First Turbo Trainer

s1mon

Hi,

Looking to get a turbo trainer to use now it's dark early and wet I've not done much riding in the last 18months :oops: so I'm just looking to loose a bit of weight and get my fitness levels back up to point where's it actually worth me going out on my bike !

Should I just buy a basic one like this http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-crono-fluid-elastogel-trainer/ it gets good reviews and not too expensive but will I get bored and is there training routines I could do ?

Or do I go for a smart one and download routes to ride ?

Thanks.

bungalballs

I was in the same position this time a couple of years ago, and for the trainer I would suggest you start with a package, as you end up buying bits anyway (especially the riser block): http://www.halfords.com/cycling/turbo-trainers/trainers/elite-magnetic-force-elastogel-trainer-pack

And then buy one each of these (or equivalents):
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/suunto-movestick-mini/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/garmin-speed-cadence-sensor/

And then sign up to this:
https://www.trainerroad.com/

JimboPlob

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19743491#p19743491]s1mon[/url] wrote:

Hi,

Or do I go for a smart one and download routes to ride ?

Thanks.

I use this website http://www.turbotraining.co.uk/ You can ride routes for free. As long as you have ANT+ and at least a speed sensor you get a proxy power reading. Good fun

s1mon

I'm interested in that turbotraining.co.uk

So I have an ANT+ sensor on my bike and I use a Garmin Edge 800 but I presume I'd need a ANT+ Stick like this http://www.wiggle.co.uk/garmin-usb-ant-stick/ into my laptop and I'd need to put the magnet on back wheel

Is that all I'd need then ?

ForumNewbie

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19743491#p19743491]s1mon[/url] wrote:

Hi,

Looking to get a turbo trainer to use now it's dark early and wet I've not done much riding in the last 18months :oops: so I'm just looking to loose a bit of weight and get my fitness levels back up to point where's it actually worth me going out on my bike !

Should I just buy a basic one like this http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-crono-fluid-elastogel-trainer/ it gets good reviews and not too expensive but will I get bored and is there training routines I could do ?

Or do I go for a smart one and download routes to ride ?

Thanks.

I have the same turbo in your link above. I've had it for a few years now and it's really good - I wouldn't call it basic. I use it with a Garmin 500, cadence sensor and Heart Rate monitor. That and watching cycling videos relieves the boredom a bit, but my usual sessions are a half hour to an hour very maximum, but even half and hour on the turbo gives you a decent workout.

My advice if you get a turbo is not to try to ride in big gears. A much better aerobic workout is using low gears and high cadence. But if you're not fit, don't overdo it to start - I found recently it's best to warm-up for 10 minutes in a really low gear, keeping Heart Rate low, before thinking about putting effort in by upping the cadence.

s1mon

Right trying to decide between these 3,

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-qubo-power-fluid-trainer/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-supercrono-power-fluid-elastogel-trainer-1/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-crono-fluid-elastogel-trainer/