Cycle Trainer (Indoor)

[Hughesie]

:donsflamesuit:

OK, i know you cant beat getting out in the fresh air and actually cycling on the roads, but i'm finding it increasingly difficult in the winter months to actually do it - add in work as well and my motivation is pretty low!!

So, whats peoples opinions on indoor cycle trainers?

Magnetic?
Airflow?
Parabolic runners?

I'm in training for the London Triathlon next year so need to keep up the momentum and this is the next nest thing.

Appreciate all sensible replies

[Uriel]

I love my CycleOps rollers with magnetic resistance thingy.

Not a massive amount of resistance on the max setting, certainly not enough to simulate a hard climb, but easily enough to have you suffering when you're holding a decent cadence in a high gear. In top gear anything around 90 rpm or lower is pretty quiet too; quiet enough for me to use in an upstairs flat without bothering the neighbour. Once you get over 100 rpm though the noise/vibrations starts to increase very rapidly. A 150 rpm sprint has people taking cover!

I've never had a turbo though. Much prefer the idea of having to actually 'ride' the bike and maintain 'form' with hard efforts and when tiring. I reckon on a turbo I'd get sloppy and focus purely on turning my legs any way I could, forgetting everything else and suffer for it. Also, I've never liked the idea of hammering away on a bike with the frame held rigidly by the rear drop outs...surely it has to put a lot of stress on the frame in all sorts of ways it wasn't designed to handle?

[Hughesie]

That was my thinking on the rollers, mimicks actually cycling rather than just whipping your legs around, never thought about the strees on the frame from the static frames though - good point.

[Desiato]

Hi Justin,

I've had a Trax fluid turbo trainer for a number of years. Generally works well and by putting the front wheel up on blocks you can simulate the position for climbing. I used to use it a lot in the winter months when I was training and found it pretty good. It can be boring, like any static exercise machine but the DVD/video that comes with them helps as does a stereo etc.
Certainly better than trying ot get out in really foul weather and snow etc.

They can also be very good for working on specific areas or weaknesses if you have any, for instance teaching yourself to turn true circles with your legs by using only one foot at a time etc.

I agree with the previous comments about it putting stress on the rear frame etc but I've never had a bike break or come out (yet). I must confess to only ever using my second bike in it too.

[jodypress]

These def help:

Fight Club: linky

[Uriel]

I have the Sufferfest Angels video...highly recommended!

[Waitforme]

Tacx Flow is a good trainer.
Plenty of info from the screen , wattage , cadence , HR etc .
Lets you compare sessions to one another

[a11y_m]

I could never get on with indoor/turbo trainers. I used to be a spinning instructor though and much preferred those bikes, so I picked up a secondhand proper (ex-gym) spin bike from ebay for £250. That's around the same price as a decent indoor trainer but IMO is nicer to use. Just another option for anyone to consider perhaps.

[Matt106]

As mentioned above I'd go for rollers. Ive been using them for a couple of months and its so much better than a turbo trainer.

Im also always worried about twisting the frame being secured in on a TT. The rollers give so much more freedom.

[hullbilly]

I am considering going for a set of rollers, they only thing that puts me off is I leave on the second floor in a block of flats, are they particularly noisy?

I have never heard any of my neighbours so I guess the sound proofing is pretty good I am just worried that I lay out over £150 and find I cant use it because of complaints.

[Matt106]

hullbilly said:

I am considering going for a set of rollers, they only thing that puts me off is I leave on the second floor in a block of flats, are they particularly noisy?

I have never heard any of my neighbours so I guess the sound proofing is pretty good I am just worried that I lay out over £150 and find I cant use it because of complaints.

The cheaper ones can be noisy. I use some on the first floor above a bike shop and the noise is fairly bad, this is due to paper thin walls and floor though.

Im sure you'll be ok in a flat. You can buy sound proof matting which eliminates most of the noise.

[Furberger]

Do rollers have any resistance as such or are you just spinning your legs over? I thought they were just a good tool to get warmed up.

Edited by Furberger on Tuesday 23 November 19:26

[Fatman2]

I have a set of rollers and they're great but I find them bloody hard work (so much more than a static bike). You 100% have to be concentrating all the time so there's no switching off. Doing intervals is pretty tricky too unless you're really experienced and have some added resistance.

The upsides is that they've worked my core a lot more and smoothed out my pedal stroke. You cannot get a smooth ride on them without an even pedal stroke so does wonders for technique.

I don't have added resistance but have found I can build a fair old sweat on just by using the gears on the bike.

[mrandy]

Hughesie said:

:donsflamesuit:

OK, i know you cant beat getting out in the fresh air and actually cycling on the roads, but i'm finding it increasingly difficult in the winter months to actually do it - add in work as well and my motivation is pretty low!!

So, whats peoples opinions on indoor cycle trainers?

Magnetic?
Airflow?
Parabolic runners?

I'm in training for the London Triathlon next year so need to keep up the momentum and this is the next nest thing.

Appreciate all sensible replies

turbos are so boring ,go to a local spinning class twice a week

[Hughesie]

My Turbo trainer has turned up at home, just in time for the nice weather - will let you all know how i get on later.