Turbo Trainer Novice Advice

[junkie_ball]

Hi,

Sure this question has been asked a million times and if so please bare with me. I'm considering getting a turbo for when i get home late and cannot be bothered to hit the streets in the dark. I have been doing some research and think if i did get a turbo trainer i would like a spare wheel with a trainer tire fitted. Firstly to avoid wearing my road tire down, secondly just for ease of setting the trainer up.

My current rear cassette is a shimano HG50 9 speed 11-30 so am i right in saying if i brought a cheap wheel and fitted an identical cassette i would avoid any indexing problems between the two wheels? Also i have 700x32c tires but having a quick look around I cannot see any turbo trainer specific tires. Does anyone know if they make them in this size?

 

[Sods_Laur]

You could pick a narrower tyre for your trainer wheel, as you're not riding outside it won't matter. Also I'm not convinced specific trainer tyres are worth the money.

In terms of setting a bike up on the trainer it's really the work of two minutes. In all honesty I would spend the money you'd put in on a spare wheel and cassette on a better trainer.

But others may differ on this.

 

[oldfatfool]

Why bother changing the wheel over, just get a turbo specific bike and leave it set up permanently

As for turbo tyres, depends on how much you plan to use the turbo, and/ or how many old tyres you have kicking about, but from new a turbo tyre will last a lot longer on a turbo than a road tyre.

 

[Deleted member 18052]

Get a set of rollers instead, i'm really tempted at the moment!

 

[John the Canuck]

............ but from new a turbo tyre will last a lot longer on a turbo than a road tyre.

could you explain this..?

it's a long winter up here in Scotland and i may/am considering a 'trainer' for the winter

turbo or rollers.?

thanks

 

[junkie_ball]

Get a set of rollers instead, i'm really tempted at the moment!

A set of rollers i think i would cause quite a mess at home using rollers. I'd lose balance or forget what i am doing and end up shooting across the room. lol. No it's definitely a trainer for me if i go down this root.

 

[jay clock]

i have specific wheel with a turbo tyre and it works a treat. 20 secs to change, and no hassle at all. Gears fine too

 

[John the Canuck]

A set of rollers i think i would cause quite a mess at home using rollers. I'd lose balance or forget what i am doing and end up shooting across the room. lol. No it's definitely a trainer for me if i go down this root.

end up shooting across the room

urban myth

 

[John the Canuck]

Get a set of rollers instead, i'm really tempted at the moment!

got and good prices yet..?

links.?

 

[oldfatfool]

could you explain this..?

it's a long winter up here in Scotland and i may/am considering a 'trainer' for the winter

turbo or rollers.?

thanks

Both but rollers I would probably just use an ordinary tyre.
Turbo tyre is much harder compound that is more resilient to the forces applied by a turbo and dissipates the heat generated better. (Also meant to be quieter.)

 

[Rob3rt]

Get a set of rollers instead, i'm really tempted at the moment!

Rollers are no good if you want to do hard efforts, generally speaking. My rollers, I can barely get above 280W on them in the biggest gear (53:11) spinning over 120 rpm. Absolutely no chance of doing an effort at 400+ W!

 

[arch684]

hi I would go for the spare wheel with a turbo tyre. i would advise you to buy a large fan to help keep cool, you sweat buckets on a turbo