Submitted by
DL Drafting
a Cross Country Rider
from Sedalia, MO, USA Date Reviewed: September 19, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Katy Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Modern Bike
Strengths:
Excellent workout and as close to real life as you can get on a trainer. Great hill simulation right up to 10 percent grades. Quality construction, if suspect software and electronics.
Weaknesses:
Reliability. Twice, on two different Fortius that I own, the power supply has failed rendering the motorbrake and the entire system useless. Software seems glitchy and buggy. Won't really do 20 percent grades as advertised, and whew, who wants to.
Similar Products Used:
Real Axiom Fluid Resistance Trainer, standard rollers.
Bike Setup:
Van Dessel Gin and Trombones Cyclocross bike 54 cm with FSA Carbon cranks, Dura Ace 10 spd shifters and Tacx blue trainer tire.
Bottom Line:
I am currently looking for a third Fortius, so that perhaps I can have one in service at any given time. The service turnaround time is horrendous. I bought the first Fortius from Lickton Bike in early August. It arrived and I put it into service on Aug. 17. From Aug. 17-Aug. 29 when the power supply failed, I had logged about 700 miles. So, I have owned that particular Fortius for about 6 weeks and was able to use it for 12 days. Tacx and Licktons keep saying they will ship the warranty part, but I have seen nothing as of Sept. 19, 2008. The second Fortius Multiplayer I purchased from Modern Bike on Sept. 5 was delivered on Sept. 9 and put into service that day. 240 miles later, on Sept. 15, it quit working. Tacx stateside service center says again it was a power supply failure, and they promised to send a replacement unit out direct to me. I'm still waiting. Now I have two machines dead in the water. Would really like to see better service and reliability before I can recommend this otherwise excellent product, ergo the low value ratings. I guess I feel like an XKE owner from the 70s: Great car, but you have to be married to your mechanic.
$ 1530.00
Overall Rating:
