Newbie on the Indoor Training

[plastic_cyclist]

Okay, with the weather and the dark causing my training to crash, I am now looking to set up some sort of indoor riding in the garage....I have no clue what the best thing is to do, so I've heard of Zwift, but need to get my head around what kit to buy and which is the best thing....and what bike to use? (I have a carbon Giant and a tri-cross sport)

Anyone swear by a particular model of turbo ? Or should I hunt the Aldi middle aisle ?

 

[Sharky]

I've had a turbo for the best part of 30 years. It doesn't get used that much, but when I get a spell of not being able to get out, I have a few sessions. Never had a "smart" trainer. They didn't exist when I bought mine.

A basic trainer for around £100, will full fill the function of keeping fitness once or twice a week through the winter. It only takes 30 minutes to feel some goodness being done. For the type of cycling that is my main target - 10 mile time trials, a 20 to 30 minute session is more than ample to keep me going.

 

[Colin Grigson]

This will give you an idea of what you’ll need - a smart trainer, bike, fans ( as many as you can get) , screen , device for connection - I use an iPad out of shot, and headbands and towels .... you won’t believe how much you sweat . Good luck ... Zwift is very addictive

 

[plastic_cyclist]

Nice ! Can you use a full carbon bike on them ?

 

[Colin Grigson]

Nice ! Can you use a full carbon bike on them ?

yes, of course ... you can use anything within reason

 

[plastic_cyclist]

Whats the general price for a smart trainer (I presume you need a SMART one to use Zwift and the like?)

 

[Colin Grigson]

Whats the general price for a smart trainer (I presume you need a SMART one to use Zwift and the like?)

A decent quality one will be north of £500 .... up to about £1200 … I love mine and having used it for some time I appreciate why they cost what they do - great piece of kit

 

[chriswoody]

Having a quick glance on Wiggle UK shows the Tacx flow smart trainer at 265 pounds:

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-flow-smart-trainer

They get good reviews and a couple of folk on here use them with Zwift with no issues. I couldn't get hold of one myself in September, stocks in Germany were constantly sold out, so I bought the more expensive Wahoo Kickr Snap, a wheel on trainer like the Tacx.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/wahoo-kickr-snap

It has a slightly higher specification than the Tacx and it works really well on Zwift. Riding through the roller coaster terrain of Titans grove feels really realistic on it and for the money I'm really happy with it.

 

[fossyant]

The Tacx is fine tbh and around £200. All depends upon what you want to spend.

 

[kingrollo]

IME the cheaper smart turbos aren't great. Searching for sensor, reboots, calibrating each time you put the bike on.

Unless your spending £600 - I wouldn't go there .

I also find being locked into one position very hard on my joints. I have a history of back problems and riding turbos brings it on.

FWIW - I've got on better with a £200 spin bike. It's no zwift rival - but it's small, clean enough to keep in bedroom - load up a YouTube vid and you're ready to go. I've gotten more use out of that than any turbos I've brought over the years.

 

[cougie uk]

You can use any bike you like. Well, almost any bike. Obviously a Brompton would be a bit of a stretch. And there will be other exceptions too, but in general ... most road bikes.

You say that but I can ride my Brompton on my treadmill. I can't do that on a road bike !

 

[kingrollo]

You say that but I can ride my Brompton on my treadmill. I can't do that on a road bike !

Pictures please!!

 

[Gunk]

We use a Tacx Vortex with an iPad mount in the garage and it works really well. The used Vortex prices have shot up since the lockdown, I paid £50 for ours boxed off Gumtree a couple of years ago, it it’s been a reliable and effective bit of kit, perfect for occasional use or for beginners.

Here is Mrs Gunk using it!

 

[MoneyForNothing]

Whats the general price for a smart trainer (I presume you need a SMART one to use Zwift and the like?)

The problem is finding a new one, can't find a smart trainer sub 800 anywhere. eBay used are going for new prices

 

[monkers]

There are some good recent turbo reviews on Youtube. Some turbos can make considerable noise. In the end we went all out and bought the Tacx Neo 2T. We chose it because it is direct drive, beltless, good heavy flywheel, whisper quiet, can work without a power supply as it self powers all functions from the flywheel (except for downhill decent mode). One feature is switchable, but it even manages to replicate different types of road surface - so if you are a cobbles specialist say, this might be for you.

It folds away easily though a bit heavy, it's not backbreaking. We bought a skate from Aldi for £10 from which is perfect for wheeling it around on. It connects via bluetooth with no fuss whatsoever. One downside was the cost, especially as you don't get a cassette with it, though you do get everything else including various adaptors for the range of axle and skewer types. You'll also need to buy a heart rate monitor if you don't already have one.

Tacx provided basic free access to their on-line training programmes for both of us. I'm happy enough to use this myself, whereas my other half chooses to subsribe to Zwift.

It is a truly brilliant piece of kit though and heartily recommended by us (FWIW).

Have fun in the pain cave! We can attest to the statements about the sweat though, our 12 inch desk fan falls way short of the job, and will be upgraded shortly.

Addendum: I should have mentioned that it self-calibrates so no phaffing about on that front either.