Do more expensive turbo trainers feel more realistic

bjl

Got a cheap turbo and don't use it much cos it just doesn't feel like cycling on road - how much do you have to spend and which ones are the better ones, want to use it for intervals and such.

napoleond

Defo, I had a Tacx Sirius, upgraded that to a Satori which was much better but still not happy, then got a Cycleops Jet Fluid Pro which is great! People who use the Kurt Kinetic Road machine (more expensive again) rave about that too.
Much more natural feel...

Pseudonym

I don't think there's a turbo trainer on the planet which makes you feel like you're cycling on the road - the best you can ever hope for is a good workout...

amaferanga

Pseudonym wrote:

I don't think there's a turbo trainer on the planet which makes you feel like you're cycling on the road - the best you can ever hope for is a good workout...

Perhaps not, but there's a world of difference between how different turbo trainers feel. Some feel horribly jerky, while others offer nice smooth resistance.

I've had three turbos - Tacx Swing, Elite Supercrono Fluid and Cycleops Fluid2. The Tacx and Elite turbos are just horrible to ride compared to the Cycleops. The Elite is actually the most expensive of the three though.

mfin

Im sure its very 'model by model' as well as make by make.... do always hear good things about the Cycleops one mentioned. A friend of mine had a few hundred quids worth of Elite with a computer on it and all that and couldnt get on with the feel of it, my Minoura VFS150G (no longer made I dont think) on the other hand feels a lot better in comparison, and he said he would not of got rid of mine if he'd had one of mine. Mine's Mag and Fluid and I believe his was too, but there you go. (his was a fair bit quieter than mine).

Best to go with something highly recommended. I neaaaaarrrly went for CycleOPs mentioned, but didnt as I fancied a variable resistance setting that mine's got, but, once set, I took the cable off that adjusts it anyway.

If mine broke, Id buy the CycleOps.

jibberjim

Stunned that people find the Jet Fluid acceptable - for me it's way too low inertia (which is why they feel wrong) the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine with the large flywheel is just about okay for me, the Lemond Fitness is supposed to be similar and I'm sure there are a few others.

Higher inertia ones feel more realistic, but still aren't the same as the road unless you're very un aerodynamic and pretty light.

McBain_v1

I'm currently using the kurt Kinetic Road machine and find it very good for indoor training purposes. I have to confess that I like the look of the Rock 'n' Roller that KK has developed as well. Mind you, if you don't regularly ride out of the saddle and really honk on the handlebars then it might not be the best, plus it's footprint looks very big as well. I don't think that there is a real 'road' turbo out there yet but then again I wouldn't want a turbo that mimics the road - that's what the road is for!