Using a turbo trainer indoors - any precautions?

wilbo83

I currently use my tacx satori turbo trainer in the garage but as the nights get colder I would like to move it indoors into my bedroom (which is carpeted).

Just wondered if I can expect any grease or anything else and are there any precautions that I should take so that I dont dirty the carpet or walls?

amaferanga

If you move it into the nice warm house then surely that just means you need a bigger fan to cool you down? :?

For turbo training a cold garage is good (unless its REALLY cold where you are).

rjh299

May want to put an old towel, mat, rug under your bike to stop sweat dripping onto your carpet. Just make sure you have enough space around you so you don't catch your feet or anything.

ut_och_cykla

Stay in the garage - it's cool, but there is no wind. Down to zero C shouldn't be a problem - you might need to warm up and then remove some clothing.

The bedroom will just be too hot, risk of sweat snot & water on floor, fine rubber particles, maybe some chain oil, and noisy for the rest of the household.

Rig up a light and some music or laptop to watch and stay in the garage!

wilbo83

I have a Tacx mat under it anyways. I think its also the fact that I would use it more if it was indoors, plus I can stick a DVD or music on which I cant really do in the garage, just stare at the garage door!

richa

Sick bucket?

Shouldn't be too tricky to organise some music in your garage. Do you want the turbo permanently set up in your bedroom?

ut_och_cykla

music on MP3 player or DVD via laptop - power cable extension from house? possibilities are endless.... my turbos in the cellar - I don't think I'd use it less in the garage or more if it was in my bedroom - unless you're just thinking of a quick quiet twirl while the news is on telly or something similar.

derosa

Keep any pets out of the room while using the turbo :shock:

SBezza

I use mine in the garage with a fan, and with temps into the minus figures, it doesn't take long to get warm on a turbo. I would never dream of using mine in the house, would like create a flood.

It can be hard sometimes getting out in the cold, but I usually wrap up, and then undress a bit as I get warmer.

As ut_och_cykla has said, MP3 player, or laptop and DVD and being outside is not an issue.

hugo15

I'd stay in the garage. I used my turbo last year when the temperature was well below freezing (it was cold enough to stop the fridge/freezer that's in there working!) but I still needed a fan and didn't wear a top after I'd got warmed up. IMHO the house will be way too warm.

derosa

People on here seem to have all the comforts of home laid on in their garage and expect everyone else to have the same - not always the case.

ut_och_cykla

one cable , one plug, one multiplug flex. Perhaps a problem in the third world but not in teh UK surely. If you've got a garage with 4 walls & a roof - what's the problem? I have no power in the cellar I use but drag a cable from another part of the house to light, drive a fan, turbo, etc....and I'm a girly so by definition not very technically minded....

ben16v

i manage in a wooden shed with an extension reel run to it, a load of co-ax, old 14" tv, sky controlled via magic eye, dvd player, energy saving bulb in a mechanics torch cable tied to the ceiling, and an ipod - oh the hardship lol

andyrr

1 cold garage plus turbo = perfect setting !
Most garages have power sockets ?
Even so, I've turbo'd many times with only an mp3 player for company, now do so sometimes with laptop for Sufferfest vids, no power cable required just make sure the battery is charged up for longer sessions.
No problems then with oil & dirt from the bike or sweat & snot from the rider getting on the light coloured carpets. I sometimes have no light switched on and use the laptop display is sufficient.
You don't need to do any more than shift gear, watch the timer on the laptop and take drinks from the bidon. Less distractions that way.

lemoncurd

Stay in the garage. Or keep your bike very clean.

I don't have a garage and use the living room. After a turbo session last year I went to the kitchen to get drinks and snacks but didn't notice that I'd picked up big blob of grease on the bottom of my sock. I turned the light on to see big black grease splodges all over my very light, stone cream kitchen floor. I yanked my socks off and walked to the utility room to get floor cleaner but the grease had soaked through the sock and my bare foot was now leaving grease marks everywhere I stepped.

It was a sodding nightmare, I ended up crawling around on the floor with bleach and cloths cleaning up the splodges.

Wish I had a garage.

cougie

If you have a garage then use it. Cold is good.
And it will keep the noise down too.

Derosa - most garages would have electricity ? It's not like anyone's insisted on a hot tub and jacuzzi.

ddraver

Just picked up my first (second hand TT) thanks for the tips guys!

oceheb

1. boring
2. neighbours downstairs

stonehouse

I used to train in the garage, but when it started consistently going below 0c last winter I found myself using any old excuse to not go in there, not to mention how damp and depressing it is! I moved the trainer indoors and found a new level of motivation (I should really live somewhere warmer). I've not missed a session since through apathy!

However, I will concede that my other half grumbles about the noise, and keeping cool can be an issue if it is an intense session, but for aerobic it works just fine. I have the last two TdF recorded, and a few other cycling related vids on my TV system. They keep me from getting bored, and watching those guys climbing in the Pyrenees make my sessions seem like child play.