Training aid

[Markp13]

Ok, as far as life in Scotland goes, winter has been here for months. So I'm looking for a machine to bolt the bike to in the garage and pedal for a few hours.

I know from a very quick scan that there are all sorts of things available at various prices but, can anyone personally recommend something?

[anonymous-user]

i did some researtch and the tacx sirius turbo trainer is probably the best out there for the money if reviews are anything to go by. www.thesufferfest.com

[itsnotarace]

My Elite is very quiet, recommended. Loads of reviews on Wiggle.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-crono-fluid-elastoge...

In this month's Cycling Plus they have a review of 14 different turbo trainers and rollers so grab a copy and have a read.

[Kieran]

I just bought this Elite and after a few weeks use I would highly recommend it. Quieter than I expected and good resistance control;

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-crono-hydro-mag-elas...

[rhinochopig]

I know this is the pedal forum, but for garage training you really can't beat a rowing machine. You do more in less time and it covers the whole body. Unless you race, keep the cycling for the outdoors. The benefit of the rower is that it really helps with MTB'ing as it keeps your arms, shoulders and core strong.

[dubbs]

Going to give you slightly odd form though, muscle memory will have you popping wheelies everywhere

[Markp13]

I have a gym membership for rowing and weights. I also have an expensive bike I can't use because of the weather so turbo trainer it is.

Anymore recommendations?

[option click]

I've just invested in a Tacx i-magic VR trainer and a bunch of Real Life Video (RLV) discs.
I can now cycle up Mt Ventoux from my shed (kind of...)

http://www.tacxvr.com/

Not the cheapest option, but the VR or video aspect keeps the training interesting.

[anonymous-user]

Markp13 said:

I have a gym membership for rowing and weights. I also have an expensive bike I can't use because of the weather so turbo trainer it is.

Anymore recommendations?

pah. you can use it in the bad weather you just choose not to.

ideally you need a bike you are prepared to use in the winter and a trainer.

the clear crisp days in the winter make for fantastic riding. yeah there might not be many days like that in scotland but using the value of your bike as an excuse to not use it for six months of the year is illogical. surely you want to ride it as often as possible? even if its an expensive bike, it wont fall apart in the winter if you are prepared to avoid the heavy salted roads and wash/lube it after use so you either have the choice of good quality winter clothing or the trainer but there will be loads of htt ribbles on ebay in the next three months.

[Markp13]

Actually, you're right. I'm a big poof!

There is no way I'm going out cycling in anything less than 15oC and anything more than a gentle breeze.

So turbo trainer it is.......

[dangerousB]

option click said:

I've just invested in a Tacx i-magic VR trainer and a bunch of Real Life Video (RLV) discs.
I can now cycle up Mt Ventoux from my shed (kind of...)

http://www.tacxvr.com/

Not the cheapest option, but the VR or video aspect keeps the training interesting.

How're you getting on with it?
Despite a whole bunch of people telling me not to, I've just bitten the bullet and got the Fortius multiplayer and tbh, I can't see why anyone wouldn't want one.
Granted it's not the cheapest thing out there, but it certainly beats staring at a blank wall all winter and the RLV and VR courses do offer a great deal more motivation for getting stuck in - plus analysing your performance later in the catalyst.
I think the i-magic/Fortius are fascinating pieces of kit and well worth a look at . . .

[option click]

I'm really enjoying it so far. I'm only interested in the RLV aspect and haven't bothered with the VR and/or multiplayer aspect yet - my ageing laptop isn't up to the job anyway. It's certainly better than plodding away staring at a wall, and the interactive nature of the video and trainer resistance provides an enjoyable experience.

Installing and setting up the TTS software was slightly painful. My i-magic came bundled with TTS 3.0 and I had to go through the upgrade path of 3.1, 3.2 etc.. rather than being able to jump straight up to the latest v3.5. I also had to mess around with additional video codecs and Win7 settings in order to get anything to display. IMO (and possibly due to my experience/preference for Macs) the installer should give you everything you need to run the software and not require you to research additional drivers etc.

Reading the Tacx support forums, the TTS software seems to have been causing people all kinds of problems over the years which is a shame - it very nearly put me off buying.

Why were people trying to dissuade you from buying?

Edited by option click on Tuesday 13th September 17:32

[dangerousB]

Well most people were saying don't buy because the software's too buggy and Tacx's support is useless, so they won't be around to help you out, but my bruv (who bought one about 12 months ago) pretty much told me the opposite so I trusted him and dived in.
I have to say I've hardly had any bother whatsoever . . . I had a 2 minor issues:-

1. DirectX 9 wasn't installed on my PC - took about 2 mins to download and sort out
2. The multiplayer license didn't register properly, which was my fault for installing the software before hooking the trainer up to the PC. One email to Tacx and they responded within 2 hours and sorted it out there and then.

Like you, I did read the forums and nearly bottled out of buying one and I'm glad I didn't now. Whilst they've certainly had issues in the past, I think they may well now be on top of things a little better - certainly my experience anyway.
I'm just glad that now, when it's -5ºC outside, dark when I go to work, dark when I get home and peeing down with rain, I can go to the bottom of the garden, fire up the PC and do a standardised intervals session/tempo ride (which I've set up in catalyst) or give my bruv a buzz and challenge him to a TT over one of the VR courses!!!
And the neat bit for me is the facility to later analyse the data to (hopefully) quantify my progress through the winter

[matty_doh]

Another +1 for the Elite-Crono-Hydro-Mag-Elastogel-thing.

I've had one for about a year and still runs smooth and quiet (Well, compared to others I've used including more expensive ones). It is a bit boring so I tend to stick my laptop in front with a film or something on and even with my netbooks piddly speakers it can easily be heard over the turbo.

[Markp13]

Thanks chaps. I've got the elite chrono Jobby bookmarked at wiggle for £168.

Is that as cheap as it's likely to get? Cheapest I can see so far.

[Markp13]

I'm trying to buy them just now but the wiggle website is soooo slow it's not letting me confirm a payment!!

[Markp13]

I GIVE UP!!!

WIGGLE ARE HOPELESS!!!!

[Paul Drawmer]

Don't forget that if you are using your best bike on a trainer, sweat is 'orrible stuff and the salt makes it quite corrosive. Remember to wash your bike off now and then to stop things happening to the paint, decals, cables, bar tape, etc etc.

[Captain Beaky]

I've got a Tacx Flow which suits me fine. It's stable and quiet (though I only use it in the garage) and has more adjustments than I need.

I haven't been down the fancy interface path, I just listen to noisy stuff on headphones. My Edge 800 takes care of the HR and cadence measurements.

Whatever you choose it's worth getting a trainer tyre, road tyres wear very quickly on the trainer. I've got a spare wheel for quick changes as I ride through winter. Use a cloth or towel to keep sweat off the bike too.

[Markp13]

Finally defeated the nightmare that is wiggle and ordered the elite.

I have got a couple of spare tyres to burn on it and I will keep in mind a bike bikini if the sweating gets too much.

Thanks for all your help men.

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