Turbo Trainer Advice

Maintain / increase

thanks, knowing myself I'll probably end up just throwing the bike on the trainer.

Turbo tires are the most pointless thing ever. Just burn cheap tires, best I've found were cheap, coloured from some OTP fixie

Did you ever find one that was quieter? They all claim to be but the only one I used I couldn't tell. If none of them are actually quieter than I'm just going to continue shredding old tyres.

Pretty sure there was a test that showed them as louder than regular tyres... Might have been DC rainmaker

No wonder I sold the one I had!

That and they're a fucker to get on and off.

Now something for people with smart trainers in ERG mode: What gearing do you use? Does it make any difference?
I've just done a new ramp test and I got a shocking increase. Only explanation is I was in the big ring when I usually use the smaller one (less revolutions, quieter), or maybe I've just got better at it. In no way I'm stronger than last time, I'd say the opposite

How much of an increase and when was the last test?

I normally run in the biggest gear combo that still has a decent chainline. So big ring and kinda mid-block. Should have the least wear/noise in the driveline then.

I went from 290 to 310. Last test was maybe in mid November last year? But I did not enough riding at all
Pretty sure the recommended way was small ring, straight chain. I rarely use the small ring on the road anyways
Also, I'm getting old, so every test I expect a start to a slow but sure decline

I use small chainring, mid block.
Not sure why the gear selection would make a difference.
Freshness?

Edit do you calibrate before every session?

I have a 1x with a 56T at the front, ride in the middle of the block at the back for a straight chain line.

There is plenty of discussion, but in general, a hard gear will be slightly easier as the flywheel has more momentum so you can have micro rests. The little ring is more like riding up a hill, so if you ease up it’s more noticeable.

I can definitely tell the difference so I make sure I stick to the same gear for all my turbo workouts.

If I understand correctly, does that mean on a ramp test the step would feel smoother?

Nah, not smoother, there's just more potential energy in the turbo flywheel so if you ease off for a second it'll keep spinning rather than grind to a halt quickly. With a smaller gear the flywheel is slower so has less energy stored up. If you stop pedalling that energy will run out quicker and it'll be harder to get back on top of the interval. What @cjr means by micro-rests is tiny instances of not applying full pressure to the pedals.

tl:dr - if you're training for flat TTs use a big gear, training for HCs use a small gear. Either way stick to the same gear for all tests and training.

Maybe slightly, best thing would be to do a workout in erg mode and switch between a big and small gear. See if you can notice the difference.

Sorry, I don't know much about this, but if there is more PE in the flywheel an increase in resistance should take less energy to overcome no?

Yeah I'll just stick to the same gear it's what I've been doing. Easiest one to get it on and off suits me haha.

I imagine the erg brain makes changes in wattage accurately and would compensate for variables. Dunno though, it's a mysterious beast is erg mode.

Best not worry my pretty little head with it.

It all makes sense now. Cheers all

This morning I did an hour on the turbo and thought it was a good idea to put my phone in the side of my shorts to listen to music. Now it won't stop vibrating, presumably due to water(sweat) damage.

Phone is now in rice. Note to self: buy wireless earphones.

I just use cheap headphones. I still have a pair that came with one of my phones that are held together with electrical tape that I use when turboing outside (with an mp3 player clipped to my jersey/shorts).

Similar to what I was using, I just need a better place to put my phone (if this one survives) as I was only wearing bibs.

Stupid thing is I keep everything in a ziplock bag when riding outside.

I've gone through multiple cheap bluetooth in-ear headphones because sweat kills them. Now I've got some over-ear ones and they seem to be lasting much better. It's worth spending a tenner on some rather than having a cable swinging around.

I use a an older version of these on the turbo, seem to survive my mega sweat levels so id have thought most people will struggle to break them...

I also built myself a custom iPhone holders /fan mount out of bits of 2x4 and a beaten up old ikea bedside table that means I can use phone a zwift companion/music player and have my fan blowing on my face/chest and control the speed, i'll dig out a picture of the monstrosity..

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-SoundPEATS-Sweatproof-Headphones-Cancelling-Black/dp/B0771L5742/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1547115731&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=soundpeats+bluetooth+headphones+qy8&psc=1

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I have a phone holder for bikes but don't normally use it on the turbo as I have the mp3 player. If it makes you feel better I killed one of my mp3 players after dripping sweat on it too. So that's in the car now basically acting as a small USB stick.