Turbo trainer buying help

MancMissile

Hi guys,

I'm looking to purchase my first turbo trainer but a little confused on the different types and what would suit my needs.

I like the look of this new Zwift interactive racing game that you can hook up to your turbo for real time live racing. So I need something that is compatible with this, also just looking for a good, quiet trainer to keep my fitness up during the winter and do some interval work etc.

There are mag/fluid trainers? I've read that fluid are better is this correct?

Do I want one where I can adjust resistance or use a fluid trainer that allows you to just use the gears to add resistance.

I'm looking to spend up to £250... Been looking at the Elite Qubo fluid trainer on Wiggle and the reviews are excellent. Although I'm not sure if this will be compatible/best option to use with Zwift?

Look forward to your replies... thanks

diy

I personally prefer the mag trainers with adjustable load, so that I can do intervals more easily. You can get a usb sticks for £20-40 which will integrate your sensors if thats what you are after.

I have a Tacx Satori which I think decathlon are doing for £90 at the moment which is about half what I paid.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/satori-pro-b ... 64386.html

ai_1

diy wrote:

I personally prefer the mag trainers with adjustable load, so that I can do intervals more easily. You can get a usb sticks for £20-40 which will integrate your sensors if thats what you are after.

I have a Tacx Satori which I think decathlon are doing for £90 at the moment which is about half what I paid.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/satori-pro-b ... 64386.html

What makes this easier for intervals than a fluid trainer?
I don't understand people suggesting that variablel resistance on mag trainers is a good thing. Surely it's just a work around because mag resistance doesn't provide the progressive resistance with speed that you get from a fluid trainer or on the road. When I do intervals on my fluid trainer I just change gear and pedal harder and/or faster exactly as I would if doing it on the road.

MancMissile

Thanks diy... looks like they are out of stock

I do prefer the sound of a fluid trainer where I can just use my gears for resistance to be honest.

Another question... do I need a spare wheel/tyre to use on the trainer?

BrandonA

MancMissile wrote:

Another question... do I need a spare wheel/tyre to use on the trainer?

Some say yes, some say no.

When I used to have a trainer which required a rear wheel (my current trainer does not need a rear wheel) I wanted a proper turbo trainer tyre. I therefore found it easier to have a wheel/cassette/tyre that was dedicated to turbo training.

Others are more than happy to use the same kit as they use when riding on the road.

MancMissile

Yea I'd rather not have to swap tyres everytimes I want to use the turbo as it's a bit of a faff.

Having said that I don't want to damage by wheels/tyre..

Are some turbo's more suited for this?

MancMissile

Also I'd be willing to spend a little more perhaps £350...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycleops-jet-fl ... ining-kit/

Looks good?

Jules Winnfield

If you don't want to damage your rear wheel, then go for a turbo with an elastogel roller instead of an aluminium one.

stueys

I tend to think that the key decision point is whether you want a VR trainer or not. If not then the Kurt Kinetic is a great piece of kit, it gives a very linear resistance increase and feels natural-ish. For non-VR I think the fluid based ones work better than magnetic resistance, it feels more natural and gives you a more progressive power/effort mapping which is helpful if you want to use trainerroad for instance.

VR is a bit harder as they are a lot of new entrants in this space, I've a Tacx genius but probably wouldn't buy again if I was starting from scratch. The Kickr looks really nice but is a bit pricey.

Yes to a turbo tyre for me, I've one on a cheap dedicated wheel. Normal tyres on a turbo get eaten, the turbo ones last well.

ai_1

MancMissile wrote:

....Another question... do I need a spare wheel/tyre to use on the trainer?

You don't need one but it would be (and is) my choice. Road tyres do get worn/damaged quickly on the trainer so I use an old wheel and whichever cassette I'm not using on the road with a trainer specific tyre.

nibby

MancMissile wrote:

Also I'd be willing to spend a little more perhaps £350...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycleops-jet-fl ... ining-kit/

Looks good?

I've been looking at this myself.

Let me know if you get it and if any good.

I'm still torn between the cost of one of these and just getting out on the bike. I suppose it will be good for interval's and specific training though Oh and the rain!!

napoleond

I use a jet fluid pro, it's great. Although I paid a LOT less than that :shock:

Grill

KK Rock and Roll can be had for around £200 at Sigma.

nibby

That Jet Fluid Pro is £260 without the extras

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycleops-jet-fluid-pro-turbo-trainer/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&utm_source=pla&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&utm_content=CycleOps%20Jet%20Fluid%20Pro%20Turbo%20Trainer%20-%20Black%20%7C%20Turbo%20Trainers&kpid=5360327259&sku=5360327259&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360327259uk

napoleond

IMO the extras aren't worth it.

For the front wheel a brick is pretty good!

If you can still get hold of one of those 200 quid rock n rolls from somewhere then that's a no brainer.

Dippydog3

NapoleonD wrote:

I use a jet fluid pro, it's great. Although I paid a LOT less than that :shock:

+1

very good machine.

couple if with a cheap wheel and tyre. you can use any old rubbish on a turbo as long as it's a smooth tyre. what matters is consistent resistance from session to session.

diy

Ai_1 wrote:

What makes this easier for intervals than a fluid trainer?

I never found I could get the resistance up at lower wheel speed and personally I want the wheel going as slow as possible to minimise wear.

diy

Ai_1 wrote:

What makes this easier for intervals than a fluid trainer?

I never found I could get the resistance up at lower wheel speed and personally I want the wheel going as slow as possible to minimise wear.

MancMissile wrote:

Another question... do I need a spare wheel/tyre to use on the trainer?

I have an old wheel/tyre that I use saves a lot of time swapping over.

nibby

Cant find any of those for that price.

I think I'll get the jet fluid for 260, just hope I use the bloody thing

I'm probably going to be using it for short, hard interval sessions more than anything. Is it possible to stand and really go for it for this sort of stuff?

Cheers

NapoleonD wrote:

IMO the extras aren't worth it.

For the front wheel a brick is pretty good!

If you can still get hold of one of those 200 quid rock n rolls from somewhere then that's a no brainer.

Grill

nibby wrote:

Cant find any of those for that price.

I think I'll get the jet fluid for 260, just hope I use the bloody thing

I'm probably going to be using it for short, hard interval sessions more than anything. Is it possible to stand and really go for it for this sort of stuff?

Cheers

NapoleonD wrote:

IMO the extras aren't worth it.

For the front wheel a brick is pretty good!

If you can still get hold of one of those 200 quid rock n rolls from somewhere then that's a no brainer.

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Kurt-Kinetic/Rock-and-Roll-Turbo-Trainer/1FRT?wmp=

There was a discount code for an additional 10% off but it may have expired. Even at £225 it's a steal.

nibby

Cracking, thanks for that. My google skills obviously not good

Is this going to be a better option than the Jet Fluid then?

Cheers

Grill

Yes.

nibby

Still got the 10% as well. Just ordered. Nice one for the link.

diy

Given the expense of turbos and the lack of hammering that any decent bike can take when attached to them. These are worth a look.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FULLY-SERVICE ... 51c4131dc0

I don't think it would be hard to mount a cadence sensor.

davem399

I've got an Elite Crono Hydro-Mag ElastoGel turbo. This is a fluid turbo with magnetic resistance as well. I tend to use a low setting for magnetic resistance and increase the load by changing up through the gears which is as much as I can push. Increasing the magnetic resistance in a high gear drops my cadence to less than 60!
You don't have to wind up a roller onto the rear tyre, the weight of the rider sits the tyre onto the roller. It seems fairly gentle on tyre wear and is available from Wiggle for less than £200.

cougie

A spin bike would be good for general fitness and handy if others want to use it - but you can't use it for trainerroad - which I really rate as the best thing for indoor training.