Had thought turbo seemed like a good idea - saves running road bike and drivetrain over winter, efficient use of time and less chance of being run over as nights draw in. However, as budget is tight I had started thinking about whether to just stick some slicks on my ss cross bike and use that instead.
Wouldn't be able to get many long rides in so not ideal situation but comparable training benefits or not really?
Bump
Rather an open question really, as there's so many variable to consider. Depends what you want to achieve during your winter training. Turbos not ideal for long endurance sessions (boring), but ideal for focussed intervals and pedal drill sessions. A real bike outdoors is probably going to be the reverse. Single speed an interesting spanner in the works though, as it's harder to change training intensity than on a geared bike, unless you start using hills in your sessions.
Sorry - not brilliantly helpful really that answer. I think you need to work out what you want to achieve, and go from there? 🙂
i have both
Turbo trainers are as boring as boring can be
Good for up to an hours with of hard intervals - i just cant stand any more tbh
Personally I would rather ride.
I use the turbo for when I cant get out - looking after the kids or occasionally due to biblical levels of rain.
Can you borrow a turbo trainer to see just how sweaty and dull it is as they are not for everyone. It is probably better for "proper" training
What junkyard said.
For example, I have 2 hours spare now before my daughter gets dropped off at mine. I have looked at the turbo and the Swift and the Swift has won.
Use the turbo at night as there is no way I'd ride a road bike at night around here, I'd be dead in a week !
I only use the turbo when the weather is too bad to get out and ride. I use it for hard interval sessions that I couldn't do out on the road as I would be to knackered to spot any traffic!!
Any bike that you can get out and about on is more fun than sitting on the turbo, but as mentioned above what do you want to achieve during the winter months?
If you want to miles fitter and stronger spend the majority of your time killing yourself on 1 hour turbo sessions, but if you want to still like riding bikes.......get out and ride
sorry should have clarified:
turbo would be 1 hour sessions and intervals prob use sufferfest.
ss would be poss be same sort of time frame but 'base' miles
The turbo makes more sense given my criteria which is to use time most efficiently (training at night most of the time) and build a base for triathlons next year, prob a middle distance in May and potentially an ironman distance in June (fitness and finances permitting)
Had one before and was very dull and noisy not to mention sweaty however got a garage these days and a training goal.
Think I've prob answered my own question!
I had a great idea to watch TV whilst on the turbo. That went well 🙄
triathelete 😯
You shoudl deffo get a turbo trainer as you have no need for bike handling skills 😉
ss would be poss be same sort of time frame but 'base' miles
From what you say the turbo would seem more use not going to get a lot of base miles in the time you describe but if you did go down the ss route I think you might get more of a work out from a fixed than ss (if your bike can run fixed)
Another option. Rollers.
I got some second hand last winter for £60. I used them quite a bit, maybe 3/4 times a week depending on weather. Longest I managed was 1 hour 20 mins. Most times were about 30 mins. You could however average around 30mph 😆
From what you say i'd get a turbo/rollers. They are boring though!
You shoudl deffo get a turbo trainer as you have no need for bike handling skills
only done a couple of tris but yeah seems to be about sticking it in a big gear and steaming along
rollers might be a good shout, need to accommodate recovery time for bashed ribs prob...
fixed might be an option though i'd need to get a flip flop hub/wheel, can't say ive ever been all that keen when ive done it in the past