Turbo Trainer Advice

I'm in need of a turbo trainer.

Choice is Tacx Vortex which appear to be forum approved and stupidly cheap.

Other one which is the Jet Black WhisperDrive DDM, I liked the idea of a direct drive.

Last choice is the Tacx Flux Smart Trainer, the more expensive (but much cheaper on trades).

@TheArchitect can you give me a few more insight on the Jet Black? it's a steal on trade price at work.

I rarely change gears on my dumb trainer. Pick one that gets power and cadence right, ride, done. £300 to avoid changing gears for some intervals isn't selling me the concept and I own a Computrainer :P

It's ideal if you have a bike with a power meter because you train at the same loads as race/real life. However it's very basic, so if you don't have a pm go for something else

Note: note I have rotor 2inpower cranks

Thanks, I just want something that have more of a road feel rather than feeling like I'm riding on treacle (no better word than that @sumo ).

There is a fly wheel which carries some inertia. So you can soft pedal or even 'free wheel' for a few seconds without losing too much momentum in the over resistance setting. The highest resistances are like riding up chalkpit lane with a 30kg backpack 💪

You had me at Chalkpit Lane.

I've got one up from the Vortex, the Bushido. It's the same other than being rated a bit higher and doesn't need plugged in (it lives in the shed).

With no flywheel it's a bit of a pain to quickly change intervals on and so I have to carefully ramp into intervals. It cost <£300 off Rose but if I'd had the chance I'd have gone for a powertap rear for my TT bike and a fluid. Then again that means that hub is stuck on a specific wheel.

Too each their own. I was perfectly happy before too but I like it doing it for me, especially for sufferfest type sessions where there is a new power target every 30 seconds.

I've heard the jet black is meant to be decent enough.
If it's cheap your for, give it a go.

Or maybe find one to have a session on.

I'd take it for that if you can wait until next Thursday / next weekend (10th). Happy to concede if anyone else takes it first.

It's provisionally yours.

-5C this am. Might need fan HEATER in turbo shed.

HEATER in turbo shed

I started last nights turbo in a thermal layer, base layer and gloves, after 10 minutes the thermal went, then after 20 the base layer did and after about 30 the gloves went as well, never felt the need for the fan but then I was only doing a tempo session, tonight's threshold session might escalate to fan levels...

one thing I've noticed with the wattbike is that the air intake on the right can suck in the entire output of my fan once I get to about 300w, so as soon as I actually need the cooling in a session all airflow stops, have had to have a reshuffle in the pain cave to avoid this issue!

£312 on trade might be OK, gonna compare it with the Trax one.

Here's the options:

Train using perceived effort with Sufferfest videos or the like. For this you can use any old turbo and still get some decent gains. You'll need to work out your plan, when to do short intervals, when to do sweet spot training etc. Typical outlay £100
E.g CycleOps Mag

Train with a 'power' turbo that measures power. Obviously you won't be able to use power when off the turbo but that may not matter if your training on roads is generally steady and the intervals are saved for the turbo. You will be able to use pre-made plans and sessions from places like Training Peaks and Zwift. Typical outlay £200 - £300.
E.g Elite Qubo Power

Train with a 'smart' turbo. Similar to before except a 'smart' turbo can be changed automatically for use on things like Zwift and will have better integration with a phone app for control or recording. Can be from £200 to £500
E.g. Tacx Flow T224 at the cheaper end. Wahoo Kickr Snap at the pricey end.

Or get a power meter and use any turbo. The benefits are that you can train to power on the road as well and it will probably be more accurate overall. You also don't have to worry about calibrating the turbo each time you use it. If you want to go all out then buy a power meter for your bike and also get a turbo trainer that can be controlled automatically.
Price could be anywhere between £200 and £2000.

brexit, trump and now ed getting a powermeter!? dafuq 2016!?

Ah thought you said was super cheap.

I'm looking for a turbo trainer that have a decent road feel, rather than going deeper into training, I'm a little old fashion on this, however a smart trainer make the most sense in the long term.

Read on inertia and then get this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LeMond-Revolution-Cycling-Indoor-Turbo-Trainer-Le-Mond-/112217077401?hash=item1a20a8b699:g:XIAAAOSwiDFYOXmY

Because I am a mental weakling I like smart trainers - they ensure that if your interval is 20 minutes at 280 watts then that's what you are going to do, not the first three minutes at 300, then 10 minutes at 280 and the final seven minutes varying between (I can do this!) 320 and (fuck this hurts!) 250.

Plot the session, hit go, turbo inflicts suffering on you, fin.

You want one with the biggest weight possible then and probably avoid fluid ones. The ideal is a big/heavy flywheel and low resistance. Also ones like the Kurt Rock & Roll will help as they allow some natural sideways movement. I've been using a Kickr Snap which has good road feel, but holds the bike dead steady, whereas I've also got an Elite Digital one which doesn't roll as nice, but allows some sway so still feels good to ride.

Don't buy Kurt unless you also buy a power meter.

if rep then etc

The ideal is a big/heavy flywheel and low resistance.

Perfect, helped narrow it down greatly, thank dude.