Idiot's guide to turbo trainers / training

mcskiver
mcskiver Posts: 26
edited November 2009 in Road beginners
Hi, I started road biking in the summer, but quickly found it hard to find time to get out (new baby being the main cause, and now crap weather).

I was thinking of getting a turbo trainer so that I can do quick sessions in the garage when I get half an hour or so to spare, and could do with some general advice please.

1.) Is it really as bad as people say (in terms of boredom etc)?
2.) Do I need anything other than a turbo trainer, a fan and an iPod?
3.) What kind of turbo should I buy - probably maximum of around £200 quid. Ideally a tad cheaper...

I've been pondering this for weeks, during which time I haven't been out on my bike, so I thought it about time I got some advice and got the thing bought!


Lee

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    This -

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12661884
  • JohnnyAllez
    JohnnyAllez Posts: 785
    WHS ^^^^^

    1) no, nice to get some time alone with your bike :wink:
    2) depends on how warm you get in the garage ! I don`t need a fan in my garage, it`s bloody cold !
    3) mag turbo with variable resistance unit, remote handlebar mount for the remote ideally but not essential IMO

    Radio on for some company :) HRM if you really want to monitor what you`re doing, I found that once I started using my HRM I was surprised at how hard I HAD been training BEFORE using an HRM without knowing it :? Eased up a bit now, using HRM so I can do the various sessions I`ve got printed out and know where I`m going with it :) Can start getting a bit "scientific" if you let it though :wink:

    Peter Reid turbo traing guides are handy (search in forum for links to possable download :wink: )
    Jens says "Shut up legs !! "

    Specialized S-Works SaxoBank SL4 Tarmac Di2
  • timb64
    timb64 Posts: 248
    NapoleonD wrote:
    This -

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12661884

    See my comments in WHS^^^^^!
  • mcskiver
    mcskiver Posts: 26
    Thanks for the replies everyone. Do any of you have any specific advice on which trainer to buy?

    There are so many choices, and it's hard to work out what the key differences are....
  • Mister W
    Mister W Posts: 791
    I have a Tacx Sirius which is simple, cheap, quiet and very good. As for how to stop your brain melting from boredom... I use Spinervals training DVDs. You can stick a great film on, play inspirational clips of the TdF, get Kylie to pole dance in front of me but none of them will make me stay on the turbo for more than 10 minutes. Only Coach Troy screaming at me to pedal harder does the trick.
  • Gav888
    Gav888 Posts: 946
    Ive just got an Elite Crono Fluid from Wiggle, its my first turbo and im very pleased with it. I train when the baby is asleep and a quiet turbo was a priority, and this one is nice and quiet....
    Cycling never gets any easier, you just go faster - Greg LeMond
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    Decathlon are selling the Tacx Flow for £250 if you can stretch your budget a bit.
    More problems but still living....
  • mcskiver
    mcskiver Posts: 26
    Just a final note to say thanks again for all the responses. I've ordered an Elite Crono Power Fluid ElastoGel turbo from Wiggle, so looking forward to getting it in place in my carport for the winter...
  • Bill D
    Bill D Posts: 62
    I know lots of people find their turbo sessions boring and don't like them for that reason, but I quite enjoy mine. The key to it all, for me, is to approach the session from the point of view that I am going to have time for a quiet think, without distractions. I decide beforehand whether I'm going for an eneregtic 'ride' or a steady one, and what time I'm going to pack it in (usually 45 mins or an hour at a time is enough for me). If I can't get my thoughts going after about a quarter of an hour I put the radio on. We're all so busy nowadays it's nice to get a bit of peace and quiet once a day. Not nearly as good as a real bike ride mind you, but certainly better than the alternatives when the weather is lousy and/or it's dark outside. :D
  • John C.
    John C. Posts: 2,113
    I don't get bored, if you use rollers and let your mind wonder, you fall off :lol:

    The latest C+ gave a 1/2 hour training guide and the one I use is warm up first and then 5 minuites at Lactic Haert Rate Max followed by 2 minuites at 65%-75% HRMax. As I max at 200 this relates to about 170-175 for 5 minuites then drop down to 130-150 for 2 . Repeat this 4 times and then cool down. I find I have to consentrate to maintain the correct HR and those who say you don't get a good work out on rollers just can't be trying hard enough (or may be they are just a lot fitter than me). This work out leaves me dripping in sweat. Have fun :lol:
    http://www.ripon-loiterers.org.uk/

    Fail to prepare, prepare to fail
    Hills are just a matter of pace
  • hugo15
    hugo15 Posts: 1,101
    Mister W wrote:
    Only Coach Troy screaming at me to pedal harder does the trick.

    The miserable weather this morning had me heading for the garage. Did one of Spinerval DVDs. First time I had used it and thought it was very good. The 50 odd minute session went very quickly.
  • nferrar
    nferrar Posts: 2,511
    Never really got on with turbo training myself but I think if you do it as a focused session and probably for an hour max at a time it's OK. By focused session I mean don't just jump on and ride until you fall asleep, have a plan for varying the intensity or doing some sprints etc. and make sure you do a warm-up/warm-down period to.
  • Baybash
    Baybash Posts: 136
    An hour is usually my max. My trainer is set up in front of the tv and I get to watch all the programs I want to watch, particularly football matches
    exercise.png
  • Sponging-Machine
    Sponging-Machine Posts: 103
    I've just bought one too. Are there anything similar to the Spinerval DVDs available to download (ideally free)?

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