 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
So I am ordering my missus a spin bike (long lead item at present due to CV19) she wants one. It's going to be like the things you get at a gym, a weighted flywheel up front with a fixed drive and a friction belt/pad to provide resistance, basic but reliable.
But I find myself considering how I might make use of it as well rather than bother with my turbo, it should be pretty easy to fit a cadence sensor to the crank and a speed sensor on the flywheel, pop a garmin mount on the bars and then it's basically sorted right?
As it's going to be a permanent fixture in the garage anyway and takes up half the space of a bike plus a turbo trainer I think I'd be more inclined to use that come winter/further lockdown.
I'm not going to be zwifting or anything but I like to monitor/record indoor training, anyone else done similar? Good idea/bad idea?
Good idea I think. I have stopped doing spinning classes and have a smart turbo but I actually prefer the feel of a good spin bike.
A spin bike with power output (crank?) would be brilliant.
I gots a spin bike, set up as you describe, garmin and an old android phone. Putting the new hub sensors on may be problematic, but I managed. And not really sure the speed is right even at the lowest wheel setting. Also no gears will make speed fairly meaningless without power. Heart rate is better for training anyway but tracking progress?
They are quieter than turbos and take less room. Although I got a s/h gym one with magnetic. Very adjustable too, but also heavy.
Re cranks, they are usually proprietary bbs and square taper which practically only leaves you with the pricy pedal meter options.
Power might be nice but I'd rather have it on the road bike first. Plus I'm not after a zwift or trainer road capable setup, just something I can follow a YouTube spin class with and record the basic metrics, power can be extrapolated later if I really want...
Weight isn't a problem, I'd rather leave a spin bike in position permanently than piss about putting one of my bikes on the turbo to do basically the same job and then have to take it all apart after...
Yep I've convinced myself, it's worth a couple of quid for some cheap sensors...