Turbo trainer or rollers

sumosprintstar

I have never used either a turbo trainer or rollers but am considering making a purchase to help me through the long dark winter nights. What is the best to use and what is most convenient?

I will be setting it up in my garage each time I wish to use it so I guess ease of use in that respect needs to be a consideration. I notice that for the turbo you generally need a separate skewer to connect. Is it easy to replace the skewer on the rear wheel?

A little confused by all this but think it will be worth the effort instead of using my rowing machine etc and getting out on the bike when I can at weekends.

Any advice appreciated.

ptr_

I'm also trying to decide between the two for this coming winter.

A separate skewer is only a few quid and is very easy to replace.

Speedmenace

I'm going to need something for this winter too, I thought about it alot. I think rollers will suit me better

aussie70

Rollers! for so many reasons

You can just put your bike on them and ride. No setting up, so you can swap bikes with no fuss.
Rollers don't wreck your back tyre.
Your computer works, because the front wheel's driven
Improves your pedalling because you have to be smooth, otherwise you'll fall off.
You don't get as bored, because you have to concentrate otherwise you'll fall off!
Bragging rights, because you can ride rollers without falling off

JackPozzi

I have both and use both. I find rollers to be far preferable though and use them for everything but the hardest workouts where a)the ones I have just don't provide enough resistance and b)I'm going that hard I want the bike to be held upright so I don't fall off.

Both are easy enough to keep out of the way and set up quickly although if you go the turbo route having a spare wheel with an old tyre on is advisable.

Herbsman

I have both, for the same reason as JackPozzi. If I could only afford to have one or the other, I'd get a turbo.

smithaay

i have a pair of tacx rollers i think they're great for my bike handling skills and and smooth pedalling as stated above.

if you're wanting to do really hard workout sessions tho i think the turbo would be preferable.

in the end ull be better of with both

smithaay

i have a pair of tacx rollers i think they're great for my bike handling skills and and smooth pedalling as stated above.

if you're wanting to do really hard workout sessions tho i think the turbo would be preferable.

in the end ull be better of with both

Duncanandthemachine

I'd agree with erverything above, I was faced with exactly the same decision when snow bound earlier this year...

Rollers are good for workouts upto Zone 4, people who say they can't raise their heart rate high on rollers aren't trying hard enough. +1 for the comments on bike handling and pedaling too. One downside it that its very difficult to stand and pedal to releave pressure on your sensitive parts...as you would do every 20 minutes or so when you are riding on the road. The longest roller based work out I've managed wss 2 hours, but that was whilst watching a film...music is essential or time goes incredibly slowly!

I've used turbo's before and they are good for zone 5 workouts, but most people avoid these in the winter!

Duncanandthemachine

I'd agree with erverything above, I was faced with exactly the same decision when snow bound earlier this year...

Rollers are good for workouts upto Zone 4, people who say they can't raise their heart rate high on rollers aren't trying hard enough. +1 for the comments on bike handling and pedaling too. One downside it that its very difficult to stand and pedal to releave pressure on your sensitive parts...as you would do every 20 minutes or so when you are riding on the road. The longest roller based work out I've managed was 2 hours, but that was whilst watching a film...music is essential or time goes incredibly slowly!

I've used turbo's before and they are good for zone 5 workouts, but most people avoid these in the winter!

silverpigeon

Wow, July and we're already talking about long winter nights.

FWIW TT for me. Just get a dedicated training wheel and you don't have to worry with all that roller faff, like balancing.

I have a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine with the the 12lb flywheel.and recommend it. My mate come over to use it, in preference to his rollers.

Or he could just fancy my wife