Turbo trainers/Zwift/Peleton
Discussion
Wahoo Kickr and Zwift for me. I always hated turbo training but Zwift makes it better than okay, it’s actually enjoyable. Better and harder than training on the road, the rides are shorter and more intense, can be seriously hard work.
Racing takes it to another level. Very, very hard. Bonkers hard in fact. Fantastic training for real life riding.
During lockdown my club ((High Wycombe) started twice weekly Zwift group rides, chain gang on Wednesday, club ride Saturday, with as many as 30 on occasion. Just riding in a group adds a little, but not much, to riding solo on Zwift, but what made a huge difference was adding headsets. We use Discord software and it works very well. Any headset with a mic will do, some just use their phones (not great). Now we all chat away, talking usual cycling b
ks, plus the ‘it’s a bit fast for me’ or ‘we’ve dropped Dave’ and so on. Makes a huge difference to the experience.
If you do go Zwift, deffo get a ‘Smart’ trainer, best you can afford. I started on a Wahoo Kickr v1, now on a v3, and they have been faultless. Typical American engineering, big, heavy, ugly, but it works well, and keeps working. Highly recommended.
Racing takes it to another level. Very, very hard. Bonkers hard in fact. Fantastic training for real life riding.
During lockdown my club ((High Wycombe) started twice weekly Zwift group rides, chain gang on Wednesday, club ride Saturday, with as many as 30 on occasion. Just riding in a group adds a little, but not much, to riding solo on Zwift, but what made a huge difference was adding headsets. We use Discord software and it works very well. Any headset with a mic will do, some just use their phones (not great). Now we all chat away, talking usual cycling b
ks, plus the ‘it’s a bit fast for me’ or ‘we’ve dropped Dave’ and so on. Makes a huge difference to the experience.If you do go Zwift, deffo get a ‘Smart’ trainer, best you can afford. I started on a Wahoo Kickr v1, now on a v3, and they have been faultless. Typical American engineering, big, heavy, ugly, but it works well, and keeps working. Highly recommended.
Edited by Tim O on Tuesday 6th October 11:57
Smart trainer + interactive app is a game changer. I've been using a Tacx Neo for 5 years and it's made a world of difference, especially in winter. Mine is permanently set up so it's easy to jump on 3 times a week and do an hour's workout no matter what time of day. I often only get to the trainer at 9pm so there is no way I would get out on the road to train then.
I use a combination of Trainerroad and Zwift, each have their pros and cons. Just having one gets a bit boring after a while so having the 2 mixes it up and keeps the motivation going. TR is a proper training app with a basic interface that just works every time. Zwift is more social, graphics are more interesting and you get to change gears. Zwift software is a bit glitchy, but as I just use it to ride a course rather than race that doesn't bother me too much.
Definitely get a strong fan, towels and be prepared for a lot of sweat on the floor
I use a combination of Trainerroad and Zwift, each have their pros and cons. Just having one gets a bit boring after a while so having the 2 mixes it up and keeps the motivation going. TR is a proper training app with a basic interface that just works every time. Zwift is more social, graphics are more interesting and you get to change gears. Zwift software is a bit glitchy, but as I just use it to ride a course rather than race that doesn't bother me too much.
Definitely get a strong fan, towels and be prepared for a lot of sweat on the floor
MarcelM6 said:
I often only get to the trainer at 9pm so there is no way I would get out on the road to train then.
I did the majority of my Zwifting last winter in the garage with the baby monitor sat next to the ipad, at 9 or 10pm whilst 'mum' was out having here time alone. In other words, getting in some really worthwhile, efficient, structured and fun training in at times which would otherwise only be available for sitting watching TV. I also hated the turbo, I had a Kurt Road Machine turbo for maybe 8 or 9 years, I only used it for warm ups at time trials, and if the weather was dogst, or I just had no other option, and I did almost all of the turbo stuff on a time trial bike, as training outside on that is difficult in London.
Anyway, I also had the beta zwift account, I found it dull and preferred television/music instead. I thought that was just going to be it for me and that I would hate the turbo forever and inevitably struggle to get any decent riding in now I don't commute.
Anyway, a mate of mine got me a half price kickr (the price they paid to wahoo bulk wholesale lol) and straight away it was much more enjoyable. Not only that, but the direct drive element, and the small amount of flex it has built in means I can actually do much closer to my road watts on this trainer vs the tyre based one.
I do the races on there too, but obviously they're only as good as the person you are racing's powermeter. And there are a lot of very average riders who are amazing on zwift and don't make the connection. Weird that they think they've gone from not being able to score points at as 3rd cat, so monstering A races with 5 w/kg averages, but there you are. Some people are like that.
t, or I just had no other option, and I did almost all of the turbo stuff on a time trial bike, as training outside on that is difficult in London.Anyway, I also had the beta zwift account, I found it dull and preferred television/music instead. I thought that was just going to be it for me and that I would hate the turbo forever and inevitably struggle to get any decent riding in now I don't commute.
Anyway, a mate of mine got me a half price kickr (the price they paid to wahoo bulk wholesale lol) and straight away it was much more enjoyable. Not only that, but the direct drive element, and the small amount of flex it has built in means I can actually do much closer to my road watts on this trainer vs the tyre based one.
I do the races on there too, but obviously they're only as good as the person you are racing's powermeter. And there are a lot of very average riders who are amazing on zwift and don't make the connection. Weird that they think they've gone from not being able to score points at as 3rd cat, so monstering A races with 5 w/kg averages, but there you are. Some people are like that.
okgo said:
I do the races on there too, but obviously they're only as good as the person you are racing's powermeter. And there are a lot of very average riders who are amazing on zwift and don't make the connection. Weird that they think they've gone from not being able to score points at as 3rd cat, so monstering A races with 5 w/kg averages, but there you are. Some people are like that.
Friend of mine, a really nice bloke, has a 'Zwift weight', 10kg lighter than his actual 96kg. He just likes to race with the big boys and sees nothing wrong with it. Weird.
okgo said:
I also hated the turbo, I had a Kurt Road Machine turbo for maybe 8 or 9 years, I only used it for warm ups at time trials, and if the weather was dogst, or I just had no other option, and I did almost all of the turbo stuff on a time trial bike, as training outside on that is difficult in London.
Anyway, I also had the beta zwift account, I found it dull and preferred television/music instead. I thought that was just going to be it for me and that I would hate the turbo forever and inevitably struggle to get any decent riding in now I don't commute.
Anyway, a mate of mine got me a half price kickr (the price they paid to wahoo bulk wholesale lol) and straight away it was much more enjoyable. Not only that, but the direct drive element, and the small amount of flex it has built in means I can actually do much closer to my road watts on this trainer vs the tyre based one.
I do the races on there too, but obviously they're only as good as the person you are racing's powermeter. And there are a lot of very average riders who are amazing on zwift and don't make the connection. Weird that they think they've gone from not being able to score points at as 3rd cat, so monstering A races with 5 w/kg averages, but there you are. Some people are like that.
Wonder how a fat lump knocking fifty will cope ?t, or I just had no other option, and I did almost all of the turbo stuff on a time trial bike, as training outside on that is difficult in London.Anyway, I also had the beta zwift account, I found it dull and preferred television/music instead. I thought that was just going to be it for me and that I would hate the turbo forever and inevitably struggle to get any decent riding in now I don't commute.
Anyway, a mate of mine got me a half price kickr (the price they paid to wahoo bulk wholesale lol) and straight away it was much more enjoyable. Not only that, but the direct drive element, and the small amount of flex it has built in means I can actually do much closer to my road watts on this trainer vs the tyre based one.
I do the races on there too, but obviously they're only as good as the person you are racing's powermeter. And there are a lot of very average riders who are amazing on zwift and don't make the connection. Weird that they think they've gone from not being able to score points at as 3rd cat, so monstering A races with 5 w/kg averages, but there you are. Some people are like that.
Do they allow children on small pink bicycles with glittery tassles on the ends of the bars to compete as I reckon I can probably beat most of them
Might get a Kickr then, suppose if I dont take to it can flog it for good money.
I have a monitor and PC in my garage so can prod angle that, just enough space in there, got my cabin in the garden but thats further away and my bike lives int he garage, for me things need to be easy to set up, which wheel off, slot in the trainer, boot the PC up and log in, any more than that will prob gather dust.
J4CKO said:
Wonder how a fat lump knocking fifty will cope ?
Do they allow children on small pink bicycles with glittery tassles on the ends of the bars to compete as I reckon I can probably beat most of them
Might get a Kickr then, suppose if I dont take to it can flog it for good money.
I have a monitor and PC in my garage so can prod angle that, just enough space in there, got my cabin in the garden but thats further away and my bike lives int he garage, for me things need to be easy to set up, which wheel off, slot in the trainer, boot the PC up and log in, any more than that will prob gather dust.
Your PC will need to be able to receive either Bluetooth or ANT+ output from the Kickr. Easiest option is an ANT+ dongle from Suunto, or something similar. Loads of the on Amazon.Do they allow children on small pink bicycles with glittery tassles on the ends of the bars to compete as I reckon I can probably beat most of them
Might get a Kickr then, suppose if I dont take to it can flog it for good money.
I have a monitor and PC in my garage so can prod angle that, just enough space in there, got my cabin in the garden but thats further away and my bike lives int he garage, for me things need to be easy to set up, which wheel off, slot in the trainer, boot the PC up and log in, any more than that will prob gather dust.
https://www.suunto.com/en-gb/Products/PODs/Suunto-...
I'd recommend you get a HR monitor, too, and a big fan!
J4CKO said:
Wonder how a fat lump knocking fifty will cope ?
Do they allow children on small pink bicycles with glittery tassles on the ends of the bars to compete as I reckon I can probably beat most of them
Might get a Kickr then, suppose if I dont take to it can flog it for good money.
I have a monitor and PC in my garage so can prod angle that, just enough space in there, got my cabin in the garden but thats further away and my bike lives int he garage, for me things need to be easy to set up, which wheel off, slot in the trainer, boot the PC up and log in, any more than that will prob gather dust.
I'm well over 50, and 'fat lump' is a relative term....the beauty of these apps is that they factor all these variables in so should be a level playing field, except for the well documented cheating in Zwift racing.Do they allow children on small pink bicycles with glittery tassles on the ends of the bars to compete as I reckon I can probably beat most of them
Might get a Kickr then, suppose if I dont take to it can flog it for good money.
I have a monitor and PC in my garage so can prod angle that, just enough space in there, got my cabin in the garden but thats further away and my bike lives int he garage, for me things need to be easy to set up, which wheel off, slot in the trainer, boot the PC up and log in, any more than that will prob gather dust.
I run both TR and Zwift on my phone - no need for PC to boot up,. Zwift is very power hungry though so you'll need a charge cable.
J4CKO said:
I have a monitor and PC in my garage so can prod angle that, just enough space in there, got my cabin in the garden but thats further away and my bike lives int he garage, for me things need to be easy to set up, which wheel off, slot in the trainer, boot the PC up and log in, any more than that will prob gather dust.
Plenty of folk run Zwift on their iPads.https://tacx.com/product/bracket-for-tablets/
Tim O said:
J4CKO said:
Wonder how a fat lump knocking fifty will cope ?
Do they allow children on small pink bicycles with glittery tassles on the ends of the bars to compete as I reckon I can probably beat most of them
Might get a Kickr then, suppose if I dont take to it can flog it for good money.
I have a monitor and PC in my garage so can prod angle that, just enough space in there, got my cabin in the garden but thats further away and my bike lives int he garage, for me things need to be easy to set up, which wheel off, slot in the trainer, boot the PC up and log in, any more than that will prob gather dust.
Your PC will need to be able to receive either Bluetooth or ANT+ output from the Kickr. Easiest option is an ANT+ dongle from Suunto, or something similar. Loads of the on Amazon.Do they allow children on small pink bicycles with glittery tassles on the ends of the bars to compete as I reckon I can probably beat most of them
Might get a Kickr then, suppose if I dont take to it can flog it for good money.
I have a monitor and PC in my garage so can prod angle that, just enough space in there, got my cabin in the garden but thats further away and my bike lives int he garage, for me things need to be easy to set up, which wheel off, slot in the trainer, boot the PC up and log in, any more than that will prob gather dust.
https://www.suunto.com/en-gb/Products/PODs/Suunto-...
I'd recommend you get a HR monitor, too, and a big fan!
PC is a standard Dell small footprint desktop, with a 24 inch monitor, may need to do a bit of re-arrangement but think I can make it work.
Got loads of Bluetooth dongles and stuff like that.
J4CKO said:
Anyone a convert ?
I have always thought Turbo Trainers look a bit pointless, may as well just go out for a ride which I appreciate gets more difficult this time of the year onwards, like tonight was going to go out but it was lashing down, so do I get one and set it up in my man shed ? Its not like I am "in training" for anything, just need to occasionally get some exercise and am avoiding the gym even more than usual.
Zwift looks good but might be a flash in the pan with me, is it much better than just a bike on a TT ?
Peleton, the adverts are just vomit inducing and its expensive, but get past that, its probably pretty good.
Anyone gone from sceptical to the Turbo trainer being their favourite thing ?
I'm a full Zwift convert.I have always thought Turbo Trainers look a bit pointless, may as well just go out for a ride which I appreciate gets more difficult this time of the year onwards, like tonight was going to go out but it was lashing down, so do I get one and set it up in my man shed ? Its not like I am "in training" for anything, just need to occasionally get some exercise and am avoiding the gym even more than usual.
Zwift looks good but might be a flash in the pan with me, is it much better than just a bike on a TT ?
Peleton, the adverts are just vomit inducing and its expensive, but get past that, its probably pretty good.
Anyone gone from sceptical to the Turbo trainer being their favourite thing ?
Edited by J4CKO on Monday 5th October 19:28
Of the 25,000km I've ridden this year, at least half have been on Zwift. Great training sessions, group rides, or just spinning away.
I do 60-90mins every morning....Zwift certainly isn't a flash in a pan!!
I still prefer outdoors, but a lot of time, outdoors doesn't fit with life very well to get a good level of training in....especially with UK/NW weather!!
I couldn't imagine the turbo without Zwift.
If you are going to use it, make sure you have a smart trainer as minimum. I had a Wahoo KICKR for 4years, now upgraded to a KICKR Bike. Fantastic realism.
Peleton is a different proposition - it isn't like bike riding, it's like a spin class. It is a bloody great product, fantastic concept, but it isn't cycle training.
J4CKO said:
Whats a good setup and how much does it cost to get started on say Zwift ?
Do you use your normal bike on it and swap the wheel out or have a separate bike ?
Smart trainer new from £500 for cheap, good ones at £1000+ (or half that on eBay)Do you use your normal bike on it and swap the wheel out or have a separate bike ?
Smart bike, £2,000+. Zwift is c£10/mth.
MarcelM6 said:
J4CKO said:
Wonder how a fat lump knocking fifty will cope ?
Do they allow children on small pink bicycles with glittery tassles on the ends of the bars to compete as I reckon I can probably beat most of them
Might get a Kickr then, suppose if I dont take to it can flog it for good money.
I have a monitor and PC in my garage so can prod angle that, just enough space in there, got my cabin in the garden but thats further away and my bike lives int he garage, for me things need to be easy to set up, which wheel off, slot in the trainer, boot the PC up and log in, any more than that will prob gather dust.
I'm well over 50, and 'fat lump' is a relative term....the beauty of these apps is that they factor all these variables in so should be a level playing field, except for the well documented cheating in Zwift racing.Do they allow children on small pink bicycles with glittery tassles on the ends of the bars to compete as I reckon I can probably beat most of them
Might get a Kickr then, suppose if I dont take to it can flog it for good money.
I have a monitor and PC in my garage so can prod angle that, just enough space in there, got my cabin in the garden but thats further away and my bike lives int he garage, for me things need to be easy to set up, which wheel off, slot in the trainer, boot the PC up and log in, any more than that will prob gather dust.
I run both TR and Zwift on my phone - no need for PC to boot up,. Zwift is very power hungry though so you'll need a charge cable.
Happy with dark as per the night riding thread, but yesterday it was tipping down, fine all day then got to 2 o clock and that was that, not bothered about getting wet but from a safety point of view, going out when its like that at rush hour is not a great idea from a safety standpoint, fine if its a commute as no choice but just going out, not sure.
Have noticed some improvements over the summer, been climbing a hill locally on my route and gone from crawling up on the granny ring to out of the saddle, still blowing out of my arse but going faster, dropping two stone would be a big help and then see where I get to.
Kind of enjoy riding more than driving now though.
Ares said:
Smart trainer new from £500 for cheap, good ones at £1000+ (or half that on eBay)
Smart bike, £2,000+. Zwift is c£10/mth.
Mine was (admittedly a godo deal) at £130 used. Full ERG/Smart jobby. Smart bike, £2,000+. Zwift is c£10/mth.
Plus borrowing our lass's ipad. About as cheap as you can get.
Also very,very quick to setup.
There are a few comments about a smart trainer and riding simulation - they are two different things. The point of a smart trainer is that it adjusts the resistance automatically, this CAN be used to simulate hills and descents, but also (and more usefully) it can be used to create a training ride with measured periods of effort and recovery.
This is far more effective than just sitting on a dumb turbo and mindlessly spinning away and perhaps tweaking the resistance knob randomly.
This is far more effective than just sitting on a dumb turbo and mindlessly spinning away and perhaps tweaking the resistance knob randomly.
snotrag said:
Ares said:
Smart trainer new from £500 for cheap, good ones at £1000+ (or half that on eBay)
Smart bike, £2,000+. Zwift is c£10/mth.
Mine was (admittedly a godo deal) at £130 used. Full ERG/Smart jobby. Smart bike, £2,000+. Zwift is c£10/mth.
Plus borrowing our lass's ipad. About as cheap as you can get.
Also very,very quick to setup.
Even basic semi-smart trainers are £250+, Direct Drive ones (which is what you really need) start at £500.
I'm about to eBay my KICKR, most are going for well over £500, some over £750.
bonerp said:
I need to 'do' something and been thinking about an exercise bike rather than a turbo trainer type set up. I think the simulation app would be useful as a motivator.
Whats good to look out for on an exercise bike?
Unless you are spending £2000 and/or don't have a bike to use, a smart trainer would be a lot better.Whats good to look out for on an exercise bike?
The latest bikes are amazing, really amazing. Wattbike Atom, KICKR Bike, Stages bike, Neo etc, but they are £2500/3000.
Getting a decent smart trainer and putting you bike on it will give 80% of the results.
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