Tri247.com Essential Guide To Turbo Trainers.

(You can also check out our other guides to: Front Lights, and Rear Lights).

Cycling is a time and labour intensive sport, there are no shortcuts to success. Perhaps not good news for the time poor among us, but there is a piece of equipment all cyclists should own which will help maximise the training time you do have – especially when it’s dark, wet or just inconvenient to be ‘out there’. A turbo trainer.

A traditional turbo trainer is basically a tubular steel bi/tripod which holds your bike by the rear axle, attached to the trainer is a steel or rubber cylinder on which the rear tyre sits. As you ride the bike, the rear wheel turns the cylinder which in turn is attached to a resistance unit. Some adjust the resistance applied to the rear wheel automatically as your power output increases, others are user adjustable. Most will accept a wide range of wheel sizes covering 26in mountain bike, 650c and 700c road sizes. There are also versions which work in unison with a PC and others which don’t require a separate bike, adaptations of the static bikes found in gyms and health clubs – ideal if you’ve got the space. When buying a turbo trainer you need to know what you’re looking for as there are a lot of small but critical differences between essentially identical looking pieces of equipment. There’s the type of resistance unit, wind, magnetic or fluid – each make different amounts of noise (wind being the loudest and fluid being the quietest), manual or auto resistance adjustments, computer readout.

Only you will know how much technology you want or need from your turbo trainer. Wiggle stock a range of units from several manufacturers across the price band from entry level right up to something a pro racer will recognise. Training on a turbo trainer allows you to focus on particular aspects of your riding or fitness without the distractions that occur when out on the road or trail, there are no cars, no rain or slippery mud to deal with, just you your bike and your goal for the session. Some riders love turbo training, loving the hum of the spinning tyre, others find turbo training hard mentally because there’s little outside stimulus. You’ll know in minutes which you are. For those who need something extra to keep them spinning, some trainers come with instructional DVD’s for a degree of coaching, other users may simply opt for an MP3 player and inspirational music, or their favourite bike DVD for inspiration through the perspiration.

When you’ve got serious training ahead, get it done on a turbo trainer.

To experience the benefits of owning and using a turbo trainer needn’t cost a fortune. Wiggle has a wide range of solid, easy to use entry level turbos from the top brands and all are designed to make the most of your valuable training time.

Intermediate:

Race regularly or just like to be on the very best form every time you hit the roads or trails, these trainers offer all the versatility you need. You can expect these trainers to be sturdier, quieter and smoother running than the cheaper ones. Look out for electronic accessories to enhance your training.

Performance:

These are the top level competition indoor trainers, often using smoother, quieter and stronger construction combines with state of the art electronics to create a state of the art indoor training.

Tacx Bushido Wireless Ergo Trainer (More Details)
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Elite Ghibli Parabolic Rollers (More Details)

Simple to fold away and transport with three thermoplastic drums mounted into an adjustable frame allow all sizes of cycle to be used. The cycle can move freely and therefore requires constant balance – giving a more realistic ride feel indoors, whatever the weather. The parabolic shape helps the cycle stays in the centre of the rollers for safer use – rollers have never been so easy to ride!

Smaller centre section diameter increases effort required. Sealed bearings guarantee a smooth, efficient pedaling action and is very quiet in operation. Super smooth rollers using larger diameter drums with a Parabolic shape to help keep you centered on the rollers.

The Elite Ghibli Parabolic Rollers are ideal for a recovery session or to warm up at an event, they fold flat enough to be carried in the boot and provide an ideal warm up solution when on your race tyres or tubulars. Why risk a puncture warming up on the road?

Rollers offer very low resistance and are ideal to get your heart rate and muscles warmed up, they have been used for years by track cyclists in-between events due to the stop start nature of the sport. They also help hone your bike handling skills and improve pedalling technique, making you smoother and more efficient when on the bike.

Wiggle price: £143.99 (BUY NOW)

CycleOps Classic Wind Trainer (More Details)

An unbeatable entry-level trainer with an extra-wide range of progressive resistance and excellent frame stability.

The CycleOps wind trainer represents great value, offering solid performance at a great price. Simple and elegant in design, the wind trainer’s fan uses air to create smooth, progressive resistance. Vortex blade design is high-power, low-noise, that generates progressive resistance for an effective realistic workout, whether spinning or climbing is your focus. Simply increase your effort by shifting gears like you would on the road.

With a full range of accessories from Trainer Mats to Riser Blocks to Trainright DVD’s the CycleOps trainer range is the 1st choice for the competitive and enthusiast cyclist.

Wiggle price: £111.99 (BUY NOW)