Anyone using one of these?
Looking for a cheap DD TT for Zwiftage over the winter. I've seen one on FB marketplace for £175 with a cassette and wheel stand.
I’ve got one (also for sale, where are you?).
I’d never used a turbo before but it did the job for my brief (< 3 month) venture into the world of riding bikes inside. I put a Hardtail on it, had to change the chainring to something bigger, maybe 36, can’t remember.
It’s not too noisy and when you pedal it creates resistance.
I'm fairly sure this would be a bad choice for Zwift - I don't think this has a real power meter, but instead use some sort of algorithm to calculate power output, and because of this isn't allowed in a lot of Zwift races and events.
I should say 'not allowed' doesn't mean you can't take part, but that you'd be excluded from any results - if that doesn't bother you then no problem.
That doesn't bother me in the slightest.
I used one on Zwift for a couple of years before I took the plunge on the Wattbike. Never had any problems with it functioning, as with many of these things it was a bit noisy, but in the 2yrs I had it from new I didn't touch it from a servicing perspective and it just kept on trucking.
As for the accuracy of power etc. I decided to ignore all that as I judged my effort on how I felt and my HR.
Think I have the Elite Turbomuin...it might be the same as the one you have but it doesn't do resistance (so maybe not)...it works but I don't use Zwift, so unsure how that would work.
Does the job as I follow a training session and the Garmin then beeps when I need to do something else during the session.
Can you vary the resistance on these though? Or are they like the old Cycleops fluid ones where it just gets harder the harder you pedal?
I got an Elite Turbo Muin from halfords for around 250 quid, is that the same one?
The hardware itself is OK, but the software and instructions are utterly awful. Really really bad
On Googling I noticed how many versions there are so just to be clear on the one I am referencing this is it
Elite Turbo Muin B+
This is the one for sale on Marketplace.
https://www.merlincycles.com/blog/elite-muin-smart-b-trainer/
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Elite/Turbo-Muin-Fluid-Direct-Drive-Smart-Turbo-Trainer/AEEG
The one I've got looks the same as the 2 in doomanic post...but mine doesn't vary resistence, in that respect it is a dumb trainer.
The one in johnjn2000's post adjusts resistance - so probably better for the likes of Zwift as when you are riding up a slope, the resistance will increase.
The one in johnjn2000’s post adjusts resistance – so probably better for the likes of Zwift as when you are riding up a slope, the resistance will increase.
I'm sure I looked into them as they were cheap for quite a while, the "B+" aspect doesn't vary the resistance as there's no mechanical way of achieving that on the trainer, it just reports power in the same way zwift etc do it by a correlation of speed Vs resistance, and like all fluid trainers it's inaccurate as the fluid warms up and the resistance drops.
TBH for £200ish you're getting into 2nd hand drivo/direto money which will work properly with zwift etc as they offer erg and slope/simulation modes rather than just dumb resistance.
I have one and use it with Zwift. Works fine.
It's consistent for power and cadence which is the most important thing.
You just have to change gear to increase resistance. If you don't, you just slow down a lot on hills. I mostly use pacepartners and workouts and not had a problem. Not done many races.
Just to add. My turbo is a basic Elite fluid trainer. I bought the Elite Muin Smart B+ for about £50.
I've had one of these. Turbo muin b+s. The resistance and power comes from a calculation of flywheel speed. Problem is, as it warms up, the flywheel speeds up more.
So whilst your 200w warmup is probably about right, by the time you're on your third vo2 interval it's over-reading by up to 20%.
I once did an alp du Zwift attempt on one and by the end I was pushing a 400w FTP.
Note: I don't have a 400w FTP.
I'm selling a Direto for 250 as I upgraded to a kickr v5. Seems normal price for these. Elite will replace the belts if they wear out. Probably a better choice really.
The Turbo Muin B+ is different to the Muin B+ attachment I have. No noticeable change in resistance as it warms up with an Elite fluid trainer.
Thanks all. I got if for £150 with an 11speed 105 cassette ands a front wheel spacer. I'm sure it'll be fine for building base level fitness, which is all I'm interested in.
