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Can anyone recommend a turbo trainer to get? Is there one out there where you dont have remove the rear wheel and you can just slap your bike on it?
There are literally hundreds out there where you dont have to remove the rear wheel.
Do you need a spare wheel? this has been mentioned to me also
Yup plenty like that, I'd buy a second hand one cheap to see if you like it first. Top tip is to make sure you set it up with some entertainment/training dvd etc. Stairing at the breeze block garage wall for an hour can be demotivating. Mine in front the TV so I can do long sessions and watch DVD or TV program. Cheap £10 fan is also ideal for cooling, even in the winter
No spare wheel needed. I started out using my road bike. Got to like it for training in the winter and bought a cheap bike to leave in the turbo permenantly
You dont have to spend a lot at the start. You could use your local gym turbo trainers and spin sessions. A lot of people try it after buying all the kit and then get borred. Try before you buy. Hence tends to be plenty second hand turbos on the market.
I have one of these [url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/elite-volare-mag-force-elastogel-turbo-trainer/rp-prod89087 ]Elite Volare Mag Force Elastogel Turbo Trainer[/url] and it does the trick. It's fairly quiet (I use headphones / watch videos when I am on it) and has variable resistance.
Even better if you have a CRC voucher!
Remember to get yourself a big fan to prevent melt down!
so with this one it looks like you have to change the tyre http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-blue-motion-high-power-folding-magnetic-trainer/ can someone give me a steer to the ones i should be looking at?
I've got the Tacx Bluemotion. No need to change the tyre, however if you use it a lot it will create a flat shiny area on the tyre.
I ended usig it as an excuse to upgrade my wheels and then just used the old rear wheel for the trainer (with a normal old tyre).
It's not the fanciest turbo, but does the job.
I like my minoura hypermag, seems to have much better resistance than the Cyclops it replaced.
Also in order of importance -
Big fan from screwfix http://www.screwfix.com/p/fe45-h1-18-high-velocity-floor-fan-220-240v/54056
Camping mat underneath to deaden the noise and a plank of wood to support the turbo otherwise the wheel will drag on the mat.
trainerroad
sufferfest
so with this one it looks like you have to change the tyre http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-blue-motion-high-power-folding-magnetic-trainer/ can someone give me a steer to the ones i should be looking at?
You don't need to change the tyre, but you will wear them out quicker on the turbo. Hence some/most people have a spare wheel, or relegate their 'summer' bike to the turbo over the winter (why would you want to use a turbo in summer I've no idea).
astura - what bike / tyres are you hoping to use on your trainer?
Obviously if you are hoping to use a mountain bike with knobbly tyres it will be a lot louder than a slick road tyre.
I use a mountain bike and a spare wheel with one of [url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/michelin-wild-run-r-slick-mtb-tyre/rp-prod48134 ]these[/url] which improves things
Have you considered rollers?
No faffing about with rear tyres at all, slap your bike on them, ride, stare at the wall, stop...couldn't be simpler.
People recommend a change of wheel because the turbo training kills rear tyres. The tyre gets very hot and wears out quickly, gaining a strange square profile. If you're using soft nobby off road tyres you'll notice this even more, and it'll be even louder (even quite turbos are quite noisy).
Do you have bolt through rear or a quick release. Check that what you are purchasing in compatible with what you have.
They are difficult things to recommend. Have a big fan and some form of entertainment.
TACX Sartori here -
I swap a turbo trainer tyre onto my rear wheel for a couple of months over the winter (I don't use the 'good bike' on salty roads anyway)
There are always loads of turbo trainers on ebay - £50 will get you something usable...
i have CAADX cyclocross i was going to use on it
When i ride i always like to go out on my Whyte G150 becuase at somepoint during the ride i will come across something i want to jump/play on - it always happens! i want to use my my cyclocross for fitness but im struggling to find the time every night to have a 30min blast around so thinking a turbo trainer means i can at least keep up my fitness
Get some cheap slick tyres for the CX bike then, it'll be perfect, schwalbe, continental and trax all do specific tyres, but really any cheap tyres will do.
Don't underestimate the boredom though. Find some training plans and stick to them, trainerroad is brilliant for this, 45-60min is more than long enough to warm up, properly knacker yourself and cool down, don't be tempted by longer rides.
The downside is, it's not much quicker than going out on the roads, you still need to get changed into shorts, shower afterwards etc. Hence for 99% of people it's a wet weather activity.
I think I like the idea of the rollers looking into it a bit more, the ones im looking at have no resistance on them - im thinking also I may save some wear on my tyres too 🙂
We've been looking at the Tacx trainers for the coming season which look very impressive indeed - that's what we'll be stocking. Options from £100 to £1000 depending on budget and requirements.