KneesUp
Guru
I've decided that a turbo would suit me, so I've started to look into them, starting from a base of pretty much zero (my uncle used to have one in the dining room and I remember going on it as a kid. Apart from that I know nothing)
So far I've discovered
1) Magnetic ones can be noisy - how noisy, though? If I use it indoors it will have to be in the kitchen, below the kid's bedroom. Is it 'wake a child from the floor below' loud? Or annoy the OH in the front room loud?
2) Fluid ones are more expensive but quieter - how quiet?
3) Fluid ones (the cheaper ones, anyway) don't have a resistance adjustment as such, they just get harder the faster the wheel goes - so I suppose if you want lots of resistance but not to be pedalling like a fixed wheel going off a cliff you just change gear on the bike?
4) There are a lot of software options. I think I would like to use Golden Cheetah because
a) it's free
b) I use Linux
c) It looks packed full of information. I love a spreadsheet
I *think* I can get Golden Cheetah to talk to the bike if I fit it with a cadence sensor and speed sensor on the rear wheel (I believe the rear wheel sensor will give the best proxy for power without buying a power meter?) and get a chest strap hear monitor thing? Any advice here much appreciated, with turbos in general and with Golden Cheetah specifically.
The ones that adjust resistance automatically according to the training plan look excellent, but a but pricey - and also magnetic at any reasonable price, so I'd have the issue of noise (or I could use it outside, but then if it runs of the mains that will be an issue if it's raining!) On this basis I think I'm currently looking at a s/h fluid trainer to see how I get on, but as I say, I'm probably missing something, so any input would be much appreciated. I'm not aiming to 'compete' - I just want to get fitter!
So far I've discovered
1) Magnetic ones can be noisy - how noisy, though? If I use it indoors it will have to be in the kitchen, below the kid's bedroom. Is it 'wake a child from the floor below' loud? Or annoy the OH in the front room loud?
2) Fluid ones are more expensive but quieter - how quiet?
3) Fluid ones (the cheaper ones, anyway) don't have a resistance adjustment as such, they just get harder the faster the wheel goes - so I suppose if you want lots of resistance but not to be pedalling like a fixed wheel going off a cliff you just change gear on the bike?
4) There are a lot of software options. I think I would like to use Golden Cheetah because
a) it's free
b) I use Linux
c) It looks packed full of information. I love a spreadsheet
I *think* I can get Golden Cheetah to talk to the bike if I fit it with a cadence sensor and speed sensor on the rear wheel (I believe the rear wheel sensor will give the best proxy for power without buying a power meter?) and get a chest strap hear monitor thing? Any advice here much appreciated, with turbos in general and with Golden Cheetah specifically.
The ones that adjust resistance automatically according to the training plan look excellent, but a but pricey - and also magnetic at any reasonable price, so I'd have the issue of noise (or I could use it outside, but then if it runs of the mains that will be an issue if it's raining!) On this basis I think I'm currently looking at a s/h fluid trainer to see how I get on, but as I say, I'm probably missing something, so any input would be much appreciated. I'm not aiming to 'compete' - I just want to get fitter!