Turbo Trainer

claralara

Hey strangers! I'm laid up with an injury at the minute. Cross training is out because of the specific movement of the foot. Work hours are long and commuting on the bike isn't an option at the moment (not least because I don't want my bike to end up in smithfield market!!). Anyway the bike is under the stairs and Im piling on the pounds so I want to buy a turbo. i literally want the cheapest most basic model to keep me ticking over. Will be back marathon training in a few weeks (hopefully!). Any / all advice greatly appreciated. cheers

Oryx

Sorry to hear about your injury. Hope it heals easily. I use a tacx Sirius, relatively cheap and perfectly fine. I would avoid a very cheap one- our club has a brand new clarke one and it is annoyingly noisy.

rodriquez

hi folks .... i'm interested in finding out about this too

from what i've heard/read there are a few issues to bear in mind with using a turbo trainer

1. are they ok to use with a carbon frame?
2. do you need to use a separate wheel for the trainer as i've heard they tend to wear down the tyres
3. could I use a mtb on the trainer instead ? is it as effectiv for training purposes and would I need to use a different wheel for that too ?

thanks for any feedback

Oryx

rodriquez wrote: »

hi folks .... i'm interested in finding out about this too

from what i've heard/read there are a few issues to bear in mind with using a turbo trainer

1. are they ok to use with a carbon frame?
2. do you need to use a separate wheel for the trainer as i've heard they tend to wear down the tyres
3. could I use a mtb on the trainer instead ? is it as effectiv for training purposes and would I need to use a different wheel for that too ?

thanks for any feedback

I use my carbon bike on the turbo, because I have no alternative. Ive heard it can put additional stresses on the frame, but Im light and relatively weak so I take my chances.

Its useful to have a specific wheel for turbo, as it does wear the tyres and make them less suitable for road use (slippy and prone to punctures). I use an old rear wheel I have with a spare cassette. Its no bother to swap them.

Cant help you on the mtb question. Less than I ideal I would reckon?

pgibbo

I remember there being different fittings with my Tacx turbo - one for road bikes and one for MTB. I think it would be a bit of a pain switching between both. I'm not sure though.

pgibbo

Oryx wrote: »

Sorry to hear about your injury. Hope it heals easily. I use a tacx Sirius, relatively cheap and perfectly fine. I would avoid a very cheap one- our club has a brand new clarke one and it is annoyingly noisy.

I've had a Sirius and now have a Tacx Flow. I'm very happy with both.

Elite get good reviews too.

catweazle

rodriquez wrote: »

hi folks .... i'm interested in finding out about this too

from what i've heard/read there are a few issues to bear in mind with using a turbo trainer

1. are they ok to use with a carbon frame? Yes i have never heard of any issues anyways
2. do you need to use a separate wheel for the trainer as i've heard they tend to wear down the tyres. They say you do but I have never bothered and have had my current tyres for years
3. could I use a mtb on the trainer instead ? is it as effectiv for training purposes and would I need to use a different wheel for that too ? My turbo trainer had a setting for mountain bike wheels (Trax Satori) when i set it up, I know this as I set that up without knowing and thought for a few days the turbo didn't work, i was able to sort this by fixing it to the previous fixing - best to check first before purchasing but I assume most will be able to cater for both

thanks for any feedback

^^^

rodriquez

cheers for the feedback folks - appreciate it

MyWebPersona

1. are they ok to use with a carbon frame?

Fine I think people worry about sweating all over your lovely carbon frame.
You can buy expensive bib things but just put a towel over the bike and have one handy as you will sweat a lot.

2. do you need to use a separate wheel for the trainer as i've heard they tend to wear down the tyres

I wouldnt bother as the cost of a new wheel, tyre cassette etc for a turbo specifc setup would not make sense. You wil get a skewer with the turbo probably just swap this with your existing one and off you go. A new good racing tire you can get for €40 something like a contintental gp400 so why go to all the hassle just buy a new tire when the weather gets nice.

3. could I use a mtb on the trainer instead ? is it as effectiv for training purposes and would I need to use a different wheel for that too ?

What catweazle says mtb tyres are different size so I also have tacx satori and you have to add a piece of hardware and more fiddling around. Also mtb will be different geometry and if you are picky about such things like tris tend to be then train on what you will race on.

RacoonQueen

Just get Alan to hold the bike about 2 inches above the carpet, hop on and pedal away.

It's free.

RacoonQueen

MyWebPersona wrote: »

2. do you need to use a separate wheel for the trainer as i've heard they tend to wear down the tyres

I wouldnt bother as the cost of a new wheel, tyre cassette etc for a turbo specifc setup would not make sense. You wil get a skewer with the turbo probably just swap this with your existing one and off you go. A new good racing tire you can get for €40 something like a contintental gp400 so why go to all the hassle just buy a new tire when the weather gets nice.

Do NOT cycle outdoors with the same tyre you've used on your turbo.

tunney

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Do NOT cycle outdoors with the same tyre you've used on your turbo.

Depends on the turbo.

Most will shred them - yes.
Some like the Elite Elastogel range don't. I've done weekly 6 hours a week on one for a few weeks and then road outside good as new.

But yes in general silly idea - especially if you put a Conti trainer tyre on and then try and ride out side (know someone who did this)

claralara

Cheers for the replies. The guys in B2R hooked me up with a CyclOps mag+... (i think that's the technical name anyway). Set it up last night and had a great 6am steady spin.

I wouldn't have even considered the tyre becoming unsafe to cycle on outdoors. Thanks for the heads up. Does that apply regardless of mileage? I'll probably be doing 45-60mins every second day for 4-6 weeks for the minute..

rodriquez

tunney wrote: »

Depends on the turbo.

Most will shred them - yes.
Some like the Elite Elastogel range don't. I've done weekly 6 hours a week on one for a few weeks and then road outside good as new.

But yes in general silly idea - especially if you put a Conti trainer tyre on and then try and ride out side (know someone who did this)

like this one ?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-supercrono-inertial-elastogel-turbo-trainer/

can't believe the price difference for this trainer ... if you set the currency and delivery address to Stg and UK it works out at 96 Stg (122 euro) but if you set it to Euros and an Irish Address it's 281 euros

tunney

rodriquez wrote: »

like this one ?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-supercrono-inertial-elastogel-turbo-trainer/

can't believe the price difference for this trainer ... if you set the currency and delivery address to Stg and UK it works out at 96 Stg (122 euro) but if you set it to Euros and an Irish Address it's 281 euros

Don't even need to change the currency - just the delivery address. Thats worth an email as to WTF???

Bike24.net for all your Turbo needs

RacoonQueen

rodriquez wrote: »

like this one ?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-supercrono-inertial-elastogel-turbo-trainer/

can't believe the price difference for this trainer ... if you set the currency and delivery address to Stg and UK it works out at 96 Stg (122 euro) but if you set it to Euros and an Irish Address it's 281 euros

VAT differences isn't it?

Kurt Godel

RacoonQueen wrote: »

VAT differences isn't it?

Don't think VAT would account for that difference! (although wait till the troika have finished with us...)

I bought this trainer from Wiggle for €127 including delivery to Ireland back in Sept. Must be a mistake in their pricing.

Incidentally, I think its a great trainer for someone not looking for numbers, its very quiet and is very sturdy.

BeepBeep67

^ Just Parcel Motel it - 1st 2 stays are free.

rodriquez

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

^ Just Parcel Motel it - 1st 2 stays are free.

got it sent to the my in-laws in the north, most stays are free

hardCopy

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

^ Just Parcel Motel it - 1st 2 stays are free.

Would the box be small enough for parcel motel?

BeepBeep67

hardCopy wrote: »

Would the box be small enough for parcel motel?

Large size =

Suite (large) 41 X 38 X 64 cm (For larger items such as small kitchen appliances and games consoles)

The bag for my TT is 60 x 40 might be a tight squeeze.
Process explained below, so it depends on your location or how good a deal you are getting by using a UK address.

What happens if the item I have ordered does not fit into a Parcel Motel locker?
We will notify you by SMS text and Email to let you know if your parcel does not fit into one of the lockers and ask you to contact us to make alternative arrangements, which include onward delivery or an option to collect at our National Distribution Centre in Finglas. Additional Charges may apply in these circumstances. Please refer to our prices explanation page for more information.

For example, if you collect an oversized parcel weighing 20kgs from the Nightline Finglas depot, you will not have to pay anything other than the original Parcel Motel charge of €3.50.
If you collect an oversized parcel weighing 36kgs you will be charged €7.00.
If you ask us to deliver a parcel weighing 20kgs to your house, we will charge you €14.00
If you ask us to deliver a parcel weighing 36kgs, we will charge you €21.00

I've used it twice for Christmas deliveries that I needed to keep off the little ones radar - pretty slick operation IMO, I've received the alert within 24hrs of the delivery notification from the company I ordered from.

Dory Dory

@cl.....not to change the subject (okay, I am sort of changing the subject), but have you tried deep water running for your injury? I'd consider looking into it if I were you as there are many benefits to be had for your purposes.