The Ultimate Stationary Bike
The Ultimate Stationary Bike
Comfort, Versatility and Fun
Stationary or studio cycling, is extremely popular in gyms around the world. Groups of people train together to music with an instructor who provides a fun environment and challenges the group to train hard. Many people, however, don't have the time to go to a gym when spin classes are held or have no convenient spin class location.
One frustrating solution is to get a stationary bike and set it up at home. This typically proves to be a “torture machine”, delivering mind-numbing boredom and no incentive to train with intensity. The net result is the relegation of the spin machine to a clothes hanger, a job which it apparently does well considering the number of bikes that perform this job.
The stationary bikes also typically have limited adjustment which provides a position that is different from the form that you strive for on a road bike. This results in less comfort and efficiency. Fortunately a solution now exists that addresses these problems. The ultimate stationary bike is a KGS custom road bike combined with a Tacx Virtual Reality trainer. Let's see what makes this combination of equipment unique, special and different.
KGS vs. Other Bicycles
A bicycle can be considered a collection of components attached to a frame, all of which are "commodities". This is how most of the world sees it. You read articles and reviews on which bicycle is best and go to the bike shop and take a look, and maybe even get "fitted" to some extent. You are expected to adapt to the bike's geometry and dimensions which puts you in the same category as the spin bike. A KGS bike is the result of a state of the art fitting process and the expert choice of a custom designed frame built up with exacting standards. 
This means that the bicycle has been adapted to you, not the other way around. Frame builders are now solution-providers for both KGS and you. The choice of components and the buildup creates a one-of-a-kind bike that is an extension of you. This makes a huge difference on the road and particularly on a trainer which is not as comfortable as riding on the road.
The KGS bike and a Tacx Virtual Reality trainer
Now that we have a bicycle that is customized and capable of performing on a world class level outdoors, we can mate it to the virtual reality trainer. Many bicycle trainers exist in the marketplace but none compete with the Tacx Fortius Virtual Reality trainer. It has the combination of good hardware design, and the company has a reputation for excellence; it is constantly improving the product and provides excellent service regarding support and warranty.
The complete setup is as follows: Your custom KGS bicycle is attached to a Tacx Fortius Multiplayer Virtual Reality trainer, which is attached to a computer. The computer monitor can be used but many people use their home theatre flat screen monitors for an incredible training and riding experience. We provide complete setup and support for the entire program to make it a turn-key project from start to finish.
The trainer itself has an easy-to-mount quick release for the rear wheel and an easy-to-adjust tension wheel on the roller lever. Additionally a "steering frame" is part of the system so the front wheel is not needed and the bike is very stable on the trainer. The design of the actual trainer is very important as ease of use and attractiveness make big differences in the long term satisfaction and sustainability of an ultimate spinning bike. The other competitors in the trainer market fall so short regarding the trainer device that it eliminates them from consideration.
The steering frame also allows you to "steer" your virtual rider when using Virtual Reality. It is not as intuitive as riding but it is very mentally stimulating and fun.
Virtual Reality, Real Life Video and Ergometer
An Ultimate Stationary Bike should have multiple ways to train and this program doesn't disappoint. There are various ways one can use a custom spin bike, including:
- Virtual Reality - Imagine yourself in a video game where there are as many as five cyclists riding the course with you. The course can be a road racing venue, mountain bike trails or even a velodrome. This is a very high tech and realistic program. You can control steering, drafting, weather and even collisions! It is possible to ride a course, save the ride and then use yourself as a competitor. More advances are coming out regularly and this promises to be a fun and challenging way to train indoors.
- Real Life Video - Tacx has filmed many of the top race courses around the world and is doing so now in High Definition. The video is linked to Google Earth elevation data and thus you can feel the Fortius get more difficult going up hills and feel the motor engage when descending. Over twenty videos exist at this time with more in production.
- Catalyst Ergometer mode - You have a choice of workouts based on power, slope (% grade) or heart rate. You can create your own workouts based on your needs or advice from a coach and save them. These programs can be uploaded to Cycling Peaks software and can be shared with friends. Many workout programs are available free over the internet. The Catalyst ergometer mode is very sophisticated and provides a great "all business" workout for the person interested in power training.
Hit the road
The problem with a stationary bike is, What do you do when the weather is nice? Fortunately the Ultimate Stationary Bike is also your custom KGS bike. When you have the time and the weather cooperates you can hit the road with confidence. Many adults who are getting back into cycling after a long layoff find that shifting gears and dealing with modern pedals is very intimidating. This is another huge benefit of the Ultimate Stationary Bike. You have the ability to relearn how to shift gears properly, how to clip in to and out of the pedals and encounter other riders on a virtual basis. Your brain sees the other riders as real and you develop great technical skills while you train indoors, day or night, rain or shine. To sum up, nothing beats an Ultimate Stationary Bike for busy people who have to train at night or in inclement weather. By combining the best of custom bicycles, a virtual reality trainer and expertise in designing a program for you, the Ultimate Stationary Bike becomes an investment in an active lifestyle as opposed to a depreciating asset.
About KGS Bikes
KGS Bikes is the world's premiere high end bicycle fitting studio and boutique. Kevin Saunders has over 25 years experience in fitting bicycles to riders, technique consulting and bespoke bicycle design and building