Tacx or Elite

brayblue24

Need some opinions asap.

Man in red bringing me a turbo trainer on Friday. Despite my best hints for either a Tacx or an Elite I have suspicion a Minoura is coming down the chimney.

Should this happen I'll be delighted of course:(

Are Minoura OK or should I keep it boxed and change it afterwards for a Tacx or an Elite. I have a list of these selected-too many for here but basically:

Tacx or Elite-you decide:)

Grateful for any input and Happy Christmas to all posting on the Cycling forum.

blorg

I think it probably depends more on the type of trainer than the brand. Minoura could well be fine. It is a hideous, hideous thing to sit on any way, the issues (I imagine) are really reliability, resistance options and how quiet the thing can be made... I have a Tacx magnetic resistance myself.

55x11

Kinetic all the way!

paddyduc

Just make sure it's got a remote adjuster for your handlebar and a sturdy frame. most of the magnetic trainers have the same resistor anyway.

brayblue24

It was a Tacx Sitori-panic over. Thanks all. Haven't used it yet but looks solid enough:)

Paul Kiernan

brayblue24 wrote: »

It was a Tacx Sitori-panic over. Thanks all. Haven't used it yet but looks solid enough:)

Come on, hop to it. Still time before dinner to do a couple of hours

brayblue24

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

Come on, hop to it. Still time before dinner to do a couple of hours

On the downside it's still in the box but on the upside the Heineken isn't!!!!

Redjeep!

Nice to see you got what you wanted from the big guy. I've not tried the rollers yet as I need to clear away the sharp implements from where I'm going to fall off in the shed.

B.T.W There's some good training programs on the Tacx webpage if you want to do some interval training.

blorg

Redjeep! wrote: »

Nice to see you got what you wanted from the big guy. I've not tried the rollers yet as I need to clear away the sharp implements from where I'm going to fall off in the shed.

I read about someone being killed riding on rollers once, they came off and smashed through a glass coffee table, cutting their jugular. Be careful out (in) there.

Redjeep!

blorg wrote: »

I read about someone being killed riding on rollers once, they came off and smashed through a glass coffee table, cutting their jugular. Be careful out (in) there.

Wow, that's terrible. Thanks for the warning, I was semi serious about clearing out the shed, I wanted to make sure that it was safe and not too painful if I fell off, but the worst would probably be that I'd bounce of the workbench or hit another bike.

tyler71

Have set up my rollers in the shed for a few weeks now - worth clearing out pointy objects ok, although you won't go flying off anywhere so long as you've got the length adjusted right, you'll just tip over. I found that a paint can close to the pedals is ideal for mounting and resting a foot on when you stop. (Give it a session or two before you clip in though)
My biggest learning is that I have a ladder hanging on the wall which I use for support as I get going and works great, but put together high velocity spinning nylon rollers (unearthed) and a metallic object (earthed) and you've got some serious static sparks going on when you touch it- I see it as shock therapy to get my balance right as soon as possible!

Planet X

As an aside, I had rollers years ago (early 80's) but have never been on a "Turbo Trainer", but can imagine what they're like (see guys warming up on them before TT's), and I've done hour plus gigs on rollers, it requires alot more concentration on rollers. Keeps you more focused on balance. Which..... balance...... would help, I suppose, keeping the head in races when you're caught by the Scratch group and they're going at warp speed and you're caught in the middle. Happened to me in 08, first year back racing in a decent size bunch and fcuk, was I bricking it when the Vets Scratch group caught us about two miles out from the line. Balance was what it was about...... and we were swept up and sucked along, I suppose about a foot off each wing (Scratch guys) travelling at about 28mph. (no idea really, but was prob. about that) on the run in and then it would have gone up to over 30mph. 500yds. out.

Not a good experience on your first year back. But maybe a good experience because it brings you that bit closer to death! And you get a real feel for racing.

That sunny Sunday morning I thought my number was up because of the speed, and me a rookie! Still am.

I'd advise anyone to give rollers a go, get confidence and then get out of the saddle, on rollers, and sprint. Good fun. As you say, you can hang on to the wall or whatever.
Rollers are tricky....but like today on the road (ice) give you that reaction / slide response, can help.
Balance. Whether racing or going downhill in the WW200.

brayblue24

blorg wrote: »

I read about someone being killed riding on rollers once, they came off and smashed through a glass coffee table, cutting their jugular. Be careful out (in) there.

Very possibly the most jaw dropping 11,000th post EVER!!!! Well done Blorg:D