New Turbo Trainer

[tjdixon911]

I'm looking to upgrade my Turbo trainer, currently an Elite Valore which is fairly basic.

I'm not sure I want rollers but looking for something that has a bit more of a real feel to it and also a little quieter in operation.

Budget is about £200 but can stretch a little further if it seems worth it.

Just getting ready for the on coming winter training!!

ETA - Unsure if I need it to be a Smart trainer or not as my previous TT training has mainly been HIIT sessions following Youtube videos.

Edited by tjdixon911 on Thursday 17th August 13:43

[WestyCarl]

tjdixon911 said:

I'm looking to upgrade my Turbo trainer, currently an Elite Valore which is fairly basic.

I'm not sure I want rollers but looking for something that has a bit more of a real feel to it and also a little quieter in operation.

Budget is about £200 but can stretch a little further if it seems worth it.

Just getting ready for the on coming winter training!!

ETA - Unsure if I need it to be a Smart trainer or not as my previous TT training has mainly been HIIT sessions following Youtube videos.

Edited by tjdixon911 on Thursday 17th August 13:43

I would 100% recommend a smart trainer as it opens up a whole new world of possibilities (Trainerroad, etc)

I bought a Tacx smart for approx £170 and it's been great

[lufbramatt]

I'm in the same boat due to lack of time for real rides in the week (7am-6pm working day and 2 children under 3...)

Been looking at the Kinetic Road Machine 2.0. My dad has one of the original ones which is coming up for 10 years old, really solid and has had no issues at all with it. Current one comes with a Bluetooth pod that derives power from RPM and according to reviews gives a pretty accurate power figure once calibrated, so can be used with training apps, although it doesn't have variable resistance- you have to use the gears on the bike to change resistance for a given cadence.

RRP is £350 but wiggle seem to reduce it to £215 every so often so I'm waiting for them to drop it down again to order one.

[anonymous-user]

If you can possibly stretch to a controllable smart trainer, then do.

You will revolutionise your indoor training if you pair it with zwift / trainer road / bigringVR etc.

According to Zwift here http://zwift.com/get-started the cheapest is the the Elite Quobo Digital Smart B+ at £280 or the Tack Vortex Smart at £300 (both just prices lifted from Wiggle - you might find cheaper)

ETA: I would almost go as far as guaranteeing that your TT times will be faster next season if you follow the trainer road / zwift TT training plan over the winter with a controllable smart trainer, than if you do HIIT videos on a dumb trainer

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 17th August 15:42

[tjdixon911]

Thanks for the replies, the Elite trainer looks good, CRC have it at £250 so with BC discount it won't be too far over budget... Out of Stock everywhere I have looked till mid-September.

[J.C...]

I agree with the smart trainer suggestions. I bought a Cycle Ops Jet and although I've barely used it, I wish I'd paid the extra and bought a smart trainer. I reckon I'd have spent a bit more time on it if I had.

[tjdixon911]

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/turbo-trainers/tra...

Is this a decent option?

Looks as though it is Automatically Controlled by the App you are using - it says exclusive to Halfords but with all discounts applied I can get it for c.£180.

[anonymous-user]

Looks like that Tackx would do the job

Halfords is just a little bit sneaky to claim it is an exclusive: XXL & Decathlon are also stocking it according to Tacx

https://tacx.com/product/flow-smart/

[Superhoop]

I have the Tacx, it is good and works with the app well.. that said, I barely ever use it now (although used it a lot when I first got it)... Don't forget to budget for a sweat guard to stop you dripping all over your frame and a decent fan to stand in front of you - You will sweat like a sweaty thing on a very sweaty day on the TT if indoors.

They're also not particularly quite, so you need something to try an isolate the noise, normally a mat of some description..

[tjdixon911]

Superhoop said:

I have the Tacx, it is good and works with the app well.. that said, I barely ever use it now (although used it a lot when I first got it)... Don't forget to budget for a sweat guard to stop you dripping all over your frame and a decent fan to stand in front of you - You will sweat like a sweaty thing on a very sweaty day on the TT if indoors.

They're also not particularly quite, so you need something to try an isolate the noise, normally a mat of some description..

Thanks, I do have a fairly basic Elite one currently so have experienced the Sweat, even in our utility room on the coldest night with the fan on and windows open there is no avoiding it! Mine came with the Sweat Guard also so just need to dig that out as I only tend to use it through the winter months.

I have reserved the Halfords one so will pick it up later this week - any advice on what training program to follow - Zwift, Trainer Road etc. are they all monthly subscriptions so I can pay for the months I use it then stop through the summer?

[anonymous-user]

Here is the zwift 12 week winter plan

https://whatsonzwift.com/workouts/12wk-winter-plan...

It suggests missing the first two weeks and starting at week 3 "if you are fit"