Turbo Trainer Advice

spiral of death

I have a fairly slow cadence, so expect this to happen before too long

As a tip, up your cadence 5-10 seconds before the next interval begins.

What's people using to have free interval sessions on a Wahoo kickr? I don't do enough indoor anymore to justify paying subscriptions

Wahoo app has a limited selection...

Anyone run a different size cassette on bike to their direct mount turbo?
Is there a range limit or just a no no

Like 11-28 vs 12-25 or 11sp vs 8sp?

Like 11-28 vs -11-32

Smart turbo? You generally stay in one gear so it likely won't matter. The only thing to be wary of is the extremities - you don't want to move to something where the cassette is bigger and you're stressing the RD trying to fit a too-short chain around some combo.

I did think that but wanted some reassurance. Ta

Just pick a high enough gear that the motor in your turbo can give enough resistance. My Vortex has combo magnetic and electronic braking but needs a decent chunk of the magnetic braking contribution from a decent wheel speed of 25-30km/h or so.

Direct drive you could probably just use use small ring and middle of the block regardless

Yeah, will be fine in ERG mode. Potential for it to be stupid in Slope mode.

You can create workouts here: https://ergdb.org/, and then read https://ergdb.org/load-workouts-onto-your-wahoo-elemnt-on-a-mac/ to get them on your Wahoo. You could also use GoldenCheetah (http://www.goldencheetah.org/) to create the workouts.

I ended up just paying for TrainingPeaks membership because:

1. You can only set FTP% targets in the free tools, you can't do things like set cadence, heart rate, or perceived exertion targets.
   
2. You then have to have a separate calendar of what training you'll do when and then wade through all your workout files on your Wahoo. I just made the decision to pay for the convenience, really.
   

Are the cheap smart turbos (Tacx Vortex or Bushido for example) worth it?

Looking to see if some turbo work at home works out (it'll be a faff regardless as I'm in a 1st floor flat and no easy access outside space either) so it would mean dragging a bike up from outside and setting it up each time.

I want something that is vaguely accurate (or at least consistent) w.r.t. power and smart in the sense that it be used with Zwift/Trainerroad/etc to do some structured training (automation resistance adjustment, etc).

Also going to look at what the local gym has (I'm already a member for swimming so it won't cost any extra), if it has something I can just punch in my FTP and then ride various programmes I may just settle for that and just record them on my Garmin 935 for analysis/tracking.

ignore me
i just saw you have no access to outside space.

You don't want that nonsense you wanna buy my old Computrainer...

Also going to look at what the local gym has

It has a bunch of generic gym bikes that don't have ANT+/BT but it does have 5 older style Wattbikes (which do ANT) so I was able to do a ramp test (much fat, so little power) and record it all on my Garmin 935 watch. I can also fit a test like that in every week (it's only 15 mins) whilst my daughter has her swimming lesson (as I get kicked out of the pool when her lesson begins).

The gym Wattbikes also have some programmes but I didn't have enough time to play with them and I doubt they'll be good enough - it's a shitty LCD screen so I'd rather go for something at home linked to Trainerroad or Zwift.

So, back to the original question, what are the cheaper smart trainers like Tacx Vortex and Bushido like? Good enough for a Cat 6 numpty who'd like, eventually, to get up to the dizzying heights of 3.5W/kg?

Computrainer

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Rubber mat recommendations?

(1st floor flat)

Planet X has a training mat for cheap. Buy two?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/JSG-Accessories%C2%AE-Protective-interlocking-children%60s/dp/B0114AYQAE/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=workout%2Btiles&qid=1569825277&sr=8-2&th=1&psc=1

Thanks. Went for the Planet X option as they were only £13.

Remembered that my downstairs neighbour gave me an old (non-smart) turbo and I've got a PowerTap hub equipped bike so I can use that to try it out (for noise/etc) before saving up my pennies for a smart trainer. Wonder if my Garmin ANT+ stick will be good enough to link PowerTap hub to TrainerRoad/Zwift.

Anyone have any opinion on the original Wahoo Kickr from 2014 and if its still worth buying second hand, if so roughly how much should I be looking at? The one I've been offered looks in good nick

Wonder if my Garmin ANT+ stick will be good enough to link PowerTap hub to TrainerRoad.

That's what I use.

Pretty sure they all still do the same thing. My OG one with the shit handle functions perfectly. IRC the 2018 model had a few bugs. If it's a good price (>£400 I guess, but check ebay sold prices) I'd say it's a solid investment.

Cool, thank you. They want 350 for it so could be a goer. Appreciate the input

If you've not used Erg mode before you're in for a treat... if you like that sort of thing.