Use bike indoors for cheap?

dulpit

Hey all,

I got a bike recently, it's a fairly standard Giant hybrid. Due to changes in the home situation, my ability to go out for cycles is currently essentially nil, so I was looking for ways to get use out of the bike for exercise purposes, instead of it just living in my shed. A quick google has plenty of links to turbo trainers, which range widely in price, and some are excessively expensive.

I don't want a fancy solution, I don't want to use the likes of Zwift or anything like that. I'd just like something I can slot back wheel into a spin when I have time. Is there a decent but cheap option that people can recommend?

Sound!

devonp

from sunday in Aldi, something like this ?



https://www.aldi.ie/bikemate-red-indoor-bike-trainer/p/801744395225200

ILikeBoats

Is that quick release only? Not thru axle?

Stark

DIY option

dulpit

devonp wrote: »

from sunday in Aldi, something like this ?



https://www.aldi.ie/bikemate-red-indoor-bike-trainer/p/801744395225200

Odd coincidence of timing. Anyone have any experience of this or similar?

cletus

dulpit wrote: »

Odd coincidence of timing. Anyone have any experience of this or similar?

My wife has a very similar one. She uses it from time. Finds it ok, but can be tough. No real freewheeling etc, but grand if you want to get a cardio workout in.

Personally, I'd sooner eat it than use it

loyatemu

is it hard on the rear tyre?

Gavlor

loyatemu wrote: »

is it hard on the rear tyre?

Yup

loyatemu

Gavlor wrote: »

Yup

so ideally a dedicated rear wheel (or a whole dedicated bike).

Glencarraig

loyatemu wrote: »

so ideally a dedicated rear wheel (or a whole dedicated bike).

Ideally you would have a spare wheel with a turbo trainer tyre on it and a casette, just swop the wheels over when you want to use the trainer.

Jonesy101

Glencarraig wrote: »

Ideally you would have a spare wheel with a turbo trainer tyre on it and a casette, just swop the wheels over when you want to use the trainer.

agreed. theyre supposed to be bad on the tyres and with the aldi ones probably all you feel is bad friction rather than a feeling like "cycling up a hill". itll probably be used twice and then straight in the bin

if you really want to go down the DIY route you could do a roller trainer with some wood.

eeeee

Rollers FTW.
Waaay more entertaining than a turbo, good for your bike handling skills, your core, etc.
I lose the will to live on a turbo but actually really like rollers.
You should be able to get a second hand set cheap.

Wildly Boaring

dulpit wrote: »

Odd coincidence of timing. Anyone have any experience of this or similar?

To speak up for the lunatic fringe.

I don't mind the turbo.
I have one like the aldi one and find it grand for a max of 2 uses in the week.

I have a spare bike which sits on it quite a lot.

On a dark rainy evening after work I do a 40min session before dinner.
GCN have a pile of 30 and 40min sessions on Youtube.