Turbo trainer - bargain?

CarleyB

Ive found a brand new cycleops fluid II for £169.99 delivered.

Should I just bite the bullett and buy it?

weapons

I have the fluid 2 and really like it. I used to have the tacx sirius but changed because the fluid 2 has a much more road like feel to it.

£170 is a fair price for it, but quite a lot to spend if you find that you don't actually like turbo training and never use it. I bought both my turbos second hand (though in nearly new condition) for roughly 50% of the new price from people who decide they don't actually enjoy it.

Thick Tester

How much do you want to spend on something that will sit unused in a back room or garage..?

CarleyB

what makes you think it will sit unused?

Thick Tester

CarleyB wrote:

what makes you think it will sit unused?

Because thats the law of the turbo.... Get yourself some decent winter clothing and mudguards and man up. The only time a turbo is required is when the roads are icy.

CarleyB

If only life was that easy.... with 4 kids and a husband that spends most of his life at work. A turbo will allow me to train when its impossible to get out in the evening like i do now.

Rouge Penguin

Theres a few on ebay cheaper, it depends where you are as they are pick up only.

search cycleops.

sampurnell

CarleyB wrote:

what makes you think it will sit unused?

people like to project there own failures onto others as "advice"
i personally ride rollers every night at the moment - i feel guilty about going out riding when the wife has been a home with our 8 week old all day so i sit and pedal in front of the tv watching tour highlights.
then i am able to help if needed as am not off on some country lane.
imho opinion rollers are not as boring as turbo as you actualy ride on them.

good luck with whatever!

Rouge Penguin

sampurnell wrote:

CarleyB wrote:

what makes you think it will sit unused?

people like to project there own failures onto others as "advice"
i personally ride rollers every night at the moment - i feel guilty about going out riding when the wife has been a home with our 8 week old all day so i sit and pedal in front of the tv watching tour highlights.
then i am able to help if needed as am not off on some country lane.
imho opinion rollers are not as boring as turbo as you actualy ride on them.

good luck with whatever!

Ha ha, snap. Except its 16wks and i've learnt my lesson. Youve looked after him all day, im just going out for another 2 hrs on the bike, it didnt last long.

SteveR_100Milers

Thick Tester wrote:

CarleyB wrote:

what makes you think it will sit unused?

Because thats the law of the turbo.... Get yourself some decent winter clothing and mudguards and man up. The only time a turbo is required is when the roads are icy.

You might find that many people once they see the light realise that for succesful TTing a turbo even in the summer is a biug benefit. the ability to control your interval efforts to a fine degree is extremely useful, and far better than stuffing ons some mudguards for a ride in the rain. I made this mistake (of thinking the turbo as an excuse for riding outdoors) for a couple fo years till I "got it"

Get one, learn to use it properly and whilst you will never love it unless you are demented, it really can be your friend.

hopper1

SteveR_100Milers wrote:

Thick Tester wrote:

CarleyB wrote:

what makes you think it will sit unused?

Because thats the law of the turbo.... Get yourself some decent winter clothing and mudguards and man up. The only time a turbo is required is when the roads are icy.

You might find that many people once they see the light realise that for succesful TTing a turbo even in the summer is a biug benefit. the ability to control your interval efforts to a fine degree is extremely useful, and far better than stuffing ons some mudguards for a ride in the rain. I made this mistake (of thinking the turbo as an excuse for riding outdoors) for a couple fo years till I "got it"

Get one, learn to use it properly and whilst you will never love it unless you are demented, it really can be your friend.

+1
I've been on my CycleOps Fluid II this morning...Baking hot, even with the fan (don't forget a fan Carley), But, They are a must for quality intervals.

CarleyB

a fan for the turbo or just a fan? Or a fan that will shout encouragement? lol

SteveR_100Milers

CarleyB wrote:

a fan for the turbo or just a fan? Or a fan that will shout encouragement? lol

Both. try riding on it with no cooling fan blowing air over you and see how long you last!

bexley5200

carleyb i think you will find this is in the wrong section

CarleyB

bexley5200 wrote:

carleyb i think you will find this is in the wrong section

whys that then?

unixnerd

I bought myself a turbo last winter. Used it a few times then decided cross country skiing was more fun! Kind of wish I'd bought rollers instead as I think they might be a better training tool.

sampurnell

i would agree rollers are better, but quite hard to do power intervals on - they take a while to master.

Anonymous

sampurnell wrote:

i would agree rollers are better, but quite hard to do power intervals on - they take a while to master.

Harder to simulate climbing on too...

sampurnell

NapoleonD wrote:

sampurnell wrote:

i would agree rollers are better, but quite hard to do power intervals on - they take a while to master.

Harder to simulate climbing on too...

True, but you might as well just buy an exercise bike as have a TT, then prop the front up on yellow pages.

softlad

CarleyB wrote:

bexley5200 wrote:

carleyb i think you will find this is in the wrong section

whys that then?

bexley is a bit of a troll - ignore him....

outofbreath2

SteveR_100Milers wrote:

CarleyB wrote:

a fan for the turbo or just a fan? Or a fan that will shout encouragement? lol

Both. try riding on it with no cooling fan blowing air over you and see how long you last!

Agreed. Or should i say +1 (is that what it means)

I rather like my turbo actually...... I'll get me coat.

CarleyB

So i' decided notr to buy a new one and was bidding on one on ebay, but its just got stupid its nearly (50 quid nearly) at a price for a new one. So I bought a new one. can't wait to try it out...maybe i won't be saying that after I've used it lol.

So the sufferfest vids.... any decent ones you'd recommend?

manxshred

Not videos but try http://www.turbotraining.co.uk

I put that on the laptop near where I am and just watch TV. The alarms tell me when to change and there are lot of different workout on there, or make your own.

SteveR_100Milers

CarleyB wrote:

So i' decided notr to buy a new one and was bidding on one on ebay, but its just got stupid its nearly (50 quid nearly) at a price for a new one. So I bought a new one. can't wait to try it out...maybe i won't be saying that after I've used it lol.

So the sufferfest vids.... any decent ones you'd recommend?

Forget vdeos, you will be so smashed on it if its being used properly you won't be able to see through the sweat pouring off you. Use a towel to cover your bike else it will corrode. I find a portable stereo / ipod speakers played loud with choice heavy rock a reasonable distraction.
Welcome to the world of self harm....

The trick is to ride intervals in the position in which you are going to race, so it time trialling then on your TT bike in the aero position. Intervals can vary anything between the infamous 2x20 to as short as 2 minutes. All depends on what your race goals are.

CarleyB

I bought it to train for time trials.

SteveR_100Milers

CarleyB wrote:

I bought it to train for time trials.

What distance?

nmcgann

Anyone use a Fluid2 with a powertap? I'd like to know what the typical power range is on the big ring given there is no way to adjust the resistance except changing gear.

CarleyB

SteveR_100Milers wrote:

CarleyB wrote:

I bought it to train for time trials.

What distance?

10 miles

CarleyB

nmcgann wrote:

Anyone use a Fluid2 with a powertap? I'd like to know what the typical power range is on the big ring given there is no way to adjust the resistance except changing gear.

napd has a fluid 2 and I am sure he has the power thingy

CarleyB

double post

hopper1

nmcgann wrote:

Anyone use a Fluid2 with a powertap? I'd like to know what the typical power range is on the big ring given there is no way to adjust the resistance except changing gear.

I have a Fluid II, with a Powertap...
I couldn't honestly tell you how high the PT reads, but there plenty enough to drain me...