[Closed] Turbo Trainers... what to go for?

Cheap ones do tend to be very very noisy.

Tacx Flow or better if you are serious (for the power reading)

Tacx Swing if not

I had a cyclops mag

Now have a minoura which is quieter

So even within magnetic resistance models there's variations in noise levels.

Avoid anything with air resistance, they're just too lout to be usefull.

Quite tempted by power reading ones though.

I have a cheap tacx swing i bougth 2nd hand from classifieds here. Works well and the resistance goes quite high

Guy just joined the club turned up to the club turbo session with one of these

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Flipping heck is it noisy!

I have a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. Fluid resistance (so as quiet as they reasonably get) and the resistance unit is powertap calibrated - this means that if you have a speed sensor on the rear wheel, you can work out (using Kurt's formula/graph) what power you're doing for a given speed.

It may not be 100% accurate as to absolute power, but it should retain consistency for training benefits.

It may not be 100% accurate as to absolute power, but it should retain consistency for training benefits.

That I think is the key here, if you want power levels on the cheap then make sure the readings are consistent, rather than accurate.

However back to the original post, I have a cheap Tacx one for when I'm not on the rollers and its fine. I would though buy an Elite one if I were to upgrade as I like their products.

i just bought one of these

[url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-crono-fluid-elastogel-trainer/ ]elite crono fluid[/url]

extra 10% off with a wiggle discount code someone here posted, and a free set of DHB glasses.

Right, so for the sort of money I've got in mind it seems like she's after a magnetic one

Power meter, fluid = too expensive. This will get used a handful of times then forgotten about (you know how it is)
Air = already got a C2 rower, so very familiar with the noise issue!

I've got the Elite one Jambo highlights above.

Its very quiet as turbo's go and offers plenty of progressive resistance just using the gearing of the bike, and the resistance feels similar to the road for given gear and speed. I've always thought magnetic ones feel artificial if you get what I mean..

No thrills with it though ie power meters, but unless you are doing really serious training I can not see thats an issue.

jam bo - Member
i just bought one of these

elite crono fluid

extra 10% off with a wiggle discount code someone here posted, and a free set of DHB glasses

me too! arrived yesterday - impressed so far, stable and quiet

Depends on a fair few variables, e.g.

- what are the key training aims (if any)
- noise
- level of resistance
- want to be able to change resistance on the fly (and emulate slopes etc)
- want to hook up to a computer and track stuff like HR, cadence, speed, watts, etc
- want to record sessions for comparison
- budget
- floor space (and portability)
- want to be able to use it anywhere, e.g. indoors/outdoors
- want to race against other people (online?)
- want to ride virtual tracks/routes as well as pro routes

Answer those and you get might some more pointers. Sounds at the mo that she just needs an entry level jobby. If so, I'd recommend talking with [url= http://www.fudgescyclestore.com//index.php?c=4527 ]Fudge Cycles[/url] and [url= http://www.cyclesportsuk.co.uk/index.php?cPath=65 ]Cycle Sports UK[/url].

I did a lot of research end of last year before opting for Taxc Flow 2200 with the PC upgrade kit. Excellent piece of kit but around £500 (in the sales). I can do everything listed above though (except virtual racing - can't be bothered with that).

I have the elite chrono fluid too, I sold mt very expensive tax one as I hated the pedalling feeling, this one at 1/4 is so much better and a lot more quiet too. I wasn't bothered about gizmos as I have a powertap for that sort of stuff, just wanted a quite ish, nice pedalling turbo, This ticks all the boxes IMO. Having said that nothing beats my old faithful cateye cyclosimulator, wish they still made that, it was great.

cateye cyclosimulator....still got mine, must 20 years old and its still going.

God dammit, Typed last response on Iphone, looks like a Yoof has written it! Apologies for that.

My Cyclosimulator died. wish it was still going

had some problems with the magnet/resistance last winter. it didn't like extreme low temps and i thought it was broken. i bought some elite rollers to replace it but then it started working again. now i 'enjoy' both:-)