Tacx announces affordable and quiet Boost trainer

With a magnetic brake and manual resistance control, the new Tacx Boost is easy to use and will offer triathletes an affordable way to enjoy indoor training all year long.  The Boost’s $420 price tag ($470 for the bundle option that includes a speed sensor and 30 days of Tacx premium software) will dent your bank account considerably less than many smart trainers on the market, and, paired with the available speed sensor, you’ll be able to gauge virtual power and use apps like Tacx Training, Zwift or TrainerRoad.

The new Boost uses a powerful magnetic brake to control resistance while you’re riding – the manual control lever attaches to your handlebar provides 10 different levels of resistance up to 1,050 watts. You won’t have to worry about disturbing the rest of the household, either, because the closed resistance unit reduces noise, while the flywheel generates a realistic and smooth pedal stroke.

Set up is easy – it takes just two clicks to get your bike set up and start riding. The front wheel support also serves as a handle to carry the trainer.

Today we’ve also learned that Garmin Connect will integrate with all Tacx apps on smartphones, tablets and desktop computers. A single sign on will allow triathletes to “link their Tacx apps to Garmin Connect to see recorded indoor rides, review training data, analyze stats and more,” according to a release from Garmin.

This means that any rides recorded in the Tacx apps will sync with Garmin Connect automatically, and also that while riding indoors you’ll be able to use your Edge computer to change the road feel while you’re riding indoors to “experience the sensation of riding on cobblestones, gravel and other road surfaces.”

We’ll have a more detailed look at the Boost once test units become available.