Spec me a turbo trainer...

CK61938 · 14 Mar 2017 at 10:50

I have heard people talk about these, but never realised how effective they could be. Then I had a quick look at the Zwift/Turbo Trainer thread and can see it really does have great benefits!

So with that in mind, please give me recommendations on what to get and whether they will work with the likes of Zwift! Nothing too expensive, probably looking at around £35-£50 to get me started. Have had a look on eBay and there's certainly a range and a half!

Also, the missus announced last night that she is going to borrow her mum's bike from next month and go on a few rides with me! About time too! Lol. So maybe a turbo trainer could benefit her more than me.

Thanks guys!

ChrisD. · 14 Mar 2017 at 10:57

Where are you located? I have an unused one in the garage.

CK61938 · 14 Mar 2017 at 11:06

ChrisD. said:
Where are you located? I have an unused one in the garage.

Newcastle Upon Tyne. Gateshead to be specific. Lol.

ChrisD. · 14 Mar 2017 at 11:07

Nice and local to Gloucester then!

CK61938 · 14 Mar 2017 at 11:15

ChrisD. said:
Nice and local to Gloucester then!

Haha! Yep, very local!

ChrisD. · 14 Mar 2017 at 11:21

I bought one from Wiggle for about £80 I think, it was on sale. I cannot find the invoice for the life of me so not 100% sure on the cost. That's the one that is in the garage, however when I went to set it up a few months ago I couldn't find the dyno part. So a mate of mine was selling a Giant one for cheap so I bought that, and when I received it and after I set it up, I was rooting through the garage for something else and found the original dyno part! Doh!

CK61938 · 14 Mar 2017 at 11:23

ChrisD. said:
I bought one from Wiggle for about £80 I think, it was on sale. I cannot find the invoice for the life of me so not 100% sure on the cost. That's the one that is in the garage, however when I went to set it up a few months ago I couldn't find the dyno part. So a mate of mine was selling a Giant one for cheap so I bought that, and when I received it and after I set it up, I was rooting through the garage for something else and found the original dyno part! Doh!

Ah I see. Lol. Gotta love it when that happens!

ChrisD. · 14 Mar 2017 at 11:27

Yeah, annoying. Mine is great though, it's got a cable with resistance adjuster on it. You definitely need water, towel and airflow. As long as the bracket holding the wheels is of reasonably quality I would just get whatever is in budget from a reputable bike store. Add more to budget if you want fancier gadgets but mine is literally only to keep me going over winter.

CK61938 · 14 Mar 2017 at 11:39

ChrisD. said:
Yeah, annoying. Mine is great though, it's got a cable with resistance adjuster on it. You definitely need water, towel and airflow. As long as the bracket holding the wheels is of reasonably quality I would just get whatever is in budget from a reputable bike store. Add more to budget if you want fancier gadgets but mine is literally only to keep me going over winter.

Yeah, good point. I just need something for when the weather is bad and such. And as I said earlier, the missus plans to join me soon, so she could use the trainer as practice before we venture out properly.

ChrisD. · 14 Mar 2017 at 11:45

I'm fairly certain this is the 'other' one I have.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-crono-mag-speed-alu-trainer/

CK61938 · 14 Mar 2017 at 11:54

ChrisD. said:
I'm fairly certain this is the 'other' one I have.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-crono-mag-speed-alu-trainer/

Yeah, I noticed that one. Not bad at all. I'll see if the missus fancies going halfers on it.

BennyC · 14 Mar 2017 at 12:15

Why not search/ask this in the Indoor/Trainer thread? :confused:

CK61938 · 14 Mar 2017 at 12:20

BennyC said:
Why not search/ask this in the Indoor/Trainer thread?

I was going to, but thought creating a separate thread would help more. I will ask and see.

Roady · 15 Mar 2017 at 11:00

Worth checking/looking at Aldi as they did a range of turbo's for around your original budget (as one of their 'weekly specials').

Any of the main name brands (Tacx, Elite etc) with trainers around the ~£80 level you really can't go wrong with. You're bordering on the differences between mag and fluid at that level.

As soon as you're venturing over £100 then the Tacx Flow Smart is very hard to ignore, it's £180-200 and only available in Decathlon & Halfords. But it is the cheapest Smart trainer you'll find and well regarded, not available on Wiggle etc (Vortex Smart being the best online 'cheap' Smart trainer at <£300).

CK61938 · 15 Mar 2017 at 11:24

Roady said:
Worth checking/looking at Aldi as they did a range of turbo's for around your original budget (as one of their 'weekly specials').

Any of the main name brands (Tacx, Elite etc) with trainers around the ~£80 level you really can't go wrong with. You're bordering on the differences between mag and fluid at that level.

As soon as you're venturing over £100 then the Tacx Flow Smart is very hard to ignore, it's £180-200 and only available in Decathlon & Halfords. But it is the cheapest Smart trainer you'll find and well regarded, not available on Wiggle etc (Vortex Smart being the best online 'cheap' Smart trainer at <£300).

Good stuff. I will check Aldi and see when they have them on for their specials.

UTmaniac · 15 Mar 2017 at 12:13

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/turbo-trainers/trainers/tacx-flow-t2240-smart-turbo-trainer is supposed be decent as a basic smart turbo, that could be used with the likes of Zwift and give variable resistance to represent up to ~6% hill climbs.

Toyota Club membership will give you 15% off Halfords, plus your employer might allow you to buy Halfords vouchers at a discount of ~10%, potentially making it just over £140.

Roady · 15 Mar 2017 at 14:50

They're on deals cheaper than £200, Decathlon seem to have more deals on them (£190 currently but out of stock online). British Cycling discount at Halfords though (10%).