Turbo Trainer

*Derek*

Anyone have experience to share about a turbo trainer? I heard they are supposed to be bad for your only bike? Any makes and what to look out for when buying?

Diarmuid

They are fine for your bike, but very bad for your mental health. Stay well away from them until it is impossible to ride outdoors.

Kebel

I use “indoor” trainers regularly / all year round, both turbo and rollers depending on what I kind of training I want to do. Both turbo and rollers have their merits and draw backs, but this is already covered in another thread so I don’t propose going in the merits of one over the other here.

Naturally If I had the choice all my training would be done on the open road but there are times when using a trainer is my only option, so it is definitely better than not training.

Aside from the obvious benefits of being able to train when the weather is too “crap” (remember last winter …) if it is my turn to stay at home with the kids I can happily set up the turbo or rollers on the patio (or indoors is the weather is too bad), while the kids are watching TV or doing homework etc; they are “old” enough to leave to their devices in that regard but not mature enough yet that they could left completely alone – once they know I am on the patio, or in the next room, they know they can call me if needed so they are happy. If they are happy, my wife is happy, and if she is happy I am happy so everyone wins J

But to specifically address OP’s original Q, there are a number of brands out there, ranging from relatively inexpensive to some costing over a thousand euro – to an extent you get what pay for, as with most things in life. Ideally you want something with variable resistance, though if money is tight changing gears will achieve that to a certain extent, after that noise is an issue for a lot of folk, the dearer ones tend to provide a more realistic experience and are quieter at the same time – take some time and read the reviews, or if any of your mates have one talk to them and ask them to let you try them and see for yourself – a good LBS will often have a couple of trainers set up in store so go have a look


Kebel

jinkypolly

The major problem I found when first using a turbo trainer was the mind crushing tedium, time seems to drag at 1/3rd speed. I tried watching films or comedies but it didn't work.

So I then gave dedicated spinning/cycling videos a try and it made a world of difference. I was doing a workout for most nights during the winter months and actually enjoying it, the time was flying by. I used the 'Spinervals' which have quite a varied range of workouts where you are effectively taking part in a gym workout, and also the 'Rides - Series' where you follow a group of riders on the road and your required effort etc. are displayed on the screen in a 'heads up' fashion. I found the workouts definitely improved my performance particularly in strengthening my knees which I had trouble with whenever I was up out the saddle.

I have a cheap and cheerful trainer, the Elite Volare Mag (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-volare-mag-alu-trainer/) which I find more than adequate for me. As far as noise goes, I first tried using it upstairs but the noise was too much as it vibrated through the timber joists so moving downstairs got rid of this problem also using smooth tyres will cut the noise down, you can hear it but it's not excessive.

DeadMan1

jinkypolly wrote: »

I used the 'Spinervals' which have quite a varied range of workouts where you are effectively taking part in a gym workout, and also the 'Rides - Series' where you follow a group of riders on the road and your required effort etc. are displayed on the screen in a 'heads up' fashion.

Sounds like just the motivational tool I need

jinkypolly

DeadMan1 wrote: »

Sounds like just the motivational tool I need

Yeah they're pretty good. Here's a sample.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk70V5bIumE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlwgpsUJ56U