turbo

[jwshooter]

i have enjoyed my cycling this summer ,i have done over 500k in the last two weeks and can see tha gains iv made .
once oct comes in il be hill walking most days 6 hours a day.
the thing is i dont want to loose the bike fitness so im looking for a turbo.

any info on the one to buy would be a great help thanks.

[Poncherello]

Also be interested in hearing recommendations

Is it possible to buy them with programs that link up to your TV ?

[Murph100]

I have a Tacx Fortius that hooks up to a Laptop/PC, not the cheapest but very good, there is also a pretty good library of real life footage of famous routes like Mont Ventoux etc that you can buy and have a go at. Defintely stops the boredom factor.

Its also great for doing intervals and the like as you can program it to do whatever you want. I find it great for doing FTP tests as its more repeatable.

I would strongly advise getting a proper dedicated tyre for the job as well, it make a HUGE difference when you crank up the gradient, this of course means having a spare rear wheel for the purpose but well worth it.

http://www.slanecycles.com/productde...d=327&catid=71

The iMagic will do pretty much the same for less dosh :

http://www.slanecycles.com/productde...d=327&catid=71

[Lumen]

[blorg]

That internet aspect does look like fun. I note when it is 5pm in New York it is dark while 11pm in Venice, Paris and Amsterdam looks like it is the middle of the day. Also a disturbing lack of helmet wearing among the participants! I think the steering adapter is optional, which may be a good idea for me, having the computer auto-steer might avoid some nasty crashes.

[tunney]

Originally Posted by Poncherello

Also be interested in hearing recommendations

Is it possible to buy them with programs that link up to your TV ?

yes, but they vary from gimmick to more than a bike (Computrainer is 1500 euro)

I like the Elite elastogel, wasn't hugely fond of the tacx flow and have heard great things about the cycleops ones.

[Murph100]

Yeah, the steering is a bit of a gimmick, I never use it, much easier to concentrate without it .....just like on the road but less painful !!

[Murph100]

The motor on the Fortius is very good, and if you calibrate it against something like a Powertap, its pretty accurate with wattage as well.

Originally Posted by tunney

yes, but they vary from gimmick to more than a bike (Computrainer is 1500 euro)

I like the Elite elastogel, wasn't hugely fond of the tacx flow and have heard great things about the cycleops ones.

[alfalad]

Are certain types (fluid, magnetic etc) quieter than others can anyone tell me? Will prob buy one for the winter as I am a wimp so other than weekends i won't be out on the bike much and live in an apartment so hence don't want to annoy the house mate or neighbours, and more importantly want to be able to hear the telly!

[tunney]

Originally Posted by alfalad

Are certain types (fluid, magnetic etc) quieter than others can anyone tell me? Will prob buy one for the winter as I am a wimp so other than weekends i won't be out on the bike much and live in an apartment so hence don't want to annoy the house mate or neighbours, and more importantly want to be able to hear the telly!

firstly - if you are turboing properly you *can't* watch telly

Fluid - quiet, keeps resistance for years
Mag - quiet, can loose resistance
Air - loud, crappy
Electromag - pretty good

All will cause vibrations though, I have a fluid that is very very quiet though

[Lumen]

I had a fluid trainer that was itself pretty quiet, but there was still noise from the tyre and spinning rear wheel.

I know proper cyclists swear by them, but I'm just too soft to turbo.

[alfalad]

Originally Posted by tunney

firstly - if you are turboing properly you *can't* watch telly

Unfortunately my workplace has restricted interest access to sites so i can't quote your blog on the post where you had the 5 hour 3 film session!

But seriously thanks for the info and I'll have a look for those trainers you recommended at lunch when I get access to the usual sites.
Do you mind me asking which trainer you currently have?

[Quigs Snr]

I have the Imagic and second Murphs opinion that the steering is a waste of time.. don't bother paying the 150 or so extra for the steering, it doesn't work very well and is just a distraction.

[tunney]

Originally Posted by alfalad

Unfortunately my workplace has restricted interest access to sites so i can't quote your blog on the post where you had the 5 hour 3 film session!

Damn to people *actually* read that

Yes you can do 5 hour sessions but for most people turbos are for 1 hour sessions or so where the risk of blacking out is too high to do them on the road. Damn it I hate when my own words come back on me.

[tunney]

Originally Posted by alfalad

Unfortunately my workplace has restricted interest access to sites so i can't quote your blog on the post where you had the 5 hour 3 film session!

But seriously thanks for the info and I'll have a look for those trainers you recommended at lunch when I get access to the usual sites.
Do you mind me asking which trainer you currently have?

I currently have a Elite Hydroforce turbo. I invested in the add on power measurement computer a while after, which is now redudant now that I have SRMs but it turns out to be pretty damn accurate, a little slow to detect changes in power but always there or there abouts. You need power on a turbo. otherwise you do end up faffing watching telly.
I'm presently in the market for a new turbo., nothing wrong with mine though.