Forums/Getting Started/Setting up TrainerRoad
What hardware do I need to use TrainerRoad?
nate
posted this on November 05, 2011 22:22
The minimum setup depends on how you want to workout. All workouts require a bike, a trainer and a computer (laptop or desktop). We don't have an iOS (iPhone/iPad) or Android app at the moment. We plan on developing one in the future.
An internet connection is not required to workout, but is required to get the initial workouts and sync them to the cloud.
ANT+
VirtualPower based Workouts
- ANT+ USB Stick -
(Here's a UK source)
- ANT+ Speed Sensor (Garmin Garmin Speed/Cadence Sensor (GSC 10)
, Wahoo Fitness Speed and Cadence Sensor
, etc)
- A compatible trainer. Check out our list at www.trainerroad.com/virtual-power
Power Based Workouts
- ANT+ USB Stick
- Wireless ANT+ Power Meter (Quarq
, PowerTap
, SRM
, Power2Max, Garmin Vector, Zone, etc) or a CompuTrainer.
Heart Rate Based Workouts
- ANT+ USB Stick
- ANT+ HR Strap (Garmin
, Cycleops, Wahoo Fitness
, etc)
That's it! We use the Garmin ANT+ Stick to read data from your sensors. You don't need a head unit or any other equipment.
to read data from your sensors. You don't need a head unit or any other equipment.CompuTrainer
Power Based Workouts
- CompuTrainer with USB or serial connection to PC or Mac
- (Optional) ANT+ sensors from above. Any ANT+ device such as a heart rate strap, cadence sensor, or power meter can be used in conjunction with the CompuTrainer.
Comments
Will the new Garmin Vector pedal based power meter be compatible?
Yes, Garmin Vector works!
I presume you are aware of the Wahoo fitness product for developing the iOS app - this takes care of your hardware at least. I would guess it would be even easier that the PC based app to dev
Has anyone successfully used this with a Quarq powermeter? I just finished the 8 minute test and ended up with no power data and a recommended new FTP of 0. It pairs under the devices and shows Power going up on that page as I pedal. It does not show the cadence going up here but that obviously has always worked on my Garmin head unit. I am not using a separate Cadence/Speed sensor. I sort of wondered if something was up as I started the test as I had to manually click Play on the test and did not see the red/green I was expecting for power (target). Is there any restarting of software and/ or rebooting of the computer required after the initial pairing of the device before it will work?
Hey RUDist,
Yah, we have lots of people using Quarqs. Hmm...Are you sure it paired under devices?
Try going under devices, then unpair and repair your quarq. You should get a red/green bar when you spin the cranks. The quarq also sends cadence.
Let me know if that works. We can also continue this at support@trainerroad.com.
At the beginning of the workout when turning the cranks did not seem to start the workout, I switched back to the device configuration and unpaired/ repaired the powermeter. This is when I noticed that it did show power going up real time but cadence was basically blank. Now I know that means it is not working correctly. Since my last comment, the software was completely closed and I opened it again, woke up my Quarq, put on my heart strap and repaired the devices. This time the cadence started listing and so I started up a workout as a test and see that it shows real time power in the heads up display with the red/ green like I was expecting. So basically it is working now and I know how to tell when its not quite working correctly (at least). It seems like maybe the repairing has to take place each time it is started up? I am just glad I don't have to mess around with magnets as I don't think it would be possible to actually get it closer on my frame :).
Ah good. I bet it just wasn't paired correctly. We've had a few problems with people pairing in 1.1.6. We're going to take our time and re-do this part and add a bunch of tests before we do another release around it. Hopefully you're good to go now and you won't have any problems.
If you do though, let us know.
-Nate
I've followed the instructions to connect computrainer to pc, have the $40 adapter from computrainer instead of the old serial to usb one, and had windows 7 load the driver. but trainerroad program is not pairing computrainer. what more can i do? frustrated..... :(
Couple things to try.
1) Make sure all other computrainer software is off
2) Try a different USB port. We've seen it where the computrainer software hijacks a USB port and won't give it up!
I try two different usb ports on my mac and won't paired 40 min doing this. I can use some ideas
Hey Trainspotting, I just sent you an e-mail. We'll get this figured out.
Nate, I'm having kind of the same issue as trainspotting. When I first signed up this morning, I was able to access the profile screen where I can pair devices. I successfully paired my heart rate monitor. Tonight, I cannot even get the program to show a "Devices" tab which would enable me to pair my GSC10. I thought at first it was some problem with my Garmin ANT+ stick, but can't figure out why my profile screen doesn't even show this tab.
Hey rachciao, I just sent you an e-mail about this. But if anyone else is wondering it looks like his encrypted local store is corrupt. Here are the directions to try if anyone else is having these problems.
We're going to delete a folder called "com.trainerroad.desktop"
So if you're on windows 7/Vista, delete the folder located here:
C:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\AIR\ELS\
Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\[USERNAME]\Application Data\Adobe\AIR\ELS\
On OSX, delete the folder located here:
OSX/Users/[USERNAME]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/AIR/ELS/
All three of these are in "hidden" areas. So it's best to replace the [USERNAME] with the username you use on your computer, then paste this into windows explorer or in finder access the drop down menu "Go - Go to Folder" (shortcut command-shift-g).
Just delete that folder and you should be good to go.