Ever used a cycle home trainer
Discussion
oops, dont know what went wrong there. I meant to say:
I'm thinking of buying a cycle home trainer (TACX T1460). Do any of you use one of these and how much vibration is caused by using the kind of tyre fitted to a hybrid bike (i.e not a full nobbly).
www.edinburgh-bicycle.co.uk/catalogue/detail.cfm?ID=21739
>> Edited by douglasr on Friday 24th February 12:35
I'm thinking of buying a cycle home trainer (TACX T1460). Do any of you use one of these and how much vibration is caused by using the kind of tyre fitted to a hybrid bike (i.e not a full nobbly).
www.edinburgh-bicycle.co.uk/catalogue/detail.cfm?ID=21739
>> Edited by douglasr on Friday 24th February 12:35
Should be ok if semi slicks. I put mine on an excercise matt to reduce the vibration into the wooden floor. You will need a fan to cool you and a towel/drink as it gets really hot cycling indoors. Boring too i usually limit to half an hour and sometimes attach a board to the handlbars so i can rest retro cars/sprint on it and have a read.
That looks very similar to the one my Dad has.
It is quite good, don't use a tyre you plan to use every day on the bike as it will wear down quite quickly.
Make sure you get a small office fan, it is incredible how hot you get whilst cycling static.
you will also need something under the front wheel as the bike will move very slightly making a mess of the floor.
It is quite good, don't use a tyre you plan to use every day on the bike as it will wear down quite quickly.
Make sure you get a small office fan, it is incredible how hot you get whilst cycling static.
you will also need something under the front wheel as the bike will move very slightly making a mess of the floor.
I find these soul destroying to train on for anything over 40mins - even with lots of loud music watching videos of tour stages!
I have tried the version with the screen & animated race simulator software for £399 - much better although 'half wheeling' seems to have little psychological impact on your opponents!
I prefer the spinning classes at my local gym tbh - more fun & sociable and I dont get bored doing 2 classes back to back for 2hrs.
I have tried the version with the screen & animated race simulator software for £399 - much better although 'half wheeling' seems to have little psychological impact on your opponents!
I prefer the spinning classes at my local gym tbh - more fun & sociable and I dont get bored doing 2 classes back to back for 2hrs.
There must be 10 times as many turbo trainers gathering dust than in use.
Tacx are probably the brand to go for.
They must have some kind of time stretching function as they are so indescribably boring to use.
All the stuff about fan, protecting your bike and the carpet - I agree. you can get special road tyres to use on a turbo they're a funny yellow colour and don't wear out. Don't use nobblies unless you're aiming for pudendal stimulation rather than training.
If you have a will of iron and are prepared to train with a specific schedule and goal for every session then a basic magnetic trainer may be enough. If you want to ride and keep fit when it's vile outside then you need to be motivated to get on the machine. The toys associated with the iMagic system may help. You'll probably know how well motivated you are. It would be better to spend 400 quid on something you'll use than 100 quid on something you won't. Also having it permanently set up will help.
I use a Kettler ergometer (gym style exercise bike with loads of functions) and swear by it
A biker mate has an iMagic and likes that.
Another biker mate who is an all round cycling god goes to spinning classes and swears by them. He gets to.... ahem ...meet new friends as well.
So spinning classes if you're single
T
Tacx are probably the brand to go for.
They must have some kind of time stretching function as they are so indescribably boring to use.
All the stuff about fan, protecting your bike and the carpet - I agree. you can get special road tyres to use on a turbo they're a funny yellow colour and don't wear out. Don't use nobblies unless you're aiming for pudendal stimulation rather than training.
If you have a will of iron and are prepared to train with a specific schedule and goal for every session then a basic magnetic trainer may be enough. If you want to ride and keep fit when it's vile outside then you need to be motivated to get on the machine. The toys associated with the iMagic system may help. You'll probably know how well motivated you are. It would be better to spend 400 quid on something you'll use than 100 quid on something you won't. Also having it permanently set up will help.
I use a Kettler ergometer (gym style exercise bike with loads of functions) and swear by it
A biker mate has an iMagic and likes that.
Another biker mate who is an all round cycling god goes to spinning classes and swears by them. He gets to.... ahem ...meet new friends as well.
So spinning classes if you're single
T
roman said:
I find these soul destroying to train on for anything over 40mins - even with lots of loud music watching videos of tour stages!
I have tried the version with the screen & animated race simulator software for £399 - much better although 'half wheeling' seems to have little psychological impact on your opponents!
I prefer the spinning classes at my local gym tbh - more fun & sociable and I dont get bored doing 2 classes back to back for 2hrs.
Maybe you don't get bored but surely you get dizzy.
roman said:
even with lots of loud music watching videos of tour stages!
I used to do this too - thought it was just me
Very boring, I also had to raise the front wheel up on a couple of phone books to stop my meat and two veg getting numb
IMO it's better to just get out and get the fresh air....I have a super-basic Elite Volare job which uses an axial fan to generate resistance.
It's so noisy I have to stay in the conservatory, but with the front wheel up on a block it's reasonably comfortable. Safe way of getting used to tri-bars, too.
Something to stop the sweat corroding your headset - eeuuww - is vital, as is a plan: I do 5x12-minute intervals or 2x10-mile burnouts, but just sitting there with your legs turning for an hour is unworkable.
They're good for focussing on your form, too - training yourself to keep your heels down and move your feet in a circle, rather than up and down - and all the other stuff you can't concentrate on when you're dodging buses.
I've done about 20 hours on it over the past three months with no discernable wear on the tyre - I did manage to get a puncture though...
Oh, and a bike computer that has a rear-wheel speed sensor and also measures cadence is a must.
>> Edited by Nick_F on Friday 24th February 20:56
It's so noisy I have to stay in the conservatory, but with the front wheel up on a block it's reasonably comfortable. Safe way of getting used to tri-bars, too.
Something to stop the sweat corroding your headset - eeuuww - is vital, as is a plan: I do 5x12-minute intervals or 2x10-mile burnouts, but just sitting there with your legs turning for an hour is unworkable.
They're good for focussing on your form, too - training yourself to keep your heels down and move your feet in a circle, rather than up and down - and all the other stuff you can't concentrate on when you're dodging buses.
I've done about 20 hours on it over the past three months with no discernable wear on the tyre - I did manage to get a puncture though...
Oh, and a bike computer that has a rear-wheel speed sensor and also measures cadence is a must.
>> Edited by Nick_F on Friday 24th February 20:56
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