Recommend me a turbo...

[Spinney]

I can be a bit of a fair weather cyclist, and fair weather is in short supply right now...
And I also only managed exercise (of any sort) an average of every other day in 2013 - it would be nice to increase that proportion. Part of the problem is working from home, so I can easily spend the day with the only exercise being going downstairs for the next cuppa...

The turbo can be left set up in the garage over the winter. I know I will likely get bored, so my intention is to try reading on the turbo, or watching videos on the laptop. So I need one that doesn't make too much noise. I've read there are fluid, magnetic and fan turbos - are any of these types quieter than the others?

Do they come with a mileometer? That would be useful to make sure I do a decent number of miles each session. Alternatively, I could dig out my heart rate monitor and just aim for X minutes at rate Y.

Not keen on spending a vast amount, in case I don't take to it. Although I suppose one that could be upgraded with electronic widgets to track cadence, speed, etc could be a good idea (if such a thing exists).

So, any recommendations? Any particularly good brands? Or, perhaps just as important - anything to be avoided?

Thanks...

 

[BigonaBianchi]

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/team-bkool-cyclechat.144689/
nuff sedded

 

[Herzog]

Tacx Flow is a great machine - with cadence, speed, power (probably not accurate or precise), and HR.

 

[jowwy]

elite realtour turbo - its not cheap, but does connect to pc, laptop to give you power, cadence, hr, miles, elevation. built in training programmes, gps routes can be downloaded to it and the added plus of over 60 real videos, which allows you to ride routes through italy, france, america etc while adjusted the resistance to the elevation profile. it really is an awesome peice of kit.

but as i said its not cheap.

 

[400bhp]

I can be a bit of a fair weather cyclist, and fair weather is in short supply right now...
And I also only managed exercise (of any sort) an average of every other day in 2013 - it would be nice to increase that proportion. Part of the problem is working from home, so I can easily spend the day with the only exercise being going downstairs for the next cuppa...

The turbo can be left set up in the garage over the winter. I know I will likely get bored, so my intention is to try reading on the turbo, or watching videos on the laptop. So I need one that doesn't make too much noise. I've read there are fluid, magnetic and fan turbos - are any of these types quieter than the others?

Do they come with a mileometer? That would be useful to make sure I do a decent number of miles each session. Alternatively, I could dig out my heart rate monitor and just aim for X minutes at rate Y.

Not keen on spending a vast amount, in case I don't take to it. Although I suppose one that could be upgraded with electronic widgets to track cadence, speed, etc could be a good idea (if such a thing exists).

So, any recommendations? Any particularly good brands? Or, perhaps just as important - anything to be avoided?

Thanks...

Pointless looking at mileage in isolation as it will vary according to effort, time and (perhaps most important) the resistance setting on the machine. You need to look at something that measures perceived efffort, like heart rate, as you say.

Many peeps use power to measure effort and there's some trainers that have power meters. Many may not be accurate in the real world but so long as they are consistent ride after ride (unless your thinking of doing some kind of racing it's probably not worth spending big money on a very accurate one).

FWIW I have an Elite Qubo Digital wireless and am reasonable happy with it, albeit I rarely use it, however my other half uses it a lot and sets sessions based on the inbuilt power meter.

Many people have differing opinions on turbo trainers and I am sure there will be some that add to this thread. It's important to understand what you want out of a trainer so you can decide what to buy.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

http://www.questadventure.co.uk/bkool

I looked at a fair amount of others before settling on this Bkool set up. I cant really imagine what else it could do that I need TBH and I felt that on bang for the buck terms it was a no brainer for me.

 

[Peteaud]

http://www.questadventure.co.uk/bkool

I looked at a fair amount of others before settling on this Bkool set up. I cant really imagine what else it could do that I need TBH and I felt that on bang for the buck terms it was a no brainer for me.

Got mine here :-
http://www.primera-sports.com/products/bkool-trainers-910/bkool-turbo-trainer-12252.aspx

Very very pleased with it.

 

[Blue]

Tacx Flow is a great machine - with cadence, speed, power (probably not accurate or precise), and HR.

I have a Tacx Flow and am happy with it. To help time pass I have learned to speak Greek from CD's while using the turbo, although I have to pause the CD when doing the efforts in interval sessions. I have had great results in TT's which I would attribute in part to the turbo work and have enjoyed many a conversation in Greek whilst on holiday in Cyprus which I would also attribute to work done on the turbo. Great piece of kit.

 

[Spinney]

Thanks all so far - the BKool looks more than I was thinking of paying - was hoping for >£200 if poss - I may have been a bit ambitious there!

What got me thinking about it was seeing one of these in Halfords.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_223837_langId_-1_categoryId_229901

Any reason why I shouldn't buy it? Is the main negative that there is no recording of power etc?

I've also heard that some turbos can wear out tyres (more than you would expect from just the miles done) - is there a particular design that does this? Or is it something that all turbos do?

 

[BigonaBianchi]

I guess this will be about if you want the virtual reality thing or the ipod and a good book thing.

 

[Spinney]

I guess this will be about if you want the virtual reality thing or the ipod and a good book thing.

I'm thinking that the VR probably won't motivate me all that much, and the guilt of not using a £400+ machine enough* will be far greater than the guilt of not using the Halfords job. And I suspect that the VR thing and comparing myself with others will just be demoralising...

*The guilt of not using the expensive machine may well still not be enough to make me use it...

 

[AlanW]

Another vote for the Tacx Flow

 

[400bhp]

I've also heard that some turbos can wear out tyres (more than you would expect from just the miles done) - is there a particular design that does this? Or is it something that all turbos do?

They wear out tyres relatively quickly. Some claim to have relatively low wear rates.

 

[presta]

Thanks all so far - the BKool looks more than I was thinking of paying - was hoping for >£200 if poss - I may have been a bit ambitious there!

What got me thinking about it was seeing one of these in Halfords.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_223837_langId_-1_categoryId_229901

Any reason why I shouldn't buy it? Is the main negative that there is no recording of power etc?

I've also heard that some turbos can wear out tyres (more than you would expect from just the miles done) - is there a particular design that does this? Or is it something that all turbos do?

Review here:

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uukyatPQtSY


Looks OK for £74, I'm tempted.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I have an elite one that I am looking to get rid of and my OH is down in Bristol quite a bit. It was purchased to aid my recovery from the dog bite but I could not be bothered with the must clean bike before taking into sitting room lark.... we don't have a garage or shed... will look up the model if you are interested...

Edit: its a Elite Crono Fluid ElastoGel Trainer with front wheel block. Was on offer when I purchased it at £168 back in August 2012. If it has done 200 miles you would be lucky!