Oi Cyclists! A question...
Discussion
Hi, 
http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?sofocus=b
W0QQitemZ7201259413QQcategoryZ97031QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I want to buy a turbo trainer and I see now you can get magnetic resistance ones (which are quiet) as well as fan ones which aren't. (Sorry motorists, if you've come here for an argument - I need proper advice from those who know). So, ususal question, which is best, magnetic or fan?
The magnetic ones I have seen on ebay look like they have some gubbins you need to attach to the handle bars of the bike which alters the magnetic resistance. Does this mean that you can't alter the resistance just by changing gear on the bike, like you would with a fan turbo trainer?
Appreciate your help guys,
Heebee
http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?sofocus=b
W0QQitemZ7201259413QQcategoryZ97031QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I want to buy a turbo trainer and I see now you can get magnetic resistance ones (which are quiet) as well as fan ones which aren't. (Sorry motorists, if you've come here for an argument - I need proper advice from those who know). So, ususal question, which is best, magnetic or fan?
The magnetic ones I have seen on ebay look like they have some gubbins you need to attach to the handle bars of the bike which alters the magnetic resistance. Does this mean that you can't alter the resistance just by changing gear on the bike, like you would with a fan turbo trainer?
Appreciate your help guys,
Heebee
I have a CycleOps Fluid which is excellent, well worth looking into their range.
As you have said, Fans are noisy...very noisy. Of course you can change the resistance with gearing but will only have a limited resistance range.
I would also recommend a video to go with it other wise you are just clocking up the milage without doing any real work, the video work outs are enough to give anyone jelly legs!
Hope that helps.
As you have said, Fans are noisy...very noisy. Of course you can change the resistance with gearing but will only have a limited resistance range.
I would also recommend a video to go with it other wise you are just clocking up the milage without doing any real work, the video work outs are enough to give anyone jelly legs!
Hope that helps.
I have the Tacx i-magic and I would highly recommend it.
Having used others before I always found boredom a problem but with this you hook it up to your pc and then ride the route (you need the optional steerer) and the computer alters the resistance and you go up and down hills, in to the wind, etc. You can race against others and even race against yourself and your previous performances.
If you are feeling brave you can buy the bike leg of the hawaii ironman race and try that out (without the heat unless you do it in the airing cupboard). Lots of other features and well, well worth the extra cash as you are much more likely to use it
Having used others before I always found boredom a problem but with this you hook it up to your pc and then ride the route (you need the optional steerer) and the computer alters the resistance and you go up and down hills, in to the wind, etc. You can race against others and even race against yourself and your previous performances.
If you are feeling brave you can buy the bike leg of the hawaii ironman race and try that out (without the heat unless you do it in the airing cupboard). Lots of other features and well, well worth the extra cash as you are much more likely to use it
I have a Tacx CycleForce Swing - no video/computer/virtual reality gubbins, but thoroughly recommended. www.awcycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m6b23s36p516
You'll be wanting one of Pete Read's turbo training bibles as well - www.cyclecoaching.com (click on Products)
You'll be wanting one of Pete Read's turbo training bibles as well - www.cyclecoaching.com (click on Products)
October next year is the big one - www.south.com
Training hard at the moment. In fact, I'm just off out for a bike ride
Training hard at the moment. In fact, I'm just off out for a bike ride
go for magnetic
something along the lines of this:
www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?Main=ProductDetail.aspx&W=0&Manufacturer=&UberCatName=&Cat=cycle&CategoryName=Trainers&ProdID=5360020432&UberCat=0
tho there are cheaper models, this is the one we got (tho it was on special offer when we got it so was about £60 )
also if its a MTB your gonna be using on it... consider a slick tyre, a knobbly tyre on the roller will leave you deaf and a numb butt from the vibrations (and wear your tyre out in no time)
another tip - stack some books under the front wheel so the bike is level when your sat on it... takes the pressure off yours arms and is far more comfortable.
something along the lines of this:
www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?Main=ProductDetail.aspx&W=0&Manufacturer=&UberCatName=&Cat=cycle&CategoryName=Trainers&ProdID=5360020432&UberCat=0
tho there are cheaper models, this is the one we got (tho it was on special offer when we got it so was about £60 )
also if its a MTB your gonna be using on it... consider a slick tyre, a knobbly tyre on the roller will leave you deaf and a numb butt from the vibrations (and wear your tyre out in no time)
another tip - stack some books under the front wheel so the bike is level when your sat on it... takes the pressure off yours arms and is far more comfortable.
polar_ben said:
October next year is the big one - www.south.com:
"Many experts still consider it impossible".
polar_ben said:
Training hard at the moment. In fact, I'm just off out for a bike ride
Good luck, reminds me I must dig my bike out but it is a bit cold at the moment
Yup - get out there and hit the trail. I go out every wednesday evening with 4 or 5 others on the Ashdown forest - all weathers. Cold - not a bit of it, wet - well you only get wet once.. Ride for a a couple of hours, hit the pub, meal and beer, cycle back...(fall off)
Highly recommended...
Highly recommended...
polar_ben said:
You'll be wanting one of Pete Read's turbo training bibles as well - www.cyclecoaching.com (click on Products)
Adequate for placing on floor to soak up sweaty mess
Changing gear will of course increase the workload providing your set up is correct, but the magnetic increase will have a similar effect of a slight increase in gradient or headwind, as PoD said. However, those shifters that come with many mag turbos are flimsy and may break quickly. Ideally find a good magnetic load to work on (ie. the most workload) then take it from there wit the gears and cadence.
selmer said:
For regular turbo trainers, stick with magnetic. The sheer noise of a fan will drive you mad. (coming from someone who 20 years ago had one of the first with two fans -- no flywheel! ouch)
I've also got the cycle-ops fluid trainer - just the sound of the tyre going round, thats all - and the workout video is good and keeps your interest, but I am really interested in this pc malarkey and racing other bikes on it - that sounds like a much more interesting way of training, it is ultimately boring just sitting spinning or even doing repetitive exercises like on the video, but if you were immersed in a (virtual) race, at least there would be some motivation there. Who else does such trainers and how much are they? Can't you just get something like a dynamo to attach to the bike frame and use an existing turbo trainer, or do you have to buy all new kit? Cheers.
doh. Spot the deliberate mistake. Having thought about it, of course you would need the whole kit otherwise how can you replicate hills etc unless it kept telling you to change gear which would get a bit annoying - seriously impressed with that Tacx kit but it ain't cheap enough for me!
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff