Virtual reality may be a developing universe these days with great new options, but finding the right gear is still a big problem. Before spending money, you need to go through this thorough buyer’s guide of the best virtual reality bike trainer (product summary table).
Our Choice for the Best Virtual Reality Solution in June 2023
Our expert team tested a variety of VR solutions to find the one that provides the best value. After detailed comparisons and a month of testing, we picked this product as your best choice.
Important: You might want to check to see if the product’s available since it’s extremely popular and often gets sold out. If you check at the right time, you might even find a limited-time discount.
A virtual cycling bike trainer allows you to experience outdoors conditions and landscape in the comfort of your own living room with varying difficulty levels.
Well, you have landed at the right place. But, before getting started – let’s have a comparison of best virtual reality bike trainers present in the market. Detail review is discussed after this summary.
Product Comparison
| Feature/Trainer | BKOOL Electronic Training System Premium Trainer | Tacx i-Genius Virtual Reality Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $$ | $$$$ |
| Brake Adjustment | ***** | **** |
| Ease of Software | *** | *** |
| Software Compatiblity | PC: Windows 7 or later, 4GB RAM, Dual Core Processor, 2GB HD free space. iOS: iOS 7 or later, iPad 3rd gen or later Mac: OSX 10.8, 4GB RAM, 2GB HD free space | PC: Windows Vista or later, Intel i3 processor or AMD equivalent, RAM 4 GB, 15 GB free space. Apple OSX: Not Compatible Windows XP and below: Not Compatible |
| Price |
Right now, the market has two main competing virtual reality bike trainer equipment. Here’s a detailed review of each. We will conclude this article be giving the best recommendation based on the analysis, reviews and consumer experience.
BKOOL Electronic Training System Premium Trainer
When it comes to cardio training, it becomes extremely boring – especially when you have to stare at a wall and work out. However, with the advent of virtual training, life is becoming a lot more fun in your living rooms.
Features BKOOL Electronic Training System Premium Trainer
The BKOOL bike trainer is a lot different from the previous versions of bike trainers, and is one step ahead in technology because of the following features.
- It consists of a wider footprint with an extended leg that gives you enough leg space and comfort
- It has adjustable arms that will not come in the way of your virtual cycling
- It gives smoother transitions between roads that are of different inclination and road carpeting
- It is less noisier than the previous versions
- The trainer is compact
- It has great stability due to the modification in the extended leg and footprint. The previous versions were all too compact to give an overall comfortable experience
- The experience is very close to reality due to the new transition feature. There is no sudden jerking as the road inclination goes up, but you actually feel like you are going uphill smoothly – as if you were on a real hill
- The trainer is compact, so can be easily stored and transported
- The trainer keeps you motivated enough since you have the freedom to compete against a lot of users in the world, or against someone who has already done this level
- It requires an amazing quality of internet. If your internet is slow and unreliable, you may have to prepare yourself for an experience full of lags.
- The trainer is not ‘silent’. It is quiet but you can hear it running.
- Setting up challenges for yourself in the software is a very technical and lengthy process.
- The customer support almost never responds so if you face a problem, try solving it yourself.
Customer Reviews for BKOOL Electronic Training System Premium Trainer
Here are some reviews for the virtual reality cycling trainer.
According to one of the customers the software was difficult to use at first but you can get over this problem real quick. You need a really good internet connection to experience the product at its best. This virtual reality bike trainer is especially for someone who loves cycling and wants to have the freedom of choosing cycling routes regardless of influence from external circumstances.
For someone passionate about cycling, you should definitely get your hands on this product.
BKOOL Electronic Training System Premium Trainer
In addition to this, you can also enhance your experience with the Dual Speed and Cadence Sensor for Bike Trainers.
Tacx i-Genius Virtual Reality Trainer
If you are going for the Tacx-i trainer, you are probably planning to spend over $1500 for a product, which means that you need to be aware of the pros and cons before selecting it.
Features of Tacx i-Genius Virtual Reality Trainer
The Tacx-I virtual reality trainer is equipped with some new features including
- The brake handling which is close to reality that you can feel with the changes in strain and speed when you increase inclination
- The bike trainer comes up with some optional CDs of some of the most beautiful cities in the world including London, Barcelona, Milan, Holland and even the Alps
- The catalyst feature allows you to test your potential and then schedule your training accordingly
- The weather adjustment feature lets you decide the conditions you want to cycle in
We really liked the device because
- It was quick to assemble. You can even find a simple video guide to help you set it up in as less as 9 minutes
- You can spend a minimal amount of money to unlock Google Earth and ride through real-time streets
- It allows you to compete against yourself which motivates you to do even better
However, the device lost some points because
- The setting up of the software is a tricky part. You need to be attentive and have all your software up-to-date, or you will face trouble
- The regular tire does not last very long so you will need a fast replacement
- The virtual trainer heats up and the motor gets burnt frequently. Then, it requires spending on the motor again and again which adds to the cost
- The customer service at Tacx is almost non-existent. If you face a problem, you might probably get no reply, or if you do, they will only ask you to check the FAQs
- The updates keep increasing the problems. The more you update your software, the more your problems pile up
Customer Reviews for Tacx i-Genius Virtual Reality Trainer
Before you make up your mind, check out these reviews.
One of the other customers was super impressed with the superb handling and great features associated with the brakes. The trainer actually made him work out really hard. And this is one of the best parts. Moreover, the incorporated tracks make the experience worth going for.
However, this is a very expensive and less durable choice to make. And the previous bike trainer, BKOOL Electronic Training System Premium Trainer is preferred over this one. But, if you still want this one – you can get it by clicking the button below.
You can easily purchase Tacx i-Genius Virtual Reality Trainer.
What features make a good virtual bike trainer?
Before you decide you want to buy a virtual bike trainer, you need to evaluate certain aspects. Here are some of them.
Need
Before deciding on a cycling virtual trainer, you need to consider the weather conditions around you. Do you need a trainer? Are the weather conditions in your region not suitable for outdoor cycling? Or are you buying it for indoor training purposes? Just make sure you are clear why you need it to make sure you have no regrets later.
Brake Handling
A bike virtual trainer needs to be extremely real when it comes to adapting to inclinations and slopes. If the experience is not virtually ‘real’ enough, there is no point in getting a trainer because you are supposed to go through a proper training technique.
Software compatibility
Most cycle trainers do not have compatibility with most devices. Before you buy a trainer, check for it’s compatibility. Does the trainer work with your system or not? We read so many reviews from people who had to change devices before actually using the trainer they spent so much on.
Durability
The trainer you buy should be durable enough. You need to spend miles and hours on it. It should be able to perform without heating or blowing up. Some of the modern trainers actually fuse if you use them too much such as Tacx i-Genius Virtual Reality Trainer.
Conclusion
It is also compatible with almost all the operating systems with nominal system requirements. You will not need a very expensive system for it.
The braking system puts stress on your muscles because you have to paddle harder for slopes. Overall, it is a much better choice than every other trainer in the market.
This product should be your definite choice for a virtual reality cycling trainer.
