whats your turbo set up like?

ianbar

going to try and embrace the turbo starting next week so going to work on a good set up over the weekend. i only have an entry level cycleops bought 2nd hand.i have just bought a cycle computer so i can mount the sensors on the rear wheel which will give me some stats to train with.will need some entertainment to look at as a distraction from the penance! just wondered how every one else is set up?

mkviken

i have an elite crono elastogel turbo and its very good. very easy to usevery, no cables or resistance adjustment required and it is quiet.

i have a tracx wheel block but just use towels on the floor. the proper mats are iro £60 which is crazy.

i use a wheel with a cheaper tyre (conti ultra race) for my turbo.


ive got 3 trainer dvd's so far. i have 3LC road race and 3LC time trial and the trainright climbing dvd *i havent used this yet).

the 3LC dvds are very good but theyre best used with a cadence sensor (as are most trainer dvd's)

plife

Here is my set up - takes 5 mins to set up....swap the wheel and bring items in from garage. Simply put on NCIS, Rescue Me, Hawaii Five O or such like and off I go.


_DSC0001 by P.Life, on Flickr

StorckSpeed

My Turbo is set up in the Garage roof (inside). It's a bit noisy up there but no-one complains. In the winter the good bike sits on it permanently, with my deep profile rear wheel and last years old tyre fitted. I have the TACX Flow, which came with the TACX wheel block. I have the whole thing sitting on a plastic sheet which was wrapped around some home delivery, this protects the woodchip floor from my sweat. I drape a small microfiber towel over the frame and use this to wipe my brow when need be.
Last year I only used the Turbo when it was raining or snowing otherwise I went out for a spin on the winter bike.
When on the Turbo I sometimes just listen to music but also like the Sufferfest videos. I therefore fitted a small shelf on the wall just in front of the bike on which I can rest my laptop and still see the screen even with my prescription glasses off.
It's not perfect and all looks a bit DIY but it does the job.

greentea

plife wrote:

Here is my set up - takes 5 mins to set up....swap the wheel and bring items in from garage. Simply put on NCIS, Rescue Me, Hawaii Five O or such like and off I go.


_DSC0001 by P.Life, on Flickr

You were doing great, until you said " Hawaii Five O". :shock:

The only way you can possibly rescue yourself now is to add "...and the Mrs dances in a bikini while its on".

I'd have taken Bargain Hunt. Just.

saprkzz

greentea wrote:

plife wrote:

Here is my set up - takes 5 mins to set up....swap the wheel and bring items in from garage. Simply put on NCIS, Rescue Me, Hawaii Five O or such like and off I go.


_DSC0001 by P.Life, on Flickr

You were doing great, until you said " Hawaii Five O". :shock:

The only way you can possibly rescue yourself now is to add "...and the Mrs dances in a bikini while its on".

I'd have taken Bargain Hunt. Just.

And of course we would need to see either video or photo evidence!!

saprkzz

I use my Tacx trainer in the garage with a huge fan to cool me down with, I use my winter bike with a crappy wheel and trainer specific tyre.

Lap top on my tool chest and pedal away using a DVD, carmichael are good. (or sometimes watch a film)

alihisgreat

plife wrote:

Here is my set up - takes 5 mins to set up....swap the wheel and bring items in from garage. Simply put on NCIS, Rescue Me, Hawaii Five O or such like and off I go.


_DSC0001 by P.Life, on Flickr

What if the wife wants to watch downton abbey?


but its a nice setup!


Minus points for the saddle bag and the non OCP picture though

plife

I'll stick by Hawaii Five O!!! I think it is OK....easy watching.

No issue with the missus she can watch whatever she wants in the kitchen.

Non OCP picture? Lost me on this one!

mkviken

tried out the 3LC time trail dvd tonight

its good - has some quite long intense efforts but is way easier than the road race one


i would reccomend the road race dvd for a really intense session.

alihisgreat

plife wrote:

I'll stick by Hawaii Five O!!! I think it is OK....easy watching.

No issue with the missus she can watch whatever she wants in the kitchen.

Non OCP picture? Lost me on this one!

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12618247

andy46

I got an Elite volare mag turbo last year but only used it twice as I hated it. However, I've really took to and improved my riding throughout the year and I also upgraded to a decent bike so I am going to make an extra effort to use the turbo this winter.

My question is, will the turbo ruin my rear tyre? I have a Michelin Pro race 3.

alihisgreat

andy46 wrote:

I got an Elite volare mag turbo last year but only used it twice as I hated it. However, I've really took to and improved my riding throughout the year and I also upgraded to a decent bike so I am going to make an extra effort to use the turbo this winter.

My question is, will the turbo ruin my rear tyre? I have a Michelin Pro race 3.

Yes.. if you're using it for a decent amount of time its worth investing in a cheap rear wheel/cassette and a turbo specific tyre.

brucebar1980

Yeah i know....................your all jealous.


http://i46.tinypic.com/2ep690o.jpg[/IMG]

plife

ALIHISGREAT wrote:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12618247

Thanks I am duly enlightened on the mistakes of my ways!!!

Jazz_UK

Hi - No set up yet as I have just purchased the Elite Volare using the Halfords & British Cycling discounts

One question, rather than buy the £60 mat would a cheap yoga/exercise mat suffice?

Stuart

andy46

ALIHISGREAT wrote:

andy46 wrote:

I got an Elite volare mag turbo last year but only used it twice as I hated it. However, I've really took to and improved my riding throughout the year and I also upgraded to a decent bike so I am going to make an extra effort to use the turbo this winter.

My question is, will the turbo ruin my rear tyre? I have a Michelin Pro race 3.

Yes.. if you're using it for a decent amount of time its worth investing in a cheap rear wheel/cassette and a turbo specific tyre.

Thanks, my bike has full 105 groupset with Mavic Ksyrium Elites. I do have a set of Bontrager wheels in the shed off my old bike (Trek 1.1)

Instead of forking out on another 105 cassette, would I be able to get a 10speed Tiagra cassette for winter/turbo duties or would this mess everything up? As in the drivetrain parts would not be wearing out at the same rate.

Sorry if it's a daft question, hope that's clear :oops:

StorckSpeed

Jazz - The mat is just to protect the flooring from any sweat or oil that gets splattered, (not a good look on the living room carpet). It can dampen some of the noise but not a lot. A plastic sheet or Yoga mat will do the biz.
Andy46 - Yep, in my opinion, if your just going to use it for winter training, get the cheap cassette in the same size as the 105 (eg 12-26). You won't notice any difference and if it wears out quicker it's cheaper to replace. Save the 105 gear for the better weather.
Enjoy the training - and remember the Mantra IBMATTKYAT - Sufferfest enthusiasts will know what I mean....

hopper1

Here's the previous 'Turbo dungeon' thread.
Must insert a photo of mine in the new house...

itboffin

Ah yes the old turbo dungeon set up, got mine up and running a couple of weeks ago and so far i've used it twice.

Man-cave before


And now

Herbsman

The excellent HIIT Interval Training Timer https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... imer&hl=en on me HTC
A fan from ScrewFix (could do with two really)
1h+ crit video on YouTube, full screen, recorded with a handlebar mounted camera.