Training Indoors??

[Cat]

Morning All...

I completed a 75mile bike ride (plus extra as I went in the wrong direction) back in June 08, haven’t got on the bike since as time hasn’t allowed me to do so.... Got back on the bike a few days ago and cant believe how unfit I have become....

I don’t always get the time to go out and ride, so I was wondering if there was a good training piece of equipment that I can use indoors...

I was thinking of getting an exercise bike as I want to lose weight as well, but don’t know what’s good to gain the fitness & distance as well as lose the weight.

Hope this makes sense, any ideas or recommendations?

 

[domtyler]

Turbo or rollers.

 

[wafflycat]

Turbo..

Example:-
(there are loads out there)

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/CycleOps_Mag_Trainer/5360012878/

 

[vernon]

Beware!

A turbo is mind numbingly boring. I used mine four of five times before taking to the road and putting the turbo into the loft for a couple of years before selling it on Ebay.

 

[Cat]

aahhhh thanks... i didn’t know what they were called to be able to search for them. I want to gain fitness/distance and lose weight too, would turbo be the best for this?

vernon - why is turbo boring compared to the rollers? (Sorry new to this roller & turbo indoor training)

Wafflycat - Have you got the one you posted?

Thanks for the help it’s really appreciated

 

[Oddjob62]

vernon - why is turbo boring compared to the rollers? (Sorry new to this roller & turbo indoor training)

think vernon is saying a turbo is boring compared to getting outside and cycling.

 

[Losidan]

I used to have a turbo years ago and it was a right noisy brute....Are they a lot quieter these days?

Also, will the fit 26" mtb rear wheels if use a slick on the back?

 

[fossyant]

Turbos are much better now - hydrolic or magnetic resistance, but expect some noise -I still have a noisey first generation turbo - big fan that makes a hell of a noise. I only use it in the garage, although haven't been near it in over 12 months.

Any chance you can build cycling into your commute ? - massive time saver - can get your training in wilst commuting, and have spare time in the evening - no need to rush out again !

Turbo sessions take will power to keep at it !

 

[Globalti]

Not to mention the salty sweat, which drips on you bike and rusts everything.

 

[Cat]

jim thanks for the tip "Tip: don't go out on the road using the rear wheel (i.e. tyre) you use for the trubo, there'll be no grip." i wouldnt have known that.... well wouldnt have gave it a thought...

I could add my training in while commuting as its not very far, but i do shift work and dont always finish at the time im suppose to and wouldnt want to be cycling home very late at night by myself.

I'm the type of person that likes to go out in pairs, just incase something happends

 

[Blue]

jim thanks for the tip "Tip: don't go out on the road using the rear wheel (i.e. tyre) you use for the trubo, there'll be no grip." i wouldnt have known that.... well wouldnt have gave it a thought...

I don't agree with the 'no grip' theory. I use the same tyres all the time without problem. Some people say that the turbo will cause excessive wear of the tyre and so harder compound tyres are sold for the purpose. However, I think the difference is insufficient to warrant the hassle of changing a wheel/tyre every time I want to do a turbo session - but that's a personal preference.

It is true that a long turbo session will leave you with a shiny tyre. However, the shine wears off very quickly once on the road. Having said that, I haven't tried using the bike downhill at 40mph in the rain to check the point so I may be wrong.

 

[Blue]

Turbo sessions take will power to keep at it !

Very true. I find that listening to CD's helps. In the past year I have completed conversational French and Greek courses whilst using my turbo - the time flies by.

 

[jasper]

Not to mention the salty sweat, which drips on you bike and rusts everything.

Throw a towel across the bars and top tube, will soak up the sweat and help protect the bike. But if you want something purpose built, Tacx (and other manufacturers) do a sweat cover but does the same job as a towel... A fan blowing on you whilst training also helps.

T1365 Tacx Sweat Cover 2007
protects your bike from dripping sweat during in door training.


rrp £19.99 save 15% £16.99

 

[wafflycat]

aahhhh thanks... i didn’t know what they were called to be able to search for them. I want to gain fitness/distance and lose weight too, would turbo be the best for this?

vernon - why is turbo boring compared to the rollers? (Sorry new to this roller & turbo indoor training)

Wafflycat - Have you got the one you posted?

Thanks for the help it’s really appreciated

Rollers you have to be able to balance the bike - if you don't you'll have a fall, a potentially nasty one. Turbos, you lock the bike on to the turbo so you won't fall off at all.

Some folk find turbo boring - put some music on, stick it in front of a computer monitor or TV & watch a DVD..

There's two turbos at Chez Wafflycat. Got a Tacx I-Magic which is great (but expensive) see http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Tacx_I-Magic_Virtual_Reality_T1900_Trainer/5300002174/ Also got a basic Elite one. The basic one got used a lot as the preferred warm-up method of my son when he was getting ready to do a time trial.

 

[Losidan]

I think tacx do a set of rollers which are curved to promote the bike to stay more central