Beginners turbo advice

revmatt
revmatt Posts: 75
edited January 2015 in Road buying advice
Any Turbo guys here?

I've not used one before but would like one for use 1-2 times per week only.

Must be quite quiet, easy to use and functional (i.e. doesn't need all bells & whistles but not basic basic).

Budget £100-£150?

Realistic?

Any advice on what to look for?

Thanks

Matt

Comments

  • jaylfc147
    jaylfc147 Posts: 49
    Minoura B-60r think its around £110, gets a good write up for being quiet
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Buy a fan - and allow money for some kind of training plan or sessions.

    Trainerroad. Sufferfest.

    Dont just get on the bike and think its the same as on the road - it isnt,
  • iron-clover
    iron-clover Posts: 737
    Definitely don't go bargain basement with the turbo- the cheap ones (>£100) will probably be quite loud, and you might well break them as you get fitter.
    I used a £70 turbo I borrowed from my uni cycling club and even in the highest setting it was pretty weak and sounded like a jet engine when giving it real power. It didn't cope with heat build up very well either and after a few sessions you could hear a definite pitch change and almost hear something grinding a little inside.

    I now have an Elite Elastogel fluid trainer that came in around £120 on sale at Wiggle which I quite like. It used to be almost silent compared to the chain and spokes although it seems to have become noisier over the last few months, but it's still not bad compared to the old one.
    The resistance is pretty good too- I find it plenty hard enough in my biggest gear.
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    revmatt wrote:

    Must be quite quiet

    good luck
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    Tacx Speedmatic search on here for reviews and comments.
  • SPOCO Monster
    SPOCO Monster Posts: 11
    jaylfc147 wrote:
    Minoura B-60r think its around £110, gets a good write up for being quiet

    What I use, good resistance levels, can hear the iPad on full volume so noise is not too bad.
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    My advice would be to buy a second hand TT eg Cycleops JetFluid Pro either off here or fleabay - provided you can collect and see before payment. That way you will have a decent TT which you can develop on or, as often happens, if you find that TT's are just not for you, you can sell on with little or no financial loss. I would not buy much kit other than the front wheel riser block until you've used one for a few times and established in your own mind that you will be able to stick at it. Less stuff to sell on if you don't take to it!! After that, consider robust floor protection mat; sweat thong to protect your bike frame; large fan; dvds, etc....

    Peter

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