Not getting on with turbo

markhewitt1978

I got a turbo for Christmas, and the stuff that goes with it the different tyre, block for the front wheel.

The reason I got it was that this time of year I just want to do half an hour before I go to work maybe 2 or 3 times a week as otherwise I'm only getting out on Sunday mornings.

But the problem is that I have limited time and even more limited patience! I find the whole process of setting up such a carry on that I'm really frustrated with the whole thing, especially fitting the different back wheel - although not fitting it isn't a big plus either. So rightly or wrongly I'm thinking I don't want to do it again tomorrow because I hate the setup process .

I'm wondering if I might get on better with rollers? Literally just put them down and put the bike on top and go? (Then fall off probably ), they don't need any special tyres or anything? Would I get a decent workout from a set of rollers - consider that I'm no Froome, 40 miles at 14mph is my normal Sunday ride.

slowbike

Do you not have anywhere you can leave it set up?

Plus - don't keep swapping the wheels - leave the turbo wheel in unless you're taking it on the road.

markhewitt1978

Slowbike wrote:

Do you not have anywhere you can leave it set up?

No, extremely pushed for space in a small terraced house. Difficulty enough finding somewhere to put the spare wheel.

Plus - don't keep swapping the wheels - leave the turbo wheel in unless you're taking it on the road.

Good point

Tom Dean

You don't need to use a different wheel on the turbo.

Yes you can just jump straight on the rollers but you might find it harder to do real high end work on them which presumably is what you are doing in your half-hour sessions.

markhewitt1978

Tom Dean wrote:

You don't need to use a different wheel on the turbo.

Everything I'd read talks about shredding your tyres without it.

Yes you can just jump straight on the rollers but you might find it harder to do real high end work on them which presumably is what you are doing in your half-hour sessions.

Yes and no, obviously I want to put some effort in, but it's more about keeping the legs turning during the week rather than proper HIT.

Garryboy

^^ This
Motivation on the turbo is hard, harder still if you have to convince yourself to spend time setting it up first.

I have mine set up perm in a garage all ready to go when needed - it can still be hard to go and do it.
As Steve Peters would say, you need to manage your 'inner chimp'!

Helps me to think about how I feel after doing a good, hard productive session on it - and that it will make me better on the road (which is the whole point).

Structure also helps - sufferfest videos are great, give them a look if you haven't already..

Grifteruk

I had this feeling for a while and it slowly grew into looking for excuses not to get 1/2 hr or hour in at times when I really needed it to maintain fitness or improve. Unfortunately the net result was a bad year when riding in summer became frustrating due to a loss of fitness over previous years.

Small things made a very big difference, such as those mentioned above and a variety of others:

Getting my kit ready the day/night before so that everything is to hand ready to go;
Sufferfests - which made a massive difference.
Setting the routine;
Not bothering to change my wheel until I got into the routine;
Once I got the routine and started to change the wheel again I did it straight after my weekend ride (when I had a bit more time) so bike was ready to turbo in the week;
Realising that the first 5 mins of set up is the hardest part - once you start the stress factor drops off.

As mentioned the inner chimp needs to be put back in his box !

markhewitt1978

Cheers guys, knew I could rely on you for a bit of HTFU . I think part of it this morning was a frustration in setting up my heart rate and speed sensor (which duly failed about 2 minutes in), then finding Strava didn't track any of it!

I shall try and make a point of putting the turbo wheel on after my Sunday ride; hopefully that'll motivate me to use it as the bike is setup ready!

cougie

My turbo doesnt shred my wheel. Turbo tyres are a very new invention. Turbos have been around for years.

Sounds to me like you're just a bit unfocused on the turbo. Planning on doing 30 mins a few times a week isn't enough really - what sessions are you doing ? Any plans - or just riding ?

I'm finding it infinitely easier to stick to a proper plan rather than a vague goal of doing a bit each week.

markhewitt1978

At the moment I haven't really sorted out a proper routine - which is a big part of the issue for me. So it's more about experimenting which is part of the reason I've found it a struggle so far.

cougie

I think a proper routine will be a big help - if theres any faff involved then its more reason to avoid the session.

I'm not a morning person - I don't mind working out late at night - but getting up early to do it is a struggle. You have to find what works for you.

If you have a laptop then Trainer Road is a big incentive and for £8 a month they have plenty of plans to follow. You just need a bit of hardware and a compatible turbo.

ut_och_cykla

YEs - get everything ready to run teh day/evening before. You could possibly leave it all set up outside back door. As long as its not acttually raining even cycle outdoors on trainer - it will still be warmer/less dangerous(ice) than road riding....

markhewitt1978

I did actually think when I was sweating away this morning in the porch that I'd be better off just going into the back yard! Might try that next time - a bit more space out there!

I'm not too worried about the road conditions really; I'm still cycling outside on Sunday mornings no problem, I just don't like cycling in the dark!

littledove44

You might want to try using Trainer Road. Make the sessions much more interesting.

phreak

I've been using a turbo for 3/4 years now and have never had any tire problems with it. I generally use my commuter bike on the turbo and maybe change the rear tire once a year. That's after perhaps 5,000km on the turbo a year (I accept distance may be disputable).

Sounds like the main thing is you need to have something that makes you look forward to doing it though. Most of my turbo work is geared specifically for alpine style climbs, and it's hard to replicate that on the road, especially in London where it can take 30 minutes to get anywhere even remotely quiet.

You'll find it much easier to use it if you have a real reason for doing it (other than turning the legs over). I've downloaded a whole load of cycling videos from cyclingtorrents and usually stick those on whilst doing the session.

supermurph09

I dont understand people that say the turbo doesn't harm your tyres? Have they got enough resistance on??

You can use a normal road tyre, but it will wear it down after little use in my experience.

Tom Dean

Some people find they get through tyres very quickly. The question is whether the cost of an extra wheel and tyre and the hassle of changing it is worth it - probably not for most people. If you already have one, you might as well use it (I do).

Tom Dean

markhewitt1978 wrote:

Yes and no, obviously I want to put some effort in, but it's more about keeping the legs turning during the week rather than proper HIT.

What are you training for?

Mikey23

I've done about 700 miles on mine so far with the original tyre which is a gatorskin. It is flattened but seems otherwise in good condition. I certainly couldn't be bothered to change wheel every time I did a turbo session. I wouldn't have thought that half an hour 2 to 3 times a week would be a major issue...

markhewitt1978

Tom Dean wrote:

markhewitt1978 wrote:

Yes and no, obviously I want to put some effort in, but it's more about keeping the legs turning during the week rather than proper HIT.

What are you training for?

Keeping up with my mates on club runs, mostly

Tom Dean

markhewitt1978 wrote:

Tom Dean wrote:

markhewitt1978 wrote:

Yes and no, obviously I want to put some effort in, but it's more about keeping the legs turning during the week rather than proper HIT.

What are you training for?

Keeping up with my mates on club runs, mostly

OK, then set some objectives and train accordingly. 'keeping the legs turning' is not a plan! no wonder you can't get motivated.

heathy_76

I've been using the Global Cycling Networks spin classes on YouTube for a couple of weeks. Found them to be a good workout and they come in different times according to the type of workout.
If I can remember correctly there is a 60 minute spin class, a 35 minute hill climbing interval session and a 30 high intensity interval session. Search YouTube for "Spin class GCN".
They may be of interest to you, I find them better and more interesting than just turning my legs. On the other hand someone with more knowledge than me may be along shortly to tell you they are rubbish!

cougie

Supermurph09 wrote:

I dont understand people that say the turbo doesn't harm your tyres? Have they got enough resistance on??

You can use a normal road tyre, but it will wear it down after little use in my experience.

Maybe you're using too much resistance on ? Or maybe your turbo is tough on tyres ?

Mine seems fine. About as much wear as I'd get on the road.

DeVlaeminck

My turbo has been fine with my bikes, many years, different bikes and types of tyre, but I did put my brothers bike on it and noticed some rubber dust after use. His wheel is a bit out of true so maybe it's the movement of the tyre in a different plane that causes the wear for some ? Or maybe I just clamped his a bit too tight, I don't know.

markhewitt1978

Gave it another go, still didn't manage any riding .

The problem now is that when the bike is mounted on the turbo the back wheel won't make the roller on the turbo turn around, doesn't matter what gears I use, what resistance level and what the tension adjustment is. All that happens is that the tyre rubs against the roller, not actually turning it around.

Plus just to one side of where the wheel goes there seems to be this white, plasticy stuff coated on the roller:



The roller will turn around ok if I turn the magnet on the side, but not with the bike.

xscreamsuk

Supermurph09 wrote:

I dont understand people that say the turbo doesn't harm your tyres? Have they got enough resistance on??

You can use a normal road tyre, but it will wear it down after little use in my experience.

3 rd year on mine, Old road tyre on dedicated turbo wheel. Just enough pressure to stop it slipping. I can get over 1000 watts if I turn up the resistance. At least 5 hours a week on turbo. It's all about how you set it up.

jotko

My turbo (elite power fluid) doesnt clamp, just uses the rider weight sat on the roller thing - no bother with tyre damage, current Rubino pro has done about 3.5k road miles and 40 odd hours on the turbo and is still in good shape.

supermurph09

xscreamsuk wrote:

Supermurph09 wrote:

I dont understand people that say the turbo doesn't harm your tyres? Have they got enough resistance on??

You can use a normal road tyre, but it will wear it down after little use in my experience.

3 rd year on mine, Old road tyre on dedicated turbo wheel. Just enough pressure to stop it slipping. I can get over 1000 watts if I turn up the resistance. At least 5 hours a week on turbo. It's all about how you set it up.

Yes you can use a road tyre on the turbo and it will last and work fine on the turbo for a long time, but what I'm saying is that in my experience you couldnt use that tyre on the road after using on the turbo because it will have worn badly. Maybe just me.

cougie

The white stuff looks like its melted somehow ? And thats not where your wheel went ? What turbo is it ?

Supermurph - I find my contis fine on my turbo - I guess it depends on your tyre/turbo combination.

supermurph09

cougie wrote:

The white stuff looks like its melted somehow ? And thats not where your wheel went ? What turbo is it ?

Supermurph - I find my contis fine on my turbo - I guess it depends on your tyre/turbo combination.

Ultremo ZX, maybe not the most durable.

markhewitt1978

cougie wrote:

The white stuff looks like its melted somehow ? And thats not where your wheel went ? What turbo is it ? .

Yes, looks like something melted onto it, doesn't come off easily. I wonder if when I thought I was using it I was actually just burning the tyre on it the entire time? And yes it's off to one side not exactly where the tyre would sit.