Turbo bike - help.

Scrumple

Close to buying a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine - unless anyone can suggest a far better alternative?

I refuse to use my road bike as I just don't want to keep changing the rear wheel, and prefer to have a dedicated set up in the garage. I'd never use it unless it was all set up ready with a turbo tyre on.

Guess that means another bike. And, I guess (?) weight, and state aint that much of an issue? I'm further guessing that it may help to have the same make of gears (maybe rival in my case as force would be overkill) to help with technique.

Should I just look for a cheap frame and buy crap wheels etc, and look for some rival shifters?? A bargain jalopy...

Or am I deluded?

stokepa31

I used to hate the hassle too. got rid of my tacx flow and got some rollers. throw bike on rollers and ride. shimples

Anonymous

I just use my winter/training bike on the turbo as is.

In fact I use the turbo as a stand to store it...

Scrumple

you have a winter bike...

I don't have a 2nd bike, hence my question. If I had 2 bikes I wouldn't be asking...

Anonymous

Scrumple wrote:

you have a winter bike...

I don't have a 2nd bike, hence my question. If I had 2 bikes I wouldn't be asking...

It's all I use at the mo...

Inside or outside...

In fact, I'm doubting if I'm ever going to use best bike!!

Scrumple

give me it for my turbo then?

Anonymous

Scrumple wrote:

give me it for my turbo then?

Ok.

Scrumple

if I had the turbo yet....

darn.

Best keep it then. Thanks anyway.

alan_sherman

hang around your local tip. really you just need something that you can get the same position on, wth a bottom bracket and rear wheel that works well. Beyond that it is all irrelivant! I use my TT bike in the turbo in the winter as it keeps it clean and safe in the house.

Anonymous

Forgot actually, I'd promised it to Bhima for his rollers...

DaSy

Like NapD, I have a winter bike which I use on the turbo or outdoors at this time of year. I have a spare back wheel with the turbo tyre on for easy switching when on the turbo, and store the bike in the turbo when not in use.

My approach was slightly different, I bought a better best bike and relegated my old best bike to the turbo...

willharris10

What's a turbo tyre guys?

Anonymous

willharris10 wrote:

What's a turbo tyre guys?

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Continental-Ultrasport-Home-Trainer-Tyre_5604.htm

Percy Vera

willharris10 wrote:

What's a turbo tyre guys?

It's not a tyre that makes you go faster!

bobtbuilder

I refuse to use my road bike as I just don't want to keep changing the rear wheel, and prefer to have a dedicated set up in the garage. I'd never use it unless it was all set up ready with a turbo tyre on.

How about just buying a cheap rear wheel and fit a trainer tyre to that. Then when you want to use the trainer, you simply swap rear wheels. Takes 2 minutes!

This was my solution when faced with your problem. BTW - I have the KK Road Machine. It's fab (as far as turbo trainers go).

bobtbuilder

willharris10 wrote:

What's a turbo tyre guys?

A turbo trainer will wear through a normal road tyre pretty quickly. Turbo tyres are made from a much harder rubber compound and will last ages.

Percy Vera

Scrumple wrote:

Close to buying a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine - unless anyone can suggest a far better alternative?

I've just bought a Kurt Kinetic from Winstanley Cycles as they have a discount on them!

Scrumple

the rock n rolla?

bit outta my price range (well, price prepared to pay).

£250 is the best for the road machine I have found, unless anyone wants to pm me different!

Cheers - Steve

richa

ebay?

Pokerface

So let me get this right....


You'd rather fork out £250 than change the rear wheel over each time you ride on the turbo?


Isn't that just incredibly lazy? :oops:


I find it best to ride the same bike as much as often - you get comfy on it and you can work on your position, etc - while on the turbo. Difficult when you're jumping from bike to bike all the time, especially if they are set up very differently.


Not only do I have to change the wheel on mine regularly, but usually swap tyres over If I want to use my powertap on the turbo). I have a spare wheel for general use on the turbo.

Scrumple

Pokerface wrote:

So let me get this right....


You'd rather fork out £250 than change the rear wheel over each time you ride on the turbo?.

Lost me there - rather fork out the £250 than change a wheel? I'll be forking out the £250 for the turbo whatever.

The thread was about a 2nd bike to put in it to save me using my only bike. It isn't lazy, it is due to wanting a dedicated garage set up with it all in place for convenience. My only bike is used daily for commuting and lives in the utility room. Getting it into the garage after work etc is just another thing to do.

I asked about the quality issue of a turbo bike- not sure what your point is?!

We can chat more on the spring fling, though as my bike is now off road with repair issues, this weekend will be the 2nd long ride I miss (last week = snow) and only one more to prepare.

Oh dear

Pokerface

Scrumple wrote:

I refuse to use my road bike as I just don't want to keep changing the rear wheel, and prefer to have a dedicated set up in the garage.

I read this - and thought you were saying you basically couldn't be bothered to change the rear wheel.

I don't think you explained the other issues about location of turbo, etc. My bad.

I also assumed the a kinetic thingamajiggy was a bike - not a turbo.

Still think using your regular bike and swapping wheels as needed is the way to go - but it's (obviously) up to you.

We shall chat.

DaSy

I think the fact your bike is off the road for repairs pretty much makes the case for a second turbo bike, which could step up to replace your best bike for road duties in this sort of situation.

Lig

Hi Scrumple,

I think it depends on if you will be happy with an old hack bike that feels different to your best bike??

From what you are saying, depending on how much your bike cost, I would recommend trying to get the same frame (or at least the same make with same geo off ebay or new?) and then build it up with budget components. The riding position is more important than the components...

Lig.

Velonutter

I built myself a bike specifically for the turbo.

You'd be amazed at the deals out there.

I already have a winter training bike but also had a loads of parts lying around, I found a Ribble Ally frame for £2.70 with no forks, but swapped a set of 1" for some in a gory colour but which were 1 1/8.

I just made sure that the saddles were all arione, the bars all 42cm and the cranks between 170 and 172.5mm.

I had an old 25-12 cassette, but I only use the 12 and the next two up for intervals, but managed to get a 23/12 off fleabay for £15 so will swap that one in: -



I wanted to keep Campag all the way through, so this one is Veloce/Centaur, My Winter Bike is Centaur/Chorus/Record and my main bike is Record, it just kept the familiarity

Scrumple

now thats what I am talking about!

Scrumple

Ok - anyone there an expert at frame sizes etc???

If you look at my size S Sabbath

RecommendedRider Height 5’6-5’10 /actual seat/tube (CT) 54 / top tube(equivalent) 54 /seat angle 73.5 / head angle 73 / head tube length 13

What is there on the Ribble frame clearance that would suit me as a dirt cheap turbo bike of similar size??? I'm lost.

I just want a very similar frame, to stick some cheap wheels and stuff on, to train on (not to take out unless its awful weather).
The sloping or horizontal stuff makes the figures hard to work out as the sloping tubes much up the numbers. I'm good at maths, but poor at frame specs!