Turbo trainer and spare wheels

catweazle

Have tried searching for this but didnt return anything.

I am looking to buy a turbo trainer for the winter for the attic and do two three sessions during the week and as often as I can on weekends to get out for a long cycle.

I have one good bike, should I use it for this purpose or should I look for a cheap training bike.

If I get a cheap training tyre how easy is it to change tyres for cycling at weekends, would it be easier to just look at getting a wheel specifically for turbo training.

Do I need to factor in a certain type of wheel if i do buy one, fairly new to this but will I need to take account of what type of chainset I have before I buy one.

I was looking at getting the I Magic as I love those type of training dvds they offer but I read somewhere that it would be a cheaper option to get the Tacx flow and purchase an upgrade which would allow me to use the dvds

Thanks

Genghis

Turbo trainers wear down the rubber on your tyre much faster than on the road.

If you can afford it, buy a spare back wheel with a specialist tyre for turbo training (these are better designed for the heat generated by the trainer on the tyre). You can opt to buy a rear cassette too, or simply change the cassette each time you use the trainer (simple job, but requires a special tool).

Some things to note:
1. you usually can't buy a cheap back wheel without also buying a cheap front wheel, so you are looking at €200 or so outlay for the wheel
2. The tyre should set you back €25 to €30
3. A spare cassette will be around €70, depending on the type you want. It should always match your bike set-up, e.g. 10 speed for 10 speed, shimano for shimano, etc. You may be able to go for a cheaper component if they are compatible - e.g. Ultegra is usually compatible with 105, etc.

Not sure on the iMagic stuff, but would be interested in hearing about anything you do find out.

tunney

Genghis wrote: »

Turbo trainers wear down the rubber on your tyre much faster than on the road.

If you can afford it, buy a spare back wheel with a specialist tyre for turbo training (these are better designed for the heat generated by the trainer on the tyre). You can opt to buy a rear cassette too, or simply change the cassette each time you use the trainer (simple job, but requires a special tool).

Some things to note:
1. you usually can't buy a cheap back wheel without also buying a cheap front wheel, so you are looking at €200 or so outlay for the wheel
2. The tyre should set you back €25 to €30
3. A spare cassette will be around €70, depending on the type you want. It should always match your bike set-up, e.g. 10 speed for 10 speed, shimano for shimano, etc. You may be able to go for a cheaper component if they are compatible - e.g. Ultegra is usually compatible with 105, etc.

Not sure on the iMagic stuff, but would be interested in hearing about anything you do find out.

Second hand spare wheel. = cheap
Tyres are 26 euro on CRC
Cassette can be got for 30 euro.

Its cheap and very handy.

scottreynolds

catweazle wrote: »

Do I need to factor in a certain type of wheel if i do buy one, fairly new to this but will I need to take account of what type of chainset I have before I buy one.

I was looking at getting the I Magic as I love those type of training dvds they offer but I read somewhere that it would be a cheaper option to get the Tacx flow and purchase an upgrade which would allow me to use the dvds

Thanks

I bought a cheap wheel with trainer tire and casette from the guys at wheelworx. It cost about 120 euros and its so easy to change on the off no problems. I would change the tire on and off of my wheels cause its 20 minutes or so just to train which is another silly ecuse not to train.

I have a Tacx flow and its awesome but as yet haven't used a VR trainer which should be fun.

catweazle

Thanks for the advice lads, talked to a friend at the workplace who is a keen cyclist, so I have went with the Satori and a seperate cat eye computer (didnt have one before this).

His suggestion is to work away on the tyre I have on it already for the winter as they dont degrade that quickly and come summer purchase a new tyre for racing season

mitresize5

Is there any reason why you cant work away with your own tyre & wheel and just dismount the whole lot for your weekend spin.

it seems it would be a lot cheaper option to change the tyre every once and a while than to be buying a wheel, casette and turbo tyre straight off. I'll be pushing it as it is just to stretch to the turbo

mega man

I have a brand new turbo trainer that i only used once. my bike was stolen after i bought it. i can give you a good deal

tunney

mitresize5 wrote: »

Is there any reason why you cant work away with your own tyre & wheel and just dismount the whole lot for your weekend spin.

it seems it would be a lot cheaper option to change the tyre every once and a while than to be buying a wheel, casette and turbo tyre straight off. I'll be pushing it as it is just to stretch to the turbo

I'm guessing your bike times are pretty slow then

During the winter most people would use their turbos twice a week and ride on the rode once or twice a week. Not exactly time effective to change a tyre four times a week.

mitresize5

tunney wrote: »

I'm guessing your bike times are pretty slow then

During the winter most people would use their turbos twice a week and ride on the rode once or twice a week. Not exactly time effective to change a tyre four times a week.

ahem ... bit of crossed wires here I think.

I was talking about just using the one (road) tyre. Leave it on on the turbo during the week and just take the bike off for weekend, no changing wheels, tyres etc... then when that road tyre wears out repalce it with another road tyre ... repeat until Spring 2010.

Is this practical?

tunney

mitresize5 wrote: »

ahem ... bit of crossed wires here I think.

I was talking about just using the one (road) tyre. Leave it on on the turbo during the week and just take the bike off for weekend, no changing wheels, tyres etc... then when that road tyre wears out repalce it with another road tyre ... repeat until Spring 2010.

Is this practical?

Ah right. get ya now.

It depends on your turbo. I had an Elite Hydroforce with the gel on the roller. I could ride that without excessive wear on the tyre. On my new turbo it doesn't have gel on the roller and it will chew through a normal tyre in no time. More costly in the long run.

mitresize5

cheers for that

I was considering getting this http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Elite_Crono_Fluid_ElastoGel_Trainer/5360026397/

It has good reviews, is quiet and no cabling etc.... It has gel on the rollers as well which looks like it could be an added bonus with the tyre

Any opinions on it? Good or bad

tunney

mitresize5 wrote: »

cheers for that

I was considering getting this http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Elite_Crono_Fluid_ElastoGel_Trainer/5360026397/

It has good reviews, is quiet and no cabling etc.... It has gel on the rollers as well which looks like it could be an added bonus with the tyre

Any opinions on it? Good or bad

Nice turbo.

mitresize5

tunney wrote: »

Nice turbo.

good man - thanks