Cycleops virtual with only speed/cadence

It looks like cyclops virtual training is pretty darn similar to trainer road. That has a lot of users on here who absolutely love it.
As long as your specific trainer model is supported, then your speed and cadence modules are all you need you tell the computer your 'virtual power'...without a power meter. It will be close enough to your actual power. What is important is that you always set up the trainer the same way...same tire pressure, same pressure of the roller on the tire, keep the drivetrain clean.
Basically, as you follow a workout, it'll give you feedback that you need to increase the power to match the target. You will achieve this simply by pedaling harder and shifting to keep your cadence comfortable.

When you get to a "hill", it will take your virtual power number (derived from your wheelspeed) and discount that to get your virtual speed on the screen. Ex: You are cruising at 15mph wheel speed which it translates to 200W on a flat road and then displays 20mph virtual speed. Once you approach a virtual hill, that same 200W will reduce your virtual speed to 10mph. If you want to maintain speed on that "hill", you'd need to put out more power (more wheel speed).

I'm not familiar with Cycleops Virtual, but I have been using trainer road for the last couple of months. I use my Garmin Speed Cadence Sensor and Ant+stick for workouts. I've really "enjoyed" the workouts and have seen a benefit for sure. The Virtual Power has been useful (more details on my experience here: http://trited.blogspot.com/2015/02/trainer-road-review-update.html). Trainer Road has had excellent customer service and their web site does a good job of walking you through what you need. If Cycle Ops is at all like that, I think you'll find it's worth it.

Another endorsement for Trainerroad.com

so many workouts to choose from including training plans included in the $10 per month fee.

Well worth the money.

The only thing that is hard is choosing what to watch on Netflix while on the trainer.