Can you talk me through "smart" trainers?
topsey_turvey
Posts: 420
Not now, but in the winter. At present I am getting out as normal, but when winter comes there will be times when weather will stop me getting out.
I could just get on the rollers, but that's a bit soul destroying. I've seen a guy on Strava who even now is doing a turbo session of an evening, and he puts up routes that he's somehow ridden round Lake District. Presumably he's downloaded them, but there's nothing to show what system it all works from.
I don't want a big fancy set up with massive tv etc and the setup will be in the garage where it will get knocks and dirt. Was thinking of my unused tablet.
I know nothing about all the systems available and won't be spending 4 figures. Is there some system that I can download onto my tablet and follow that? Will I need sensors on my wheel/cranks? I'm not bothered about all this power stuff - no idea what ftp stands for! Can I create a route on Strava from my normal rides and use those to ride over?
I've no idea what everything is called, let alone know how it works.
So an you gently talk me through what sort of system I will need, where to get routes or can I use my own, what will it cost and what equipment will be needed.
Please be gentle - it's my first time!!!
I could just get on the rollers, but that's a bit soul destroying. I've seen a guy on Strava who even now is doing a turbo session of an evening, and he puts up routes that he's somehow ridden round Lake District. Presumably he's downloaded them, but there's nothing to show what system it all works from.
I don't want a big fancy set up with massive tv etc and the setup will be in the garage where it will get knocks and dirt. Was thinking of my unused tablet.
I know nothing about all the systems available and won't be spending 4 figures. Is there some system that I can download onto my tablet and follow that? Will I need sensors on my wheel/cranks? I'm not bothered about all this power stuff - no idea what ftp stands for! Can I create a route on Strava from my normal rides and use those to ride over?
I've no idea what everything is called, let alone know how it works.
So an you gently talk me through what sort of system I will need, where to get routes or can I use my own, what will it cost and what equipment will be needed.
Please be gentle - it's my first time!!!
Frank Yates
0
Comments
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A smart trainer will connect to something - usually to a laptop but potentially to a tablet/phone.
Some also have the ability to adjust the resistance on the trainer - not strictly necessary if you still have gears, but might be a nice to have.
Once the turbo is connected to a laptop/tablet, you would usually need to run an app on the device (zwift, Sufferfest etc) that gives you a virtual route and a virtual screen to watch.
I had a Elite Muin Smart direct turbo (Halfords £275) along with Sufferfest and it all worked fine for me. Now sold the turbo and when I can't ride outside, I run outside.0 -
There are two types.
FEC and non FEC
FEC are fully controllable by an external device (Phone, tablet, PC etc) and will simulate gradients by adjusting the resistance. They also mostly feature ERG which allows you to produce a set amount of power regardless of cadence or wheel speed.
Non FEC do not do this and only output data.0 -
You may not be bothered about power and stuff but for any of these online systems, they need some way of estimating or measuring your power so that the online system can work out how fast your virtual representative is moving.
The easiest, plug and play, way would be to buy a decent smart trainer (I have a Wahoo Kickr Core, but there's plenty of others available. I chose it because it is a proven system and it is quiet in use as I'm using it in the house). This just connects to your tablet via Bluetooth and tells the online training system how much power you are putting out so that it can calculate how fast your digital cyclist is moving.
An app like RGT cycling sounds like it might be up your street, since it uses a lot of real routes (in Italy and Mallorca for example). You'd just install this on your tablet, connect it to your trainer (the app will show you how) and then away you go. There are plenty of apps available which are available, and they all have strengths and weaknesses. Fortunately, they all have free trial periods so you can test them
There are cheaper ways to do it, cheaper smart trainers and even "dumb" trainers. A dumb trainer (i.e., has no connectivity at all) would require you to use a speed sensor on your bike and then the app/program does some maths to estimate your power. This is less reliable/more error prone and also the trainer won't automatically increase the resistance for hills and so on. Smart trainers alter your resistance based on gradient which is more immersive.
DC Rainmaker has a great buyer's guide for trainers which includes app compatibility etc.: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/10/the-smart-trainer-recommendations-guide-winter-2019-2020.html0 -
Your mate's app could be Rouvy. They have a lot of Lake District routes on there, mostly sections of the Fred Whitton.
Like most of the apps they do a free trial so once you get set up you can try a few and see what works for you.
DC Rainmaker's website has a huge amount of info on turbos including his recommendations for budget, mid range and top end units.0 -
Thanks guys.
Rouvy sounds right - the sections he is riding are all part of FW.
I will have a look at DCR, that is usually fairly reliable.
I like the idea of auto increase in resistance for gradients. Sounds what I'm after on those bad days in the garage in winter. I'm not interested in racing or Strava segments, but I'm just seriously competitiive with myself...I like to know I've done the best I can. What others do is beyond my control!
You've been very helpful.Frank Yates0
