Tacx Bushido Smart
PRICE R15 185 COOLHEAT.CO. ZA The Bushido Smart is one of Tacx’s range of interactive trainers, which means it’s able to adjust resistance automatically via a computer, tablet or smartphone app. So instead of you having to adjust resistance manually using a lever, the Bushido Smart’s resistance unit uses Bluetooth or ANT+ to communicate with a connected device, allowing you to accurately set and tweak your training session parameters.
Like most A-frame- designed trainers, the Bushido Smart is easy to store and set up. It’s suitable for both mountain and road bikes, and will fit 26” to 29” as well as 700C wheels – understandably, Tacx do point out that axle adapters may be required on specific frames, and that with 29” wheels, a narrow training tyre is necessary to ensure a secure fit. Although most of us can only dream of unleashing 1000+ watts, the Bushido Smart’s wireless motor- brake provides a maximum resistance of 1400W for 10 seconds, and 750W for a minute.
What sets the Bushido Smart apart is the fact that it requires no outside power source to function. Its wireless motorbrake uses the rider’s pedalling force to generate the energy it requires to provide dynamic resistance. No power cables means you can literally use the Bushido Smart anywhere – outdoors on a veranda or balcony, for instance.
And when you aren’t hooked up to a device, the Bushido Smart performs like a normal fluid trainer offering progressive resistance – the harder you pedal, the higher the resistance.
Once connected to a device through ANT+/ Bluetooth, the Bushido Smart allows a variety of different training applications, depending on your needs. So whether you’re doing specific high-intensity intervals, racing others online, or riding a simulated stage of last year’s Tour de France, the Bushido Smart’s wireless motor-brake is able to perform hundreds of calculations per second to ensure the smoothest possible (and most realistic-feeling) workout, even on perceived gradients as steep as 15%.
Resistance may be adjusted either by you yourself (via your smartphone or tablet), or by an app that communicates the changes called for by the particular workout session or route profile. In all instances, changes happen wirelessly, and you have a choice between using the Tacx software and apps, or those of a third party such as Zwift, Perspro or TrainerRoad.