Turbo Trainer - go for one with power?

[Mr_K_Dilkington]

I'm in the market for my first turbo trainer - I want to use it to rack up steady base miles and also for interval training - I live in West London, so the traffic can really hamper both of these goals, so a turbo seems like a good option. My question is do I go for one of the following fairly basic turbos (which one would be best in your opinion):

Elite Magnetic Force Elastogel Trainer Pack (150): http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_974171_langId_-1_categoryId_229901

Tacx Blue Motion High Power Folding Magnetic Trainer (147): http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-blue-motion-high-power-folding-magnetic-trainer/

Elite Crono Fluid ElastoGel Trainer (160): http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-crono-fluid-elastogel-trainer/

Stealth Black Mag Turbo Trainer (90): http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TRSTBMT/stealth-black-mag-turbo-trainer
...or do I go for one with a power meter to really measure my training, such as this (please suggest alternatives or advice on this if you have anything to add):

Tacx Flow Ergo trainer (265): http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-flow-ergo-trainer/

Is this turbo with power half decent, or would i have to spend more to get a decent one with power?

Cheers!

 

[Rob3rt]

I'd buy a Kurt Kinetic road machine.

 

[Roadrider48]

I bought a turbo last week. It was a cheapo thing for £120.
But to be fair it's not too bad or too noisy. And the resistance settings are quite good.

 

[Mr_K_Dilkington]

I bought a turbo last week. It was a cheapo thing for £120.
But to be fair it's not too bad or too noisy. And the resistance settings are quite good.

Which one did you get?

 

[Stu Plows]

If you can afford one with power I would get one. I get so anal about numbers now I wish I had got one with power

 

[Stu Plows]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-satori...=affiliates&utm_campaign=turbobiketrainer.com Good deal here...

 

[Rob3rt]

If you can afford one with power I would get one. I get so anal about numbers now I wish I had got one with power

What use are the numbers if they are not accurate nor precise?

 

[Roadrider48]

Which one did you get?

It's made Rolson. Pretty basic, but as I said it seems to be ok.
I think they make tools aswell.

 

[Stu Plows]

What use are the numbers if they are not accurate nor precise?

That's my point.

 

[Rob3rt]

That's my point.

Eh... you said nothing of the sort...

In fact your post suggests the opposite, you claim you are anal about the numbers then recommend/wish you were using something that is not accurate or precise to acquire the numbers?

 

[Stu Plows]

Eh... you said nothing of the sort...

In fact your post suggests the opposite, you claim you are anal about the numbers then recommend/wish you were using something that is not accurate or precise to acquire the numbers?

Maybe I have misunderstand what a Turbo trainer with Power actually is then?

 

[Stu Plows]

Maybe I have misunderstand what a Turbo trainer with Power actually is then?

Suspicion confirmed, I'm a dumbass.

 

[Rob3rt]

Turbo trainers that provide power readings are inferring power output from speed using a speed vs power calibration curve, unless the resistance unit has a repeatable curve (which most simply do not) then the power reading will not be precise. If it is not precise, then by definition, it can not be accurate either!

Even if the curve is repeatable, essentially you are paying a lot of extra cash, for something so crude as a simple conversion between speed and power, in which case you may as well just use speed as a metric and save a load of money.

 

[Mr_K_Dilkington]

Turbo trainers that provide power readings are inferring power output from speed using a speed vs power calibration curve, unless the resistance unit has a repeatable curve (which most simply do not) then the power reading will not be precise. If it is not precise, then by definition, it can not be accurate either!

Even if the curve is repeatable, essentially you are paying a lot of extra cash, for something so crude as a simple conversion between speed and power, in which case you may as well just use speed as a metric and save a load of money.

Fair enough, I'll just go for one of the cheaper but still decent basic options.

 

[scouserinlondon]

Apologies for the thread hijack. After a long period off the bike I've got back on and realised just how unfit I am. I was thinking of buying a £90 ebay special to use in the short term to help me get back to match fitness. Not arsed about power output data or anything, just want to get leg strength back simulating hills. Does anybody have any experience of the lower end of the market sub-£100 turbo trainers?