decent turbo trainer
Discussion
Been done before I'm sure, but does anyone have any recommendations for decent turbo trainers which do NOT require a wheel/tyre change?
Will be going in the garage so noise not really an issue, just want a decent one.
Also - any idea if any have "sessions" as such, which include automatically getting harder/easier to incorporate the idea of hills etc, or are there any videos etc which you can get which might do this to make it slightly more interesting?
thanks chaps!
Will be going in the garage so noise not really an issue, just want a decent one.
Also - any idea if any have "sessions" as such, which include automatically getting harder/easier to incorporate the idea of hills etc, or are there any videos etc which you can get which might do this to make it slightly more interesting?
thanks chaps!
No turbo trainers -require- a different wheel/tyre. The latter just saves on wear of your usual rubber, the former reduces the need for constant tyre swaps. You can use whatever tyres you have fitted if you wish.
You can get turbos that increase resistance/mimic particular courses automatically, yes, although they're not cheap.
You can get videos, plans etc. that give you something to work with/ease the boredom. Sufferfest is the most common, and there's also TrainerRoad. There's nothing to stop you putting together your own routine/plan etc. Having a "structured" workout(s), if done right, will maximise the benefit of being on the turbo. Mindless slogging/spinning away is a) ineffective and b) boring (which worsens to the point wherein you don't bother, which worsens (a))
I myself have a Tacx Satori, which features variable (from a handlebar-mounted lever) resistance. That and a handful of Sufferfest vids has seen me through the winter so far...
You can get turbos that increase resistance/mimic particular courses automatically, yes, although they're not cheap.
You can get videos, plans etc. that give you something to work with/ease the boredom. Sufferfest is the most common, and there's also TrainerRoad. There's nothing to stop you putting together your own routine/plan etc. Having a "structured" workout(s), if done right, will maximise the benefit of being on the turbo. Mindless slogging/spinning away is a) ineffective and b) boring (which worsens to the point wherein you don't bother, which worsens (a))
I myself have a Tacx Satori, which features variable (from a handlebar-mounted lever) resistance. That and a handful of Sufferfest vids has seen me through the winter so far...
None of them need a wheel/tyre change. I have friends who haven't bothered.
Personally I changed wheel/tyre because after the first session I could see the road tyre was going to wear down quickly. Perhaps I had it on too tight but blah blah not listening it gave me an excuse to buy some new wheels and make the old ones dedicated turbo wheels.
I use trainerroad for sessions and plans and I think it's well worth the money.
Personally I changed wheel/tyre because after the first session I could see the road tyre was going to wear down quickly. Perhaps I had it on too tight but blah blah not listening it gave me an excuse to buy some new wheels and make the old ones dedicated turbo wheels.
I use trainerroad for sessions and plans and I think it's well worth the money.
If you go with the Trainerroad recommendation (which you really should, honestly) then one of the Kurt Kinetic trainers (Road Machine or Rock N Roll) would be the best bet as they seem to be what TR has done the most work with in terms of getting VP to be consistent.
Got 16 weeks, 65 workouts on mine - never changed the wheel or tyre.
Got 16 weeks, 65 workouts on mine - never changed the wheel or tyre.
If you go with the Trainerroad recommendation (which you really should, honestly) then one of the Kurt Kinetic trainers (Road Machine or Rock N Roll) would be the best bet as they seem to be what TR has done the most work with in terms of getting VP to be consistent.
Got 16 weeks, 65 workouts on mine - never changed the wheel or tyre.
Got 16 weeks, 65 workouts on mine - never changed the wheel or tyre.
If you go with the Trainerroad recommendation (which you really should, honestly) then one of the Kurt Kinetic trainers (Road Machine or Rock N Roll) would be the best bet as they seem to be what TR has done the most work with in terms of getting VP to be consistent.
Got 16 weeks, 65 workouts on mine - never changed the wheel or tyre.
Got 16 weeks, 65 workouts on mine - never changed the wheel or tyre.
GnuBee said:
Got 16 weeks, 65 workouts on mine - never changed the wheel or tyre.
GnuBee, recently changed to a trainer tyre on my Kurt Kinetic. I was still getting a fair amount of slip (squeaking) when starting off or putting a lot of power down even when tightening the resistance right up to 6 full turns. Made a big difference, no slip whatsoever now on less resistance.I have a Tacx Genius. It requires a Tacx rear skewer so that the rear wheel locks into the turbo, but that's it.
Very good piece of kit. It simulates gradients pretty acurately (consistent 10% was as unpleasant as I remember it) and eases off for the downhills (if you stop pedalling it will pause, but as long as you tick over it will drive the rear wheel on descents for you.
It comes with a choice of VR terrains. You can have bird's eye/helicopter view, nor team car view, or rider's eye view. You can buy a range of DVDs of various mountain passes, incl Ventoux and the last 100k or so of the Marmotte. You can also download a GPX file from somewhere like bikely.com, upload it and ride the course of your choosing in google earth or google streetview (though I've found it a big buggy using streetview in some far-flung places where maybe the streetview footage is not as complete as it might be).
Not cheap though. OTOH, the first turbo I've had where I've been happy to sit on it for two hours plus.
But buy a fan too. A big one.
Very good piece of kit. It simulates gradients pretty acurately (consistent 10% was as unpleasant as I remember it) and eases off for the downhills (if you stop pedalling it will pause, but as long as you tick over it will drive the rear wheel on descents for you.
It comes with a choice of VR terrains. You can have bird's eye/helicopter view, nor team car view, or rider's eye view. You can buy a range of DVDs of various mountain passes, incl Ventoux and the last 100k or so of the Marmotte. You can also download a GPX file from somewhere like bikely.com, upload it and ride the course of your choosing in google earth or google streetview (though I've found it a big buggy using streetview in some far-flung places where maybe the streetview footage is not as complete as it might be).
Not cheap though. OTOH, the first turbo I've had where I've been happy to sit on it for two hours plus.
But buy a fan too. A big one.
bakerstreet said:
Have you rear any of the threads on Turbos? There are quite a few on here! Same for Bikeradar.
I have a Elite Crono Gel trainer. Its fine. I recommend it.
Yes you don't need to get a trainer tyre, but I shall probably be getting one in the near future.
I've got the same one, currently £115 on CRCI have a Elite Crono Gel trainer. Its fine. I recommend it.
Yes you don't need to get a trainer tyre, but I shall probably be getting one in the near future.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
Pretty pleased with it, sure it's a fairly simple one but it's properly good quality, well put together and does the job. Only had it a few days so far so not done a proper workout as I'm struggling for motivation, not sure it's worth spending out the cash for Trainerroad as my trainer isn't supported by them yet. But there are free training videos on youtube that are supposed to alleviate the boredom a bit!
i bought this one and its quiet, tyre stays cold so am not gonna have to get a spare wheel/tyre.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-crono-hydro-mag-elas...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-crono-hydro-mag-elas...
moles said:
i bought this one and its quiet, tyre stays cold so am not gonna have to get a spare wheel/tyre.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-crono-hydro-mag-elas...
fantastic, may get me one of those!!http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-crono-hydro-mag-elas...
would that be ALL i need, or is there something else? cheers
E38Ross said:
Thanks chaps. I've noticed you get some cheap ones for 50 quid or others for 200+, I'd rather a decent one 
will take a look.
I've just ordered a jet black from Halfords, it was 199.99 but they have 20% of Web orders, so paid a lot less than that. I was looking for a Tacx satori, but couldn't find a decent price. will take a look. Just have to wait for it to arrive now.
Bike radar have quite a few reviews on trainers.
I chose move based on the reviews and the fact it ticked all the right boxes for me.
E38Ross said:
this one seems like a better deal.....any thoughts?
cheers
would help if i include the link!!!cheers
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-supercrono-power-flu...
this look better than the other one posted?
the set up i had planned was in the garage, shoving this in front of a screen which i can get hooked up - i've managed to, erm, source some sufferfest videos
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