Turbo Trainer help

road novice
road novice Posts: 27
edited January 2010 in Road beginners
I am looking at buying the Tacx T1680 Flow Computer Turbo Trainer.

Not yet made a purchase but would appreciate any feed back regarding turbo trainers, any good points and any bad from experience and is the one I have narrowed down worth buying ?

Thanks in advance :D

Comments

  • nikgibson_1
    nikgibson_1 Posts: 106
    http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12661884

    This post was started earlier, might be some use (hope ive done it right)
    Dont say \'Can\'t\', just add \'ry\'
  • blackhands
    blackhands Posts: 950
    I find Tacx a bit dead although you can get plenty of data. I prefer a Kinetic Road Machine

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=45289
  • Wappygixer
    Wappygixer Posts: 1,396
    I've had a Flow and found it worked great.I also sell them and see very few returns.
    Good solid trainer that has an upgrade path if you so wish.
    The only weekness would be needing 240 volts from the mains.
  • road novice
    road novice Posts: 27
    Thanks for the information, some interesting reading.

    Went out today and so much black ice on the roads and couldn't go very fast on the downhill bits or corners. Bit of a waste of time really but felt I needed to get out and do some riding to try to keep the fitness at some sort of decent level.

    On days like this a good workout with a turbo trainer is something well worth considering.

    Think I shall be ordering one very soon.
  • road novice
    road novice Posts: 27
    Wappygixer wrote:
    I've had a Flow and found it worked great.I also sell them and see very few returns.
    Good solid trainer that has an upgrade path if you so wish.
    The only weekness would be needing 240 volts from the mains.

    Is the 240v supply required just for the computer read out or is it also used for the equipment as well ?
  • SBezza
    SBezza Posts: 2,173
    The 240v supply is used for the display, and for the electro magnetic brake so that resistance can be varied. If you are not going to be able to plug it in, I would just get another type of turbo, air resistance or fluid.

    You can use the flow without power (I use mine for warming up at events), but the resistance is fixed.
  • cycleNoodle
    cycleNoodle Posts: 80
    I have just purchased a flow tacx and its excellent, is a massive step up from my previous cyclops fluid. You get good data and its nice and quiet. Good value... ish!
    www.Bigmech.co.uk
    www.Cyclenoodle.com
  • surista
    surista Posts: 141
    A bit more expensive, I think, but I love my Computrainer. It's built like a tank, quite accurate, and relatively quiet if you get Conti's trainer tires. I've had mine for about 3-4 years now and it's still going strong. Graphics aren't cutting-edge, but I'm usually watching/listening to something else at the same time anyway.

    My $0.02,


    S
    "It doesn't get any easier, you just get faster"
    http://blue-eyed-samurai.com/cycling/
  • mr-orange
    mr-orange Posts: 16
    blackhands wrote:
    I find Tacx a bit dead although you can get plenty of data. I prefer a Kinetic Road Machine

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=45289


    I am interested in the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. It looks like they are only available at Chain Reaction. Any one know of any other stores that stock them? Ideally a store in London where I can try out the trainer before buying.
  • ian_s
    ian_s Posts: 183
    I bought a Flow just before Christmas and its a solid bit of kit.

    I have started with the programs on the Tacx website. There are a good selection available for endurance, power etc. My only problem so far is keeping on top of the frequent gear/gradient/cadence changes every couple of minutes. Then again this keeps the mind off the pain.. almost..

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