Best Option for Winter Indoor Training

[AmiableChimp]

I still plan to get out at the weekend on my hybrid over the winter to do some miles, but want to get my road bike set up on my Turbo Trainer in the office so I can do a couple of nights a week training as well.

I've got an Elite SuperCrono trainer and a spare set of tyres so will get the bike up and running.

I am going to give Trainerroad a shot to see if it works for me.

I know my current setup doesn't give the stats I require (Garmin Edge 200 and Polar HRM) so what is my best option?

The geek in me wanted to try and source an Edge 500 if Aldi had any left at the great price they had but no dice...SO, am I best just to buy a Cadence/speed sensor and an ANT+ USB dongle to connect the bike up to my laptop and run it thru Trainerroad?

I am also looking at buying a guard to catch the sweat - I have a big pedestal fan but still expect to sweat a fair bit.

Unless anyone can offer a better alternative? Max budget about £100 as i've already spent far too much this year and have a Eunos that needs some bits as well

[SoliD]

to get trainerroad to work properly you'll need a speed sensor and an ant+ usb stick for your laptop. Otherwise you can't do the estimated power stuff which is what it works with.

[E65Ross]

SoliD said:

to get trainerroad to work properly you'll need a speed sensor and an ant+ usb stick for your laptop. Otherwise you can't do the estimated power stuff which is what it works with.

This.

Did the 1 month trial thing I sent you come through OK?

[AmiableChimp]

E65Ross said:

This.

Did the 1 month trial thing I sent you come through OK?

Yes it did mate, sorry I thought I had emailed you back.

[CoolC]

On a slight tangent.

I've been using Zwift for the past few weeks, but as it goes to subscription in a few days time, I wondered if those that have used a few different virtual sytems can comment of which is the best VFM?

1, Zwift
2, Bkool
3, Trainerroad
4, A N Other

TIA

[paulmon]

CoolC said:

On a slight tangent.

I've been using Zwift for the past few weeks, but as it goes to subscription in a few days time, I wondered if those that have used a few different virtual sytems can comment of which is the best VFM?

1, Zwift
2, Bkool
3, Trainerroad
4, A N Other

TIA

I currently have a 2 week trial of VirtualTraining (http://cycleops.com/virtualtraining/apps-pricing) and it works really well with my Kickr. What it offers that Zwift / TR don't is the ability to create your own courses/import rides or ride other courses that have been created (some with Video). I did the Trek Racing Ride in Majorca this morning and it was a good test. Its a subscription based thing like all the rest and I think I might use this along with TR instead of Zwift which without a good selection of maps I think will become a bit stale.

[E65Ross]

paulmon said:

CoolC said:

On a slight tangent.

I've been using Zwift for the past few weeks, but as it goes to subscription in a few days time, I wondered if those that have used a few different virtual sytems can comment of which is the best VFM?

1, Zwift
2, Bkool
3, Trainerroad
4, A N Other

TIA

I currently have a 2 week trial of VirtualTraining (http://cycleops.com/virtualtraining/apps-pricing) and it works really well with my Kickr. What it offers that Zwift / TR don't is the ability to create your own courses/import rides or ride other courses that have been created (some with Video). I did the Trek Racing Ride in Majorca this morning and it was a good test. Its a subscription based thing like all the rest and I think I might use this along with TR instead of Zwift which without a good selection of maps I think will become a bit stale.

I also have this and think it's good, but I do use TR far more often but I think for when I want to do long rides in the winter and the weather is poor I think I could stomach 3 hours much easier doing a virtual route than a 3 hour session looking at a graph!

TR sessions are awesome though. Did "broken finger" this morning as the final workout after doing the general build plan.... Was a tough session but enjoyed it! The ability to edit the workouts is great too.... I almost always increase the warm up and cool down parts of the sessions, and often add extra sets in on the 60 min sessions to make them around 90mins.

[AmiableChimp]

Thanks guys, I have just ordered the Garmin Speed/Cadence sensors, ANT+ USB stick and an Elite sweat guard from Wiggle so hopefully be all set up next week to start my Trainerroad experience!

Cheers

[rickbrown74]

CoolC said:

On a slight tangent.

I've been using Zwift for the past few weeks, but as it goes to subscription in a few days time, I wondered if those that have used a few different virtual sytems can comment of which is the best VFM?

1, Zwift
2, Bkool
3, Trainerroad
4, A N Other

TIA

I've been on Bkool for a year now and fairly addicted to the online multiplayer aspect of it all. Nothing will motivate you more than another cyclist just ahead of you on the screen! Plus riders all over the world are recording rides and and then uploading them to Bkool for it to simulate. Have virtually climbed Alpe D'Huez and Mont Ventoux for example.

I've been told Zwift is nicer looking and feels good, but only has 2 courses it alternates between, plus has just introduced some training programmes I believe. Bkool has hundreds of thousands of courses. Actual interface is pants but you get used to it.

Edited by rickbrown74 on Wednesday 4th November 15:44

[S10GTA]

Get some lights and get out there.

[upsidedownmark]

Hour on the turbo is worth 2 on the road (just for a counterpoint)