Turbo Trainer Advice

This is the future. You can get on board now.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1662737031/virchybike-lite-the-versatile-ai-indoor-bike

I've got a power meter so I'm not fussed about power, but I do want to use Trainer Road etc.

What is the cheapest way I can get this done.

If you don't want it to auto change the resistance for you then literally any old turbo will do.

hmmm... that sounds like it would be helpful though. What's the cheapest one of them ones?

Something like this
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Look for the word 'smart' then check in the description that it can be controlled by an app/your computer. Some smart ones will only broadcast numbers, can't receive adjustment from an app.

As @Sumo says, you can use any old turbo.

Depending on your power meter, you might need an ANT+ dongle too, but that’s it.

I have a free month of Trainer Road to give away if you want to try before you buy.

I have a free month of Trainer Road to give away if you want to try before you buy.

me pls!

How are you finding the Kura? Looking at getting a direct drive trainer over the weekend and was contemplating the Flux until reading this thread

It's been solid for me. It's a pretty unexciting turbo really in as much as it doesn't have power control, but it's pretty quiet and hasn't gone wrong. Heavy resistance on it means I don't get out of the little ring much which sometimes causes problems with cross chaining when changing gear to increase resistance.

With regards to the flux, as I understand it the problems seem to have been ironed out since it was released so it may be a more viable option now compared to when I had mine...

Ah great cheers for that! Also looking at the direto actually, just currently weighing up the pro's and cons, good to hear about the flux as well.

I want to buy a smart turbo trainer that I can do swift, trainer road or whatever on. Max budget £600-£700 but I would rather spend less. @amey or anyone else - what should I get? I’m looking to buy something so it arrives this week.

Elite Direto. Or check out DC rainmakers latest trainer roundup.

If I've got a cheap turbo trainer (and also some rollers with variable resistance) and a bike with a crank based power meter, what can I do with it?

If I want to do an FTP test or something like that, do I just do it, record it on wahoo elemnt and stick it on strava?

I think I get that zwift is virtual riding for ec1 types, I guess for that I would need a trainer that linked to a computer and got harder/easier automatically?

What fun/interesting/useful stuff can I do with what I've got above, now that it's cold and dark outside?

What are you training for?

I'm also looking at the Direto. Looks really good, if anyone has tried one I'd be keen to hear more opinions...

Yeah I have one. Done only about 5 rides on it now but it's a significant improvement over my old vortex. Road feel much better and its way quieter too. Only annoyance I have with it is it is a little slow to react to big changes in power in ERG mode, but it's not a deal break by any means.

The ability to make watching cricket interesting?

The only thing that makes watching cricket interesting is beer.

This is a certified FACT.

Nothing in particular. I suppose to get fitter and faster or at least maintain fitness and fastness whilst the weather outside gets grimmer and I go from regular(ish) 27mi each way commutes and long weekend rides to Bromptoneering and less weekend riding.

I saw DC rainmaker said something like that, although I wondered how much is care given I'm coming from a non-smart turbo where I have to mess around with a handlebar control to get any change in resistance... It does look like a good choice for the purpose though.

Tempted to take a punt on the athleteshop 600 price tag although had a bad experience last time I tried to buy something below normal price there, I think they hold on to cash for things they don't have to smooth cashflow!

2nd hand kickr (is what I got for less money)

If you can afford £9 a month, then following one of the Trainerroad training plans would probably help you achieve your goal(s).

You can pick from a range of plans, and they seem well thought through from what I’ve seen.

I’ve not used Zwift, do they have training plans or is it down to you to work out what sessions to do?

Thanks - further research confirms this as a great option. Where did you buy from?

Clevertraining. If you go through DC Rainmakers website he gives a code at the bottom of the direto article that should get you 10% off list price.