Training videos: how to use Tacx real videos with a Minoura B60-R
After reading some forums, at Tacx and personal websites, those videos were produced for the iMagic and Fortius models of trainer before the TTS (Tacx Training Software) application was available. Those older RLVs used a.pgmf file to be recognized by the software, unfortunately the TTS software does not work with those files anymore and a substitute.TTS file is required for the video player to recognize, after copying the.tts file to the needed directories it was no way to make it work, so I gave up frustrated.
After talking with my friend, he lend me another video more recent, and this one works seamlessly, no need to copy files and it works great. In the player you can specify another brand trainer if you don’t have a Tacx, no problem, it seems the number of “speeds” for other brands is 7 so no problem here for me as the Minoura B60-R has 7.
I also want to try some other videos, I will be posting soon. Here you got some Tacx videos that look interesting:
And remember that you can configure your Garmin Edge 500 to see your speed deactivating the GPS when you are on your trainer, mine a Minoura B60-R
Tips for Using Training Videos Effectively
Indoor training with video can become monotonous if the setup is not optimized. A few practical suggestions: mount the screen at eye level to avoid neck strain during long sessions. Use a fan directed at your torso since indoor cycling generates far more heat than outdoor riding at the same intensity. Set the trainer resistance to match the gradient shown on screen for a more realistic experience. A heart rate monitor or power meter helps gauge effort accurately because perceived exertion indoors tends to feel harder than outdoors at equivalent wattage due to heat buildup and lack of wind cooling.
For motivation, alternating between flat and mountain routes keeps sessions varied. The Tacx videos covering Alpine passes like Mont Ventoux or the Stelvio provide natural interval training with their changing gradients. Sessions of 45 to 60 minutes are the practical sweet spot: long enough to build fitness, short enough to maintain concentration. Placing a towel over the handlebars protects the frame from sweat corrosion, which accelerates rapidly indoors where there is no airflow to evaporate perspiration from metal surfaces.
Budget vs Premium Indoor Training Options
The Minoura trainer paired with Tacx videos represents a mid-budget approach to indoor cycling that remains viable years after purchase. At the lower end, basic wind trainers cost under 100 euros but produce significant noise and offer no electronic resistance control. At the upper end, smart trainers from Wahoo, Tacx, and Elite (300-1200 euros) provide automatic resistance adjustment that matches video gradients in real time, creating a more immersive experience without manual gear changes. The investment decision depends on training frequency: riders who use the trainer fewer than twice per week rarely justify the premium of a smart trainer, while those training four or more sessions weekly during winter find the automatic resistance and integration with platforms like Zwift or TrainerRoad transformative for motivation and training quality. A key technical consideration is tire wear — dedicated turbo trainer tires last significantly longer than road tires on a roller and produce less noise and rubber debris. Budget approximately 30 euros per season for a replacement trainer tire if using a wheel-on trainer at high volume.
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