turbo trainer. what to look for

inaperfectworld
inaperfectworld Posts: 219
edited September 2009 in Road buying advice
i do keep going thr' winter but some days it seems too dangerous with ice, fog heavy frost etc. i wouldn't mind getting a turbo trainer. any advice about to consider when buying?

Comments

  • Tacx Boy
    Tacx Boy Posts: 35
    First thing (as always) is how much are you looking to spend?
  • cjw
    cjw Posts: 1,889
    inaperfectworld wrote:
    i do keep going thr' winter but some days it seems too dangerous with ice, fog heavy frost etc. i wouldn't mind getting a turbo trainer. any advice about to consider when buying?

    Make sure it can fold up so you can hide it away - you'll then forget it about it more quickly and the guilt of never using it will pass more rapidly. :wink:

    Seriously, I've got one for exactly the same reason as you, but found I hardly used it after the first month or so. Maybe you will be better.
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  • inaperfectworld
    inaperfectworld Posts: 219
    well i looked at one of these which is £165. i guess i don't want to spend a lot more without knowing that i am going to use it, and i think £200 would be my limit
    http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... =-1&f_bct=
  • nmcgann
    nmcgann Posts: 1,780
    inaperfectworld wrote:
    well i looked at one of these which is £165. i guess i don't want to spend a lot more without knowing that i am going to use it, and i think £200 would be my limit
    http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... =-1&f_bct=

    I've got one of those as my "backup turbo" and it is just fine. The frame is the same as the Flow and the brake works well with a good range of resistance.

    It's cheaper almost everywhere else than Edinburgh Bicycle though, e.g. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=15262

    Get yourself a big pedestal fan, one of the turbo sweat thongs (plus a towel over the bars) to protect the bike from salty sweat and a front wheel riser. Then get pedalling :wink:

    Neil
    --
    "Because the cycling is pain. The cycling is soul crushing pain."
  • pabloweaver
    pabloweaver Posts: 444
    what to look for....

    frontal lobotomy and prozac.... :lol:


    wish I'd spent the cash on other things than the money wasted on turbo trainer ....but i DO acknowledge that some people love them, so with a nod towards Tacx post I think you will get a different trainer depending on cost. Some I have used are like torture devices that leave me in fear for my rear stays and some are the epitomy of toys for boys ( or gals ! now then, now then etc etc )
    http://www.northcheshireclarion.co.uk/

    Great club in and around the Warrington area.
  • pabloweaver
    pabloweaver Posts: 444
    djbarren wrote:
    pabloweaver wrote:

    wish I'd spent the cash on other things than the money wasted on turbo trainer ....but i DO acknowledge that some people love them, so with a nod towards Tacx post I think you will get a different trainer depending on cost. Some I have used are like torture devices that leave me in fear for my rear stays and some are the epitomy of toys for boys ( or gals ! now then, now then etc etc )

    In your opinion which of the two would you choose turbo or rollers. Mainly to keep up the fitness, and maybee core work. Also which out of the two would be the quiteist?

    Many thanks

    Im not really qualified to answer re:rollers as they are something I have never tried so it would be unfair to comment on them.

    the turbo's that I have used( that have been the better ones) have been from the Tacx range although there are probably alternatives.

    In my limited experience, I think the fluid ones are the best re: sound and quality but probably come at a cost premium.

    I prefer just getting the gear on, lights aglow and out into the murk.

    I think one of the posters on here NapD is a a turbo fan ( likes them that is...not ...well...fan shaped ! :D ) , it may be worth tracking him down for a better answer than I'm able to give.

    I think my answers about as much use a a chocolate fireguard and Im happy to admit it ! :lol:
    http://www.northcheshireclarion.co.uk/

    Great club in and around the Warrington area.
  • derekwatts
    derekwatts Posts: 107
    Just a thumbs up here for rollers... You can get rollers with resistance now, have a look at Kreitler and also Elite do one, though it is overpriced for what it is. I myself bought the basic Elite Ghibli ones then just attached a Kreitler fan onto them, with a bit of modification. The fan keeps you cool and can add a huge resistance onto the rollers, enough to have to ride them out of the saddle.

    It doesn't stress the rear seat stays on your frame as all the forces going through it are natural. It also brings about real improvements in your technique and core stability. Your bike computer will work so you'll have all the data you have on the road. The only thing it won't give you is power data that some of the more expensive turbos do.

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