Turbo Trainers?

[loops]

Hi, some beginner advice needed

Thinking about the winter getting in the way of me and my bike! Have looked at turbo trainers but there is so much choice, and they get really expensive. I want to do something that will maintain and hopefully improve my strength and endurance through the winter.
Any advice on a reasonably priced model? and would I need a different wheel ...have read some people saying that they wear your back wheel out?
Also is this different to using the stationary spin bikes at the gym??

thanks Loops

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

I was in the same situation last winter and researched them a bit. I came to the conclusion that I did not want a really cheap one, and I did not need a really expensive one either. I got an Elite Mag Alu it has 5 resistance settings, is not that noisy and work very well for around £100. Regarding a training wheel, it is the tyre that they can ruin because of the heat generated. I just used my normal tyre and had no issues. Some people use a training wheel so they can change the wheel out quickly with another wheel fitted with a cheap tyre or turbo trainer specific tyre. I changed my wheels in the summer and now use the old wheel and tyre as a training wheel after buying a cassette for it. Its up to you if you want to bother. You should also budget for a front wheel riser block that raises the front wheel to the same height that the rear wheel is at suspended in the trainer. I guess you could always use a large book or make something out of wood as they are pretty simple things. I got an Elite travel block for around £15. I prefer this setup better than any exercise bike that I have ever used.

Elite Mag Alu

Elite Travel Block

 

[amaferanga]

Fluid trainers generally feel more road-like, but are also a bit more expensive and it takes a bit of time for them to warm up so that the resistance stabilises.

I've used 3 turbos: Tacx Swing (magnetic), Elite Fluid Elastogel and Cycleops Fluid 2 and the two fluid models are MUCH more enjoyable to ride. Never used a proper turbo tyre - just old regular tyres that I have lying around. One thing about using regular tyres though - if you do a lot of turbo riding the tyres become a bit glazed and square in profile in my experience making them very ungrippy on the road. So best either have a dedicated turbo wheel or switch tyres before heading out onto the road.