Need a rear wheel for turbo trainer

[wemorgan]

I'm after a new wheel for my turbo trainer.

I was surprised how expensive a new wheel is (~£100), plus cost of cassette, and how few second-hand wheels compatible with 11sp cassette are available on Ebay, local to my area (Banbury). Yet it looks as if I can buy a whole second-hand bike off Ebay for £100-150.

So my question: Is that what people do - just buy an old bike for their turbo trainer? or have I missed something obvious?

Many thanks.

[wemorgan]

was8v said:

You are doing this all wrong.

Use this as an opportunity to buy some posh new wheels.

Then use your current wheels on the turbo and as spares.

Ah yes, silly me

Only fault in that plan is that my bike is just an entry level 2015 Giant Defy 1 (aluminium) with 105 group set, so not good enough to mount £500+ wheels on. If I were to go down that route I think I'd rather buy a whole new bike with better frame and components. Maybe next year's budget.......

[wemorgan]

J886ATV said:

Wasn't the 2015 Defy a 10 speed? Or have you upgraded already

Maybe 2015 was a transition year. I've definitive got a 11sp

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/defy-1-2015

Quite a decent bike for £720 I thought.

[wemorgan]

bakerstreet said:

I bought a rear wheel from decathlon for £35 and cheap cassette for £20. Job done. Just used an old spare tyre. Never had an issue with it melting which is what the turbo trainer companies will claim if you don't use a specific turbo trainer tyre.

Thanks. Hadn't thought of Decathlon.
They're not so good at saying what cassettes are compatible. The cheap wheels look to be only 7/8/9/10 sp compatible

[wemorgan]

Thanks all for the help.
I think I've found a solution:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WS104B2RH-700C-ROAD-BLA...f:0

or direct from

http://riderrepublic.com/product/700c-road-11-spee...

£35 sounds more sensible for a turbo trainer wheel. Let's now see........

[wemorgan]

The wheel arrived today. For the money it's hard to fault.
On reflection, a direct drive trainer would have been better, but was keen to avoid budget creep.