Recommend me a turbo...

[Asa Post]

Elite Crono Fluid Elastogel.
No adjustable resistance settings, power meter or other fancy extras, but it is within your price range, quiet, and doesn't damage tyres - 4,500 turbo miles on a Conti Ultra Sport without any appreciable wear.
I've had one of these turbos for over 2 years and it still works perfectly despite very regular use.
I have a Bkool as well, but even now there are some types of ride that I prefer to do on the Elite.

 

[Spinney]

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!

I'll have a think, thanks. I'm beginning to think, though, that it would be worth forking out for the Tacx Flow that has been recommended - I suspect it will be too easy for me to just sit twiddling the pedals instead of actually training unless I have a power output reading or similar.

 

[Dusty Bin]

I've got a Minoura V130 and a Tacx Bluemotion - both relatively cheap and both very good. Would recommend either...

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

For the 200 quid price range only one turbo counts IMHO .. Reduced from around £280 to £200

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-booster-ultra-high-power-folding-magnetic-trainer/

Tacx booster as used by OPQ cycling team, one turbo with leg destroying power

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/categ...duct/review-tacx-booster-turbo-trainer-45366/

http://turbobiketrainer.com/best-turbo-trainer-2013-guide/

 

[screenman]

Cs_1000 if you can find a second hand one. We have a couple and they have served well for 20 +years. Plenty of read outs, power, speed,time etc. 10x resistance levels, spring loaded roller so it rides nice and smooth with no chopiness.

 

[choplee]

Depends on budget like others probably have said .....i have a cyclops fluid 2 and have found it to be a great little turbo unit ..
The cycling plus mag in Jan 2014 issue rate it as a best buy

 

[Bryony]

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?

My OH and I have just bought this one it suits our needs it doesn't have any power meters but all I really want to do is keep my legs spinning through the bad weather. We had to buy the riser block and mat separately but they were doing a 3 for 2 offer so we got all 3 for £94 it is a little noisy but it's not been an issue so far.

 

[Spinney]

I have wielded the credit card and ordered a Tacx Flow.
I think I will need the power meter etc to make myself put enough effort in for it to be training, rather than just keeping the legs moving and pretending I've exercised hard!

Thanks for all the advice, folks!

Now, according to reviews, the instructions for assembling are rubbish, so I might be back here next week when it has arrived!!

 

[jdtate101]

Can't go wrong with Cycleops Fluid 2. Known resistance curve so can be used with trainerroad to get power output if you don't have a power meter. Just use gears to up resistance, not handlebar unit. Very quiet compared to mag / fan trainers.

 

[Blue]

I have wielded the credit card and ordered a Tacx Flow.
I think I will need the power meter etc to make myself put enough effort in for it to be training, rather than just keeping the legs moving and pretending I've exercised hard!

Thanks for all the advice, folks!

Now, according to reviews, the instructions for assembling are rubbish, so I might be back here next week when it has arrived!!

The instructions are rubbish but there aren't too many parts and it is easier than some reviews would have you believe.

 

[squeezelouise400]

I have just purchased the Elite Chrono Elastogel trainer and it works a treat, was easy to set up, despite me being brand new to cycling (I have only had it and my bike 2 days!) and it is as quiet as a mouse! I've heard mag trainers by watching them on online videos and they seem noisy but this one is brilliant, got it online and in the sale too from a company which rhymes with giggle.

There are no computers on it, no fancy gadgets but I don't need a trainer which changes TV channels, wakes me up in the morning or makes me coffee.

 

[Spinney]

Well, the Tacx flow is set up in the garage, after a fair amount of cursing (and me misreading the little picture until OH came and sorted me out! ). Bike set up with skewer, computer etc.

And I can't use it yet because the s**ing thing has a European plug on it so I can't plug it in!

Decathlon are sending me an adaptor free, but that won't arrive until Wednesday.

 

[Blue]

Well, the Tacx flow is set up in the garage, after a fair amount of cursing (and me misreading the little picture until OH came and sorted me out! ). Bike set up with skewer, computer etc.

And I can't use it yet because the s**ing thing has a European plug on it so I can't plug it in!

Decathlon are sending me an adaptor free, but that won't arrive until Wednesday.

Health to enjoy my virtual friend

 

[Blue]

I have just purchased the Elite Chrono Elastogel trainer and it works a treat, was easy to set up, despite me being brand new to cycling (I have only had it and my bike 2 days!) and it is as quiet as a mouse! I've heard mag trainers by watching them on online videos and they seem noisy but this one is brilliant, got it online and in the sale too from a company which rhymes with giggle.

There are no computers on it, no fancy gadgets but I don't need a trainer which changes TV channels, wakes me up in the morning or makes me coffee.

May you have many hours of masochistic pleasure on it.

 

[lesley_x]

I've got a Tacx Flow and I wouldn't recommend it on the basis that the wire at the back of the machine pulled out (nothing happened in particular, no one tripped over it or anything) and I had to take it to a sparky to get fixed. £250 unit and tacx wouldn't fix it. Was only just over a year old. That said, since being fixed and with a load of electrical tape it's been running for 3 years. Otherwise I like it but I just can't recommend it, it's clearly a weak point.