turbo trainer for heavy person?

gagomes

Hi,

I'm about 320 pounds (150kg) and I want to start cycling, but would like to start by doing so from home. Could someone please recommend a turbo trainer that handles this much weight?

Thanks

not yet

gagomes wrote: »

Hi,

I'm about 320 pounds (150kg) and I want to start cycling, but would like to start by doing so from home. Could someone please recommend a turbo trainer that handles this much weight?

Thanks

Good stuff man, Are you going to get out on the road too....

TheBlaaMan

I'd guess that the crucial factor is the bike, rather than the turbo. Once your bike (and I don't see why any wouldn't) and especially wheels support you then I'd imagine that any turbo will be good. Give some of the better shops a call and they should be able to advise.

krissovo

I was 154kg last year now approaching 100kg, I started on a turbo doing 15 min spins as I could not cycle up my road as it had a slight incline. I have Tacx cycletrack turbo, big heavy construction and works fine, I dont think its sold anymore but comes up on ebay and adverts from time to time. I would say most turbos are fine as they are supported by the ground with nothing suspended.

My tips for bikes.....I had a hybrid to start most are rated to around 130kg, I trashed 1 wheel with my weight and had the LBS true it up a couple of times but the bike was fine. You can either use standard wheels and replace it when/if it goes but if i was doing it again I would buy a wheelset made up with 36 spokes at the rear which will support the weight. For the bike I would look for a nice solid steel frame with drop bars, Genesis CDF/Croix De Fer or a Surly would be ideal until the weight comes off as they are versatile and can be used with flat bars. DONT go for a soft saddle, once you get into cycling a nice brooks b17 will adapt as you lose weight keeping you comfy on the bike

EDIT:
Just to add, the bigest tip I can give is forget the turbo if you can untill winter. Just get out and cycle and enjouy, we live in a beautiful country with different views every corner. Its quite motivating!

rollingscone

gagomes wrote: »

Hi,

I'm about 320 pounds (150kg) and I want to start cycling, but would like to start by doing so from home. Could someone please recommend a turbo trainer that handles this much weight?

Thanks

I'd say my aluminium hybrid with panniers has carried that much between 100kg of me and 50kg of tools for 40km without a problem.

That said steel might be a safe bet but you could look at an old mountain bike or touring frame for cheaper
If you didn't want to spend everything at once.

As Kris said the turbo shouldn't be too vulnerable either but wheels would be the most likely things to fail.

Good luck man.

not yet

krissovo wrote: »

I was 154kg last year now approaching 100kg, I started on a turbo doing 15 min spins as I could not cycle up my road as it had a slight incline. I have Tacx cycletrack turbo, big heavy construction and works fine, I dont think its sold anymore but comes up on ebay and adverts from time to time. I would say most turbos are fine as they are supported by the ground with nothing suspended.

My tips for bikes.....I had a hybrid to start most are rated to around 130kg, I trashed 1 wheel with my weight and had the LBS true it up a couple of times but the bike was fine. You can either use standard wheels and replace it when/if it goes but if i was doing it again I would buy a wheelset made up with 36 spokes at the rear which will support the weight. For the bike I would look for a nice solid steel frame with drop bars, Genesis CDF/Croix De Fer or a Surly would be ideal until the weight comes off as they are versatile and can be used with flat bars. DONT go for a soft saddle, once you get into cycling a nice brooks b17 will adapt as you lose weight keeping you comfy on the bike

EDIT:
Just to add, the bigest tip I can give is forget the turbo if you can untill winter. Just get out and cycle and enjouy, we live in a beautiful country with different views every corner. Its quite motivating!

I hope this time next year the only thing changed about this post will be the posters name I.E Gagomes

ford2600

krissovo wrote: »

I was 154kg last year now approaching 100kg,
/QUOTE]


That's some weight loss, well done.

+1 on the 36 spoke wheels and a just to add a strong rim and use perhaps 28mm plus tires

gagomes

Wow, I can't begin to describe how good I felt just from reading this thread and its comments. So motivating! Cheers guys!

My issues so far are indeed with the saddles being too hard on my bum and because I'm unfit I am putting more effort on bum than on my legs. I already purchased a hybrid bike last year La Pierre 200. I also wanted to get myself a bit more accostumed to the bike before I'd go out there and I agree, it's a waste of money going for a turbo trainer, when I can just enjoy the lovely scenery around me. Anyone has any reason supporting the purchase of a turbo trainer?

not yet

gagomes wrote: »

Wow, I can't begin to describe how good I felt just from reading this thread and its comments. So motivating! Cheers guys!

My issues so far are indeed with the saddles being too hard on my bum and because I'm unfit I am putting more effort on bum than on my legs. I already purchased a hybrid bike last year La Pierre 200. I also wanted to get myself a bit more accostumed to the bike before I'd go out there and I agree, it's a waste of money going for a turbo trainer, when I can just enjoy the lovely scenery around me. Anyone has any reason supporting the purchase of a turbo trainer?

Fresh air v Stuffy indoor air...

Try a pair of bib shorts for the sore bum, they really do work. I started last year and was fooked after 10k, I'll gladly go out for a 40k spin now. I also gave up cigs a couple of years ago and put on 6-8kgs, I've got that off now so you will lose weight even with just 3x 10-15k spins a week.

quozl

gagomes wrote: »

Anyone has any reason supporting the purchase of a turbo trainer?

Turbos are something you do because you can't get out (minding kids) or because you need to do a very specific interval session, IMO.

They suck compared to cycling outside.

I'm glad that I have one and I get satisfaction from it but it's pretty much been put away until the clock changes and it's too dark in the evenings again.

If you do get one and you find yourself demotivated then just don't forget that cycling outside is SO much nicer.

I sympathise on the sore bum front! It does get better. Can't say it goes away completely - I've been fine for ages with it but something messed up during the Wicklow 200 on Sunday and I've a welt the size of my thumb on my arse right now It's a small price to pay and who knows, you might end up with your own Wicklow 200 arse-welt in a year or two. It could be a goal

dragratchet

gagomes wrote: »

Anyone has any reason supporting the purchase of a turbo trainer?

i dont think ive used my turbo in a few months due to the weather improving but it sits in my living room beside the tv reminding me that ive no excuse to be just sitting on the couch, if you're watching tv or listening to music/radio whatever may as well fit an hour in on the trainer and make good use of the time. i always plan what im going to watch so i dont get bored and start focussing on the tedium of training indoors. one other plus for the trainer is that you're not gonna have to deal with headwinds/weather which can be a bit demoralizing when you're just starting out

finally my missus is training for rok but works mental hours so she makes good use of the trainer in the mornings/late evenings when its too much hassle to head outside on the bike

krissovo

Hey just to add, if you need a sympathetic buddy on a cycle I now work in Dublin during the week and can join you for a ride midweek if you fancy a spin

gagomes

krissovo wrote: »

Hey just to add, if you need a sympathetic buddy on a cycle I now work in Dublin during the week and can join you for a ride midweek if you fancy a spin

Thanks buddy, I would be very happy to accept your offer! However, I am departing Friday on a business trip and will not be back before august anyway, but the good thing is, I am going to be in a new office in town, so being able to cycle into town would be definitely in my intentions, as commuting from lucan to burlington is probably best done on a bike than by any other means of transportation and would most likely help me shed all all this weight I put since I quited smoking 3.5 years ago (which is about ~8 stone)

P.S: I noticed we swapped a few messages a couple of months ago about a cycling and your weight loss progress/stats/etc. I had a feeling I recognized your nick and went back to check. I will get back to you on this offer once I'm back from this trip - thanks again!!