Turbo trainer luddite needs help

HenryTheHoover
HenryTheHoover Posts: 126
edited August 2013 in Road beginners
I have been told To stay off the bike for 3 months plus due to a shoulder dislocation but have been told static cycling is ok. I started to look for an excercise bike :oops: But then it dawned on me I could possibly stick the trusty triban on a turbo trainer which I could then keep after I am back on the road for..well...more turbo training I suppose. I havent got any room in a garage or indoors so I would have to set it up outside to actually use it.

Basically I have no idea what to look for in a turbo but obviously I need to be able to set it up fairly easily and anything plugged into a socket is a no no. It also has to be quite stable.

I have notice the Taxc Satori is quite popular.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-satori-hig ... 5360396929

And I have also noticed this elite crono fluid elastogel

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-crono-flu ... tAodm3IAsA

Am I on the right track here? Is anything cheaper a good option? I know £160 is not a lot of money cycle wise but I still have to get this purchase past the wife as she will be buying it for me. I have also read a few people found they hated turbo training so I suppose the novelty could possibly wear off after I am back on the road? However I normally only get one road ride a week so hopefully the option of bobbing on a turbo for an hour will keep me interested.

Basically after a bit'o'advice and any input of any kind thanks.

Comments

  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    I have an Elite turbo which is used year round and is fine and not too noisy but cannot comment on the others.
    You will need to put a turbo specific tyre on your bike, it will kill your road tyre. Get plugged into the ipod with some good music on and it won't be boring, personally I have never found it boring anyway.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    diamonddog wrote:
    You will need to put a turbo specific tyre on your bike
    Or an old road tyre ....
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    Have a look at this thread. Mods would never sticky it for some reason.

    viewtopic.php?f=40020&t=12661884
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • gpreeves
    gpreeves Posts: 454
    I got the Elite trainer after using rollers all last winter, haven't used it an awful lot since buying but it seems to do everything I'd expect from it. I'd definitely opt for a turbo specific tyre rather than just an old road tyre - I noticed a noticeable reduction in noise when I did.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    gpreeves wrote:
    I got the Elite trainer after using rollers all last winter, haven't used it an awful lot since buying but it seems to do everything I'd expect from it. I'd definitely opt for a turbo specific tyre rather than just an old road tyre - I noticed a noticeable reduction in noise when I did.


    It's going to be used outside ... and he's trying to get a purchase past his wife ... if he has an old road tyre it will suffice!

    We have the cheapest Tacx unit - I mean WE too ... my wife uses it too. She's probably put more time on it than I have!
    Worst bit for me was the boredom as the only thing I had to concentrate on was the effort I was putting in (not enough!) and I much prefer being on the road - even in the dark, cold & wet ... Anyway - with no choice for road riding you'll probably get much more out of a turbo ... especially if you can watch videos at the same time.
  • gpreeves
    gpreeves Posts: 454
    Slowbike wrote:
    gpreeves wrote:
    I got the Elite trainer after using rollers all last winter, haven't used it an awful lot since buying but it seems to do everything I'd expect from it. I'd definitely opt for a turbo specific tyre rather than just an old road tyre - I noticed a noticeable reduction in noise when I did.


    It's going to be used outside ... and he's trying to get a purchase past his wife ... if he has an old road tyre it will suffice!

    My bad, missed that bit at first. Old tyre will be more than ok in that case, no need to worry about the sound bothering anybody else then.
  • Mikey23
    Mikey23 Posts: 5,306
    Interesting... Similar issues here, shoulder injury and several weeks till I can get out, so was about to ask the same question...
  • BrandonA
    BrandonA Posts: 553
    I bought a Satori last year. I've cycled nearly 1000 miles on it since. It is great for interval training.

    My critism of it though is that although it has ten resistance settings once you go above three your wheel starts to slip. For me this is not a problem as I leave it on three and use the bikes gears to change the resistance.

    It's like anything in life, the more you pay (up to a point) the better the equipment. For its price point I don't think you can go wrong.

    Hope you recover soon as turboing outside is going to be as boring as hell. I have mine infront of the tv and watch a movie whilst doing it.
  • andyeb
    andyeb Posts: 407
    I've been very pleased with my Tacx Satori and I don't have problems with it slipping at higher resistance levels.

    Don't bother paying for one of the turbo mats though - just pop down to Sports Direct and pick up a camping mat. Works a treat for me and also provides a nicer surface to stretch on after a workout.
  • stueys
    stueys Posts: 1,332
    Satori is good for the price, spent many hours on mine. Get a cheap wheel with a turbo tyre on so you can quickly swap it on. Also take a look at trainerroad.com, transformed using the turbo for me last year.
  • andrewjoseph
    andrewjoseph Posts: 2,165
    I bought and used a turbo to help recovery from shoulder injury. I still use it quite a bit when I don't fancy getting soaked or blown under a bus.

    I don't bother changing the tyre for every Turbo session, the hassle would put me off. Didn't fancy buying a spare wheel and cassette either so just put the bike on as is. An hour session once or twice a week has not noticeably affected any tyre I have used.
    --
    Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails
  • HenryTheHoover
    HenryTheHoover Posts: 126
    Apologies for the delay in responding to my own thread gents and thanks for all the input so far.

    A slight change in plan is I may have the option of setting it up in my kitchen. So I have basically got two questions.

    1. Is the tacx satori quiet enough for this?

    2. Whats best option r.e. training between the adjustable resistance of the tacx satori linked and the fluid filled Elite crono turbo linked? If I understand it right the fluid turbo doesnt vary resistance as such you just pick different gear to change the effort required.
  • HenryTheHoover
    HenryTheHoover Posts: 126
    Bit of a bump here gents. Having driven around sheffield I havent had much joy helping me to make my descision so was wondering if anyone could respond to the questions just above. The priority being whether the Tacx satori is quiet enough to use indoors without being intrusive? And also an opnion as to whether a fluid or magnetic resistance trainer at my price point ( sub £200 ) is best?

    Thanks
    Lee
  • PhunkyPhil
    PhunkyPhil Posts: 143
    HenryTheHoover wrote:
    Apologies for the delay in responding to my own thread gents and thanks for all the input so far.

    A slight change in plan is I may have the option of setting it up in my kitchen. So I have basically got two questions.

    1. Is the tacx satori quiet enough for this?

    2. Whats best option r.e. training between the adjustable resistance of the tacx satori linked and the fluid filled Elite crono turbo linked? If I understand it right the fluid turbo doesnt vary resistance as such you just pick different gear to change the effort required.

    I use the Tacx in my kitchen and my girlfriend doesn't mind when watching TV in the other room. I also have music on the stereo.
    http://veloviewer.com/SigImage.php?a=116373&r=3&c=5&u=M&g=p&f=abcdefghij&z=a.png
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    Our Turbo gets used in the conservatory which is opened up to the kitchen - it's fine for noise levels ...

    Don't know on the fluid/magnetic options though. Ours is magnetic - with variable resistance - I tend to work out a rough "same as the road" resistance and then make adjustments with the gears - that way the GPS with speed/cadence sensor is reading approx the same as on the road.
  • OwenB
    OwenB Posts: 606
    My lad uses his in the dining room, he went with one of these from Decathlon http://www.decathlon.co.uk/inride-home-trainer-black-blue-id_8191570.html which is just as quiet as my Elite Chrono and for £99 its a bit of a bargain in my opinion.
  • stueys
    stueys Posts: 1,332
    Satori is as quiet as any I think. I use a rubber mat under mine and it dulls the noise a bit, would be fine in a kitchen.
  • OwenB
    OwenB Posts: 606
    Stueys wrote:
    Satori is as quiet as any I think. I use a rubber mat under mine and it dulls the noise a bit, would be fine in a kitchen.


    Agreed I got a cheap yoga mat to put under mine and it really helps keep the noise down
  • HenryTheHoover
    HenryTheHoover Posts: 126
    Thanks gents. Just what I needed to know. The tacx it is then. Still working on the missus to be honest, but she can't hold out forever. mwahahahaha!

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