Turbo Trainer vs Rollers

MickHall

I'm fairly new to road biking but have been cycling seriously since April and clocked over 1000 miles in that time going out at leat 3 times a week.

I want to keep up this level over the winter but due to long working hours am going to struggle during the week with short day light etc.

I am thinking of investing in a Turbo Trainer or set of rollers but don't know whats best and what to look out for.

Any advice welcome.

ductions

I've just bought some rollers for when the weather isn't really in my favour. They seem great for doing cardio based work outs, but, as far as I know, you can't really get out of your saddle and pound the pedals like you could on a trainer. At least I don't have the stability to, and there just isn't enough resistance anyway.

I think this subject has been done to death as well, so just give the forums a search.

cougie

Yes. I'd get turbo for intervals.

meesterbond

Turbo Trainer and Sufferfest.

I'm in the same boat, during the week I can't get out at all really, so having the turbo means I can get a decent workout in.
If you do, definitely look at the Sufferfest videos, they almost make it fun.

chiark

I've got a CycleOps Fluid 2 turbo trainer, and have just bought a set of Jetblack Rollers. Both bought locally, and second hand, forl under half price each. My intention was to keep only one of 'em.

First time on the rollers was last night. For the first five minutes I was thinking, "this is impossible". Eventually, after about 20 minutes, I found a rhythm and technique that seemed to work. There is a little resistance there, but not a great deal. You have to concentrate pretty much continually, and if I looked around to speak to someone I ended up with quite a wobble. For the next few sessions I will stay in a doorframe to give me an escape route!

Because you have to balance, it feels like more of your body is getting a workout to me, but that's possibly because I was working hard to keep upright, and have only used them for about 45 minutes! After that, I felt like I'd had a good workout.

The turbo trainer is utterly different, and I've had it a couple of months. Strap in, get a block for the front, and it'll not fall over. You can utterly beast yourself on this if you feel like it - the bigger the gear, the faster you cycle, the more resistance - exponentially. you can stand and stamp on the pedals in the biggest gear. It does worry me about the load on the bike at times, though...

Out of the two, I can't say what I prefer but I'm verging towards rollers as I want to build technique and stamina rather than outright strength right now. The turbo strikes me as more for really punishing your legs when you want to, as you can just ride like a zombie.

I think I'm keeping both. This probably doesn't help much!

stratcat

meesterbond wrote:

Turbo Trainer and Sufferfest.


If you do, definitely look at the Sufferfest videos, they almost make it fun.

This is so very true - I'm looking forward to the suffering......kinda! :shock: :roll:

Bluegnu

I've never used rollers but I reckon you can do so much more with a turbo. As mentioned above you can go from light spinning to monster heavy leg killing sessions and anything in between. It's worth checking out the manufactures websites for training sessions too.

Just make sure you budget for a fan if you haven't got one. A big fan. Multiple big fans. And wrap a tea towel over your headset to keep the sweat out. And then buy another fan.

chiark

There's only one thing I'd add to bluegnu's advice: get a fan.