Anyone use a turbo trainer/rollers?

[dave0010]

I'm starting to think about buy either of the above as work commitments are making me finish later when its getting darker. Most of the roads I ride on are unlit country roads and I don't fancy meeting a speedy car on a quite country lane.

Anyone use one of have any advice?

[BadgerBenji]

I have used both, rollers are slightly harder to use to start with but I personally found they felt so much better and more natural than a turbo trainer. The other nice thing with rollers is your bike is not bolted to them, so no changing quick releases as some require, but just plonk on top and start riding.

Having not used either for a good number of years but due to the attempted return to the competitive events I've ordered some of the Elite rollers, fold in half easy storage, and with a funny shape so it's not as easy to ride out the side, it can and does happen.

[nammynake]

I got one last year to build fitness over the winter. Tacx Satori. Does everything you need. I used to do 45 minute sessions and watch TdF ITV highlights on YouTube. Will be starting to use it again now the evenings are getting darker.

Oh and best placed in a shed or garage because you fking boil ! And get a fan.

[Jimbo.]

If you're not careful they (well, a turbo anyway: rollers are a little more involved) can bore the pants of you.

www.thesufferfest.com is your friend

[whatleytom]

I've got a Taxc I-Magic which I picked up cheap on ebay (There's a lot on there as I think the vast majority of people despise the things).

While functional they are seriously boring devices. Think of nearly everything you enjoy about cycling, and then remove it, and you may have a rough idea. You've seriously got to WANT to put the time in on them. That said I used mine a lot over the spring months and improved a vast amount. Went from doing 16.5mph average speed rides, to over 19mph rides.

The rides I got the most from were the ones you could set up using the Tacx software to program intervals, and I would usually do an interval program for an hour or so. I have a few of the videos, but found them difficult to get on with.

They are good, but don't be under the illusion that you will find it enjoyable!

[Rocksteadyeddie]

I have a Kurt Kinetic rock and roll. The "bounce" in it means it feels a bit more natural and is certainly easier on the arse if doing long sessions.

[MadDad]

I use a TT a lot over the winter, it is a hateful thing and exceptionally dull - think wet playtimes in primary school! Despite its injection of misery into my life the benefits of keeping your legs spinning through the winter are quite significant.

I did consider a set of rollers but they require your full attention, youtube 'falling off rollers' and you will see many examples of what can go wrong when you let your mind wander! Worst thing that happens when you let your mind drift on the TT is that your cadence drops.

I vary my sessions between recovery rides, interval sessions, pyramid sessions, endurance sessions and hill climb training - all as painful and dull as each other! I use an iPod and very loud dance music (the sort of ste you would never play in public), and use an app called seconds pro on my iPad for timing.

As has been said already, you will sweat like a sweaty thing - and if you are doing it right will come close to vomiting! I tend to do 1 hour sessions and spend most of them either staring at the hub on my front wheel or with my eyes closed.......

[dave0010]

Jimbo. said:

If you're not careful they (well, a turbo anyway: rollers are a little more involved) can bore the pants of you.

www.thesufferfest.com is your friend

That could become a very expensive site but very useful.

my first preference was for a set of rollers but I think that the concentration required could be a problem. Can anyone give a product name for a TT they can recommend.

[MadDad]

Personally I have a Tacx Sirius T1435, it's solid, easy to setup and adjust and has a slight rebound which makes it feel slightly more realistic when doing hill climbing training. Most importantly it does not cost the earth for something so hateful........

Top tip, buy a cheap wheel and cassette from eBay and a trainer tyre, then leave it on the trainer. It takes me all of 2 mins to swap my bike from the trainer back to road ready and vicsa-versa.

[dave0010]

Do most of the TT clamp though the rear wheel there own axle or do they just clamp to the bike?

[MadDad]

Mine comes with a Q/R machined to fit into the TT clamps, I would imagine most are the same.

[GnuBee]

dave0010 said:

my first preference was for a set of rollers but I think that the concentration required could be a problem. Can anyone give a product name for a TT they can recommend.

Try Kurt Kinetic and then look at http://www.trainerroad.com/ for a way to help with the boredom.

[anonymous-user]

I used to hate turbo sessions but they are part of my training now throughout the year. Find a club and get down to one of the classes you'll soon learn how to break up the time into different efforts and speeds.

[Magic919]

I moved to Elite rollers from a Tacx Flow turbo. Much prefer the rollers.

[BPC7]

I too have the Elite rollers, not used them much since purchase I must confess and because of this I still cant balance on them without holding onto something, I will get it in the end just need some more practice.

I went with rollers as I feel it gives you a more realistic experience as you have to balance on them therefore strengthing your core. I didnt fancy being bolted to something that didnt move.

[MrsMiggins]

I've got a set of elite rollers. Have never used a turbo.

Up until very recently I just used them for steady pace aerobic workouts when I didn't have time to get out before dark or the weather was too bad. (I know, going out in bad weather would make me a badass. Period!) I just put on a film and spin along while watching it. As a result my speed on the flat increased, but I'm still really slow when climbing.

Now I've started doing intervals. The first time was brutal - trying to put in maximum effort while staying on the rollers takes so much concentration! And it's so hot! Ended up buying a big floor fan from Argos which makes it a bit less unpleasant.

I'd rather be out on the bike, but for a controlled training session or for winter dark nights a set of rollers is pretty good.

[racerbob]

i use a tacx turbo, hate it, in fact I haven't used it since March, reading this thread has just reminded me how much I hate it. Thing is, it beats risking your life riding in the dark or in icy weather, plus, in a 1 hr session you can more than compensate for a 2 hr normal ride on the road, but yeah, desperate thing, necessary evil in my book.