Turbo Trainers

[GreigR]

Hello,

I'm currently looking for a Turbo Trainer but have no idea what to go for, budget is up to £300.

I've been looking at the Tacx Vortex, Cycleops Fluid 2 & Cycleops Mag. Does anyone have any experience of these?

Is there such a program that allows any of the trainers mentioned to connect to an Ipad or screen to make it a little more interesting?

Last question, does anyone have one for sale?

Thanks

[anonymous-user]

Loads of people are using programs such as Trainer Road or Zwift for structured sessions mated to turbo trainer. Pretty much any trainer will be compatible. You'll need a laptop though from memory for either of the above programs iirc. Have a look at them and see which appeals then use their trainer compatibility guide and see what's in budget.

[anonymous-user]

I lied, you can use trainer road with an iPhone 4s or newer, you just need a wahoo speed and cadence sensor. The websites are pretty good at giving you compatibility info etc. TR is all about structured training plans, Zwift is more like virtual racing against others online.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 10th February 13:49

[AmiableChimp]

I have a free month voucher for TrainerRoad if you do get set up and want to give it a try!

PM me if interested.

I use it with my Elite Supercrono Mag (now down to <£100) - I had to buy an Ant+ usb dongle for my laptop and Garmin cadence and speed sensors but it all works a treat!

[Rich_W]

Bought a Cycleops JetFluid Pro with riser block in late 2014. Used it quite a lot. I rate it and recommend it.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cycleops/jet-f...

Fluid is better since it feels more "realistic" It's like riding on a heavy road surface. Harder you pedal the harder it gets. Proportional.

Magnetic systems were considered but invariably the resistance levers are stupidly heavy. And it's another level of complexity to go wrong.

It's very simple to set up. Put the supplied steel skewer in, hold the bike up. turn the knob to lock it on and it "gives" after 5-6 clicks. Same with the roller. Wind it in till it touches the tyre then turn It until it "slips"

I will warn you about the noise. It's not a "wooo woooo" wind noise. It's more mechanical, scratchy. I used to do my twice weekly hour sessions with headphones on, in the garden. (Under a Gazebo when it was raining) I was barred from doing it indoors So I can't comment in terms of noise transfer indoors or in a flat. I also never changed my tyre. Just used my normal Michelin Service Course I had fitted at the time

I bought Cyclops as it also has a lifetime warranty.

I looked into the various "apps" and tbh, it's a lot of extra expense/complication I really couldn't be arsed with. Some people watch Films/TV But I felt that would distract me from what I was trying to achieve. IMO Trainer sessions are not meant to be easy rides or an alternative to really going somewhere. But structured sessions that can be done safely without having to worry about traffic or other vehicles.

Any questions feel free.

Edited by Rich_W on Wednesday 10th February 22:19

[johnnywb]

I'm just getting going on turbo training and looking to use an app. I've seen Zwift and like it. Can anyone tell me whether you can ride a specific route on it? I'm training for a specific event and would be interested to be able to ride the route from the 'comfort' of my own place. Even if riding it in stages?

[anonymous-user]

johnnywb said:

I'm just getting going on turbo training and looking to use an app. I've seen Zwift and like it. Can anyone tell me whether you can ride a specific route on it? I'm training for a specific event and would be interested to be able to ride the route from the 'comfort' of my own place. Even if riding it in stages?

As far as I am aware there are just two courses on Zwift, the Richmond Worlds course and a fictional place called Wattopia...

[df76]

I'd have a look at bkool, and given the budget id be looking at a "smart" trainer.. One that can remotely change the resistance in response to the course gradient.

[upsidedownmark]

At that kind of money, vortex (smart) would make sense - it's the one that's controllable via the computer, ipad or suitable garmin head unit.

You can't ride a specific course in zwift, however you can use something like a vortex (with appropriate software) to ride a particular course from an elevation/difficulty point of view. visuals less so.

[anonymous-user]

Obviously the real answer is rollers and old school Metallica, you just sprint like a bd during the guitar solos and use the other bits as recovery...