Recommend a turbo trainer

the playing mantis
the playing mantis Posts: 2,129
edited May 2013 in Road buying advice
Im looking for a decentish turbo trainer, prices seem to vary massively, can people recommend what they think are good, value for money?

thanks

Comments

  • pkripper
    pkripper Posts: 652
    I have 2 - a kurt kinetic, and a tacx swing - both in different price brackets, but both probably at or near the top of those in those price ranges respectively.

    What's the budget?
  • the playing mantis
    the playing mantis Posts: 2,129
    £500 max, but prefer something around half that.

    quieter and simpler the better. my knowledge of turbos extends to wikipedia and searching a few recommendations on here.
  • ck101
    ck101 Posts: 222
    Tacx Flow, whatever brand you buy you should try and buy one with power. I understand the more advanced Tacx with computer integration give trouble. Stick with the Sufferfest training videos.
  • the playing mantis
    the playing mantis Posts: 2,129
    which flow is that the i-flow t2250 or the flow2200?
  • daviesee
    daviesee Posts: 6,386
    I have only used one but FWIW....

    The Kurt Kinetic is not cheap but it is well made, relatively quiet and doesn't leak.
    I like being able to jump into a big gear and get out of the saddle occasionally and it does this in a natural way due to the movement.
    I can't say that I have missed cycling along 'virtual" roads.
    None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.
  • derosa
    derosa Posts: 2,819
    Ck101 wrote:
    Tacx Flow, whatever brand you buy you should try and buy one with power. I understand the more advanced Tacx with computer integration give trouble. Stick with the Sufferfest training videos.

    +1 for the Flow - T2200 in my case.
    Big H

    May the road rise up to meet you.
    May the wind always be at your back.
  • the playing mantis
    the playing mantis Posts: 2,129
    very stupid questions, but i have googled with no joy!

    whats the difference between an ergo trainer, that the t2250 is listed as, to a normal turbo?

    the Tacx site shows the t2250 as putting the front forks into some sort of contraption, sans wheel, whilst the t2200 is shown as expected, the bike as whole. is that the difference between an ergo and turbo?

    finally, how do gears come into play on a turbo?

    although it seems a fair few dont, i like the idea of the virtual road opton
  • Ka12
    Ka12 Posts: 216
    I have just ordered a Cycleops Fluid2 with winter training kit for £250, the trainer gets really good reviews and the price seemed like a good deal.

    With the fluid turbo trainers the resistance increases with speed and can also be adjusted by using the gears on the bike. Some trainers have a lever which goes on the handlebars so you can also use that to change the resistance.

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