Tacx Vortex Smart Trainer

The Vortex is an interactive Smart trainer with an electro brake. This resistance unit is suitable for an average training level and can reach a maximum resistance is 950 Watt. Instead of using a handlebar computer you train by connecting the Vortex quickly and easily to the Tacx Cycling apps. If you want to train with a PC or laptop you can purchase the Upgrade Smart. Of the many possible training options, you can choose the software that best matches you and your way of training. The Vortex communicates wirelessly via ANT+ and Bluetooth® wireless technology. You can attach your tablet or smartphone to your handlebar with a special bracket (optional).

• Tacx Vortex Smart Trianer - T2180
• Software PC/laptop Tacx Cycling app
• Operation -
• Resistance unit Electro
• Realistic slope 7% 1
• Descent simulation -
• ax brake power (10 sec.) 950 Watt
• Sprint power (1 min.) 750 Watt
• Mass inertia 11,81 kg 2

Connect to Windows PC
Do you own a Vortex Smart and are you looking to get more out of your trainings than the Tacx apps can provide? You can achieve this by connecting your trainer to your computer. That way, you can train using the Tacx Trainer Software 4, Advanced.

Instead of your tablet or smartphone, your computer is used to regulate your resistance and read out your performance data. For example, the computer software offers longer video’s in HD or Blu-Ray quality. While riding, the resistance on your rear wheel automatically changes when the slope increases or decreases.

To connect the Vortex Smart to your Windows computer, the Upgrade Smart is required. This package contains the Tacx Trainer software 4, Advanced, a control box to mount on your handlebar and the ANT+ Antenna.

Stand-alone training
When the Vortex Smart isn’t connected to a smartphone, tablet or computer, it behaves as a fluid trainer. This means the trainer behaves progressively: when your speed increases, the resistance increases as well. So it is possible to use this trainer in a “stand-alone” status.

The electro brake is suitable for an average training level. The gradient of the road is converted into resistance on the bike by creating a magnetic field. It can reliably simulate the road up to 7%. This brake does not simulate any descents.

The Vortex Smart works with an electro brake. By placing magnets and electro magnets beside a rotating aluminium disc, eddy currents are created which generate an opposing magnetic field. In this way a non-contact, maintenance-free brake is realized that is also silent. Thanks to the electro brake a resistance can be set that you also experience on the road or in a climb.

Virtual speed
The electro brake does not have a downhill drive, such as the motor brake of the i-Genius, and it generates less power while riding uphill. When you are cycling in a virtual terrain or in a film you can get outside the range for which the brake is intended. To allow cyclists with a motor brake and cyclists with an electro brake to ride races against each other in Multiplayer, Tacx has developed the virtual speed. This concept translatesthe energy supplied into a certain speed, which can guarantee a fair contest. If this speed differs from the speed at which the rear wheel is running, the virtual speed will be shown on the screen in red.

The Tacx Cycling app for tablets and smartphones are quick and easy to use. With the Tacx Cycling app for tablets you can ride classic cycling races and legendary stages. You can also create your own training programmes and train according to heart rate, slope or power output, or use the pre-set fitness level tests. All your performance data is measured and displayed while you are cycling and stored so you can analyse them at a later stage. The Tacx Cycling app for smartphones allows you to train freely based on heart rate, slope or power output. Your performance data is displayed while you are cycling in form of ‘dynamic’ graphs. The applications for tablets and smartphones can be used in combination with any interactive Tacx trainer, in some cases an upgrade is needed.

Complementary app for tablet/smartphone
Download the Tacx Cycling app free of charge from the App Store or Play Store. There are applications for iPads, Android tablets, iPhones and Android smartphones. You can order and download Tacx films using a Tacx Cycling app for tablets. The films of the Tacx Cycling app cannot be combined with films of the Tacx Trainer software.
   
Compatibility Tacx Cycling app
Apple iPad 3 and higher; iPhone 4s and higher; iPod touch 5; Android version 4.3 and higher.