question for the cyclists

[maddog04]

I'm looking at getting a turbo trainer and don't know which one, can any of the cyclists recommend or put me off a certain make/model?
have read the wind types are the simplest, mag are better but fluid better still
also been told that only do an hour max on a turbo, any opinions on that one?
 
cheers

[JZS 600]

I've got a mag Elite trainer, it does the job and is easilly storable but boy, I'd rather go out in my bike!
 
If you can do an hour, you're a better man than me,,, it's the boredom and "time dilation" qualities that make 5 mins seem like half an hour,,,,
 
In the winter, if all else fails, I'll do up to 45 mins in front of the TV with a towel round my neck to catch most of the sweat.
 
Top tip: try not to spend more than £100
 
I've had a fan type trainer and a set of real rollers in the past but the mag works best.

[badger]

i had a Airflow turbo trainer but seriously dont do it save your money, it gathered dust in the garage and i eventually sold it. It is the most boring mudane exercise i have ever done! As JZS has said go out on your bike, invest the money in some wet weather or warm cycling gear or as a last resort try a spin class, very enjoyable and a good work out and the scenery can be very good in there 

[maddog04]

appreciate the comments and I know they're boring as f**k  but sometimes I need to be in for deliveries etc and this would be a help.
also, hope to get the mrs doing a bit in front of the tv............cycling, cycling!

[wfbroddy]

The Mag ones are good
an hour will feel like a week even with a good show
get a fan to blow cool air over you this makes a huge difference as its easy to overheat on a static trainer
vary the load/cadence to keep the interest
rollers are good for keeping you focused as they hurt like hell when you fall off them (or so I've been told )

I've a cycle mag that did a review of static trainers if your want to send me an email via PM I can scan it in for you.

cheers
Roddy

[griff86]

I have a wind one, I love the focus needed to train on one, I use a fan in front of me and listen to music.
 
I can't cycle indoors or outdoors without a heart rate monitor and cycle computer.
 
I only have a mountain bike though but have a spare set of wheels with slicks, a mountain bike tyre is way to noisey on a turbo trainer.

[JZS 600]

Recording the TDF will also help with the interest factor so you can watch while you turbo!
 
(think I've spotted a gap in the market, turbo training cycling dvd!)

[steeeve66]

one point - the one i had (years ago) made a terrible noise (it might be different now of course) so if you have neighbours they might not appreciate it.

[badger]

Recording the TDF will also help with the interest factor so you can watch while you turbo!
 
(think I've spotted a gap in the market, turbo training cycling dvd!)

[size=78%]Its already out there:[/size]

[size=78%]first one of these:[/size]
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/tacx-fortius-and-i-magic-steering-frame-t1905-id18420.html#info


then this:
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/tacx-fortius-i-magic-rlv-hd-san-sebastian-classic-spain-id40415.html


and i think there is an interface you need as well but look on this page:
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/turbo-trainers-fitness-cp1.html


if you live near sheffield they have one set up in the shop

[Silverdream]

 
I have a mag trainer.. do about 45 mins to an hour most nights, 20 miles... cost me $50 from ebay... hardly used ... LOL
 
I do sets to break up the boredom..
 
10 mins warm up
Then vary resistance...
 
2 mins on one... 1 min on zero
2 mins on two... 1 min on zero
etc upto res 5
 
then repeat or go backwards down the scale
 
or vary cadence..
10 mins warm up
then choose a high gear (i go highest)
2 mins at 25 mph (or whatever speed gets yr heartrate into "fat burn" or "fitness"  zone
lower gear
1 min at 20 mph
higher gear
2 mins at 25 mph
lower gear
1 min at 20 mph
 
etc...
 
You must vary daily.. i do "power days" when i simulate climbing hills.. low gear high res and "distance days" with high gears and high speed... i might climb only 10 to 15 miles in an hour or ride 22-25 miles in an hour on distance days..
 
Love my Turbo trainer for winter days... no fun battling against the winds, the rain and moronic car drivers... although every fairly dry, sunny day i have my favourite climbing and distance circuits which i know will take me an hour or so...
 
I do loads of charity rides for Marie Curie Cancer and the British Heart Foundation coz my company matches any amount i raise.. so if i can get together #400 they will give me #400 for the charity... win win..
 
Definately get a fan to create a breeze or you will burn up or drip gallons of sweat all over your bike... or get a thong.. LOL look up bike thong on ebay..
 
Get one you will enjoy it indoors.. but do get out when you can...
 
My two pennith anyway...
 
Colin
 
 
 
 

[goldfazer]

I've a fan one - bloody noisey!!  Never gets used though as so boring, although when Baywatch was on tv I could manage 10 mins

Can't see why you 'shouldn't' do more than an hour as long as you keep cool (no airflow) and hydrated. Wanting to will be more of an issue!

Having said that it does have a decent 'feel' in terms of feeling vaguely like riding on the road.

I guess the mag/fluid ones are similar but should be quieter.

[maddog04]

thanks everyone

[VNA - BMW Wank]

Strange time of year to be using a turbo trainer.

Used one years ago (when I used to cycle), it was a cycleops, I think.  It was a fan job, very well made, just about any bike would fit, but should have spent a bit more, the noise was horrendous.  Fluid types, or anything that minimises the noise would be good.

And beware, you get hot on those things, the fluid can be heavy.  Take your time getting used to it.