[Closed] Talk to me about static trainers

So: What's the most fun you can have pedalling on the spot in your garage?

HELL AWAITS!

😈

You can take your laptop into the garage, start up STW and do a search for discussions on turbo trainers...

I've heard that you can ride a computer "course", with your computer attached to a trainer that automatically adjusts the resistance to simulate riding up hills.

Does that exist, or did I dream it?

Google Zwift and Trainer Road.

I've just bought an elite muin from wiggle as they have on a great offer at the minute. It's quiet enough to use indoors without disturbing the neighbours. I have a few workouts programmed into my Garmin edge 500, so radio 2 on whilst I pedal, I know it's winter when I get to hear jazz on a Tuesday.

Have a look at the Bkool trainers. They have either computer graphics simulated or real video rides, you can make your own routes up or ride any of the already uploaded ones on the website .

Can ride solo or race against computer bots, other bkool members or your own previous times. They also have leagues with live racing. Theres quite a community on the cyclechat bkool forum if you want to have a read and get an idea of what the races are like.

If you order from bkool they do a 30 day free trial

I would save a lot of virtual reality dosh, stope expecting to enjoy it and embrace the pain - keep sessions below an hour to retain sanity, get some Sufferfest vids and just let it be what it is, a really effective way of training and a convenient alternative to riding in bad conditions. Expecting enjoyment or entertainment is really just setting yourself up for disappointment - all imho, ymmv etc...

[quote=hebdencyclist ]I've heard that you can ride a computer "course", with your computer attached to a trainer that automatically adjusts the resistance to simulate riding up hills.
Does that exist, or did I dream it?

Yep, I have a computrainer which does that - that was the original, and the only option when I got it, but lots of others now available which will do that - a quick google came up with this list: http://turbobiketrainer.com/interactive-computer-controlled-turbo-trainers-2013-2014/

Trainerroad is just software which will work with one of those trainers.

I'm not sure those saying it's not entertaining have ever had an interactive trainer. Sure it's not all that exciting, but I've managed 2-3 hour sessions on mine (when training for a long distance race in NZ through our winter).

- a quick google came up with this list: http://turbobiketrainer.com/interactive-computer-controlled-turbo-trainers-2013-2014/

One minor point if you're looking at that list: it's a little bit old now. For example my Tacx Vortex Smart can be had for about £200-£250, and basically does all that you need, albeit not as poshly as a more pricey option like a Wahoo Kickr.

The Tacx software gets slated pretty much everywhere though (including their own forum).

I've never used the Tacx software except once to update the firmware on the trainer. I use TrainerRoad which controls the trainer directly via FE-C. Zwift would do so too I believe. From my experience, in operation it needs a little bit of getting used to / learning, to help it to maintain a smooth consistent power compared with a Kickr. By that I basically mean that it can't seem to quite cope with some combinations of gear selection, cadence and power. So sometimes, in order to hit the target power and maintain it smoothly you need to change to a different gear. But then it's about 1/4 the price of the Kickr.

Turbo training in your home or garage like I do is BORING!!.....but you can make it better....if your a tight wad like me watch this training video on utube.....during your workout......your cyclng in a group doing different levels of candace

I only have a mag trainer....but it does the what I need it to do and it's quiet ...until I get into the sprints section!!

And buy yourself a good fan to keep you cool ....even in the coldest winter in my garage I'm sweating like a rapist and I'm down to just a pair of shorts, soaked in sweat !!

Trainer Road and suffer fest combined, it's slightly less dull...

I find podcasts help.

I'm avoiding the static trainer boredom with an iPad on the bars - slowly working my way through the box sets on Amazon Prime... by the time I've finished watching / riding the Walking Dead I should be fit for spring rides...

I do a lot on the turbo, and I have done for a few years, IME the following things are important:

1. A good 'feeling' machine. I have had a few it is really important that it feels good to use. The best I have used is the Kurt Kinetic rock and roll, although the Lemond is apparently even better if you can find one. All the guys I know that do serious turbo seem to own one of these.
2. A good fan. A big 18 inch floor fan about a foot from your face works best.
3. Power, or at least a machine that can allow good virtual power. This is really to allow proper defined workouts. If working with virtual power you want a machine where the power does change as it heats up. Many trainers are rubbish at this. The Kurt Kinetic is exceptional.
4. Motivation. You want goals and to measure your progress. I also like happy hardcore radio in my interval sessions.
5. Session structure. Even if you just want to do an hour tempo the session will go quicker if you do small blocks at different powers within the zone, for example as a little pyramid.

A machine or software alone will not give you the motivation to use the turbo. It is not nice, but it gets results.

meeeee - Member
Have a look at the Bkool trainers. They have either computer graphics simulated or real video rides, you can make your own routes up or ride any of the already uploaded ones on the website .

Can ride solo or race against computer bots, other bkool members or your own previous times. They also have leagues with live racing. Theres quite a community on the cyclechat bkool forum if you want to have a read and get an idea of what the races are like.

If you order from bkool they do a 30 day free trial

POSTED 2 DAYS AGO # REPORT-POST

My Vortex Smart has started playing up, by the way, so I'm not sure that I'd recommend it so heartily now! I can connect to it fine by ANT+ or bluetooth. But it refuses to report any speed / cadence / power, and a little red light keeps flashing at me. Bah humbug.

DC Rainmaker has published his winter trainer recommendations for this year. His blog is the bible when it comes to this stuff.

[url= http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/11/2015-2016trainer-recommendations.html ]http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/11/2015-2016trainer-recommendations.html[/url]

I bought a spin bike on Ebay. £800 job for £200 with not a mark on it (the ad said sold due to lack of space, the seller's husband told me it was lack of use when I picked it up).
Bit bulky but does the job. And there is no way of brightening sessions up. Music on, suffer a bit and feel better afterwards. Back on mine next week after months of physio (and Naproxen and Cocodamol) for the back....

After looking at trainers for the last few weeks. Decided to try the Bkool Pro trainer on this 30 day trial. The videos do look interesting and the smart resistance that will work with TrainerRoad.

Dont think the trainerroad / bkool interface is completely sorted yet but apparently they (trainerroad) are working on it:
http://support.trainerroad.com/hc/en-us/articles/201697324-Bkool-Electronic-Trainers

Also when you get it and start using the simulator its not completely obvious how to set up rides! Theres rides listed that are 'live' ie in warm up or underway and you can join any of these and race other people straight away.

If you want to actually do a route in the Bkool database Eg Col du Glandon or something you have to go on the Bkool website, search for it then schedule it (basically put what computer opponenets you want in, and the date you want to do it. You can put any date in but still do it at any time before that date). Best thing to do is have a play on the website and download the simulator program before you actually get the trainer. Make an account then search for rides you fancy doing and either schedule them, or do what i do and add a load to your 'favourites' then you can ride these anytime you want from the simulator program.

Sounds complicated but once you get the hang of how it works its dead easy.

Cyclechat Bkool forum has lots of people doing leagues / races that you can join. Just join the forum and post up and people will add you to the leagues (currently theres a mountain goat league (alps sort of climbs), a 100 uk hills climb league and a chaingang live racing thing each week. And a newly formed 'alpine moose' league for the less fit hill climbers!
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/team-bkool-cyclechat.144689/page-541

A good resource [url] http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/11/2015-2016trainer-recommendations.html [/url]

meeeee - Member
After looking at trainers for the last few weeks. Decided to try the Bkool Pro trainer on this 30 day trial. The videos do look interesting and the smart resistance that will work with TrainerRoad.
Dont think the trainerroad / bkool interface is completely sorted yet but apparently they (trainerroad) are working on it:
http://support.trainerroad.com/hc/en-us/articles/201697324-Bkool-Electronic-Trainers

Also when you get it and start using the simulator its not completely obvious how to set up rides! Theres rides listed that are 'live' ie in warm up or underway and you can join any of these and race other people straight away.

If you want to actually do a route in the Bkool database Eg Col du Glandon or something you have to go on the Bkool website, search for it then schedule it (basically put what computer opponenets you want in, and the date you want to do it. You can put any date in but still do it at any time before that date). Best thing to do is have a play on the website and download the simulator program before you actually get the trainer. Make an account then search for rides you fancy doing and either schedule them, or do what i do and add a load to your 'favourites' then you can ride these anytime you want from the simulator program.

Sounds complicated but once you get the hang of how it works its dead easy.

Cyclechat Bkool forum has lots of people doing leagues / races that you can join. Just join the forum and post up and people will add you to the leagues (currently theres a mountain goat league (alps sort of climbs), a 100 uk hills climb league and a chaingang live racing thing each week. And a newly formed 'alpine moose' league for the less fit hill climbers!
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/team-bkool-cyclechat.144689/page-541

Cheers Meeeee. I've been following the TrainerRoad blog post and they face they now have hands on the hardware I don't expect it to take to long before they have a fix. I've added about 8 famous climbs so farto my favourites list so plenty to keep me entertained. I have a few big road bike trips next year so really looking for some structured training to help me get through them. Do you use the videos mostly or 3D renders? My trainer should arrive Monday.

The most fun, effective, social and competitive experience? Zwift plus a Kickr. If you want the competition or social interaction of riding with or against other riders or you just want to do your own workouts Zwift is awesome. Combined with one of new direct drive style turbos with direct resistance control by the app and power measurement (wahoo kickr , tacx neo etc) this is the ultimate. Now Zwift has trainer road style workouts too of you want some structure sometimes.

Trainers have also peaked my interest, especially with the social element of the likes of Zwift.

I hope this isn't a daft question..but as you're riding around the track, do you move your handlebars to steer around the virtual track, or is it a legs only thing.

Legs only as moving the handlebars isn't natural anyway, you would lean on a bike and most trainers don't let you do that. The Neo does and I am using some sorbothane under the feet of my kickr to allow some give.

I now have 3 Honeywell fans - 2 on the roof of the garage pointing down at my back and face, and one on the floor in front of me. As that would be a cold way to start I have them attached to one of these

[img] [/img]

from Amazon :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003JT088S?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01

which has a remote control to turn the sockets on, so I can start without the fans and then bring them online as I heat up !

I've found the investment in a turbo trainer (second hand Minoura B60-R for £40 off eBay), Garmin sensors and signing up to Zwift to be a revelation. I'm now 'riding' far more, because it's convenient for me to bang out 10/12/15 etc miles in my kitchen after work (I position the bike right next to the back door, which I prop wide open), no matter what the weather is doing, whilst listening to Radio 2. It's really helping me do what I set out to do by buying a road bike in the first place; regaining some lost fitness and shedding some pounds. For me, Zwift is the difference, the online and interactive element maintains your interest and motivates you to keep pushing yourself.

Never do more than six hours on one, or they get boring.

Agree with all of the people recommending Zwift, it really has changed indoor training for me, previously I'd struggle to stay on for half an hour, now I'm having to watch the clock to make sure I'm not late for work. Been on it every day this week, and twice today!
I'm seriously considering a smart trainer for a birthday present. Max power is a bit low on my trainer, its indicating 450ish watts at 125rpm in top gear.

Christ, I'm sitting at about 70rpm. Must pedal harder!