Turbo trainer and fixed wheel bikes

Raffaz
Raffaz Posts: 16
edited October 2011 in Road buying advice
Hi,

Im thinking of getting a cycleops fluid 2 winter kit! Just wondering if you can use it with a fixed wheel bike as i dont have quick release wheels and they are also narrower frames.

If this isnt compatible then can anyone recommend a good trainer that will work with a fixed wheel bike, i have upto £400 to spend on full kit.

Cheers

Mick

Comments

  • fizz
    fizz Posts: 483
    It'll work, but you might find that the axle holders on the cyclops dont fit the axle properly as they'll be designed for a QR, so you'll want a set of these

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-axle-nuts- ... qr-wheels/

    Or similar..
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    I don't think a fluid trainer will be much good for fixed. Probably better with a magnetic trainer so you can change resistance levels.

    The Fluid 2 is great though - I just bought one (having used an Elite Supercrono Elastogel previously which is CRAP compared to the Fluid 2). I should think a Fluid 2 + a cheap geared turbo bike could be had for your £400 budget though.
    More problems but still living....
  • Raffaz
    Raffaz Posts: 16
    amaferanga wrote:
    I don't think a fluid trainer will be much good for fixed. Probably better with a magnetic trainer so you can change resistance levels.

    The Fluid 2 is great though - I just bought one (having used an Elite Supercrono Elastogel previously which is CRAP compared to the Fluid 2). I should think a Fluid 2 + a cheap geared turbo bike could be had for your £400 budget though.
    Cheers, any suggestions for a good magnetic trainer?
  • Raffaz
    Raffaz Posts: 16
    fizz wrote:
    It'll work, but you might find that the axle holders on the cyclops dont fit the axle properly as they'll be designed for a QR, so you'll want a set of these

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-axle-nuts- ... qr-wheels/

    Or similar..
    Cheers, looks like something else i need to addvto my list :)
  • Raffaz
    Raffaz Posts: 16
    Is a tacx flow any good?
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    I've had a Tacx Flow for a number of years, particularly with a track bike - in ergo-mode you can adjust the resistance to give pre-determined power load - plenty of adjustment to go from virtually zero-resistance to leg-breakingly tough. You may need to remove the lockring on the axle retainer if using a 120mm rear-end. Also the head unit doesn't like cold / damp - I keep mine in the house as the screen display goes blank.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Raffaz
    Raffaz Posts: 16
    Monty Dog wrote:
    I've had a Tacx Flow for a number of years, particularly with a track bike - in ergo-mode you can adjust the resistance to give pre-determined power load - plenty of adjustment to go from virtually zero-resistance to leg-breakingly tough. You may need to remove the lockring on the axle retainer if using a 120mm rear-end. Also the head unit doesn't like cold / damp - I keep mine in the house as the screen display goes blank.
    Probably something simple here, but what do you mean about the lockring on the axle retainer? Also, did you need to get the extension bolts for it?
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    On Tacx trainers, there's a locking collar on the threaded axle-retainer - in place it's simply not possible to screw-in the axle retainer enough to grip a 120mm hub - I expect the Tacx nuts are extended to mean you don't have to do this, but as I couldn't get a pair quickly at the time, it was easier to cut the plastic collar off.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • tremayne
    tremayne Posts: 378
    Hate to disagree but (dependant on yr gearing) I'd actually say you'd be fine on your fixed - given you managed to get it hooked up properly.

    I've got fixed and geared and a cycleops fluid.

    I tend to switch between 48/15 & 48/14. A 15 sprocket means I can hit 30mph and this is plenty for a decent amount of resistance - given the way the cycleops works.

    I would't say its ideal - but the benefits of a gel trainer for me, would outweigh the downsides (even for fixed). However, if you are on particularly low gearing - might not be such a good option.
  • Raffaz
    Raffaz Posts: 16
    Monty Dog wrote:
    On Tacx trainers, there's a locking collar on the threaded axle-retainer - in place it's simply not possible to screw-in the axle retainer enough to grip a 120mm hub - I expect the Tacx nuts are extended to mean you don't have to do this, but as I couldn't get a pair quickly at the time, it was easier to cut the plastic collar off.
    Cheers for the extra info
  • Raffaz
    Raffaz Posts: 16
    tremayne wrote:
    Hate to disagree but (dependant on yr gearing) I'd actually say you'd be fine on your fixed - given you managed to get it hooked up properly.

    I've got fixed and geared and a cycleops fluid.

    I tend to switch between 48/15 & 48/14. A 15 sprocket means I can hit 30mph and this is plenty for a decent amount of resistance - given the way the cycleops works.

    I would't say its ideal - but the benefits of a gel trainer for me, would outweigh the downsides (even for fixed). However, if you are on particularly low gearing - might not be such a good option.
    Im currently running 48/15 so it woul probably be fine then, did you have any issues fixint the fixed bike into the trainer?

Categories