Thinking of getting a turbo trainer....

[Blowfish]

As family and poor weather are restricting the amount of time I get to train.

Been looking at the tacx satori High power on wiggle: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-satori-high-power-cycle-trainer/


Anyone know if it is any good or could I get better for that money? Is anyone doing them cheaper? Will I need to replace the rear tyre on my bike or can I use it as it is?

 

[HLaB]

Obviously nothing is better than a real ride but IMO tacx do good turbo trainers, I've got the cheaper Speedmatic and when I got it the training tyre was free, whether you need the tyre or not is your choice but I've heard plenty of negative stories of normal tyres wearing out prematurely and/or explosion, rubber up the back wall etc. I've no idea about the Satori but in general Wiggle seems to be dearer these days, I'd check out Ribble, Probikekit and ChainReactionCycles before you buy and maybe even other sites before you buy.

 

[Rob500]

Blowfish, I've got one of those 10 speed Satori Trainers. I got it in Decathlon when they had a deal on them. £129 (Trainer, Skyliner, Pyrenees Stage DVD & Mat). Was a great deal. I'm totally new to Turbo Training so can only say that I'm very happy with the one I have but can't compare it with anything else.
I picked up a 2nd hand rear wheel & 9 speed cassette from a mate and a tacx training tyre from crc.

 

[Pauluk]

I bought the Elite from Halfords for £108 and fitted a slick rear tyre to my spare hybrid. Its excellent. Gives a great work out. With a slick tyre its very quiet too.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I'd try to test one out first, borrow one if at all possible, or pick one up second hand, if you enjoy it you'll get your money back on a second hand one if you do choose to upgrade.

IME they are the most boring thing imaginable, (hence the test one first suggestion).

I'd guess if you can use it in the house it would help, but when I've used them I've been consigned to the shed, and even downloading Spinnerval sessions and having the laptop in there with me hasn't helped

 

[Pauluk]

I agree with smokey, its boring. I'm lucky enough to have a spare room with a tv I'll even watch coronation street as a preference to nothing. MP3 player with headphones may help. They are worth it though if you have somewhere convenient to set them up as they do give a good workout which you can do at your own pace when you can't get out.

 

[zexel]

The only good thing about them is that you're able to just jump on, so with family it will probably be ideal.....but as smokeysmoo has said they are the most boring things in the universe and for me, contradicted everything I enjoy about cycling. I also downloaded training DVD's to train to. When I chose to go out for a four hour cycle ride in the rain (rained for the full 4 hours) instead of jumping on the trainer I knew I'd never use it again!

Whereabouts are you? My trainer (CycleOps Fluid 2 Turbo Trainer)is in the garage roof. If you're local-ish you could try mine and if you wanted to keep it give me a few bob for it. Has hardly had much use .