Turbo trainers

kristy_bell

Hi I'm looking to get my first turbo trainer for some structured training over the winter months and also to use for pre-race warm ups. I've been told the best option would be a fluid turbo trainer and my budget is around £200-230.

I've been looking at:

https://www.evanscycles.com/cycleops-fl ... r-EV196742
https://www.evanscycles.com/elite-qubo- ... r-EV181680

However, I don't really know what the difference is between the two of them or if I even really need to spend this much money on getting a decent fluid turbo trainer. Please could someone give me some insight?? Thanks!

fenix

I'd read this first :

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/10/ann ... tions.html

Matthewfalle

I’d get a second hand mag one first for £40 or so and see if you actually use it.

If you do then invest more next winter and sell on your cheap one.

jollygiant

I managed to get my Tacx Flow on eBay new for £150. its great for Zwift and does up to 8˚ climbing.

navrig2

Matthewfalle wrote:

I’d get a second hand mag one first for £40 or so and see if you actually use it.

If you do then invest more next winter and sell on your cheap one.

This.

Turbo training is an acquired taste and can be a waste of money if you don't take to it.

You'd be recommended to also have these and these may also cost something:
A fan
A mat (carpet off cut may do)
Entertainment - music, TV
Structured training plan (this is a topic in its own right)

supermurph09

I disagree with some of the above. If you buy something basic then the experience you'll get will most likely be off putting. Something like the Tacx Flow Smart from Halfords will be in the region of £170? If you used it for 2-3 months you'd still recoup back at least £100 so the outlay won't be that great.

The Flow would give you pretty much all you would need and links up to all the major players like Zwift, Sufferfest etc.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/turbo-t ... bo-trainer with BC discount would be £170.

I very nearly went for the above when the price dropped last week, but confusion about a bolt thru trainer skewer for my Cube; the cost of skewer plus a trainer tyre; the lower accuracy of the power estimation; the reduced 6% slope simulation and 900W power limit; the rave reviews of the Elite Direto etc. made a fool part with some more money.;)

redvision

Navrig2 wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

I’d get a second hand mag one first for £40 or so and see if you actually use it.

If you do then invest more next winter and sell on your cheap one.

This.

Turbo training is an acquired taste and can be a waste of money if you don't take to it.

You'd be recommended to also have these and these may also cost something:
A fan
A mat (carpet off cut may do)
Entertainment - music, TV
Structured training plan (this is a topic in its own right)

Another vote for this advice.

Turbo training isn't for everyone and until you have tried doing a few indoor sessions i would hold back spending hundreds on a trainer.

Just get something like this to start with
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobi ... prod155462
If you take to turbo training then perhaps look at a more advanced trainer.

joey54321

I'd get a second hand Kurt Kinetic Fluid. An absolutely awesome trainer that is bulletproof so not too much of an issue buying second hand. If you don't like it you can sell it on for a similar price, its good enough (with a rear speed sensor) to use with Zwift/TrainerRoad and will give you a good proxy for power which will be reliable (even if not accurate).

surfercyclist

I have the Cyclops Fluid 2, got it second hand last year(although it was in like new condition). Anyway, really good turbo and quite "lifelike" and not at all noisy. I hear stories of magnetic ones being really loud(?). So, if you opt for the Cyclops you shouldn't be disappointed. I have used it to Zwift on the free trial but I reckon to get most from Zwift probably need a smart turbo. I use mine to videos from CTX, Turbo Tripping, GCN etc.

MiddleRinger

SurferCyclist wrote:

I have the Cyclops Fluid 2, got it second hand last year(although it was in like new condition). Anyway, really good turbo and quite "lifelike" and not at all noisy. I hear stories of magnetic ones being really loud(?).

Older models - and very cheap ones - are very loud. I had a basic mag trainer that was seriously jet engine loud, had to train away from the house in the woodshed! Crazy.

SurferCyclist wrote:

I have used it to Zwift on the free trial but I reckon to get most from Zwift probably need a smart turbo.

There's no comparison to a high end smart turbo on Zwift. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, it's a whole other level of indoor training awesomeness. Necessary? No. But it makes a huge difference to the immersive world of Watopia. If you've got the coin to spend then I'd recommend a mid-level smart turbo like a KICKR SNAP or similar hands down every time.

pinchez

I put in over 100 miles a week on Zwift and love it, don’t compare sitting on a trainer listening to music or watching TV to a smart trainer hooked up to Zwift it’s as different as night and day! I started about 10 months ago on a Tacx Flow which was brilliant but I wanted something quieter and not wheel on so went for the Neo over Christmas when they were on offer and although it’s better than the Flow the Flow is still great and highly recommended as is Zwift

cgfw201

Depends slightly if you have a power meter or not. Smart trainers are brilliant, but a basic fluid trainer is also great, but it's best with an accurate power meter rather than relying on virtual power (although this is more accurate than you might think).

I've got an Elite Fluid Elastogel, have had it for 6 years, done thousands of K on Zwift, and around 100 trainerroad workouts before that. With my powermeter I can ride at any wattage and just change gears to alter the resistance. Can crank 600 watts at 50rpm, and 400 watts at 110 rpm, and everything in between. Doesn't get the live course resistance changes you do with a smart trainer, but it works.

furiousd

I have had a turbo for about 3 years. Bought an Elite one cheap from Halfords. Used it twice and it has sat in the garage ever since. I prefer to be out riding, i dont ride when its raining hard but the cold dosent bother me. Work has been getting in the way lately and with the snow meant no riding at all so dug out the turbo. I have used it 5 times since Saturday and whilst i prefer to be out on the road it is convenient. I have a few sportive this year and riding London to Paris in 24hrs so it cant hurt to use the turbo.

I have been using the GCN videos on Youtube, they help a lot as it means you arent just spinning the wheels. 30/40mins before work each morning has set me up for the day too.

kingstongraham

For pre-race warm ups, I presume you'd need one that doesn't have to be plugged in to the mains. Would that rule out most of the smart trainers?

pblakeney

joey54321 wrote:

I'd get a second hand Kurt Kinetic Fluid. An absolutely awesome trainer that is bulletproof so not too much of an issue buying second hand. If you don't like it you can sell it on for a similar price, its good enough (with a rear speed sensor) to use with Zwift/TrainerRoad and will give you a good proxy for power which will be reliable (even if not accurate).

If you decide to go down this road then spring for the Rock n Roller. You are not supposed to move sideways but it is natural for a little movement and this feels more natural than being fixed.

StillGoing

KingstonGraham wrote:

For pre-race warm ups, I presume you'd need one that doesn't have to be plugged in to the mains. Would that rule out most of the smart trainers?

No, not at all. The Elite Kura and TACX Bushido both work without power and don't have any means to connect them to power. Both will connect via BTE or ANT+. The Elite Direto also works without power up to around 220 watts for warm ups. It won't though connect to apps via BTE or ANT+ without power, but if you're just using it as a warm up tool before events, would you be using an app?