Turbo trainers

[Will]

A friend at work wants to take advantage of our cheap bike scheme, and get into cycling.

As a family man, and with winter approaching, he's conscious that he probably won't get out as often as he would like, so is thinking about getting a turbo trainer as well so that he can still get some decent exercise indoors.

He's asked me a few questions, and not knowing much about turbos, I thought I'd ask here, so here they are:

1) Which is a good sort to get (aren't the magnetic variety better?)

2) How much would you need to spend to get something decent?

3) What's a good way to cope with the boredom factor?

4) Any other points to note?

All answers gratefully received!

[Grahame]

My opinions, his experience may vary:

1) The "wind" ones feel more natural, the magnetic ones are a bit quieter.

2) I think the prices start at around £100 new, though Geoffrey Butler have this:
http://www.gbcycles.co.uk/eshop.asp?wci ... ME+TRAINER
for £85

3) I used to use 1/2 hour Channel 4 Tour De France highlights shows to stave off the boredom. Bizarrely, the flat stages worked best for me - trying to match cadence and/or simulated speed with the chasing pack or the breakaway would keep me going.

4) I now think he'd be better off spending the money on some warm, reflective clothes and lights and going out for a proper ride.

Oh, yes some other things to consider:
a) Get a block or something to put under the front wheel to raise the front end and make it feel more like riding his bike on the level, otherwise he'll end up with more weight on your arms than normal.
b) Turbo trainers shred rear tyres. He should get a (very) cheap rear tyre just for indoor sessions, or keep old tyres for this purpose.

As I said, all my opinion with no accuracy guarantee.

[Jon H]

He will also need a fan to try and keep cool, and towel(s) to soak up the sweat and stop it ruining the bike and/or floor.

A structured interval session is the best was to stop the boredom, as you can focus on what you're doing for a few minutes at a time. Trying to do a long steady ride like you would on the road is almost impossibly boring, although music or videos can help make it bearable if you have a high boredom threshold and lots of motivation.

[kieran]

the fan is not strictly necessary - if he has a shed/garden can to the sessions there and as autumn is coming the temperatures will not be too bad. I did my summer turbo sessions around 9pm out in our garden! Boredom is a big problem but if he does shortish intervals then he should be too busy following the program. I have only tried out my own so cn't compare it to others and it's getting old so probably not in the market any more - just make sure it's stable and with padded feet to stop it banging the floor etc. I think C+ did a review some time in the not too distant past.

BUT if he is just starting cycling I would think turbos will put him off? Some nights instead of a turbo session I stole Ajays circular route around Dulwich (good route as has a nice hill, all left turns with few lights etc and they never stay red for long, and can just about fit 5 laps in an hour) and did that for an hour - he may be able to find a nice circular route nearby - a more sane option.

[Andrew G]

I have the trainer Grahame links to and it's fine. I've found the resistance adjuster a waste of time as I just use the gears, and the adjuster doesn't fit oversize bars.

I just use a book to raise the front wheel, don't waste money on the £12 "riser block" they might try and sell you.

DVD's / videos are the only thing that works to alleviate boredom for me. Any cycling one, and as Grahame says you can match the riders cadence etc. I've found Classics or similar work very well. Do the race on your turbo - When they get out the saddle, you do; when they go flat out on a break, you do. Use bigger gears to simulate hills. I find this gives you a good work out in a relatively short time, and as you are following and reacting to the race it keeps your brain occupied.

This might not be the most structured training but I've found I clock watch too much if I try and do something more organised.

Do make sure you drink an electrolyte drink, or add salt to a juice drink as you will need to replace the salts you lose with copious sweating.