Any question answered...

I use flannel as a bombaclat.

I use crusty old socks

Is this a good deal/good place to start? I want to get more exercise and have the opportunity to work on form without having to go to the gym or deal with cars.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tacx/cycle-force-1-excel-turbo-trainer-ec025172

Would anyone suggest buying a different trainer? And, to confirm: this is the kind that I attach the forks to and my back wheel is on a thing-a-majig, right?

I want to get more exercise and have the opportunity to work on form...Would anyone suggest buying a different trainer?

Yes, for general aerobic training plus improved form, get rollers.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-antares-professional-training-rollers/

And, to confirm: this is the kind that I attach the forks to and my back wheel is on a thing-a-majig, right?

No, your front wheel sits on the ground and the turbo attaches to your bike at the rear axle; that might be what you meant, of course.

Turbos are good for fitness, but notoriously bad for form; but rollers aren't everyone's cup of tea (despite being great for form).

*assuming we're all on the same page as far as what 'form' means

What if you don't like tea?

Shit, I don't even like tea much. This is too complicated for me. I'm out.

Hopefully not with milk.

Ugh, OK, I see what you mean, tester & bmmf. Rollers are not my cup of tea. I would like to stay on the bike, not fall off rollers. I guess the main issue with rollers is space next to a wall, whereas there is plenty of space for attaching my bike to a turbo. (I now understand the difference in the terms!)

yes, with milk. but only breakfast tea. earl grey is just by itself.

Supplesse with ketchup. Get rollers. After one day in the doorway I am now riding in the middle of my kitchen.

I still use mine in a doorway. I'm stable on them, after hours and hours and hours, but they're staying in a doorway. Forever.

Some people advocate single leg exercises on the turbo for working on form, but I don't subscribe to that at all. My turbo has seen a lot of use though, and will continue to do so.

@jayloo - riding a lowish fixed gear for a few months (over the winter or whatever) should help your form, particularly if you don't shy away from the odd downhill, or riding on the flat with other riders who are geared or running a taller gear than you. 60 to 63" works well, and you can comfortably average winter training pace :)

Talking about winter training, recommend me some tyres that will be happy on Mavic TN719's, have decent p_nctr resistance yet low rolling resistance, beat as they sweep as they clean, and grip well when it's cold and shitty out there.

Jenne- you can borrow my Fluid2 if you want? I'm not using it at the moment.

It's this one:

Link

Since we're on turbos, and off dildos, but still a bit on tea -- I hope nobody minds me reposting this:

My wife is thinking about getting a Charge Mixer 11 (I think, possibly 8). It has a Shimano Alfine hub gears, from photos it looks like the cable doesn't enter the hub at the end of the axle as I've seen on Sturmey Archer hubs.

She wants to be able to use the bike on the turbo trainer, would this be a problem with the hub gears, assuming I can mount it properly?

Also, I find it hard to stay on the turbo for much more than 30 minutes, aside from bored I get a little uncomfortable -- I wonder if getting one of those small stands to bring up the front wheel would help?

I still use mine in a doorway. I'm stable on them, after hours and hours and hours, but they're staying in a doorway. Forever.

My only doorway goes into the hallway. I had to get out.

I wonder if getting one of those small stands to bring up the front wheel would help?

It would help to lighten your wallet, when you can just go to the stairwell of any flock of bats and pick up a couple of Yellow Pages which will do the job just as well.

If the discomfort is coming from the hands/arms, propping up the front wheel may help, as not doing so effectively lowers your bars.

Rollers are not my cup of tea. I would like to stay on the bike, not fall off rollers.

1: It's unlikely that you'll fall off
2: It doesn't actually matter much if you do - the bike stops more or less instantaneously.
3: If you can't ride between two lines 16" apart, you probably shouldn't be going out on the public highway :-)

trapped nerve. doctor?

Talking about winter training, recommend me some tyres that will be happy on Mavic TN719's, have decent p_nctr resistance yet low rolling resistance, beat as they sweep as they clean, and grip well when it's cold and shitty out there.

Madness to run a 25C on these?

Sheldon says no, but I recall MDCC tester saying that his table was extremely conservative

Is there a reason why, other than being popular, so many riders use the older style campag pista chain rings on the newer pista cranks?

Because it look brilliant together?

I ran them on the ol' Holdsworth.

Because it look brilliant together?

I ran them on the ol' Holdsworth.

Aesthetics are always subjective I guess, the combination is growing on me though.
That was nice a nice bike, always liked the old Holdsworth text/logo.