Training over the winter- winter bike or turbo

Cmonlegs

Starting to think about how I am going to train over the winter this year.

Wondering whether to buy a 'winter bike' or good turbo trainer with a power meter (stages).

Any opinions as to what would be best?

jgsi

You cannot declare a 'best' .. you have to make your own informed decision.
If you get a 'winter' bike and just get out once a week.. then it is hardly training.
Bikes in winter need more maintenance so that time has to be factored in.
If you use your turbo/rollers daily as a dedicated winter training regime for me is just that for 3 months Nov/Dec/Jan.. then you will be in better shape for a fresh season.. or so the theory goes..
Power meter is nice.. and yes thinking about 1 as well... but the money could well be spent on a 1975 Legnano that I have my eye on for classic summer road rides.

sloppyschleckonds

Good luck on coming up with a workable solution

grahamcp

What have you done in previous years?

Both winter riding outdoors and turbo training indoors require a good degree of motivation.

I would say until you have proven your motivation levels to yourself, don't go out and spend a heap of cash on unnecessary kit such as a power meter, get a modest winter bike first then add a good value turbo if you find conditions are too cold/wet/dark/dangerous on the road.

Quins

What Grahamcp said. What are you looking to achieve and how committed to the cause? I was in a similar position and found that a combination of both turbo and winter riding was achievable, my aim was to get up to a fast riding group. My local club groups ride at weekends throughout the year, only the severest of weather calls a halt, so that element was taken care of. I put full mudguards on my first bike and invested in some neoprene overshoes and kit then kept riding. I also added a club turbo session with circuits thrown in. My motivation was high so I made the effort to get back from work, go straight to training with my turbo and bike already loaded in the car and not get home til gone 10pm on one night a week. Eating on the hoof and prepping the day before was essential.it was an effort but it was what I wanted. It all made a massive difference and helped me move up 3 groups in a year. I was also motivated to train at home on my own when weather or train chaos meant that I couldn't get to club training. So in a nut shell, if you are motivated enough; winter bike and a turbo for best way of training.

Smithster

I used the turbo trainer a lot last winter with trainer road, and really hit the ground running come spring. It brought my riding on a lot.

I also rode outside a lot too when the weather was fair, and by that I mean not hammering it down for the whole ride or icy, 40 or 50 mile rides at an easy pace.

lambpie

Agree with most of what's been said - you don't need a winter bike, you just need to factor in cleaning thoroughly your bike post ride. Clearly if you can afford it & want to do it then go for it.

I personally did one weekend ride per week with friends (just riding and enjoying it, not really focusing too hard on zones) and then during the week used the turbo or the gym (mine has a cycleops bike) 3-4 times a week first thing before work to do more focused sessions and core work. Managed to consistently do 6-7 hours per week which gave me a really solid base for the spring when the light comes and I can up the actual riding through commuting etc.

I couldn't personally imagine just doing turbo training all winter because a) I'd be bored and b) I'd be bored, but to add volume and time in the saddle over winter it works to build a solid base for the spring - the whole point about cycling after all is to explore beautiful countryside and sunny/crisp winter days are some of the best times anyway.

As another poster said, ride with mates and/or join a club as this adds massively to motivation on winter days when the weather's rubbish - if you've arranged to meet people your less likely to bail out, and I always remember that the weather is always worse sitting on the sofa than it is outside riding!

homers_double

Go mountain biking.

www777

In the week turbo, weekends on the road or off road works best for me.

Tjgoodhew

My plan will be to turbo 3 nights a week for focussed sessions using a combination of Trainer Road and Sufferfest and then ride outside at the weekend in all but the worst weather.

If its cold I will wrap up warm, if its wet i will wear a rain jacket and if its icy I will go to the pub !!