Turbo trainers
Discussion
J5MBF said:
Hi,
For any of you with road bikes, do you train over winter indoors? If so, do you use a turbo trainer or rollers?
I'm looking for feedback from anyone who uses either, as I'm sure there are pros and cons to both.
I have one ready for the winter, i've been on it a few times but i guess the real tester will be when it gets cold & dark .For any of you with road bikes, do you train over winter indoors? If so, do you use a turbo trainer or rollers?
I'm looking for feedback from anyone who uses either, as I'm sure there are pros and cons to both.
Ideally you really need a spare bike as the tyre for the back wheel needs to be more robust than normal ones & it seems a lot of hassle if you have to keep chopping & changing tyres & wheel brace thing etc.
Mine is a Cyclo ops fluid 2 & it certainly does the job, i just hope i get the use out of it & don't become lazy.
I have a Tacx one. It was heavily discounted in March about 2 yrs ago so I bought it then.
Only this year have I started using it properly (interrupted my cycling for a while with a house build), but really finding it so useful. I've been using it recently, even though weather's been nice, as time during the week is limited for me. I find 1hr on the turbo far more useful than 1hr on the road, because I'm using Trainerroad. Highly recommended!
Come winter I've no doubt I'll be using it lots too; typically I ride to work and back, a big ride on Sunday with local group. This year I'm doing 3 x turbo sessions as well and that's where I've noticed the difference.
I don't have a different tyre on the rear wheel, but do use an old crap wheel with a gatorskin on, as opposed to my shiny wheels with slick tyres on.
Only this year have I started using it properly (interrupted my cycling for a while with a house build), but really finding it so useful. I've been using it recently, even though weather's been nice, as time during the week is limited for me. I find 1hr on the turbo far more useful than 1hr on the road, because I'm using Trainerroad. Highly recommended!
Come winter I've no doubt I'll be using it lots too; typically I ride to work and back, a big ride on Sunday with local group. This year I'm doing 3 x turbo sessions as well and that's where I've noticed the difference.
I don't have a different tyre on the rear wheel, but do use an old crap wheel with a gatorskin on, as opposed to my shiny wheels with slick tyres on.
)I'd always say get out and ride, but I used my turbo a lot over the winter - it meant I could ride whilst my son was in bed and the wife was out.
Otherwise I'd be sat on my arse watching TV.
It was great for structured training. I always used it outside though, even down at 0 degrees I only needed bib shorts on once I was warmed up. Saved making a mess indoors. The skill was getting everything put away in the shed before turning into a shivering wreck at the end.
Otherwise I'd be sat on my arse watching TV.
It was great for structured training. I always used it outside though, even down at 0 degrees I only needed bib shorts on once I was warmed up. Saved making a mess indoors. The skill was getting everything put away in the shed before turning into a shivering wreck at the end.
As ever it's a question of what you're trying to do. For general fitness, just riding is great. If you're really 'training', the turbo is invaluable for shorter, more specific (generally intense) sessions. Love/Hate - would much prefer to ride, but I still use the turbo even in the summer.
Tyres - mileage varies (pun intended). I've found michelin pro's to have no grip on the turbo and wear quickly - Others last better. I do have a turbo tyre on a spare wheel however, but it's not strictly necessary.
Never tried rollers with resistance - they seem to be rather more expensive, and I'm not sure how much resistance they can provide; also TBH I'm a bit scared of trying to ride a TT bike on rollers
Tyres - mileage varies (pun intended). I've found michelin pro's to have no grip on the turbo and wear quickly - Others last better. I do have a turbo tyre on a spare wheel however, but it's not strictly necessary.
Never tried rollers with resistance - they seem to be rather more expensive, and I'm not sure how much resistance they can provide; also TBH I'm a bit scared of trying to ride a TT bike on rollers
How noisy are turbos? I live in a top floor flat and am looking at trubo's for winter training due to on call for work. When on call I have a 20 min response time which isn't conductive for going for a ride but I don't want to upset the flat below me.
Its either a turbo or I'll be joining a gym, but that won't give me the saddle time I need, but would give me the HIT with the Xbike classes.
Its either a turbo or I'll be joining a gym, but that won't give me the saddle time I need, but would give me the HIT with the Xbike classes.
Fluid and magnetic trainers are quiet - you just get tyre noise which isn't that significant. Wind trainers are the ones which make the noise, I also believe these ones are regarded giving the best 'feel'.
If you choose to train at the gym then the best thing to do on a bike is some kind of spin class. It's similar to the sort of training you should be doing on a turbo, i.e. HIT style stuff or turbulence training. I don't think there's much value to just sitting on an exercise bike and pedalling.
If you choose to train at the gym then the best thing to do on a bike is some kind of spin class. It's similar to the sort of training you should be doing on a turbo, i.e. HIT style stuff or turbulence training. I don't think there's much value to just sitting on an exercise bike and pedalling.
I'd always rather ride outside on Road or MTB but have a turbo for nights I'm babysitting or when its really stair-rodding down with rain, that's just not fun irrespective of how much you MTFU.
Mines a little noisy but I put a camping mat under it and it deadens alot of the buzz. Otherwise a good workout but does nothing for your core (unlike rear cycling) because you don't have to balance- good for legs and lungs though, as others said you can pack more workout into the same time as no traffic :-)
My only issue is whichever wheels or tyres I've tried I get much more road-buzz through my "downstairs parts" than road riding and after 90mins its uncomfortable, yet I can ride 5+hrs on the road without issues.
My advice- buy one when you see one cheap, worth having as a backup to real riding.
Mines a little noisy but I put a camping mat under it and it deadens alot of the buzz. Otherwise a good workout but does nothing for your core (unlike rear cycling) because you don't have to balance- good for legs and lungs though, as others said you can pack more workout into the same time as no traffic :-)
My only issue is whichever wheels or tyres I've tried I get much more road-buzz through my "downstairs parts" than road riding and after 90mins its uncomfortable, yet I can ride 5+hrs on the road without issues.
My advice- buy one when you see one cheap, worth having as a backup to real riding.
There are several topics on this. Worth doing a search.
I bought an Elite Crono Gel to use during the winter and it was fine. Not too loud and easy to set up. I don't bother with a turbo tyre, I just use an old Giant tyre that I had a lying. It hasn't exploded or de-laminated and throw black marbles everywhere.
However, I then moved jobs, so I could commute year round and I have't used it since
I bought an Elite Crono Gel to use during the winter and it was fine. Not too loud and easy to set up. I don't bother with a turbo tyre, I just use an old Giant tyre that I had a lying. It hasn't exploded or de-laminated and throw black marbles everywhere.
However, I then moved jobs, so I could commute year round and I have't used it since
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