What bike trainer?

[Rob_T]

I'm after a good bike trainer along the lines of a minoura but don't really know what to look for. It is for my road bike. There seems to be big difference in prices but good deals on eBay. Can anyone offer some guidance on this subject?

[anonymous-user]

there are loads around but all work on the principle of applying resistance to the rear wheel. the better ones will be stronger thus flex less when you get on the pace, have a remote lever so you can vary the resistance without getting off and also be quieter. have a look below and see which one is in budget and meets your requirements. some come with software which runs on yout tv and you can set up races, download ride data etc but if its just to keep spinning over the winter, a minoura or tacx would be well worth the money.

you will also need a trainer tyre which are much thicker and harder than regular road tyres. you might want to invest in a cheap rear wheel to save you having to change it all the time.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories...

[heckler]

I've just ordered a Tacx Sirius today: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
Converse to the above, apparently some flex is good as it means that your frame doesn't take the strain.
I'm going to try with regular slick first (on MTB 26" wheel) although dedicated trainer tyre is supposed to be a more suitable compound which stays cooler and doesn't shed rubber. Pricey at £25 for a tyre that's never going to roll out of the garage though.

Bizarrely, I only came online to read this thread here: http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12...

How did I end up on PH ... again

[Rob_T]

Thanks for the replies. Anyone try the roller trainers? They seem a more logical option once you get used to it!

[Nick_F]

Not tried rollers. I have a Kurt Kinetic which is very nicely put together and very quiet - noise is a big issue with trainers if there's someone trying to watch television in the next room.

Adjustable resistance isn't necessary: that's what the bike has gears for.

[itsnotarace]

I asked this a while ago and this one was recommended to be very quiet and good VFM

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Elite_Crono_Flui...

[anonymous-user]

Had my first roller session last night for a while, as I was due for an MTB ride but still waiting on my new rear wheel.

I haven't yet mastered the balance required, so I got a front wheel quick release bracket for my tacx antares rollers,

http://www.bike24.com/p29226.html rollers

http://www.bike24.com/p210653.html brace

I have a cadence reading on my flight deck so I just keep it above 90 the whole time and after the first 10mins warm up I'm in the biggest ratio for as long as possible.(there's very little resistance, but it does give a good workout), then a 5 min slow down, clicking down through the ratios. Fills and hour and makes you feel like you've been riding for twice that.

The couple of times I've tried it without the front wheel brace I did it in such away that if I fell off then it was a soft landing, which was required, much to my wife's amusement

Ipod is a must, towel underneath, it's surprising how much you sweat without the natural flow of air at speed.

Edit: I found out that you can get a magnetic resistance device for the tacx rollers if you want to simulate hill/wind etc, however I find that the 52:11 or 12 gearing is more than enough to get my heart rate high enough for a good workout.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 15th September 09:33

[Matt106]

I do roller training and prefer it to the fixed trainers. I feel restricted on the turbo trainer and the flex on the frame etc doesn't feel that good!

It takes a few attempts to get the rollers perfect but after a while its easy.

[Magic919]

I use rollers and can see me off-loading my Tacx Flow after a year of not using it. Much more stimulating than the turbo, IMO. I got the Elite Ghibli rollers as the Tacx rollers weren't avialable back then.

[Rob_T]

just been finding out a bit more about these rollers. they have an e-motion roller. that looks the job. and looks very easy to make too, rather than spend $850 buying one!. watch this space...

[Matt106]

You can pick them up on ebay second hand at a reasonable price.