Turbo Trainer

Hunkymonkey
Hunkymonkey Posts: 20
edited August 2009 in Road beginners
Hi, my son and I have just got into road cycling and would like to buy a turbo trainer for the winter. Not sure it matters but obviously a big age gap and level of potential fitness, 56 /23 I'd appreciate any advice /guidance on types, what to look for in terms of features and where to look.

Comments

  • Dunkeldog
    Dunkeldog Posts: 138
    If you have a bit of spare cash I'd say going for one which links up to your PC is a winner. I've had 'regular' turbos in the past and no matter how much I enjoy listening to music/watching a dvd etc it can get mighty dull. My current Elite trainer (cost me £330) hooks up to the PC and enables me to 'cycle' dvd routes. I've bought a few different course - ranging from flat TT stages to the punishing Rovetta to Tirano course with its 14km and 16km climbs. I save that course for when I want to give myself a good kicking. The courses are actually filmed and respond to the effort you put in, ie. the faster you pedal the quicker the scenery flashes past. You can tailor the difficulty too if you're both wanting to use it but are at different fitmess levels. All round winter brilliance for me.
  • bodyworks
    bodyworks Posts: 18
    Is the software compatible with Mac computers?
  • zedders
    zedders Posts: 509
    Dunkeldog wrote:
    If you have a bit of spare cash I'd say going for one which links up to your PC is a winner. I've had 'regular' turbos in the past and no matter how much I enjoy listening to music/watching a dvd etc it can get mighty dull. My current Elite trainer (cost me £330) hooks up to the PC and enables me to 'cycle' dvd routes. I've bought a few different course - ranging from flat TT stages to the punishing Rovetta to Tirano course with its 14km and 16km climbs. I save that course for when I want to give myself a good kicking. The courses are actually filmed and respond to the effort you put in, ie. the faster you pedal the quicker the scenery flashes past. You can tailor the difficulty too if you're both wanting to use it but are at different fitmess levels. All round winter brilliance for me.

    Am not saying Dunkeldog doesn't make a good point. But I would say try a normal turbo first. I have a tacx satori trainer, which cost me £135 quid. The actual turbo (smothness of the resistance) works as well as a turbo costing twice as much which can be hooked to a computer.

    My mates both have turbos which are all singing, all dancing (tacx fortius). I've had a couple of goes on it, and yes its great, but you still have to pedal, and put effort in. For 30 mins to an hr (which is roughly how long most ride a turbo for) you can use an ipod.

    Have a look at the Tacx range its a good place to start. I know several others with a tacx turbo and all have served their owners well. Then compare them with other brands.

    Ultimately it will come down to how much you want to spend? £70 for a basic turbo? £150 for a half decent one, or hundreds on all singing? Also consider where its going to go? You will need a fan, and mats if it going on a nice floor (such as the kitchen or conservatory) etc.
    "I spend my petrol money on Bikes, Beer, Pizza, and Donuts "

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/38256268@N04/3517156549/
  • Dunkeldog
    Dunkeldog Posts: 138
    Fair point Zedders. My first turbo cost me about fifty quid and I knew early on I was after something a little more 'broad' if you like. Like many things in life, best to be sure it's in your blood before you splash out big bucks. It's really good to be transported to Italy though on a rainy November night - even if it is only through my PC screen!

    @Bodyworks - PC compatible i'm afraid.

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